Oakland Pride came early for the gals, gays and theys this year, with thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies flocking to Downtown Oakland for the Oakland Pride Parade and Festival on Sunday. The daylong event has taken place on Labor Day weekend in the past. This year, the event celebrated its Sweet Sixteen with an extensive slate of performers across four stages and a new Sexy Town zone.
With a wave of anti-trans legislation across the country, this year’s theme, “Celebrating Pride, Power, and People,” felt like a necessary community response. From dance parties at the Mighty Real stage to DJ sets from David Harness and Oakland’s Charles Hawthorne, to performances by R&B singer and songwriter Amerie and a massive crowd for Mexican popstar Fey on the Latin stage, the celebration lasted long after the morning parade wrapped up at midday. Gerardo Gama was one of the superfans who packed in to catch Fey; holding up a drawing he made of the pop diva, Gama told The Oaklandside that he’d listened to her music since he was a young boy.
Some of the liveliest action unfolded at Sexy Town, the festival’s new 18+ addition, which featured a dyke arm wrestling contest, sapphic-centered wrestling matches from Lez Wrestle, and a rather epic twerk- off hosted by Sally Limón.
“It’s a good time to celebrate love and to be around people that are like me, to be honest,” Jalisa Smith, who attended the festival with her partner Heaven Fountaine and a dozen friends, told The Oaklandside.
“This is for locals,” Smith said. “Like, you was born and raised here, come to Pride, celebrate your gay.”
Attendees cheer on a twerk competition at the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Mexican popstar Fey performs on the Latin stage at the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Gerardo Gama holds a drawing of Mexican popstar Fey, as the singer performs on the Latin stage. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Ricky Castellanos watches Fey perform. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Thousands of people line the streets of Downtown Oakland during the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
La Vicky hosts the Latin stage at the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
R&B singer and songwriter Amerie, known for her 2005 single “1 Thing,” headlines the main stage at the Oakland Pride Festival. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Gio Miller, right, wins a match during the dyke arm wresting contest at Sexy Town during the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Baby Milf and Hahpi Ow-ur face off in a wrestling match during the Lez Wrestle Sexy Town takeover at Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Sexy Town was the festival’s 18+ activation featuring dancers, wrestling and more. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Dancers perform on a platform in front of the Latin stage at the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Deejay Byrd dances as Steven Kelly DJs on at the Mighty Real stage during the Oakland Pride Festival. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Sally Limón hosts a twerk competition at Sexy Town. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Zahra Drevitch, owner of Queer Fem Parties, performs at Sexy Town. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Fernando Vasquez, center, dances at the Latin stage during the Oakland Pride Festival. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
Jalisa Smith, center, with her partner and friends at the Oakland Pride Festival, Aug. 16, 2026. “I just I just think it’s a good time to celebrate love and to be around people that are like me,” Smith said. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for The Oaklandside
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