Loud, raucous, and irreverent, the rainbow-hued, late-June extravaganza that is the San Francisco Pride Parade & Celebration is the City by the Bay’s celebration of all things LGBTQ+. There are events throughout the month as part of Pride Month, but it all culminates with this final weekend when up to a million visitors—which often more than doubles the population of San Francisco—flock to this event, the largest annual LGBTQ+ gathering in the world.
The festivities can be way, way over the top—but you can find a variety of events for every segment of the LGBTQ+ community, including families. In a city that has long embraced alternative lifestyles, the San Francisco Pride weekend is a true celebration of equality, love, and expression. It’s open to all—gay, straight, whatever—and visitors are encouraged to dress up, have fun, and join the wild and crazy party.
With so much going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you aren’t familiar with the city. But the exhilarating good vibes that run through all the goings-on of the weekend are undeniable, and are sure to put even a first-time visitor at ease. (Check out these cheeky tips on how to get the most of it).
The festival’s main stage, which hosts inspirational speakers and entertainment all weekend, is at the steps of City Hall in Civic Center Plaza, a location that has played a major role in LGBTQ history. The main stage’s bill also includes live musical acts, comedy, and cabaret, and just offstage and throughout the city there are typically events such as a Country-Western Dance Corral, a Leather Alley carnival, and more. Twenty additional community-programmed stages and venues often get in on the act as well, with themes such as Faerie Freedom Village, Cheer San Francisco, Asian and Pacific Islander Community Pride, Homo Hip-Hop, and Indie Oasis.
Sunday’s parade, which usually begins near the Embarcadero and ends at the Civic Center, is the undisputed focal point of the entire weekend. But as high caliber as the official events and the participants in the legendary parade are, a lot of what makes San Francisco Pride such an incredible experience is what’s going on all around you. The elaborate costumes, the revelry, the exuberant nature of it all is truly a sight—and an experience—to behold.