Your guide to San Diego Pride 2024
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Participants carry a Progress Pride flag last year in the San Diego Pride Parade. Photo: Daniel Knighton via Getty Images
Pride celebrations ended in June for many cities, but the party is just starting in San Diego.
Why it matters: The city's Pride observance is among the largest in the U.S., and the parade is the region's biggest single-day civic event, attracting more than 250,000 attendees.
Driving the news: The local event is celebrating 50 years with the theme Making History Now to honor and build upon activists' work as LGBTQ+ rights continue to be threatened.
- Parties, Pride-themed story times at local libraries and comedy shows are happening around the city this week, with the biggest events starting Friday.
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally kicks off at 6pm Friday at the Hillcrest Pride Flag with speakers, performances and awards to honor local leaders.
- It's free and followed by a ticketed block party that's really a dance party with Aliyah's Interlude and local DJs.
What's next: The parade's colorful floats and live entertainment take to the streets Saturday at 10am along a 1.5-mile route through Hillcrest to Balboa Park.
- The procession starts at the Hillcrest Pride Flag, heads west down University Avenue, then south on 6th Avenue to Upas Street, where it enters the park and continues on Balboa Drive until Quince Street.
- Several roads will be closed as thousands of fair patrons cheer along the way.
- People can also watch the parade on TV for the first time on CBS.
The festival is a two-day party featuring live music on four stages and performances by LGBTQ+ artists, food vendors, cultural experts/exhibits and community resources.
- Todrick Hall, Rico Nasty and Sheila E. are headlining.
- The ticketed event is 11am-10pm Saturday and 11am-9pm Sunday at Marston Point (6th Avenue and Laurel Street) in Balboa Park.
If you go: Parade and festival transportation is available by shuttle from the free (but limited) parking lots at the Old Naval Hospital.
- It might be more efficient to use public transit, a rideshare service, or a bike or scooter.
Yes, but: Don't forget other great events leading up to the parade:
- The Diversionary Theatre has live performances in the Clark Cabaret on Wednesday and Friday nights, and a free "Pride is Protest" sign-making workshop is set for Thursday.
- Catch the Dreamgirls Revue Pride Show at Urban Mo's Wednesday night, or check out the rest of their Pride week schedule.
- Singer/songwriter Corday is playing Gossip Grill on Friday night.
- Dress up in wacky rainbow outfits and run or walk in the charity 5K race Saturday morning.