San Diego Pride: What to know about the parade and festivities
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This 2024 Pride parade float went all out. Photo: by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
It's our time for Pride, San Diego.
Why it matters: The annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community is the largest single-day civic event in the region, drawing more than 250,000 people to the parade and festival.
Between the lines: This year, some elected officials and several Jewish organizations are boycotting some Pride festivities because of headliner Kehlani's stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and major sponsors and the military contingent have dropped out.
- San Diego Pride also faced criticism over its unstable leadership leading up to the event, but the organization said it's seen an increase in ticket sales despite these issues.
Here's what's happening: Pride weekend kicks off Friday night with the Spirit of Stonewall Rally by the Hillcrest Pride flag, honoring the political history of the event.
- Cheer on the 5K runners in flamboyant rainbow outfits Saturday morning.
- The Pride Parade begins at 10am Saturday in Hillcrest with a 1.5-mile route along University Avenue and Sixth Avenue that ends at the Pride Festival grounds at Marston Point in Balboa Park. Parking is not fun; here are some tips.
- The festival lineup is packed from noon into the night both Saturday and Sunday. Unlike the parade, the festival is a ticketed event.
- Rainbow storytimes for kids are Saturday and Sunday.
The latest: Friday's typical block party isn't happening because of construction, but a new Pride Cocktail Garden on University Avenue will feature local food vendors, a bar, a raffle, and space to watch the rally.
Zoom in: Local Jewish organizations and synagogues are throwing a J Pride Weekend to create "a space that uplifts LGBTQ+ Jews and our allies," the event website says.
- It begins with Pride Shabbat services Friday evening and Saturday morning, followed by a family-friendly Saturday afternoon festival and a Sunday "big gay brunch."
- All events are at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center's Jacobs Family Campus in La Jolla.
Zoom out: Hillcrest is buzzing with other Pride-related events all weekend, including comedy shows, dance parties and boozy brunches.
- There's a queer burlesque show in Logan Heights supporting the trans youth emergency project Thursday night.
- Alma Hotel in Hillcrest is hosting an artisan market at its pool on Friday afternoon.
- Le Parties is throwing pool parties at the Double Tree by Hilton in Mission Valley all weekend, plus a "Rainbow Rave" at Music Box Friday night.
- Lips in North Park is hosting an "Over the Rainbow" brunch Saturday morning.