The San Diego Pride Events You Won’t Want to Miss

San Diego Pride weekend is July 15-16th and there are a lot of different ways to celebrate.The Pride Parade is the largest civic event in San Diego, but that’s not the only way to show your support or join in the festivities.

The Pride Block Party is the event that officially kicks off Pride weekend in San Diego. Hillcrest will be hosting the 5th annual block party event from 5-11pm on July 14th. The block party is open to the public, but the event is 21+ since it boasts complimentary drinks. The block party starts with the March for Trans Pride at 5pm. The march begins at Balboa Park and ends at the Hillcrest Pride Flag, where you can participate in the Spirit of Stonewall Rally. This rally includes speaker presentations, an awards ceremony, musicians, and Hillcrest Pride Flag raising ceremony. After the ceremony, there will be carnival rides, DJs, gogo dancers, gourmet food service, and bars. All proceeds from the event will benefit the maintenance of the Pride Plaza. 

If you enjoy a good laugh and you want to be part of an inaugural event, come down to Finest City Improv on July 7th and 8th. Finest City Improv is hosting their first improv comedy festival in partnership with San Diego Pride. This festival debut features two full days of LGBT related improv comedy teams, featured shows, workshops, and an all-star Lip Sync Battle. Finest City Improv, and the improv community in general, has offered a welcoming and safe environment for the LGBT community and this festival celebrates that shared pride! Teams have submitted from all over the nation to be here in San Diego for this one weekend. Get tickets here.

If you like a good time and martinis are your drink of choice, consider celebrating pride with Babette Schwartz at Martinis Above Fourth. Babette will be calling the numbers at the establishment’s Pride Kickoff BINGO. Win or lose, BINGO is a blast with the wacky and witty Babette Schwartz, and nobody calls those little numbered balls one bit better. Have yourself a hip, eclectic dining experience in an upscale, yet un-stuffy environment while enjoying incredible entertainment presented on the main stage. Doors open at 11am, BINGO starts at 1pm.

Hanging out poolside is a great way to cool down before Pride weekend. Most San Diegans know that the historic Lafayette Hotel hosts some of the best pool parties, and their Splash Pre-Pride Pool Party is no exception. DJ Dawna Montell will be spinning, and the party starts on July 14th at 12pm. Get your tickets here.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Pride, we hope you enjoy the time that is dedicated to equality and empowerment.