Long Beach Pride

This year, the Long Beach Pride Parade and Festival returns to the third weekend in May, taking place on May 17 and 18, 2025.

What hasn’t changed is the significance of the event and how it showcases so much of what Long Beach is and aspires to be: inclusive, welcoming … and fun.

In its 42nd year, Long Beach Pride has firmly established itself as one of the city’s most anticipated and popular events. Witness the fact that nearly 100,000 people flocked to it last year with similar crowds expected in 2025.

Welcome to the Gayborhood

Long Beach’s celebration kicks off Pride season in Greater Los Angeles, with WeHo Pride May 30 to June 1, followed by LA Pride on June 8. Long Beach's history is intimately tied to its LGBTQ+ community, and today the city is home to many restaurants, bars, and small businesses that foster that community, many clustered along the Broadway Corridor. City officials are working to designate the Broadway Corridor as a cultural district to recognize that history.

That sense of community is on proud display during Long Beach Pride. In many ways, Pride’s growth in popularity owes much to the fact that its principles of community speak to a city with such a rich tapestry of cultures. Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation for LGBTQ+ inclusion by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for a decade. When the announcement of that honor was made by then-mayor–now Congressman–Robert Garcia, the city’s first openly gay mayor, he said the city remains “a place where everyone – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – is welcome.”

Two-Day Festival

The 42nd annual Long Beach Pride Festival will be held on May 17 and 18 at Marina Green Park (386 E Shoreline Dr), celebrating the theme “The Power of Community.” The Founder's Stage lineup includes acts like Hym The Rapper, George Michael Reborn, Tori Kay, a Drag Show Extravaganza hosted by Jewels Long Beach, and more. The festival will also include a BallRoom Dance-off by House of Long Beach and the Secret Service stage, with DJ Minx, Cherry Lee, Scott Martin, and Noir D Costas.

Credit: Long Beach Pride

Pride Parade

The 42nd Annual Long Beach Pride Parade takes place Sunday, May 18, at 10 AM. The parade begins at Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue and travels west along Ocean to Alamitos Avenue. This free event will be hosted by the City of Long Beach in partnership with the Port of Long Beach and Council District Two. Many local businesses, government agencies, and public personalities participate in the parade, with music, dancing, and even cheer performances happening along the route. 2025 parade grand marshals include Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Carolyn Caldwell, Jennifer Kumiyama, Debra Kahookele, Josie Quiros, Rocio Rached, Isa Rached (in memoriam), Pastor Tony Carreras, and Alex Malleis-Sternberg. For more details, visit longbeach.gov/prideparade.

Long Beach Pride Parade & Festival Learn More

Annual Events Learn More

This Weekend in Long Beach Learn More

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.