Sacramento Pride Festival

Don't miss the celebration in the iconic Capitol mall packed to the brim with dance tents, entertainers, amazing food and two days of Pride celebrations.

In 2024, on June 8th - 9th, enjoy one of the best Pride event weekends in California with live performances, dancing, entertainment, exhibits, fantastic food, and two days of Pride celebrations in the California Capitol!

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This page will be updated with schedule and performer details when 2024 event information is announced.

Pride Month History

Where to Stay

Where to find the fun

Transportation

Pride Month: How it all began

Click on each year to see what historical events paved the way for Pride!

1969

Stonewall riots in New York gain national attention for gay rights.

1970

Community members in New York City march through the streets to recognize the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. This event is named Christopher Street Liberation Day and is now considered the first gay pride parade.

The first permitted pride parade took place on June 28, 1970, with approximately 1,000 people in attendance in Los Angeles California.

1979

First national gay-rights march is held in Washington, D.C.

1999

U.S. President Bill Clinton declares the anniversary of the Stonewall riots every June in America as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

2011

President Barack Obama expands the officially recognized Pride Month to include the whole LGBTQ+ community.

Where to Stay

Where to find the fun

Sacramento Pride takes place in the city's downtown area, in Capitol Mall, located a short distance from the Golden 1 Center, between the iconic California Capitol building and Tower Bridge.

Just around the corner is the rainbow-paved Lavender Heights neighborhood, home to the Sacramento LGBT Community Center and well-known LGBTQ+ nightlife. And, if you're joining in the annual Pride March too, it kicks off at South Side Park, the same location as the first march in 1979, and proceeds up T Street, up 10th Street, and ends at Capitol Mall where you can jump right into this year's Pride festival!

How to get there

Its easier than ever to get around the Capital Region. Don't feel like driving downtown this year? Here are some helpful transportation alternatives for getting there this year:

Regional Transit Light Rail Service - runs through downtown, Rancho Cordova, and old town Folsom.
Sacramento Regional Transit Bus Service - runs through Rancho Cordova on five bus routes which will take riders to destinations including Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, and Rosemont. All routes also connect with light rail stops.
Biking - an active and affordable way to get around the capitol region is by taking the many paved bike routes throughout the area. Check out this interactive Rancho Cordova city bike map, this Sacramento bike parking map, and of course, this Sacramento city bike route map to plan ahead for Pride weekend biking downtown.