Countdown to Pride 2025: San Diego Gets Ready

Get ready! Final preparations are underway for San Diego 2025 Pride Week complete with a festival, parade, rally & more set to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Key Takeaways

San Diego Pride Week starts in just a few days on July 16th with the Pride festival on July 19th & 20th & BIG Pride parade on July 19th.
What acts can I see at San Diego Pride? Khelani & Kim Petras are the major headliners. Explore all the latest Pride Week details below!
Looking for tickets to San Diego Pride Festival 2025? Regular and VIP tickets are available online now! Youth tickets are free onsite.

By Kristina Cappetta

Last Updated on
Jul 16, 2025

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Countdown to Pride

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Pride 2025: The Countdown is On!

Excitement is in the air in San Diego as the last-minute touches are being put on one of the largest pride festivals and parades in the country. Pride Week is a huge annual event for the city and community that welcomes everyone in a judgement-free zone.

As the first events kick off in just a few days, you can begin to prepare yourself for plenty of music, energy, dancing and celebrations at San Diego Pride 2025!

San Diego Pride Parad Map 2025

When are the Pride Festivities in San Diego?

San Diego Pride Week events will take place from Wednesday, July 16th until Sunday, July, 20th, 2025.

The big Pride Festival is set for Friday, July 19th, 2025, from 12:00pm until 10:00pm and Saturday, July 20th, 2025, from 12:00pm until 9:00pm. The festival will be held at Marston Point in Balboa Park at 6th Ave. & Laurel St.

The annual Pride parade that is always a lively celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th from 10:00am until 3:00pm.

There is also the Spirit of Stonewall Rally on Friday, July 18th, Pride 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, July 19th, and many more events scheduled that you won’t want to miss!

San Diego Pride Festival Crowd

What’s New for San Diego Pride 2025?

Annual traditions and favorites of San Diego Pride Week include the Pride Parade and Pride Festival. And while those and some of the other festivities scheduled are the same as in previous years, the details of each are always fresh and new!

The 2025 Pride Festival headliners are Kim Petras and Kehlani but I’m also looking forward to Black House Radio and Uniiqu3 who will be performing on the Movement Stage.

There’s also new and enhanced festival activities, and award winners who have contributed to the LGBTQIA+ community, such as this year’s Champion of Pride winner, Courtney Johnson. And if you and your family have never been before, your attendance and support could be new for 2025 as well!

Skip the Traffic: Take the Trolley to Pride!

Avoid parade traffic! Take the MTS trolley to the Fifth Avenue station. It’s a short walk (25 min) or quick rideshare to the Hillcrest parade route or the Balboa Park festival entrance. This is the easiest way to get to the heart of the celebration without the stress of finding parking.

Coming Soon: Events Not to Miss!

Whether you want to listen to some amazing music, check out some fantastic artwork, or attend the always popular Pride parade, there are several events our founder Todd recommends you checkout during Pride Week 2025!

San Diego Pride Parade Rainbow Umbrella

Major Headliners & Performances

As I mentioned above, the big headliners you won’t want to miss for the Pride Festival on July 19th and 20th are Kim Petras and Kehlani. You can catch them on The Stonewall Stage.

There are also other supporting acts like Robin Roth, Ric Wilson, and many more. Since there are four stages of performances, our team at Go Visit San Diego team recommends checking the official site page for a complete list of performers so you get to the right stage for the act you want to see.

Fun Festival Zones

Kids and teens will want to visit the enhanced Youth Zone. They can meet others, dance, and find support.

Kids under 13 and their families can go to the Children’s Garden. Activities, snacks, and more await them!

There is also a Zen garden, which our Go Visit San Diego team finds very cool. Relax, meditate, and just take a timeout.

Also, don’t miss the diverse artwork from LGBTQIA+ artists in the Art of Pride area honoring this year’s theme, “Unbreakable Pride, Unshakeable Power.”

Light Up The Cathedral

More Events & Dedications

San Diego Pride will also feature the Spirit of Stonewall Rally & award recipients. Honorees include groups and individuals who have contributed significantly to the LGBTQIA+ community like Cesar A Reyes for community service and Rev. Dan Koeshall for the Light of Pride.

When you head out to the parade, keep an eye out for new floats that represent local organizations and first-time participants.

Go Historic with Go Pass!

Historic Whaley House Museum

The Whaley House Museum is located in historic Old Town San Diego. With your Go Pass, take in one of the most visited attractions in the area. The complex is made up of multiple houses and museums that offer something fun for the whole family.

Buy Now

What are the best Go City San Diego pass deals?

Some of the best deals with the Go City San Diego pass include access to San Diego’s most popular attractions.

Discount admission is offered to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, USS Midway Museum, Belmont Park rides and more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

Tickets, Transportation, & More

While many events are free of charge like the Pride parade and Spirit of Stonewall Rally, others like the Pride Festival are ticketed events.

Let’s have a look at the best ways to get tickets as well as how to get you safely to your favorite Pride Week activity!

Beautiful Mural in Hillcrest

Get Your Pride Festival Tickets Online

If you’re looking to attend the Pride Festival, I highly recommend that you buy your tickets online to save time. Both VIP and regular 2-day tickets for the 2025 Pride Festival are currently available through the San Diego Festival website. You can also buy tickets at the box office.

Tickets range from about $40 for a one day GA ticket to about $260 for a 2-day VIP Weekend pass. Seniors 65 and over can buy a ticket for $15 onsite upon arrival.

Tickets for high-school-aged youth and younger are free at the box office. Just know that all youth must go to the box office to get their free ticket BEFORE entering the festival.

Arrive Early

As the anticipation approaches, we have heard stories from years past of huge crowds looking to attend the always popular Pride Parade. And it’s for that reason that we highly recommend that you arrive early to all the events, but especially for the parade, so you can get the best viewing spots.

The parade kicks off at 10:00am at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave. and Normal St. Expect earlier road closures this year.

Bus About to Cross Train Tracks

Getting To the Pride Parade & Festival

If you drive, you can park for free at the Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way). Catch the free shuttle to the parade and festival. Shuttles start at 7:00am. An express shuttle from the parade to the festival will run from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

Rideshare drop-offs are at the festival entrance at the corner of Laurel St. and 6th Ave.

Popular Hotels

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Andaz San Diego, a Concept by Hyatt

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Last Minute Tips to Pride-tastic Fun!

Lots of Sidewalk Cafes in Hillcrest

As Pride Week quickly approaches, you’ll want to be aware of the event policies so you can have the best time at all Pride events.

Accessibility & Sustainability

Bring a one-liter reusable empty water bottle to the festival that can be refilled at various water stations.

Pride activities are ADA accessible as organizers continue to improve options so everyone can attend. Accessibility offerings include:

ASL interpretation at main stages
Accessible restrooms
Mobility pathways and many more

Check the event website for an ADA accessibility offerings complete list.

Where to Stay Nearby

If you’re looking for a last minute hotel during Pride Week, see if you can grab a room at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows. This is our team’s top pick for a place to stay near all the week’s festivities.

It features a convenient location just three miles from Balboa Park, has a famous pool, awesome bar, and overall hip vibe that is the perfect match with Pride Week!

More Tips From a Local

Get excited! Pride Week 2025 is all but here. Below I put together just a few more things you’ll want to know before you attend the festivities.

Download or screenshot your ticket before you arrive to the Pride Festival - signal can be spotty onsite.

Pack clear bags only (strict enforcement this year); review updated prohibited item list online.

Always check the event app for any last-minute lineup or weather updates.

Bring sunscreen for daytime activities to battle the warm San Diego sun and a light jacket for cooler nighttime temperatures.

Most of all, Pride Week will go by in a moment, but the events are more of a movement! Have fun and get ready for some memorable San Diego Pride events!

Featured Hotel

The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

Outdoor Pool at the Lafayette Hotel Swim Club and Bungalows

Balboa Park

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Families

Feast your senses and experience the glamor of 1980s luxury at the stylized Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, & Bungalow in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.

Prices Starting at $127

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