How to Celebrate Pride Month in San Francisco
Back in full force for the first time since 2019, there are more than 30 ways to show your Pride in SF this June.
FINALLY, after two years without one of the city’s most amazing celebrations and parades, SF Pride is officially back! #SFPride52 promises to be one of the best we’ve seen in a while because everyone is ready to do what we San Franciscans do best: celebrate, uplift, and support the members, voices, cultures, and rights of our LGBTQIA+ communities. IN PERSON! Because if anything is better together, it’s Pride. Show your Pride at marches, dance parties, film screenings, conversations, drag shows, and even wonton, chocolate, and sushi tastings. And don’t forget that this year’s Pride theme—#LoveIsBetterTogether—is even BETTER if we adhere to it all year long, and not just in the month of June. HAPPY PRIDE, SAN FRANCISCO!
Saturday, June 25–Sunday, June 26
“Love will keep us together” at this year’s official #Pride52 celebration that include a parade kickoff by Dykes on Bikes at 10:30 am on Sunday. The entire line-up for the two-day fest has yet to be announced, but there will be over 200 parade continents, live entertainment on multiple stages, exhibitors, and more. Download the brand new Pride app for all of the details, including maps, line-ups, vendors, artists, and more. Prefer your parade with a side of not-tired-feet? Buy tickets to sit in the Grandstand.
Throughout June
Manny’s, a community cafe/bar/event space with cafe-in-the-front and living-room-in-the-back vibes, is hosting Pride events all month long, including a couple of Pride movie nights (Paris is Burning, Pariah, and Fire Island) a queer square dancing night, and a couple of talks, including ‘Queerness Along the Spiritual Spectrum.’ Check their events page for all of the listings.
Thursday, June 9
Caberet meets beloved Broadway tunes at this live show at Oasis that celebrates “the ups and downs of the queer experience with a full band performance.
Ongoing throughout June
The GLBT Historical Society preserves and exhibits materials and knowledge that support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture, and arts in all their diversity. Right now, exhibitions include “Queer Past Becomes Present,” a long-term exhibit that shows all kinds of photos and artifacts from everyday queer life of San Franciscans; a recently discovered segment of one of the original 1978 rainbow flags; 12 stories that explore the experience of LGBTQ members of the Irish diaspora; and stories from LGBTQ people from around the world about what the rainbow flag means to them. Go for free on June 4, June 11, and June 12.
Friday, June 10
Juanita MORE!, Steve Fabus, and Jimmy DePre are taking over the Redwood Room for MOREBANG!, an affair that “welcomes nobodies, bright & dull stars, old & young creatives, and industry paragons” and is being referred to as “San Francisco’s most stylish music night out.” Evening or cocktail attire is encouraged with prizes for the “most dressed.” The event benefits the Q Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that’s building a community where all people have a safe place to live.
Friday, June 10–Sunday, June 12
The annual San Francisco International Queer Women of Color Film Festival is happening at the Presidio Theatre, showcasing films that reflect the lives of queer women of color and address social justice issues that concern multiple communities. Oh, and it’s free!
Friday, June 10
The legendary Heklina, Carnie Asada, Landa Lakes, and Madd Dogg are taking over the Living Room Bar at the W Hotel for an evening of fabulous performances, sounds by DJ Works, photo-ops, cocktails, and seasonal bites. And you can join the fun for just $15.
Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12
This will be the largest display of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt in over a decade and the largest-ever memorial quilt display in SF’s history. You can see nearly 3,000 panels of the quilt meant to “connect the history of the AIDS pandemic to the ongoing fight against stigma and prejudice” in Robin Williams Meadow from 10 am to 5 pm. Get there at 9:30 am on Saturday for the unfolding, followed by the continuous reading of names of lives lost to AIDS aloud by volunteers, dignitaries, and the public on both days.
Friday, June 10
Queer A.F. is a new artist-led pop-up in the historic Harvey Milk Castro Camera Shop dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and promoting people across the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum. The gallery/boutique/gathering space will show art of all mediums with a focus on the work of local Queer artists and makers who are underrepresented, disenfranchised, and emerging. Go on June 10 for the grand opening extravaganza. If you can’t make that, pop in any time before it closes on October 31.
Thursday, June 16
“Drag Me to the St. Francis” promises to be one of the most extravagant and over-the-top drag shows SF has seen in a while, and it’s all to benefit the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. There will be plenty of fabulous Queens, including Willam from RuPaul's Drag Race, and the iconic Lady Bunny. Also appearing: Derrick Barry, Meatball, Shannel, Stasha Sanchez, Mimi Marks, Nebraska Thunderf*ck, and Heklina.
Thursday, June 16–Sunday, June 26
Frameline46, the world’s longest-running showcase of queer cinema, is hosting 11 days of LGTBQ+ cinematic events in theaters all over SF, as well as one in Oakland (plus digital screenings for those who prefer to watch at home). The in-person events kick off on Thursday, June 16, with a screening of A League of Their Own, followed by an opening night gala with cocktails, snacks, and a silent auction. During the next ten days, audiences will be able to see over 90 films (narratives, shorts, documentaries, etc.) representing more than 30 countries, plus live talks, Q&As, and more.
Thursday, June 9–Thursday, June 23
This year’s theme for the largest queer arts festival in North America is “Our Destiny,” honoring the work of artists in the present and all the abundant possibilities for the community in the future. The festival takes place in spaces all over the Bay Area with over 20 performances, visual arts exhibitions, and interdisciplinary showcases, including a Drag Story Hour, writing workshop, printmaking workshop, Afro Latin dance festival, Queer prom, and more.
Wednesday, June 22–Sunday, June 26
The Oakland Black Pride Festival kicks off with “Breaking Bread: Pride Opening Reception Dinner,” a six-course meal with optional cocktail pairings prepared by Chef Zeus. That Friday, there’s a Queer Pub Crawl with stops at Friends and Family, First Edition, and Understory, among others. Check out the Queer Expo during the day on Saturday and the Black Pride Party (“for mature audiences only”) on Saturday night. Then wrap up the weekend on Sunday with BLACK MASQ: A MasQueerade Gala.
Thursday, June 23
The California Academy of Sciences gets a little more fun when the sun goes down and all of the kiddos go home, and not just because you don’t have to let them play with everything first. There are also DJs, cocktail stations, and on June 23, a Pride weekend kickoff party with SF’s only all-Black drag show, Reparations.
Saturday, June 25
Run a 5K loop once or make it 10K by running it twice at the 42nd annual San Francisco FrontRunners Pride Run, a family-fun friendly way to engage with your local community during Pride Month—all while raising money for LYRIC: Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth. The run is followed by snacks, entertainment, and awards.
Every Thursday night
The Exploratorium is hosting a couple of Pride-themed parties at its weekly Thursday night 18+ After Dark event. Listen to live music, grab a cocktail, and get hands-on with all of the exhibits, plus listen to “Unheard Stories” about the LGTBQ+ heritage and culture (June 9) and listen to LGBTQ+ community members who are creating an inclusive future where everyone can be themselves in all parts of their work (June 23).
Friday, June 24
Make a sign of solidarity, line the sidewalks, or march in one of the largest trans events in the country at the SF Trans March. There will be a stage in Dolores Park with live entertainment from 3 to 6 pm followed by the march downtown. And don’t miss the official afterparty “Bustin Out: Benefit Celebration for TJI Justice” at El Rio.
Saturday, June 25
Join in or cheer from the sidewalks to celebrate dyke communities, advocate for justice for dykes around the world, and support dykes as they demand “space, rights, visibility, and respect” at the 30th annual SF Dyke March. The march starts at Dolores and 18th Street in the Mission at 5 pm.
Sunday, June 26
Mozart takes on comedy and dark deeds in this opera about a “lecherous nobleman” who commits murder that unleashes the vengence of evil forces. That sounds pretty fabulous on its own, but if you go to the Saturday, June 18 performance, you’ll also be able to attend a post-show party hosted by Donna Sachet.
Ongoing throughout June
All through June, this famous pink triangle will be lit up with 2,700 bright pink LED nodes on the hillside of Twin Peaks as a nightly reminder of equity and resilience. Walk up the car-free part of Twin Peaks Blvd (enter at the Burnett Gate), drive up (via the Portola Gate), or hike up one of the trails if you want to see it close-up. Prefer to see it from afar? The triangle, which covers about an acre, is visible from over 20 miles away (depending on the fog’s disposition, of course).
Keep the Pride celebrations going with after parties
Friday, June 24–Sunday, June 26
There are the official Pride celebrations and then there are all the club parties that happen after-hours and whatever your kink, there’s a party for you. There are too many to list here but a few that promise to be worth the price of admission are Bearracuda SF Gay Pride 2022 at The Public Works in the Mission on Friday, June 24; a Bootie Mashup: LGBooTie Pride! At OASIS on Friday, June 24; El Rio’s ENVY Pride party on Sunday, June 26; and whatever is happening at the Lookout in the Castro.
Ongoing throughout June
Kokak Chocolates is a woman- and LGTBQ-owned chocolate shop/company in the Castro and is offering several Pride collections of its small-batch, single-origin heirloom chocolates. Shop the Say It Louder 16-Piece Truffle Collection, Love x3 Lollies, and a Love is Love Chocolate and tee gift set. It’s a delicious way to show someone your love and support while also showing a small local business the same.
Ongoing throughout June
Throughout the month of June, Lazy Susan will be donating 10% of sale proceeds from one of their most popular items, Chili Wontons, as well as Almanac’s Love Hazy IPA (available by the can online or at the West Portal restaurant), to REAF. The organization was founded by two mothers who lost their only sons to AIDS and is dedicated to raising funds for AIDS services, hunger programs, and programs for underserved youth in the Bay Area through the production of entertainment programs. That sounds worth at least a couple wonton orders to us!
Ongoing throughout June
Pride is all about rainbows and harmony, and you’ll find them in the form of rolls and cocktails at PABU Izakaya. Throughout the month of June, order PABU’s “Super Happy Meal” featuring the restaurant’s signature Rainbow Roll and new Harmony cocktail (Absolut Pride Edition Vodka, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Bushido draft sake, strawberry/red yuzu kosho puree, lemon juice, and gilded kinpira chip garnish) and the restaurant will donate $2 to LGBT Center.
Ongoing throughout June
To celebrate Pride Month, Verve Coffee Roasters is offering a Cascara Spritz (Jamaica cascara, citrus kombucha, and topped with mint), and whenever you buy one, a portion of proceeds will go to the It Gets Better Project, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Daisy Barringer is a writer who feels very lucky to have grown up in San Francisco surrounded by one of the largest LGTBQ+ communities in the world and a community of allies who support inclusivity and the fact that #LoveWins.