If your family’s been craving a summer afternoon that feels like a colorful hug from the whole city, Pride on the Promenade might just be your June highlight. Downtown Santa Monica is rolling out the rainbow carpet again this year for an all-ages celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 7 p.m.—and it’s not just glitter and good vibes (though there will be plenty of both).
This year, the event is part of an expanded Entertainment Zone, meaning grown-ups can responsibly sip a drink while strolling the Promenade’s festivities—a nice bonus for anyone juggling rainbow crafts and sunscreen reapplications.
A Walkable, Danceable Block Party for Everyone
Hosted by Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. as part of the broader SaMo Pride programming, Pride on the Promenade promises a full afternoon of live music, interactive games, and Instagrammable photo ops. There’s a curated lineup of LGBTQ+ businesses and nonprofits on-site too—so it’s not just fun, it’s community support in action.
Think block party meets beachside festival, with a side of activism and joy. And yes, there’s something for every age: bubbles, bingo, music, merch, face paint, and possibly your child’s first encounter with someone in drag explaining what a catwalk is (iconic).
The Whole City Shows Up
What makes Santa Monica’s Pride celebration unique isn’t just the setting—it’s the scope. The June 21 festivities stretch across the Promenade, Pier, Santa Monica Place, and Main Street, turning the whole downtown core into a colorful canvas for expression and inclusion.
Earlier in the day, you can:
Catch Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family Edition at the Pier’s historic Merry Go-Round (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Join beachside sports tournaments with OutLoud Sports (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Dance it out at the Pride Disco and Kid Zone at Santa Monica Place (noon to 4 p.m.)
Explore Lanterns of Love, the gorgeous overhead installation lighting up Center Plaza all month long
And just down Main Street? Drag Bingo in the Beer Garden, live music, art installations, and pedestrian-only blocks from Strand to Pier Ave make it feel like a mini Pride parade in every direction.
Why It Matters
SaMo Pride isn’t about checking a box. It’s about showing up—visibly, joyfully, and together. Whether you’ve got a kid asking questions about gender identity, teens exploring their place in the world, or just want to support your neighbors and friends, Pride on the Promenade gives you a chance to do it with sun, music, and a communal sense of welcome.
Bring the stroller, bring the glitter, bring your whole self. This is what community celebration looks like.
Pride on the Promenade
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Saturday, June 21 | 2–7 p.m.
All ages, all welcome
smpride.com
Because love doesn’t just win—it grooves, glows, and roller-skates, too.
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