Santa Monica is preparing for Pride celebrations, with SaMo Pride scheduled for Saturday, June 21, featuring activities across multiple city venues including the Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place and Main Street.
The citywide celebration, established in 2019 as a partnership between city government and local business organizations, will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with programming designed to be inclusive for all ages.
Family-friendly events include "Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family Edition" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier Historic Merry Go-Round Building, featuring face painting, live performances and drag storytelling. The Santa Monica Public Library will operate a pop-up library from 2 to 6 p.m., distributing free books for LGBTQ+ readers of all ages.
Athletic activities include Pride Point Volleyball's open-format beach volleyball from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcoming participants of all skill levels on the beach north of Santa Monica Pier.
The celebration expands to Third Street Promenade from 2 to 7 p.m. with musical performances, giveaways and interactive games. This year marks the first time Pride on the Promenade operates within Downtown Santa Monica's expanded Entertainment Zone, allowing guests to carry alcoholic beverages while strolling.
Evening programming includes comedy shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. featuring "Crow Comedy Family Pride Story-ectomy," where LGBTQ+ community members and allies share personal stories alongside professional comedians, including Netflix performer Cameron Esposito.
Coinciding with Pride celebrations, the annual Make Music Day event will take place June 21 celebrations are around the city and can be found at https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/06/18/santa-monica-celebrates-make-music-day-with-five-free-outdoor-concerts-on-june-21.
Make Music Day, which began in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique, now occurs simultaneously in more than 1,000 cities across 120 countries. Unlike traditional music festivals, the event encourages participation from musicians of all skill levels and musical genres, with performances taking place in streets, parks and public spaces.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the outdoor celebration, which serves as both a solstice celebration and summer kickoff event.
Santa Monica's Pride activities extend beyond June 21, with additional events scheduled through the month. A drag story time is planned for June 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Marine Park Community Garden.
The comprehensive programming reflects SaMo Pride's mission to "increase visibility and understanding of the broad spectrum of gender identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community," according to organizers.
Current event details and updates are available at smpride.com, as organizers note programming may be subject to change.
The local celebrations come as Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in California, emphasizing the state's commitment to equality while communities across the region prepare for widespread celebrations.
The proclamation, signed June 17, comes as California continues to position itself as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights amid what Newsom described as "deplorable efforts targeting our LGBTQ community" nationwide that are "undoing decades of progress."
"California has long been a leader in LGBTQ rights and protections, and we are proud to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all members of this community to protect and build on our progress toward a better and safer future for all," Newsom stated in the official proclamation.
The governor's declaration highlighted ongoing challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, citing 2023 data showing more than one in five hate crimes are motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias, with transgender people — particularly Black transgender women — disproportionately impacted.
"With the rainbow flag proudly raised over the State Capitol, California stands with LGBTQ people throughout the state and across the country," the proclamation read.
