Celebrate LA Pride with These Vibrant Parades, Parties, and Performances
Ricky Martin, MUNA, and JoJo Siwa are just a few of the icons making an appearance this year.
When the non-profit Christopher Street West put on the world’s first-ever permitted parade advocating for gay rights in June of 1970, it was just a year after the police raid of Greenwich Village gay bar the Stonewall Inn, which led to days of escalating violence, protests, riots, and the beginnings of a widespread and interconnected gay liberation movement. Before the Stonewall Uprising, similar demonstrations protesting police brutality towards LGBTQ+ communities occurred at Compton’s Cafeteria in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district in 1966 and at Silver Lake’s Black Cat Tavern in 1967.
While times have changed, they still haven’t changed enough. Around the globe, including in many cities and states across America, there are ongoing efforts to deny and strip rights from LGBTQ+ communities, especially trans people. That’s why it’s so important to counteract such measures by making your voice heard and demonstrating your acceptance of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Now extended from a one-day parade into an entire month full of activities and festivals throughout the city, Pride is a reminder to do just that. With a Trans Lounge offering a space for transgender and non-binary people and a diverse line-up of Grand Marshals that includes George Takei, Cassandro and Kristin Crowley, 2024 is truly a Pride with something for everyone.
Here’s everything you need to know to get into the main events—the LA Pride in the Park festival on Saturday, June 8 and the LA Pride Parade and Block Party on Sunday, June 9 on Hollywood Boulevard, which is the site of the original parade 53 years ago.
Where and when is this year’s official Pride Parade?
The 2024 Pride Parade is June 9, with step-off scheduled for 11 am at Highland and Sunset, then it will proceed North via Highland up to Hollywood Blvd. Then it’ll head East on Hollywood to Cahuenga before heading back South to Sunset. It sounds confusing, but it’s basically a rainbow.
What’s happening at the parade, and how do I get there?
LA Pride boasts that this year is going to be “the largest parade” they’ve ever held. There are so many floats, dancers and contingents it’s no surprise this year’s parade requires three Grand Marshals. The legendary George Takei will be Icon Grand Marshal. Luchador Cassandro, El Exótico is Legacy Grand Marshal and Los Angeles Fire Department Chief, Kristin Crowley is the Community Grand Marshal. Parking in Hollywood is tough to begin with, and that’s before they close all these streets and thousands of revelers descend upon the area. The Metro is the Official Transit Partner of LA Pride and they’ll have station takeovers all Pride Weekend. Stations servicing the Parade and Block Party will be renamed and wrapped in Pride colors, so don’t worry, you won’t get lost! Simply take the B/D Line to Hollywood/Highland (or Hollywood/Pride-land for the weekend) or Hollywood/Vine Station (Hollywood/Pride). The Metro has Park & Ride lots around the county for $3 per day, so it’s an option no matter where you’re coming from.
What do I do after the Parade?
At the end of the Parade’s rainbow there’s the LA Pride Block Party, a street fair on Hollywood Boulevard between Vine St. and Gower. There will be delicious food and drinks, a local vendor market, live performances from The LA Wranglers, Mariachi Arcoiris, Melissa Brooks and plenty of dancing courtesy of Gay Asstrology. It runs just about all day, from 11 am to 8 pm, and entry is free and open to everyone. The goal, according to Garth, is for “All of those community experiences to bring Pride to life in Hollywood.”
Is there a festival too?
On June 8, there’s LA Pride in the Park, a massive one-day festival featuring music, activities, exhibitions, vendors, food, and plenty of drinks. Early Bird tickets are sold out, but Tier 2 and VIP tickets are still available. You can even rent a locker if you want a secure place to charge your phone. It’s at LA State Historic Park in Chinatown, and you should definitely take public transit to this one too.
Who’s performing?
Ricky Martin is leaving Palm Royale to headline Pride in the Park! He’ll be joined by Muna, Tokischa, JoJo Siwa, RaiNao and the cast of We’re Here. This is also the year ballroom returns to the park with a competition between LA’s best houses including House of Miyake-Mugler, KiKi House of Coochie, KiKi House of Vivienne Westwood, KiKi House of Fubu and House of Tisci. If sports are more your thing, the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, LA Rams, Angelic City Football Club, and the Los Angeles Football Club have come together this year to offer interactive games and activities. The venue also has a food fair, a beer garden, a sober garden, and a Trans Lounge that offers transgender, non-binary people and their allies a place to unwind.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, tickets are available online. General Admission is $112 and VIP runs $384. That extra cash gets you access to a couple of special viewing areas, an expedited VIP entrance, a VIP lounge, premium food vendors, and, best of all, luxury bathrooms.
Is anything else going on?
There’s so much more. There’s Pride is Universal, a rainbowed-out after-hours party at Universal Studios on June 15. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles is presenting a free community concert at Plummer Park in West Hollywood on June 15; head over to hear a sneak peek of Solid Gold, their selection of Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston hits. There’s also the WeHo Pride Arts festival which runs from June 14–16.
There’s also Dyke Day LA, a free annual day for “dykes, queers and allies that celebrates queers of all genders and ages.” With a Dance Tent, Kids Area, vendors, a Main Stage and food trucks, it’s an all day event. Dyke Day is LA’s best non-corporate, no-cops event that also features a Puppy Parade.
Right after the Parade, Comedian Bri Giger is hosting Freakniq: A Pride Day House Partay on June 9 that promises to be “Freaknik but queer” with food, drinks and DJs. There will also be a special, late-night Dana’s Pride Party at Semi-Tropic on June 9. Finally, Eaze and PuffDAO are holding Puff Puff Pride, an event celebrating the history of the queer community and cannabis on June 22.
The most important thing, says Garth, is to remember that “Pride doesn’t look like any one experience, and it doesn’t belong to any one neighborhood.” Everyone is welcome, and there are events for all!
How do I follow along online?
The official LA Pride website is full of great resources. There are also Pride social media accounts @lapride on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.