Long Beach Pride

Long Beach Pride is one of the oldest Pride celebrations in Southern California, with a parade along Ocean Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue and a festival near the waterfront. The 2026 theme was Fearless and Free.

The 2026 theme, Fearless and Free, was chosen as a response to a rising climate of hate and a call to action for a community long pushed into the shadows. The festival weekend was planned for May 16 and 17 with a main stage called the Founder's Stage. The Saturday program was to include a film on the history of Long Beach Pride, a set by local drag troupe Jewels of Long Beach and the Dolls, an opening ceremony, Samba LA, and headliners Robin S, Thea Austin and Thelma Houston.

The 2026 festival was ultimately cancelled after problems in the city permitting process. Long Beach Pride published a detailed timeline explaining that it had submitted materials through a new city permitting system, met with fire, police and other city departments, reduced the festival footprint and resubmitted documents, and that the city called off the planned onsite inspection the night before it was scheduled.

The organization apologized to vendors, performers, sponsors, volunteers, ticket holders and partners, pledged to be transparent and to improve its internal systems, and rejected the idea that it had walked away from the festival.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Long Beach Pride has included parade, festival and youth events.

Long Beach Pride was first held in 1984. Organizers reported about 80,000 at its historical peak people in null.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. The 2026 edition was cancelled. It usually falls third weekend of May.