Santa Cruz, California: Santa Cruz Pride is set to celebrate the old and new in its 42nd year of community gathering! New in 2015, and returning in 2016, the Parade route will follow Pacific Avenue from the intersection of Church & Pacific, ending at the Pride Festival Grounds at the location of the Wednesday Farmers Market. The Festival Grounds will have a main stage and a new youth stage, both with live music and performance, food trucks, local vendors, community information booths, a Kid’s Play Space, and more!

What’s new with Pride? In line with this year’s theme of “Embracing the Generations,” Santa Cruz Pride has made a deliberate shift to form a more inclusive committee, opening the breadth and depth of the Parade and Festival. There has been a mindful, deliberate, and intentional outreach and involvement of multiple generations in all levels of planning and celebration. Pride will feature two stages this year featuring LGBTQ musicians, spoken word artists, and other performers: The Harvey Milk Main Stage and the new Marsha P. Johnson Youth Stage. As always, all ages are welcome and the Parade and Festival remain a family friendly atmosphere.

Pride will also be recognizing the Trailblazers who helped create the LGBTQ+ community in Santa Cruz. Those who won a 2016 LGBTQ Lifetime Achievement in March will be honored by the community and local officials on the Harvey Milk Stage following the Parade. 2016 Santa Cruz Pride is embracing the generations, giving thanks to those who have built us up and looking forward to those leading the way. As always, Pride is locally sponsored and produced by grassroots community activists.

Parade: begins at 11 AM at Pacific & Church. Marches down Pacific Avenue towards the ocean. Ends at the Festival Grounds

Festival: from 12 PM - 4 PM between Lincoln and Cathcart on Cedar (location of Wednesday Farmers Market)