May 1, 2025. Our entire community is thrilled to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride. In June 1969, a small group of queer and trans people protested against police treatment at the Stonewall Inn in New York. This expanded to a three-day protest with many more people. For many, this is considered a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S. The following year, a group of people in New York and Los Angeles remembered the event by marching in the streets. In 1971, the term “Pride” was used for the first time, and now, there are Pride events across the world.
Santa Cruz Pride was founded in 1975 - the first smaller city to reach 50 years of Pride events, and the third oldest Pride in the State of California.
In 2025, we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride. We are not just commemorating the Stonewall riots, but also celebrating the rich and vibrant LGBTQ+ history across Santa Cruz County and the inclusive and diverse community we have all built together. Santa Cruz County has thrived because of the contributions of queer and trans people and at the same time, the queer and trans community have thrived because of the broader Santa Cruz County community.
The City and County of Santa Cruz have passed resolutions to illuminate their buildings with rainbow-colored lights and fly rainbow flags the week of May 26 leading up to the Pride Parade and Festival on June 1 and through the end of June in celebration of the 50th Anniversary. We invite all businesses, schools and households across Santa Cruz County to decorate with rainbow lights and fly their rainbow progress flags from May 26 - June 30.
We invite our community to join in the many activities in May, June and July. All events are listed on the Santa Cruz Pride website at: santacruzpride.org. Some of the highlighted events are listed below:
Pride Week Events (May 27 - June 1)
May 27 (Tuesday), 7pm, 701 Ocean St / County of Santa Cruz Building.
“Santa Cruz Pride50 IllumiNight and Rainbow Procession.” The County Building and Town Clock will illuminate the buildings with rainbow lights. Wear your rainbows and lights to join in the procession.May 28 (Wednesday) - 7pm - Rio Theater. Author Alison Bechdel visit (Author of Fun Home and a new book, Spent, A Comic Novel). In partnership with Bookshop Santa Cruz and the Diversity Center. Purchase Tickets Here.
May 29 (Thursday), 7pm, Kuumbwa. “A Queer Evening in May” - Local musical talent. Purchase Tickets Here.
May 30 (Friday), 6:30pm, MAH. Generations of Pride Dinner and Dancing Through the Decades. Purchase Tickets Here.
Also includes viewing of the opening of the following exhibits:
- Out of the Closet and Into the Streets: 50 Years of Santa Cruz Pride in the MAH.
- Threads of Love Exhibit: The AIDS Memorial Quilt at the MAH.
May 31 (Saturday), 4-8pm, Town Clock Plaza. - Dyke Trans March.
May 31 (Saturday), 8pm-1am - Rio Theater. Queerlantis, A Golden Jubilee.
Purchase Tickets Here.June 1 (Sunday) - 9:30am - 4pm - Downtown Santa Cruz
9:30am: Interfaith Service.
11:00 am: Pride Parade
12:00- 4pm: Pride Festival / Youth Pride
12 noon - Town Clock Stage - Comments by Public Officials
Musical Events
May 18 (Sunday), 7-9pm, Peace United. New Music Works Concert: "50 Years of LGBTQ+ Pride in Santa Cruz.” Works by local queer composers including Lou Harrison. Also a world premiere commission for Pride50, for ensemble and chorus, by Michael McGushin. Peace United Church. Purchase Tickets Here.
July 27 - August 10, Civic Auditorium. Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music featuring queer composers. Many free events for families. Santa Cruz Pride final night party. Tickets and Information.
Film Viewing, Picnic and Hike
May 14 (Wednesday), 7-9pm, Temple BethEl. Film Screening of Sabbath Queen. Panel discussion with Rabbi Eli.
May 15 (Thursday), 6:30-8:00pm, SC Public Library, Live Oak Library Annex (Simpkins Swim Center). Queer Film Screening Part 1: “PRIDE.”
May 17 (Saturday), 11am-4pm, Field next to the Lighthouse. SC Parks and Recreation Pride Picnic. Food and music on the field next to the Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive. Bring your friends, a picnic lunch and join the fun.
May 22 (Thursday), 6:30-8:00pm, SC Public Library, Live Oak Library Annex (Simpkins Swim Center). Queer Film Screening Part 2: “PRIDE.”
June 7 (Saturday), 10am-3pm, Aptos High School Parking Lot. Wellness Hike to weelili onyenmak, a Land Trust Property in southern Santa Cruz County with partners The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and the Diversity Center.