Frequently Asked Questions
When is San Francisco Pride?
- The San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade historically take place the last full weekend in June of each year. The Celebration is a 2-day event happening on Saturday and Sunday. The Parade takes place on Sunday.
Our 2023 dates will be June 24th and 25th.
The Celebration is Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25, in Civic Center Plaza.
Hours for the Celebration 11am-6pm both days, and our 5 community stages and the Kaiser Permanente Main Stage will be live from noon to 6pm.
The Parade will be on Sunday, June 25, 2023. It travels up Market Street from Embarcadero to Civic Center. It begins at 10:30am.
In addition to the Celebration and Parade produced by the San Francisco Pride Committee, there are literally hundreds of other events that take place throughout Pride Month in San Francisco. Check our Community Calendar for details.
Are pets allowed?
- Yes, pets are allowed at the event, including, of course, service animals assisting people with accessibility needs. We do, however, strongly recommend leaving pets at home since both the Parade and Celebration are noisy, crowded, and hot. We have found that pets can sometimes be very startled by the crowds and sounds of Pride. In busy areas, it may be difficult to navigate with pets who will be walking on the ground given the high number of stomping feet moving through the crowd.
How did San Francisco Pride begin?
- The annual Pride Celebration commemorates the rebellion of LGBT patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village in response to a routine police raid on June 27, 1969. The following year, a “Gay-In” that took place on June 27, 1970 that was the early progenitor of the current Pride Celebration. Since 1972, the event has been held every year, though under various names: “Christopher Street West” in 1972, “Gay Freedom Day” from 1973 to 1980, then “International Lesbian & Gay Freedom Day Parade” from 1981 to 1994, and finally, its present appellation, San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration. Since its modest beginnings, San Francisco Pride has grown to be one the largest and most well-known Pride events in the world. Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer dignity, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression. From this history of rebellion grew the mission of San Francisco LGBT Pride: to educate the World, celebrate our culture, commemorate our heritage, and liberate our people.
Do I need a ticket to get into the Celebration?
- It is free of charge to attend the Celebration, and we request a donation of $1 to $5 at the entry gates. This donation helps to cover the cost to produce the event and we share the proceeds with our non-profit Community Partners. Pride has been able to award almost $3 million in proceeds to community non-profit organizations since 1997. To watch the Parade is also free of charge (except in the case of Grandstand Seating).
San Francisco Pride Needs You
Suzanne Ford
Executive Director
This year, many long-time corporate sponsors have withdrawn their support, leaving a gap in funding. But Pride is more than a parade—it’s a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community, a beacon of love, and a testament to resilience.
Your donation, no matter the size, directly funds the heart of Pride—securing permits, supporting local artists, and sustaining vital community programs. Together, we can ensure a safe, inclusive, and unforgettable celebration.
Donate today and join us Pride Weekend to celebrate Queer Joy!
