Get ready for a fun and inclusive Samo Pride month!
May 28, 2025 8:42 AM
by Christopher J. Smith
*Updated June 5, 2025*
The beloved SaMo Pride is back this June with a month full of programming designed to celebrate, honor and support the LGBTQ+ community.
SaMo Pride was established in 2019 as a citywide partnership between the city of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism and Main Street Santa Monica, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and providing a platform to champion individuality and acceptance. And, this year, we welcome the Main Street Business Improvement District and the Summer Soulstice open streets event into the SaMo Pride umbrella.
SaMo Pride continues to strive to increase visibility and understanding of the broad spectrum of gender identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.
The month kicked off with a Proclamation at the Santa Monica City Council meeting on May 27, written and designed by this year’s cohort from the Crow Comedy’s Family Pride Story-echtomy Program participants. Watch the video here.
Pride Month will culminate in a community SaMo Pride celebration on June 21, which is bigger and better than ever before with activations throughout the Promenade, Santa Monica Place, Main Street, the Pier and even on the beach.
See below for a list of SaMo Pride happenings throughout the city in June.
Please visit smpride.com for more information and check back often as event details may change.
All Pride, No Prejudice: Pride March Sign Making Workshop
Thursday, May 29, 4-5 p.m., Main Library Central Courtyard (601 Santa Monica Blvd.)
Show your support for the LGBTQ+ Community by making signs to wave at the upcoming West Hollywood and Los Angeles Pride Marches. Materials and sample slogans provided!
Thursday, June 5, 6:30-9 p.m., Solidarity Restaurant (1414 Lincoln Blvd.)
Head to Solidarity for a fun night of Drag Bingo, with legendary co-hosts Miss Barbie-Q and Mini Horrorwitz! Win fabulous prizes playing bingo while supporting the Trans Equity Scholarship fund, which helps individuals cover the fees for making their name and gender change official in California.
AIDS/LifeCycle Finish Line Festival
Saturday, June 7, 12–6 p.m., Santa Monica Beach Lot 4 South (2030 Ocean Ave.)
Get ready to witness an incredible feat of determination and resilience as the extraordinary Cyclists and Roadies conclude their remarkable 7-day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Friday, June 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach House (415 Pacific Coast Hwy.)
Pickle, the first Drag Laureate of the city of West Hollywood, returns to the Beach House to host an interactive Drag Storytime that delightfully challenges restrictive gender stereotypes and encourages self-expression. Enjoy face painting, surprises, and the opportunity to create lasting memories with family and friends.
LGBTQ+ Self Defense Training
Saturday, June 14, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Miles Memorial Playhouse (1130 Lincoln Blvd.)
This self-defense training, specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community, is a deeply empowering and highly applicable 4-hour workshop that offers an in-depth overview of effective everyday safety and self-defense concepts, including: awareness, target denial and violence avoidance.
Tuesday, June 17, 11:30 a.m. –12 p.m., Ocean Park Branch Library (2601 Main St.)
Celebrate Pride Month with an inclusive storytime for LGBTQIA+ and ally families. Ages 3+
PRIDE Sunset Swim plus Happy Hour
Friday, June 20, 6-9 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach House (415 Pacific Coast Hwy.)
Enjoy a queer, safe, accessible, judgment-free space for every and all bodies, with fabulous pool floats and s’mores at the historic Beach House pool. PRIDE Happy Hour at the adjacent Back on the Beach Café will be hosted from 5 – 7 p.m. Age 18+.
SaMo Pride Community Celebration
Saturday, June 21, Promenade | Pier | Santa Monica Place | Main Street
10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family Edition
A family-friendly event with face painting, a live performance by Santa Monica Playhouse, poetry by Santa Monica Poet Laureate Anne Carmack, Drag Storytelling, and a Books & Cookies pop-up in the Santa Monica Pier Historic Merry Go-Round Building
11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pride at the Pier Beach Sporting Experience
Join OutLoud Sports for a day of mini tournaments in kickball, dodgeball, soccer, football, volleyball, tennis, and cornhole, along with music, food, and drinks on the beach near Santa Monica Pier
11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pride at the Pier Beach Volleyball
Pride Point Volleyball hosts open-format play for all skill levels, inviting participants to spike, set, and connect in a welcoming, community-driven event on the beach north of Santa Monica Pier.
12-4 p.m., Pride Disco and Kid Zone
Enjoy a family-friendly Silent Disco along with inclusive craft activities, in partnership with Cayton Children’s Museum, at Santa Monica Place.
2-7 p.m., Pride on the Promenade
Enjoy musical performances, fun giveaways, interactive games and a curated selection of LGBTQ+ businesses on Third Street Promenade. New this year, Pride on the Promenade is part of Downtown Santa Monica’s expanded Entertainment Zone, which allows guests to responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages as they stroll the Promenade.
2-6 p.m., Pride on the Promenade Pop-Up Library
The Santa Monica Public Library is giving out free, queer books for readers of all ages and limited-edition stickers and bookmarks, with a special Rainbow Storytime with audiobook narrator Vikas Adam at 3 p.m.
3-6 p.m., Main Street Drag Bingo
On Main Street Santa Monica, Pride-goers can enjoy Drag Bingo in the Beer Garden as part of the return of the Main Street Summer Soulstice celebration.
5 - 6:30 p.m., Pull My Finger - Pride Edition!
A super silly and high energy show - fun for the whole family!
7 p.m. & 9 p.m., Crow Comedy Family Pride Story-echtomy
LGBTQ+ community members and allies share personal and comedic stories alongside pro comedians like Netflix's Cameron Esposito.
Sunday, June 22, 12-8 p.m., Santa Monica Pier
With the ocean as the backdrop and the Pier as the stage, this unforgettable event brings together the entire community to celebrate love, unity and the beautiful diversity of Santa Monica’s LGBTQIA+ family. A portion of the proceeds from this spectacular event will go directly back into the community, supporting local LGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives to ensure that the spirit of Pride continues long after the celebration ends.
Sunday, June 28, 9-11 a.m., Marine Park Community Garden
Celebrate PRIDE with story time at the Marine Park Community Garden!
Authored By
Christopher J. Smith
Deputy City Manager