Our History
Welcome to Santa Cruz Pride!
2025 Is our 50th anniversary!
Our Mission: To provide a platform for visibility and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Who we Are
Santa Cruz Pride is the largest LGBTQ+ event on the Central Coast (the third oldest annual Pride Parade and Festival celebrated in California), attracting more than 7,000 participants every year since June 1975. We are an all volunteer organization. We are funded through the support of local businesses, organizations and individuals. The Santa Cruz Diversity Center is our fiscal sponsor.
What we Do
Each June Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival kicks off the worldwide Pride season. We produce the local Pride parade and festival on the first weekend of June. Additionally SC Pride hosts an annual community picnic, activities across the county and collaborates with Pajaro Valley, Monterey and Salinas Prides. We collaborate with businesses and organizations and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with events all year long.
Our History
SC Pride began in 1975, one of the first smaller city Pride events in the nation after New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In spite of the worldwide pandemic, Santa Cruz Pride continued with virtual, smaller and outdoor events. Our ongoing commitment is to share our stories, be visible and advocate for full equality. Thanks to the commitment and support of businesses, organizations and individuals in the broader community like you, Santa Cruz is a safer and healthier place for all.
