Summer is heating up in Santa Monica with a celebration of Pride that promises to turn the city into a kaleidoscope of color and inclusivity. Starting in June, Santa Monica will host the return of SaMo Pride, according to a press release issued by The ACE Agency in collaboration with multiple city partners. SaMo Pride, designed to honor and highlight the LGBTQ+ community, will feature a month-long lineup of events and activities.
Mark your calendars for June 22, when the Third Street Promenade becomes the epicenter of Pride on the Promenade from 2 to 8 p.m. Organized by Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), the block party will showcase local LGBTQ+ businesses with a pop-up marketplace, live musical performances curated by OUTLOUD, games, and giveaways. Vibrantly decked out with color, the event not only entices the senses but, ensures local service providers and community groups to present, it offers support and resources for the LGBTQ+ community as well. The event's sponsorship comes from none other than LA County Supervisor, 3rd District, Lindsey Horvath.
Concurrently, Santa Monica Place is dialing up the volume with the inaugural Sounds of Santa Monica: Pride Edition. From noon to 6 p.m. on the same day, families can move to the rhythm of live performances by LGBTQ+ artists under an installation known as Lanterns of Love. Bright lights will bridge Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, adding a dose of visual flair to the auditory experience. For the kids, a Pride-themed Kid Zone offers both fun and an opportunity for education on diversity and acceptance.
Earlier in the month, Santa Monica Pier gets in on the Pride action with Fierce Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family Edition. Scheduled for June 15, revelers will find themselves amidst an ebullient drag queen and king storytelling session, as well as be dazzled by performances from fan favorites like Pickle Drag Queen, Pandora Boxx, and Johnny Gentleman. Face painting adds a touch of whimsy to the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Merry-Go-Round Building.
Moreover, the city of Santa Monica is throwing its full weight behind Pride celebrations with a variety of events that underscore visibility and education throughout June. City Hall will bathe nightly in rainbow lights, while other scheduled events include a Pride Sunset Swim and a Rainbow Family Storytime, confirming the city's commitment to representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. All event dates and information are available on the city’s official website, providing residents and visitors with a full rundown of the upcoming festivities.
