June brings a special lineup of events and activities around San Francisco in honor of Pride Month. From the highly-anticipated Pride March to a Candlelight concert celebrating Queer icons, we can’t wait to dive into these fun events celebrating SF’s LGBTQ+ community. The events are listed chronologically, but check back as we update this list with more must-do activities.
1. Drag Me Downtown pop-up drag shows
Thursdays in June
Downtown San Francisco is bringing the party this Pride Month with Drag Me Downtown, an epic series of free pop-up drag performances. Get ready for a lineup of entertaining performers including Bobby Friday, MGM Grande, and Bionka Simone.
If you pre-register for the event with a $10 donation, you’ll receive your own feather boa and a “Drag Me Downtown” fan! Preregistration proceeds benefit local trans-centric nonprofit Trans Thrive.
The energetic performances will take place from 5-7pm on Thursday evenings in June at different venues around Downtown San Francisco.
- June 1: Schroeder’s
- June 8: Latin Steakhouse
- June 15: Nigella
- June 22: One Market Restaurant
- June 29: Pagan Idol
2. National Queer Arts Festival
June 9-July 2
The 26th annual National Queer Arts Festival (NQAF) is a hybrid virtual/in-person art festival taking place throughout the Bay Area. This year’s theme is “Murmurations of Queer Power,” a celebration of work by QTI2SBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Gender Nonconforming, Intersex, Two-spirit, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. NQAF has presented over 800 events since it began in 1998.
3. Queer Women Of Color Film Festival
June 9-11
This free film festival has showcased works from Queer women of color for 19 years running. See six films across three days at the Presidio Theatre, along with a panel about disability justice and a free reception on June 10. The festival is presented by the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, and their Filmmaker Training Program has helped to produce over 465 new films over the years.
4. SF Giants Pride Night
June 10
The SF Giants will play at home against the Chicago Cubs on June 10. In honor of SF Pride, the first 20,000 fans to arrive will receive a rainbow SF Giants Pride jersey, presented by Gilead. Make sure to arrive early if you want a chance at snagging one, because the jerseys will go first-come first-served and there’s no special event ticket to receive them.
5. Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival
June 14-24
As the largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the world, Frameline attracts more than 60,000 guests every year to enjoy the best of Queer cinema. The events will take place at 7 different venues in San Francisco and 2 in Oakland. General admission tickets cost $17.50.
6. PRIDE with Fleurs de Villes at the SF Mint
June 16-July 3
World-renowned flower show Fleurs de Villes presents PRIDE, a floral celebration of local LGBTQ+ icons. See the San Francisco Mint filled with 18 floral mannequins representing influential figures such as Harvey Milk, Peaches Christ, Heklina, José Julio Sarria, and Sylvester. Guests can sip on floral gin cocktails while admiring the displays.
7. Pink Triangle
June 17-July 1
One of the most iconic parts of Pride in San Francisco is the famous Pink Triangle, which rests high above the city at Twin Peaks as a symbol of pride for many in the LGBTQIA+ community.
This year, the Pink Triangle will be installed during a Commemoration Ceremony on June 17, 2023 and remain there until the end of the month. San Franciscans may remember the triangle glowing nightly with LED lights, but this year it will be a bright pink canvas display visible by day, just as it was for its first quarter-century.
8. Queens at Terrene Pride Celebration
June 17
1 Hotel SF hosts a lively lunchtime Pride celebration on the Terrene Patio with local drag legends including Melissa Befierce, Helixir Jynder Byntwell, Betty Fresas, and Sister Anya Streets of the Sisters of the Perpetual Indulgence. Enjoy spiked snow cones and handcrafted cocktails with proceeds going to support of the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund.
9. Rainbow lighting at SF City Hall, 4-mile rainbow laser flag, and other light installations
SF City Hall releases a comprehensive lighting schedule every single month, and June will bring plenty of Pride-themed lighting schemes throughout. Here are a few to keep an eye out for:
- June 17 – Pink in recognition of the 28th annual Pink Triangle Celebration
- June 20 – Rainbow in recognition of SF PRIDE Week
- June 23 – Blue/pink/white in recognition of the annual SF Trans March
- June 24 – Pink in recognition of Pink Saturday
- June 25 – Rainbow in recognition of SF PRIDE Weekend
The 4.1-mile rainbow laser flag has also revealed its return for 2023. Look for six rainbow laser beams shining from atop the Ferry Building on June 23, 24, and 25.
Other SF landmarks known to light up for Pride Month include Salesforce Tower, SFO International Terminal, and the Ghirardelli Square sign. You’re also likely to find rainbow flags flying at the Ferry Building and a rainbow staircase at Grace Cathedral.
10. SF LGBT Center events
The SF LGBT Center is a local nonprofit organization providing economic services, youth services, community programs and more to the LGBTQIA+ community of San Francisco. You’ve likely seen their bright purple building at 1800 Market Street showcasing a lovely rainbow mural called Queeroes. Here are some of the exciting events they’re putting for Pride Month:
- June 10: Pride Iconathon – Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community
- June 14-18: Fresh Meat Festival
- June 14: Sketch Belly: Live Model Figure Drawing
- June 16: Queer Prom
11. Pride offers and events at the Ferry Building
San Francisco’s Ferry Building has some special Pride-themed programming on the calendar for June in addition to their usual monthly events. Here are some offers to be on the lookout for:
- Make it Gay sundae with pink marshmallow fluff and Froot Loops at Humphry Slocombe
- Pride Stripe shag mats on sale at The Gardener
- Pride Love Hazy IPA from Almanac Beer Co., with proceeds going to the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center
- Frosé from Gott’s Roadside
- Lemon almond cookies with rainbow sprinkles from Acme Bread Company
12. Un Viaje: Pride at the Park at Salesforce Park
June 17
San Francisco’s floating Salesforce Park is an amazing modern marvel in the Financial District hosts a collection of free events every week including Un Viaje: Pride at the Park on Saturday, June 17. Hang out with SF drag icons while enjoying live folk music from Banda Sin Nombre.
13. Pride in Gotham
June 20-24
See 45 of SF’s best Queer performers recreate the world of Gotham here in San Francisco. This black tie-meets-cosplay event is the first annual Pride Gala supporting the Wayne Foundation. SF drag sensation Peaches Christ will host this legendary celebration featuring a dueling DJ set, burlesque and exotic dancers, and a full dominatrix dungeon where guests can be (consensually) rope tied.
NOTE: Secret San Francisco readers can get $10 off tickets by using the code SecretGotham at checkout!
14. After Dark: Pride in our Future
June 22
The Exploratorium hosts fun kid-free After Dark events every Thursday at Pier 15 in San Francisco. On June 22 they’ll celebrate SF Pride with the theme “After Dark: Pride in our Future,” with the idea of looking at the most innovative LGBTQ+ achievements that are moving us forward into a more inclusive future. Get tickets here.
15. Pride-themed NightLife events at the Academy of Sciences
June 22, 29
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events featuring live DJs, outdoor bars, ambience lighting, and more. On June 22 they’ll ring in SF Pride with a Pride NightLife event with drag performances frmo Oaklash, the Queer From Here photography project, and booths from local Queer organizations. One week later on June 29 you can check out NightLife: Says Who? Vol. 3 Gender where you can learn from scientists who are pushing the gender binary.
16. San Francisco Trans March
June 23
The 20th annual SF Trans March and celebration is one of the largest trans events in the world. Check out the Señora Felicia Flames Intergenerational Brunch at 11am followed by performances and a resource fair at 3pm. The march itself will begin at 6pm from Dolores Park and will be followed at 7pm by the Bustin’ Out Afterparty at El Rio.
17. San Francisco Dyke March
June 24
The SF Dyke March will kick off at 5pm at the intersection of Dolores Street and 18th Street in San Francisco. They invite all “trans and cis self-identified dykes” to hold space together at this march that’s 27 years in the running. Be advised that the Dyke March is not organizing a rally at Dolores Park this year.
18. Candlelight Pride: Celebrating Queer Musical Icons
June 24
This sensational Candlelight tribute concert gives you the chance to celebrate Pride in a completely new and unique way this June at the International Art Museum of America. Honor some of the most iconic Queer musicians in history with classical renditions of timeless songs including “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, “Your Song” by Elton John, and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X.
19. SF Pride 2023
June 24-25
SF Pride is the United States’ largest gathering of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, making for a vibrant and memorable day every single June for 53 years. This year’s Pride Celebration will take place on June 24-25, 2023 at Civic Center, and the Pride Parade/March will happen on Sunday, June 25 starting from the Embarcadero.
20. Juanita MORE!’s Pride Party
June 25
This popular Pride party is one of SF’s most popular events every June, raising over 1 million dollars for the LGBTQ+ community over the past 19 years. Here’s where everything’s going down.
- Morning: People’s March and Rally (11am-3pm): A procession along the original route of SF’s first Pride Parade beginning at Polk and Washington Streets.
- Day: 620 Jones celebration (12-7pm): This giant day party takes advantage of 620 Jones’ expansive indoor and outdoor space for the ultimate Pride celebration.
- Night: Halcyon celebration (6pm-late): Halcyon will host evening Pride festivities in its large modern warehouse space in SoMa.
21. Stroll along the Rainbow Honor Walk
SF’s Castro neighborhood features a walk down memory lane honoring queer icons throughout history. Keep an eye out for the Rainbow Honor Walk, which is composed of 36 bronze plaques on the sidewalk commemorating such figures as Keith Haring, James Baldwin, Virginia Woolf, Freddie Mercury, Gertrude Stein, and Frida Kahlo.
22. Pay a visit to these LGBTQ+-owned businesses recommended by locals
We asked our Instagram followers for recommendations about LGBTQ+-owned businesses that they love supporting in the Bay Area. Y’all didn’t disappoint, and below you’ll find a variety of businesses that proudly represent the Bay Area’s LGBTQ+ community, all while providing stellar service and products.