It’s officially Pride Month, which means San Francisco has been filled with rainbows and many exciting installations and celebrations. One popular installation is back for 2024, and it’s bigger than ever. During the last weekend of June, Market Street will be illuminated by the “world’s largest pride flag.”
The laser installation, WELCOME, will project 20 large-scale rainbow lasers down Market Street to celebrate Pride. The installation is a recurring project from Illuminate, a San Francisco arts nonprofit that brings large-scale installations to SF. The pride installation is a collaboration between the city’s fondly named mascot, Karl the Fog. The 2024 installation will have 20 lasers, compared to last year’s 12, to celebrate 20 years of marriage equality in San Francisco. WELCOME will cover 4.1 miles down Market Street and will be visible throughout San Francisco.
The art installation is planned to span three nights from June 28 through June 30, with an opening night celebration. The lasers will be on from dusk until dawn, so you have plenty of time to view the installation during the weekend.
The glowing pride flag has increased in size each year, with only six lasers in 2022. Now, we can look forward to more than triple the number of lights for 2024’s version. More details have yet to be announced, but we’re excited about the installation’s return.
The laser pride flag is not the only installation coming to SF this June. The Pink Triangle, an iconic installation for almost 30 years, opens on June 8th.
Illuminate is responsible for many highly visible public art installations throughout SF, including the Bay Lights, Grace Light, and more. The nonprofit was founded in 2011 with the goal of highlighting awe in San Francisco’s beauty. The organization recently announced the return of the beloved Bay Lights and a pop-up outdoor bar in Golden Gate Park for the summer.