Every June across the United States, communities, institutions and individuals observe Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA history and culture. Santa Monica has plans to mark this year’s Pride Month with various activities for community members of all ages, all month long. Find a full listing at www.smpride.com/events

Party With a Purpose Mixer + Fundraiser

Thursday, June 2 / 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. / The Victorian on Main Street

Join organizers for a Pride mixer at the Victorian on Main Street, enjoy the comedy of Delia Danae Rawdon and support the LGBTQIA+ community. Proceeds from tickets go to fund the Trans Equity Scholarships, a partnership between the City and the Church in Ocean Park to help cover the costs associated with officially changing one’s name and gender with the State. $10 online / $15 at the door

Made With Pride

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June / Santa Monica Place, Level 1

Santa Monica Place, in partnership with Streetlet, has created a unique retail pop-up, the ‘Made with Pride’ Marketplace. The market will showcase over 15 LGBTQIA+ business owners, highlight their stories, and feature local goods and services made, conceived, and curated in Southern California. Each vendor is provided a dedicated section within the marketplace to operate and will retain 100% of sales generated.

Pride Pawty

Friday, June 3 / 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. / Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Join organizers beachside at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel to celebrate Pride! Kick off June with a complimentary drink for you and puptails for your pawty animal. Go wild with temporary flash tattoos for you and your pup, a DJ and a photo booth you won’t be able to resist! Make sure you both dress up in your finest Pride attire for a chance to win a Prize Pack with our Best-Dressed Contest.

Rainbow Family Storytime

Tuesday, June 7 / 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. / Main Library, Central Courtyard

Celebrate Pride Month with an inclusive storytime for LGBTQIA+ and ally families. Space is limited. For Ages 3 & up. Register: bit.ly/YouthProgramSignUps

Art Project: Self-Portrait Puppets

Thursday, June 9 – Sunday, June 12 / Cayton’s Children Museum, 395 Santa Monica Place

Your fashion, hairstyles, and even all the hobbies you have are all different ways you express yourself! One way we can express ourselves is by creating a puppet that represents us.

Drag Queen Storytime at the Beach House

Friday, June 17 / 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. / Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway

Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with Drag Queen Story Time! Guest of honor, Pickle, leads an interactive story time designed to challenge gender stereotypes, encourage self-expression, and promote diversity and inclusion. Beach House parking is $3 per hour/$12 per day. For more info on all the Beach House has to offer visit annenbergbeachhouse.com.

SaMo PRIDE on the Third Street Promenade

Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19 / Third Street Promenade

SaMo PRIDE events will be anchored by “Miles of Pride,” a vibrant light installation which spans the Promenade and Santa Monica Place, illuminating the sky with a rainbow of colors to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, individuality, inclusivity and acceptance. The outdoor bazaar, Angel City Market, brings together local minority-owned small businesses for a day of shopping, good drinks and community connection on Saturday, June 18 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The market will feature hand-crafted items from LGBTQIA+ artisans, as well as Pride-themed goodies and activations. Then SaMo PRIDE’s Dance Master, Dane Sorenson, leads the high-energy dance aerobics class Dancing with Dane on Sunday, June 19 from noon to 1 p.m., suited for all ages and abilities. 

Queer Prom

Saturday, June 18 / 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. / Water Garden

Queer Prom is a celebration for LGBTQIA+ and allies age 16-20. Sponsored by the Samohi’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Church in Ocean Park, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, and the City of Santa Monica, this year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland, so get ready to dance the night away in this magic-filled event. This Prom is for you if you are around High School age and are LGBTQIA+ or an ally. This is intended to be a safe prom where you can be yourself. (You will be asked to show us your vaccination status or a current negative COVID test when you arrive.) $8.

Pride Sunset Swim

Friday, June 24 / 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. / Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway

Join us for our first-ever Pride Sunset Swim for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies! Age 18 and up. Enjoy a queer, safe, accessible, judgment-free space for every, and all bodies; hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star Tammie Brown, with fabulous pool floats and s’mores at the historic Annenberg Community Beach House pool. Open to ages 18 and up. $10 / adults, $5 / seniors. Visit www.smpride.com/events/pride-sunset-swim.

Pride-Con

Saturday, June 25 / 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. / HI DE HO Comics

Hi De Ho Comics is happy to support SaMo PRIDE by hosting the Hi De Ho Comics SaMo PRIDE-Con. Diversity and inclusion remain goals that we work towards at Hi De Ho Comics and Hi De Ho Comics SaMo PRIDE-Con is a way for us to support LGBTQ+ creators and also introduce readers to content they may not have access to otherwise.

smdp staff