Pride season is almost here — and the 42nd Annual Long Beach Pride™ Festival is ready to lead the charge. Officially set for May 17–18, 2025, the iconic SoCal celebration will return to the city’s waterfront with a bold theme for this year’s event: “The Power of Community.”
Long Beach Pride™ organizers announced this week that tickets are now on sale, and early lineup highlights reveal a weekend bursting with live music, drag brilliance, immersive art, and culturally rich experiences designed to honor the vibrancy and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
The First Big Pride of the Year
Known as the first major Pride festival of the U.S. season, Long Beach Pride™ often sets the tone for a summer filled with LGBTQ+ joy, protest, and visibility. In 2025, the festival’s theme emphasizes unity across generations, cultures, and identities, celebrating the collective force of queer people and their allies.“This year’s theme, The Power of Community, is a love letter to our people,” said Long Beach Pride™ organizers in a statement. “We’ve created a weekend that reflects the richness and diversity of our LGBTQ+ family while offering something for everyone.”
What to Expect at Long Beach Pride™ 2025
The two-day festival, held along Long Beach’s scenic shoreline, will feature multiple stages, art zones, wellness hubs, food trucks, and interactive community spaces. Here’s what’s already been confirmed:
Live Music and Performances
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MegaWoof – High-energy DJ sets and GoGo dancers at Stage 2
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Mamboson – Fan-favorite Latinx band returning to heat things up
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Radio Royalty – Performing throwback hits from the ’80s and ’90s on the Founders Stage
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Secret Service Presents: The Takeover – A Latinx/Dance/Hip-Hop fusion event
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Drag Show Extravaganza – Starring top-tier drag talent courtesy of Jewels Productions
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Ballroom Dance-Off – A fierce voguing showdown featuring The House of Long Beach
Festival Zones & Experiences
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Founders Stage – Central hub for drag shows, dance battles, and community spotlights
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Hip Hop Stage – Spotlighting the best local queer DJs
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EDM Tent: The Fairies’ Dance Area – A whimsical rave space powered by The Galactivators
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Queer Country – Boot-scootin’ beats with DJ Rick and The Wranglers
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Teen Pride – A safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ teens under 18
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TransVisibility Zone – Uplifting trans voices through art and storytelling
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Art & Culture Pavilion – Showcasing local LGBTQ+ artists and heritage
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Food & Drink Area – Curated food trucks, community picnic areas, and themed cocktail lounges powered by Broken Spirits
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Health Hub – Offering free STI testing and resources from organizations like APLA, Bienestar, and APAIt
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Recovery & Support Spaces – Hosting on-site NA/AA meetings for sober guests
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Craft & Info Booths – Featuring LGBTQ+ nonprofits, small businesses, and creators
Parade News and Media Partnerships
While the City of Long Beach now leads the planning of the annual Pride Parade, Long Beach Pride™ continues to focus exclusively on curating an inclusive and vibrant festival experience. The beloved parade will take place on Sunday, May 18, kicking off the second day of celebrations.
Returning as official media partners for the third consecutive year, NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 will provide live coverage of the parade and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Fans can stream the parade live via NBCLA.com, Telemundo52.com, mobile apps, or through both stations’ 24/7 local news streaming channels: NBC Los Angeles News and Telemundo Noticias California.
Stay Tuned for the Headliner
Organizers are keeping one big surprise under wraps — the festival’s 2025 headlining act, which will be announced in the coming weeks. With past performers including Kehlani, Queen Latifah and more, fans are eagerly anticipating who will take the stage this year.
To stay updated, visit longbeachpride.com/festival or follow @longbeachpride on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook.
Why Long Beach Pride™ Still Matters
More than just a party, Long Beach Pride™ is a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture on the West Coast. The festival serves as a platform for visibility, celebration, and resistance — especially vital in today’s political climate, as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to target the rights of queer and trans communities across the country. “Long Beach Pride has always been about showing up — for our history, for our future, and for each other,” organizers said. “This year is no different. We can’t wait to welcome everyone home.”
