PHOTOS: ‘We’re back!’ San Diego cries tears of joy after massive Pride turnout

Two men in sunglasses embrace around the neck
Photos courtesy of San Diego Pride.

Last weekend, hundreds of thousands of queer Californios gathered in San Diego for a Pride celebration chock full of fabulous fun and outstanding entertainment. 

A parade walking down the street
Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

San Diego’s annual Pride celebration is one of the largest in the US, attracting over 250k cheering spectators, elected officials, community groups, military service members, and first responders from all over Southern California. It’s considered the best-attended and largest single-day event in the county.

A smiling man holds a sign reading 'black, trans lives matter'
Photo via sdpride.org

After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, San Diego turned up! It was estimated that nearly 55k attended last weekend’s Festival and almost 300k showed their support for San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community at the Parade.

Two men in colorful underwear skip down the street
Photo via sdpride.org

Fernando López, executive director of San Diego Pride, tells a local newspaper “I’m sooo happy. We’re back!” with tears in their eyes.

A woman with rainbow handprints on her chest smiles proudly at the camera
Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

San Diego Pride Festival included multiple stages of entertainment, more than 100 musicians, bands, and dance performers, over 100 participating exhibitors, cultural presentations, and local food vendors.

Two muscly men in underwear pose on a stage in front of a crowd
Photos courtesy of San Diego Pride.

For the first time ever, attendees could enjoy a drink anywhere within the festival. In previous years, Pride had fenced-in beer gardens, though recent COVID-related alcohol law revisions have done away with that. Without being corralled in one area, people were able to roam freely, take their time, stay longer, and eat more food.

A fabulous drag queen performs passionately in front of a packed crowd
Photo via sdpride.org

Over the course of the weekend, the five stages within the festival – Stonewall Mainstage, Mundo Latino, The Movement Hip-Hop, Euphoria, and Pan-Asian Night Market – hosted a total of 381 entertainers and 88 acts.

Two ladies with rainbow sunglasses embrace on the street
Photo via sdpride.org

San Diego Pride’s most popular event, the Parade, began its route at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue & Normal Street. It then proceeded west on University Avenue, turning south on 6th Avenue, left on Balboa Drive, and ending on Laurel Street.

A puppy pal on a motorcycle makes his way down the parade route
Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

This marks the return of much-needed and sorely missed community celebrations in San Diego. A few folks showed off their favorite queer cosplays in anticipation of San Diego Comic-Con, taking place the following weekend July 21 – 24, 2022.

A rainbow sequined storm trouper strikes a pose on the parade route
Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
A smiling person holding a sign that reads 'Queer, trans, Asian and proud'
Photo via sdpride.org
A large crowd and a performer pointing a microphone at the camera
Photo via sdpride.org
Performer holds microphone on a red lit stage
Photo via sdpride.org
A presenter stands on stage smiling out, holding a microphone
Photo via sdpride.org
A group of performers in colorful Latin-American garb stand together on stage
Photo via sdpride.org
A person in suspenders holds a small trans flag
Photo via sdpride.org
A couple kissing in front of an inflatable rainbow
Photo via sdpride.org
A woman finishing the Pride 5K
Photo via sdpride.org
A group of festival goers smile at the camera while standing together
Photo via sdpride.org
Two older gentlemen smile and thumbs up the camera
Photo via sdpride.org
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