Long Beach Pride will host its 42nd annual LGBTQ+ celebration at Marina Green Park Saturday, part of the third-largest pride festival and parade in California.
This year’s theme is “The Power of Community,” which organizers say returns the festival to its roots, emphasizing grassroots engagement and community participation. Local performers, artists and activists will take center stage, reflecting the diverse and vibrant spirit of the city.
“Long Beach Pride has always been more than just a festival — it’s a movement,” Elsa Martinez, interim president of Long Beach Pride, said in a statement on May 1. “This year, more than ever, we’re celebrating the strength, creativity, and unity of our local community.”
Long Beach Pride organizes the two-day festival, and city officials planned Sunday’s parade.
Entrance to the festival will be at Shoreline Drive at Shoreline Village Drive. Performers will include HYM the Rapper, George Michael Reborn Tribute, Tori Kay, DJ 360, DJ Icy Ice and Tiancho. Additionally, there will be a Drag Show Extravaganza and a performance titled “Secret Service Presents: The Takeover.”
The festival will offer interactive experiences such as the Galactivation Station, a ballroom dance-off with The House of Long Beach, and themed zones like the Founders Stage, Hip Hop Stage, EDM Tent, Queer Country, Teen Pride, TransVisibility, Art & Culture and more.
A health hub and recovery spaces will also be on hand, offering wellness support. Food trucks and other local vendors will sell goods throughout the weekend.
Since its founding in 1983, Long Beach Pride has served as a vital platform for LGBTQ+ visibility and rights, according to organizers. The annual festival also serves as a fundraiser to support community outreach and provide essential services throughout the year.
“As a nonprofit organization, every aspect of the Pride Festival — from ticket sales to vendor partnerships — directly funds our work in the community,” Martinez said in the statement. “This is a festival with a purpose.”
The parade will commence at 10 a.m. Sunday at Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue and travel along Ocean Boulevard to Alamitos Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
The grand marshals are City Councilwoman Cindy Allen, pastor Tony Carreras, actress and singer Jennifer Kumiyama, health care executive Carolyn Caldwell, Alex Malleis-Sternberg and a posthumous honor for Isa Rached of It’s a Drag to Give.
Additionally, NBC4’s weekday anchor Annabelle Sedano and Telemundo 52’s weekday news anchor Enrique Chiabra will serve as so-called media grand marshals, who will be joined by station reporters and members of NBCUniversal’s OUT employee group. Live coverage of the parade will stream on NBCLA.com, Telemundo52.com, as well as NBCLA and Telemundo 52’s mobile apps, or via the station’s 24/7 local news streaming channels.
More information can be found at longbeachpride.com/.