SaMo Pride Returns More Family-Friendly and Diverse

A month-long Santa Monica Pride celebration unites the community, families, and LGBTQ+ supporters of all ages with diverse family-friendly programming.

Santa Monica Pride (SaMo Pride) will return this June in a joint collaboration with Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Pier, and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. The city-wide celebration is anchored by “Miles of Pride,” a vibrant light installation spanning the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. Other city landmarks, including City Hall, Santa Monica Pier, and the Main Street Santa Monica Travel and Tourism visitor’s center, will also have lighting displays as an extension of SaMo Pride’s theme this year. These installations will serve as a backdrop for a full calendar of events to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, individuality, inclusivity, and acceptance.

Santa Monica Place 
The first SaMo Pride event kicks off on June 3 at Santa Monica Place and it will also host the Made with PRIDE Marketplace every Friday through Sunday in June on Level One of Nordstrom Court. The retail marketplace showcases over 15 Southern California LGBTQ+ business owners, highlighting their stories, unique products, and services. Streetlet, a small business community and growth platform curated the businesses in the unique marketplace that features Stuzo, Humankind Swim, Pippi and Lola, Soul Food Candle Co., and more. Santa Monica Place will also host a live DJ spinning every weekend throughout the month where guests can enjoy music under “Lanterns of Love,” an overhead-colored lantern installation that spans across Center Plaza.

Third Street Promenade 
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. will host live events on the Third Street Promenade from June 17 through 19. The popular Mortified Podcast presents a special SaMo PRIDE installment on June 17, featuring stories shared by members of the LGBTQ+ community in front of a live audience. 

On June 18, the outdoor market bazaar, Angel City Market, brings together local minority-owned small businesses for a day of shopping, good drinks, and community connection. The market will feature hand-crafted items from LGBTQIA+ artisans, as well as PRIDE-themed goodies and activations. 

SaMo PRIDE’s Dance Master, Dane Sorenson, leads the high-energy dance aerobics class Dancing with Dane on June 19, suited for all ages and abilities. 

Visitors to the Promenade will get their chance to see James Kinsley Daniel’s two art installations titled “I Stand With Trans Youth” and “I Love My Queer Family.” Curated by Allies in Arts, these interactive pieces give voice to the current rise in transphobic legislation and rhetoric, allowing visitors to pose with and photograph the installations to show support for trans youth and the queer family. 

Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a special display. The iconic and historic windows of the Pier’s Merry-Go-Round will be brought to life with a celebration of all things Pride.

The City of Santa Monica is dedicated to increasing visibility and understanding of the broad spectrum of gender identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. The City celebrates Pride with the month-long lighting of City Hall in rainbow colors and a series of educational, uplifting events during the month of June. 

Community events include the Party with a Purpose mixer and fundraiser on June 2; Queer Prom co-sponsored by the Church in Ocean Park and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism at the Water Garden on June 18; a Pride sunset swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House on June 24; and City Council’s Pride Proclamation on June 28. 

Additionally, following an open call for project submissions, the City’s Art of Recovery initiative will unveil a select number of art projects to be featured as part of the city-wide celebration. 

For more information and the full calendar of SaMo Pride events visit smpride.com. And while you’re in Santa Monica, don’t forget to check out our list of things to do in LA!