July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SaMo PRIDE Announces Calendar of June Events

First-Ever Month-Long Pride Celebration Unites Community, Families and LGBTQ+ Supporters of All Ages

By Staff Writer

Downtown Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place and the City of Santa Monica, have unveiled a calendar of fun, family-friendly events and experiences for the first-ever, SaMo PRIDE.

More than 20 events throughout the month of June will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, individuality, inclusivity and love in every color, anchored by a nightly display of lights spanning the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the historic Santa Monica Pier Bridge and City Hall.

“The inaugural SaMo PRIDE celebration will bring our community value of inclusion to life through a lineup of opportunities for all ages,” said Mayor Gleam Davis. “We look forward to having the community and our neighbors come out to help inaugurate what we hope becomes a new annual tradition in Santa Monica.”

With a focus on family-friendly and inclusive art, events and community connection, Santa Monica city partners are gearing up for a full month of activities to generate awareness and acceptance and celebrate our diversity.

“We launched SaMo PRIDE with a handful of planned signature events, in hopes that there would be an outpouring of support from the community,” said Mackenzie Carter, director of marketing and communication, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. “We’ve seen a tremendously positive response and are thrilled to offer a full lineup of fun, family-friendly events in locations all across Santa Monica.”

Signature SaMo PRIDE events and experiences during the month of June include:

Miles of Pride
June 1 – June 30 from Sundown to Sunrise
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place and Santa Monica Pier

The world-famous Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place and the iconic Santa Monica Pier will be lit up with all the colors of the rainbow throughout the month of June with the “Miles of Pride” light installation spanning miles of city streets.

Colors of Progress 
June 1 – June 30
Third Street Promenade

“Colors of Progress” is an art installation by artist Phil America, created in partnership with Tre Borden/Co and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., that will present a visual oral history of the LGBTQ+ movement and will be displayed at Pride festivals around the U.S. When fully installed, hundreds of colored, hand-painted flags with quotes from members of the LGBTQ+ community about their histories, futures, loves, hopes and dreams will hang above the Third Street Promenade. The art installation will culminate at the WorldPride | Stonewall 50 celebration in New York. The flags are inspired by the protest signs from the historic Stonewall Riots which were used to spread a powerful, important message that changed the course of history. Fifty years ago, the Stonewall Riots took place in the West Village in New York City. This act of retaliation and demand for respect sparked the LGBT movement, leading to increased equality around the world.

Smorgasburg
Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Santa Monica Pier Deck

Smorgasburg is “The Woodstock of Eating” and one of the largest open-air food markets in the country. With more than 90 food and shopping vendors, a beer garden, live DJs and more, Smorgasburg welcomes thousands of guests per week year-round. Smorgasburg returns to the Pier, along with special programming, decor and treats, for the SaMo PRIDE kick-off. 


Kids Club with Twinkle Time
Wednesday, June 5 at 11 a.m.
Santa Monica Place, Third Level Dining Deck

June Kids Club will feature interactive activities and a performance by award-winning kindie music performer, Twinkle Time, who will sing her hit song, “It’s Ok to be Me.” This song is all about acceptance and inclusivity, encouraging kids to accept every person, color, and race.

Frank DeCaro and Pandora Boxx present Drag!
Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m.  
MLK Jr Auditorium, Main Library 6

Author Frank DeCaro, in conversation with special guest Pandora Boxx, celebrates Pride with the release of his new book, “Drag! Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business,” an irreverent look at the history of drag queens, and their impact on pop culture and politics. A book sale and signing will follow.

Live Music under “Lanterns of Love”
Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 3 – 6 p.m.
Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza

Santa Monica Place presents free live music every Thursday evening in June under “Lanterns of Love;” an overhead colored lantern installation that spans across Center Plaza in celebration of SaMo Pride. Commemorative Pride bandanas will be given away to guests in Center Plaza. For the full list of musical performances visit https://www.santamonicaplace.com/Events.

House Aquatic Happy Hour Pop-ups
Fridays & Saturdays, June 14, 15, 28 and 29 from 8 p.m. – Midnight
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Tickets: $45, benefiting Heal the Bay

In celebration of Santa Monica’s first ever Pride, the Santa Monica Pier is delighted to introduce Happy Hour Agency’s House Aquatic, a colorful mash-up inspired by the childlike fantasy of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and the grandiose decadence of Ball culture. Guests are invited to an immersive, sensory experience with specialty themed cocktails and performances. 

West Coast Rising: Gay Liberation In the Golden State
Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m.  MLK Jr Auditorium, Main Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Celebrate Pride with a special screening of six short documentary films exploring the early days of the Gay Liberation movement in Southern California. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Gregorio Davila, as well as a preview of his upcoming feature length documentary “L.A. A Queer History.”

Pride on the Promenade Festival
Saturday, June 15 from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Third Street Promenade

Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with live theatre and musical performances, a DJ dance party, youth art project, games, Instagrammable moments, LGBTQ+ resource center, food, drinks and a signature SaMo PRIDE moment.

Cinema on the Street: “Love, Simon”
Friday, June 28 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
North end of Third Street Promenade near Wilshire Blvd.

Enjoy a special outdoor screening of the award-winning film, “Love, Simon,” based on the novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. The teen comedy drama follows 17-year-old Simon Spier as he navigates coming out to his friends and family while falling in love with an anonymous classmate he met online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. Rated PG-13.

For more information, sign up for the SaMo PRIDE newsletter and view of full calendar of events at https://www.smpride.com/.

<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...