The Pacific Pride Festival returns to Santa Barbara’s waterfront for another powerful day of community, celebration, and collective movement.
This year’s theme, “Out. Proud. Unstoppable.”, honors the strength of showing up fully, the joy of living authentically, and the momentum we create when we move together.
Inspired by the rhythm of the coast, this year invites us to see our voices as waves—individually powerful, and unstoppable when united.
The Countdown Begins… Santa Barbara Pride is Almost Here!
In just 30 days, Chase Palm Park will transform into a vibrant celebration of love, visibility, community, and joy as the 2026 Pacific Pride Festival returns on Saturday, August 22.
This year’s festival promises to be our biggest yet, bringing together thousands of community members, allies, families, artists, entertainers, and advocates for a day that truly embodies our theme:
And we’re thrilled to announce the first of many exciting reveals…
Art That Brings Community Together
We’re honored to collaborate with two incredible community partners to create immersive experiences throughout the festival.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Join us in creating a collaborative weaving installation that grows throughout the day, symbolizing the strength and beauty of our community when every voice becomes part of something bigger.
Quilt Project Gold Coast
The moving AIDS Memorial Quilt installation returns with an expanded display honoring lives, preserving history, and celebrating resilience. Visitors will have opportunities to engage with the stories behind the quilts and reflect on the legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
Pride Week Starts Before Festival Day
This year, Pride isn’t just one day—it’s an entire week of opportunities to celebrate, connect, and build community. Click on the event flyer and get your tickets!
Get Involved
We’re currently building the 2026 festival—and there are many ways to be part of it.
Book with our official host hotel the Canary!
Kimpton Canary Pride Rate link:
Pacific Pride at the Kimpton Canary
Rooted in Pride, Moving Forward Together
Last year’s festival brought thousands together for an unforgettable day filled with music, art, and connection.
From dynamic main stage performances to moments of reflection and community recognition, the festival created space for joy, visibility, and belonging across generations.
As we look ahead to 2026, we build on that foundation—expanding the experience while staying grounded in what makes this gathering so meaningful: community, authenticity, and collective pride.
Festival Vibe
From the bustling vendor village to a packed Family Zone, the energy never dipped. DJ Darla Bea kept families dancing, the Kids Stage overflowed with laughter, and the petting zoo delighted kids and grown-ups alike. Our 21+ Beer Garden gave guests a lively spot to raise a glass, and the Pride Pet Parade turned the walkway into the cutest, most fashionable runway in town.
Main Stage Magic
Hosts Vivian Storm and Jackette Knightley set the tone with humor and heart, welcoming 25+ performances across drag, bands, and dance crews. Jessica Wild headlined with star power and charisma that brought the crowd to its feet—and our incredible local drag performers left it all on the stage. Standout sets included Mariachi Arcoíris de Los Angeles, Grupo Folklórico Fusión Mexicana, Brasscals, East Valley Road, Sammulous, and the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus, with DJ Suz driving the momentum between acts from start to finish.
Art & Reflection
The grounds also held space to remember and reflect. More than 30 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, presented by Quilt Project Gold Coast, created a moving tribute to lives lost and love enduring. A community butterfly installation in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art invited everyone to add their voice, and offered an immersive experience of memory, transformation, and resilience.
A Moment of Extraordinary
Generosity In one unforgettable moment, Claude Raffin, honoring the life of his partner Jon Gathercole, presented two $50,000 checks to Pacific Pride Foundation. The park erupted in applause—a wave of gratitude that will carry our programs forward across the Central Coast.
Honoring Community Leadership
This milestone year also lifted up those who built the foundation we stand on and those leading us forward.
Pride Legacy Award Honorees
David Selberg • Claude Raffin and Jon Gathercole • Lynn Cunningham Brown • Clay Tedschi • Brad Willis
Community Pride Champion Award Honorees
Gary Clark • Robert Mendez • Megan Overland • Ralph Barbosa • René García
With Gratitude
To our volunteers: your time, care, and heart shaped this festival from first light to last song. To our community partners: your pre-festival events—art shows, panels, dance parties, and socials—built momentum, amplified voices, and turned Pride into a season of connection. To everyone who showed up: thank you for dancing, laughing, remembering, and making history with us.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Pacific Pride Festival 2025 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. With deep gratitude, we thank:
- The Kimpton Canary Hotel
- Santa Barbara Airport
- Gilead
- ViiV
- Deckers Brand
- Sutter Health
Your commitment makes it possible to celebrate Pride at the scale and vibrancy our community deserves.When we root ourselves in Pride, we flourish.
