The Valley’s diversity is exactly why I love it. But diversity doesn’t just apply to racial roots or ethnic backgrounds. The human tapestry is made diverse only with all our intersections—including our genders and sexualities. I’m a proud bisexual with friends all over (and off of) the gender and sexuality spectrum. I’m also a proud Valley girl. From those two identities, I realized that we needed a list of the best pride events in the San Fernando Valley.
I also realize, however, that not all members of the LGBTQ+ community are living in areas or are from families who are as accepting as they should be. That’s why I’ve also included equally meaningful ways to celebrate Pride from home or in less outward ways.
For your reading ease, we’ve divided the list into events that fall on a specific date and time, activities that are ongoing, and businesses observing the whole month of Pride.
12 Pride events in the San Fernando Valley (followed by three other ways to celebrate)
Pride events in the San Fernando Valley 2023
1. Saturday, June 10: Drag Queen Bingo at San Fernando Brewing Company
In 2022, San Fernando Brewing Company hosted its inaugural Drag Queen Bingo night. In 2023, they’re back at it again—but with high heels instead of white Vans. Everyone is welcome and can purchase their bingo cards beginning at 5 p.m. An hour later, the first game will start and participants will play three games in total.
425 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340
2. Tuesday, June 13: Pride United Presents: Pride Month 2023 LGBTQIA+ Self-Defense Class
Strength United, a community program run by and through California State University, Northridge, is hosting three free events in honor of Pride month. First up, this self-defense class for LGBTQIA+ folks. The class starts at 6 p.m. and was created in partnership with DIY Resilience.
14651 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
3. Thursday, June 15: Vinyl Throwdown Pride Edition at San Fernando Brewing Company
In case you’re unfamiliar with San Fernando Brewing’s Vinyl Throwdown events, allow us to break it down. The name comes from the fact that any guest can pick their own vinyl to throw down and spin on a turntable. You sign up on a list and get 30 minutes to play whatever tunes you desire. The event will run 6-10 p.m. and be hosted at the brewery. The only requirement? It must be vinyl. (Read: Please don’t ask to take over the AUX cord.)
425 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340
4. Saturday, June 17: Make It & Take It: Pride Edition at TEAPOP
TEAPOP is hands down one of the most chic and artsy shops in the Valley. The painting on the side of the building is an homage to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction—which was filmed in the San Fernando Valley. On June 17, TEAPOP will be hosting a Pride-themed art workshop that’ll run 1-3 p.m.
5050 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91601
5. Thursday, June 22: Pride United Presents: Pride Month 2023 Movie Screening
The second event in Strength United’s Pride lineup is a movie screening of the film Crush, which IndieWire—a popular film review site—called “Hulu’s Cute LGBTQ Teen Rom-Com.” This screening is free and starts at 6 p.m. Strength United will provide snacks.
14651 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
6. Saturday, June 24: SFV Pride 2023
This Pride event is hosted in two parts: a march, which starts at noon, and a block party, which begins at 1 p.m. At SFV pride, you can expect to encounter a resource fair, drag performances, food, music, art, poetry, and—above all—good old-fashioned fun. The event is sponsored by California State Senator Caroline Menjivar and Mayor Karen Bass.
14410 Sylvan St # 215, Van Nuys, CA 91401
7. Saturday, June 24: San Fernando Outdoor Market: Pride and Unity Market
When we were rounding out our list of the best outdoor markets and pop-up shops in the Valley, San Fernando Outdoor Market held a special spot in our hearts. Not only is this town the Valley’s namesake, but it also has fierce supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. We heavily suggest attending their Pride and Unity market on June 24, 6-10 p.m.
911 San Fernando Road, San Fernando, CA 91340 (located between Brand Boulevard and San Fernando Mission Boulevard)
8. Saturday, June 24: The Midnight Hour Records: Pride
If you take our (amazing) suggestion to visit the San Fernando Outdoor Market, you may want to stop by The Midnight Hour Records on San Fernando Road and N Maclay Avenue. They’re celebrating Pride by hosting local bands and vendors inside and outside their shop. This event also runs 6-10 p.m.
1101 San Fernando Road, San Fernando, CA 91340
9. Tuesday, June 27: Pin and Charm Making for Pride Month at Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library
At the time of this publishing, the Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library hadn’t made any announcements of this event on their official Instagram. That said, Google (the almighty!) has this listed on a search for San Fernando Valley Pride 2023. We called up the Sherman Oaks library and confirmed that the event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (Shoutout to the homegirl Stacy!)
14245 Moorpark St., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
10. Wednesday, June 28: Pride 102 Workshop hosted by Strength United
The Pride 102 Workshop is the third and final event in Strength United’s Pride offerings. This brand-new presentation was developed to help folks expand their LGBTQIA+ knowledge—regardless of what they already know. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. Make sure to bring a notebook and some pens!
14651 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
11. Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10: San Fernando Valley LGBTQ Center: LGBTQ Pride Music Festival and Health Fair
Who says that Pride should be held only in June? After all, aren’t we queers all year? Precisely because of that, the San Fernando Valley LGBTQ Center is hosting its LGBTQ Pride Music Festival and Health Fair on September 9. The next day, they’ll be marching from San Fernando City Hall to Facey Medical Plaza in Mission Hills.
11165 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91345
12. Tía Chucha’s Open Mic Nights
Each Friday in June, Tía Chucha’s—the San Fernando Valley’s favorite bookstore and cultural center—will welcome folks to their open mic nights, taking place 7-9 p.m. Of course, everyone is welcome, but bilingual LGBTQ+ folks are particularly encouraged to participate.
12677 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Other ways to celebrate Pride in the Valley
13. Dance the night away at Club Cobra
For more than 20 years, Club Cobra has been for the gays. This is one of the places in the Valley that feels most safe, so I regularly celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, and life here. While they don’t necessarily have anything going on for Pride specifically, Club Cobra walks the talk—meaning they live every day like it’s Pride.
10937 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
14. Get yourself some cookies from Knead 4 Dough
Julia DeHaven is the owner and head baker at Knead 4 Dough as well as a proud mama to two lesbian daughters. She birthed one herself and warmly welcomed her second, aka her daughter’s wife, into the family. To celebrate the love shared between her daughters and other LGBTQ+ people, Julia is baking Pride-themed goods all month long.
15. Visit Westfield Topanga and take pictures in front of their Pride staircase.
According to Westfield Topanga, the brand celebrates and loves “all of our LGBTQ+ community members and [hopes] you always know that you belong here.” Westfield Topanga is showing its support for LGBTQ+ folks with a Pride staircase this month, which displays all the colors of the rainbow.
