Pride by the Beach 2025: BRAVE in Every Way

By Roxanne Deatherage

Oceanside, California will once again transform into a vibrant celebration of love, resistance, and community as Pride by the Beach returns to the Civic Center in Downtown Oceanside. To be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 12–6 PM, this year’s event is shaping up to be our most powerful and inclusive Pride yet.

With over 200 diverse vendors, three stages, and a community-first approach, Pride by the Beach 2025 is here to remind us what it means to be B.R.A.V.E. — Bold, Resilient, Authentic with Voice and for Equality. That is not just a theme; it is a mission.

This year’s event comes at a time when our communities need connection more than ever. From political attacks on LGBTQ+ youth, immigrants, and people of color to the everyday challenges of just existing safely, so many of us are carrying heavy things. And while Pride has always been a celebration, it has also always been a protest and a lifeline. Pride by the Beach is about showing up for each other. It is about creating a space where every person – queer, trans, straight, questioning, Black, Brown, disabled, immigrant, parent and youth – feels not just welcome but valued. This is not just a Pride event; this is a community event. And this year, we are inviting everyone to show up.

Get ready for a packed, joy-filled day. With over 200 vendors, you will find everything from affirming clothing and handmade art to local resources, wellness services, and food trucks ready to feed your soul. Whether you are here to shop, support small businesses, connect with nonprofit organizations, or just explore, there is something for everyone.

Our three stages are programmed with purpose and passion. The Main Stage, the DJ Lez Ortis Van, and the Community Stage will showcase a lineup of DJs, drag artists, musicians, cultural performers, and surprise guests. Each one bringing their energy and voice to a day dedicated to visibility and celebration.

We are thrilled to welcome this year’s headliners, Jessica Duron and DJ Inspire. Both are proud Oceanside locals who have poured their hearts into uplifting this community. Known not just for their talent, but for their dedication to justice, visibility, and inclusion, they have used their platforms to make real change right here at home. Their presence on our stages is not just entertainment, it is a celebration of local leadership and the power of showing up for your community.

We are also incredibly proud to name Andry Jose Hernandez as our 2025 Honorary Pride Marshal. Andry is a Venezuelan asylum seeker whose story highlights the ongoing injustice faced by queer immigrants in this country. Two years ago, Andry fled Venezuela after facing persecution for being a gay man. He followed the legal process for seeking asylum, yet was unjustly detained and deported by ICE. He was sent to El Salvador without due process and without any connection to that country. It is vital that we make Andry’s story known, not just to honor his courage, but to shine a light on the systems that continue to fail our most vulnerable. His story is not an isolated one. It is a call to action, a reminder that Pride is both a celebration and a protest. We must keep fighting for justice for Andry and for all those who are still waiting to be seen, heard, and protected.

Safety, accessibility, and inclusion are at the heart of Pride by the Beach. This year, we are proud to offer ASL interpretation at two of our stages, a roped-off accessible viewing area for our disabled guests, two on-site information booths, and a trained team of volunteers and medics throughout the event. We have also expanded our footprint to include new spaces.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors who believe in the power of Pride, community, and creating safe, joyful spaces for everyone. This year, we are especially proud to announce DAP Health as our first-ever Main Event Sponsor; their investment is helping us grow in ways that truly matter including the addition of a third stage, a Mental Health Zone, and an Advocacy Zone. 

We are also grateful to incredible partners like Gilead, Harrah’s Casino, Sunbum, TrueCare, AHF, VCC, Molina, and Winning Ways. These are organizations that are committed to wellness, equity, and inclusion. Financial institutions like First Pacific Bank and healthcare giants like Blue Shield have also stepped up to support this vital work. Local champions, Visit Oceanside and Oceanside Museum of Art, continue to uplift our hometown pride. And community-minded businesses like Barrilitos, Simply Pop, Lily Field Realty, and Blenders bring flavor, fun, and a little flair to the festival. Their support does not just fund an event, it fuels a movement. One that centers joy, resilience, and belonging. So when you see these names, know they are not just on banners; they are part of the heartbeat of Pride by the Beach.

Pride by the Beach 2025 is not just another festival. It is a reminder that community is powerful, that joy is radical, and that we all have a place here. In a time where fear and division are being pushed into every corner of our lives, Pride gives us the chance to push back with joy, unity, and purpose. So come to Oceanside on June 7th. Bring your friends, your family, and your chosen family. Be bold. Be proud. Be brave.