Berkeley Pride 2025: A Historic First for the City’s LGBTQIA+ Community

For over 50 years, Pacific Center for Human Growth has been a cornerstone of LGBTQIA+ support, advocacy, and empowerment in the Bay Area. Now, in a historic moment for Berkeley, Pacific Center is launching the city’s first-ever Pride street festival, bringing together the local community for a powerful celebration of Queer Joy, visibility, and resilience on Saturday, August 16, from 11 AM to 5 PM in downtown Berkeley.

Hosted by Pacific Center for Human Growth and in partnership with Downtown Berkeley Association and Visit Berkeley, this groundbreaking event will transform the heart of the city into a vibrant hub of LGBTQIA+ culture, activism, and celebration. Expect an exciting day filled with live performances featuring and highlighting Berkeley and East Bay talent, Queer-owned businesses, food vendors, community organizations, and more!

Visit Berkeley’s President & CEO, Jeffrey Church had this to say about Berkeley’s first Pride “Berkeley has been a beacon of inclusivity and acceptance for decades, with the Pacific Center supporting our LGBTQIA+ community since the early ‘70s. Visit Berkeley is proud to support and be a sponsor of Berkeley’s first Pride celebration and will continue showcasing our city as a welcoming destination for all who visit.”

A Milestone for Berkeley’s LGBTQIA+ Community

California’s oldest LGBTQIA+ community center, Pacific Center for Human Growth has been a beacon of support and advocacy since 1973. For decades, Berkeley has been a city of progress and inclusivity, yet it has never had its own full-scale Pride festival—until now. This event is more than just a celebration; it’s a testament to Berkeley’s continued commitment to Queer visibility, equity, and belonging.

"As the oldest LGBTQIA+ center in the Bay Area, Pacific Center has long been a hub for community, resilience, and advocacy. In 2025, we are overjoyed to launch Berkeley Pride as a vibrant street fair, creating a space that honors our history while building our future. With the theme of Queer Joy, this event will not only uplift our collective ability to embrace joy but will also increase visibility and center mental health, wellness, and the healing power of peer support. We’re building a Pride that reflects the spirit of Berkeley—radical, inclusive, and deeply community-driven," said Lasara Firefox Allen, CEO of Pacific Center.

An Opportunity for Community and Connection

By launching this historic first Pride street festival, Berkeley will:

• Create a dedicated space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies to come together in celebration.
• Highlight local Queer-owned businesses, artists, and organizations that make the city of Berkeley and the East Bay vibrant.
• Strengthen connections between the LGBTQIA+ community and Berkeley’s residents, businesses, and leadership.

Get Involved

Want to be part of the celebration? Opportunities for sponsorship are open now. Vendor booth opportunities will open later this year, but sponsors will get booked first–and every sponsorship includes the opportunity to have a table at Pride if you choose to. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Matthew Easterwood, CAP®, CFRE (he/they), Development Manager at DevelopmentManager@PacificCenter.org.

Stay Connected

Follow @PacificCenterBerkeley on social media, and visit PacificCenter.org/berkeleypride to stay up-to-date with announcements, entertainment reveals, and exciting Pride news.

For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:

Lasara Firefox Allen, MSW, (they/them/Mx.)

CEO, Pacific Center

Lasara@PacificCenter.org