Thousands flock to Hillcrest for San Diego Pride parade

A person wearing bright clothes and a visor waves a rainbow ribbon
A person with the San Diego Zoo Safari park procession waves a rainbow ribbon during the San Diego Pride parade on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego

Colorful floats, waving flags and fierce fashion filled the streets in a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ joy and resilience.


Photo Essay by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp


A group of people in neon leotards dance with pom poms
Dancers with Play Studios perform a routine for the crowd during the parade. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
People dance in a glass parade float with foam spraying around inside. The float says "Still Fighting, Still Fabulous. Marsha P. Johnson. Trans Liberation Now!"
A parade participant makes a hand heart gesture at the crowd from inside the Dr. Bronner's float. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
People stand next to a fence barrier holding rainbow flags, fans and other paraphernalia.
People enjoy the Pride Parade along the sidewalk in Hillcrest. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
A person in drag with a fake beard and mustache drives a golf cart and poses in front of a crowd
A drag king poses for the camera while driving a golf cart along the side of the parade. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
People hold signs painted with rainbow colors and trans pride flags that read "Peace and Pride in Every Step," "Radiate Love" and other messages
People hold signs while marching at the Pride Parade in Hillcrest on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
People with leather vests, sashes and stoles walk in a parade
One of America’s Finest City Leather Guild’s Knights poses for the camera. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
Someone holds a stuffed axolotl toy and waves a rainbow flag from a car in a parade
A person with the Saint Andrew’s Lutherian Church procession waves at the crowd. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
A person holds a lesbian pride flag in a parade
A San Ysidro Health procession member cheers at the crowd. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
A person dressed in a sith lord costume with a stormtrooper behind them
A person dressed as Palpatine from the "Star Wars" films gestures at the crowd while a stormtrooper walks behind them. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego
People hold a giant rainbow flag in the street
The audience joins in to hold the giant Pride flag, marking the end the parade. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran/Daylight San Diego