Get ready for our 3rd Annual Pride Festival! Our FREE Pride festival returns in 2025 on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This time, in historic White Park in Downtown Riverside.

Follow us on social media @RiversideLGBTQ everywhere

Want to be involved?

Volunteers Needed!

Overview

#PRIDE is in Riverside! Join us for a day of celebration, elevation, and reflection. You will enjoy performances by unique entertainers, dance to the beat of up-and-coming LGBTQIA+ performers, experience LGBTQ History of Inland Empire, and enjoy over 120 LGBTQIA+ oriented and friendly organizations and companies. Eat, shop, drink, and dance!

This is a FREE event. Hours are as follows:

Gate opens at 12 PM
Main Stage: 2– 9 PM
Beer Garden: 2 – 8 PM (beer, wine, champagne)
Youth Zone: 12 – 5 PM (17 and under by Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance)
Workshops: 12 – 6 PM

Riverside LGBTQ+ Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, 100% volunteer-powered. We cannot succeed without our dedicated volunteers and the community's support.

Location

Located at Chestnut and Tenth St in downtown Riverside, White Park was established in 1883 and was Riverside’s first City park.

Elements

There is something for everyone!

120+ Vendors and Exhibitors
Main Stage Entertainment
Food & Beer Garden
DJ, picnic, and dancing out in a park setting
Workshops and Panels
Youth Zone (17 and under)
Festival-only Merchandise

Entertainers (Main Stage)

Latina goddess Valentina (IG: @allaboutvalentina) was a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race's season nine, All Stars season four, and co-host of Drag Race México season one. She's also ambassador for @LALGBTCenter and @TrevorProjectMX. Valentina identifies as nonbinary, and uses she/her pronouns.

Robert Rene (@robertrenemusic) is a pop singer/dancer hailing from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, whose journey in the entertainment industry has been a wild ride of phenomenal wins and unbelievable battles. Robert Rene has had a remarkable climb of over 10 million+ impressions across all of his social media platforms ever since his virality on TikTok and his socials has been taking a rise once and for all. He was featured as #4 of Top 10 artists to watch in 2024 by Rolling Stone Mena.

Since 2022, @athenakillsofficial has been a staple in many of our Pride events, big and small. Pride bowling, BBQ, Holigay, hosting our 2023 Gayla, Athena Kills it every time. We love Athena and we can't get enough of her! We're honored to give her our shoutout as our 2025 Resident Queen! Athena will kick off Pride with Drag Queen Story Time on the Stonewall Stage, then host the afternoon portion of our main stage.

Mariachi Arco•Iris de Los Angeles (@mariachiarcoiris) is the first and only LGBTQ+ mariachi in the world. A unique and dynamic ensemble representing the traditions of the rich culture of Mexico, this group was created as a haven for mariachi musicians who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together and perform traditional Mexican regional music in an otherwise “machista” and discriminating subculture of the mariachi world.

Sofya Wang is a California-based indie/alternative pop artist. Being a first generation Chinese-American and apart of the LGBTQ+ community, @sofya_wang writes songs exploring her own interpersonal relationships, sensuality, and romanticism. With eclectic and ever expanding influences from top 40s pop, alternative R&B artists, indie electronica bands, hip hop, underground rave music, to even sultry crooning country ballads, Sofya effortlessly blends genres – just as she does with her own gender expression. Sofya's music truly represents the way she lives her life – with endless self exploration and fluidity.

Welcome Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (pronounced \bo\ \gree-gree\ ) to our main stage! @beauxgrisgris is a California-based roots rock (blending Blues Rock Americana, Country, and Soul) band created and led by Louisiana-born-and-raised musician Greta Valenti (Well Hung Heart) and UK British Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Robin Davey (The Hoax, DVL, Well Hung Heart). Beaux Gris Gris and The Apocalypse's debut album Love & Murder spurned Top 10 hits in genre charts across Europe. This year, the band is releasing their 3rd album, “Hot Nostalgia Radio” on their independent label, GROW VISION Music & Records, and touring extensively across the UK, Europe, & United States.

The Sirens are back! @sirens_rhythmbeatz tore up our 2022 festival main stage and 2023 Gayla with with fierce dance moves and fabulosity. The Sirens dance at the Rhythm Beatz Dance Studio in Rialto. They are a dance group formed to help empower women. They promote body positivity, self love, and empowering others to do what they love.

Joining us for the first time, Rochone is a singer/songwriter living the dream in Hollywood, California. @rochonemusic believes that music heals all. His music is both honest and heartfelt while taking his listeners on an emotional journey.

We have not one but TWO drag shows at our festival this year! The afternoon drag show will be hosted by our 2025 Resident Queen, Athena Kills (@athenakillsofficial), with performances by Justyn Caze (@justyncaze), Kelly K Doll (@xo_kellyk), and Scalene (@bry92an_scalene). Evening host Jazmyn Simone-Échelon (@dapeoplesqueen). with performances by Nebuer Styles (@nebuyaystyles), and Sa'Hara (@oohsahara). Plus our headliner Valentina (@allaboutvalentina). This is truly an incredible line up and you don't want to miss it.

Workshops (Stonewall Stage)

1 PM - Drag Queen Story Time
Sponsored by: Cellar Door Bookstore
Speakers: Linda Sherman-Nurick with Athena Monet Kills, Scalene OnixXx and Kelly K

Description: Kick off the Riverside Pride Festival with drag queen story time featuring Kelly K, Scalene OnixXx and Athena Monet Kills! Get ready to be spellbound as our fabulous queens take the stage to narrate heartwarming tales that celebrate individuality and acceptance.

Whether you're young or young at heart, Drag Time Story Time is an experience that transcends age and embraces the power of storytelling to foster a sense of belonging and creativity. So, grab your tiaras, capes, and sparkles, and join us for a truly one-of-a-kind event where the magic of literature meets the artistry of drag.

2 PM - Know Your Rights: Protecting LGBTQ+ and Trans Lives Under Attack
Presented by: ACLU SoCal
Speakers: Amanda Goad & Christine Parker, Senior Staff Attorneys, Gender, Sexuality, & Reproductive Justice Project (at ACLU SoCal)

Description: Join the ACLU of Southern California for a critical Know Your Rights workshop focused on the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community—especially our trans and gender-nonconforming siblings—in the current political climate. As attacks on queer and trans rights escalate nationwide, it’s more important than ever to understand your legal protections, how to navigate discrimination, and how to advocate for yourself and others.

This workshop will cover:

Your rights in schools, workplaces, and health care settings; with regard to passports and other forms of ID; and when interacting with ICE
Recent executive orders and other federal moves targeting LGBTQ+ and especially trans communities
Resources and tools to help you stay informed, empowered, and connected to the fight for equality

Whether you’re directly impacted, an ally, or just want to learn more, this workshop is for you.

3 PM - From Protest to Policy: LGBTQ+ Civic Engagement in Action
Speakers: Erika Ruiz, IE PRISM Collective, Jacob Daruvala, Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, Kira Pegues – Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Presented by: Riverside County Student Safety Coalition

Description: From the ballot box to the city council chambers, LGBTQ+ individuals have always played a critical role in shaping the future of our communities. This dynamic panel brings together activists, organizers, elected officials, and community leaders to explore the power of queer civic engagement—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we can all get involved.

Panelists will share stories from the front lines of advocacy, discuss the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ voters and leaders, and offer practical strategies for turning passion into progress—whether it’s through voting, organizing, policy work, or running for office.

4 PM - Cut, Paste, Resist: The Queer History of Zines
Speakers: Krista Ivy, Librarian – Crafton Hills College, Riverside Public Library Trustee
Presented by: Riverside Public Library

Description: Before the internet connected queer communities, zines were the radical, rebellious lifeline that amplified LGBTQ+ voices, challenged the status quo, and fueled grassroots activism. In this interactive workshop, we’ll dive into the rich and vibrant history of zines within the LGBTQ+ rights movement—from underground publications of the ‘70s and ‘80s to the riot grrrl and queer punk scenes of the ‘90s, all the way to today’s DIY renaissance.

You'll explore how zines served (and still serve) as powerful tools for self-expression, resistance, and community building in queer culture. After our history deep-dive, you'll get hands-on and create your own mini-zine using collaging, writing, drawing, and whatever sparks your creativity. No prior experience necessary—just bring your voice, your vision, and your queer joy (or rage).

All materials provided. Come ready to learn, create, and connect.

5 PM - Transcending Labels: Understanding the Trans Experience Panel
Speakers: TBD
Facilitated by: Mackenzie Lussier
Description: Join us for an honest, empowering, and enlightening conversation centered on the diverse experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals. This panel brings together trans voices from across the spectrum—activists, artists, community leaders, and everyday folks—to share personal stories, challenges, triumphs, and insights into what it means to live authentically.

Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally seeking to learn, this panel offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of gender identity, intersectionality, and the urgent issues facing the trans community today. From healthcare and legal rights to joy, resilience, and representation, no topic is off-limits.

Accessibility

The venue is ADA accessible. Spoken content on stage will have ASL interpreters. We will also have a deaf/hard-of-hearing assistance table.

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!

Riverside Pride Festival 2025

By Riverside LGBTQ+ Pride

Riverside Pride Festival 2025

Largest LGBTQ+ Pride festival in western Inland Empire, California. 100% volunteer-powered. Help keep it FREE for everyone ❤️‍🔥