‘RuPaul’ queens, parade and more: What to know about Sacramento Pride festival
With Pride Month in full swing, Sacramento is getting ready for its largest annual event celebrating the area’s LGBTQ+ community.
Sacramento Pride returns this weekend, with festivities spanning Saturday and Sunday. Keeping in line with previous celebrations, Pride will consist of a two-day street festival along Capitol Mall and a free community Pride March on Sunday.
Family-friendly activities are scheduled throughout the weekend, from a charity fun run to live performances and more. Some of the biggest names in the drag world will perform on the Sacramento Pride festival stage, according to the Sac Pride website.
Here’s everything that’s going on during Sacramento’s big Pride bash this weekend.
2026 Sacramento Pride festival activities, performances
Sacramento Pride weekend kicks off Saturday morning with the second annual Pride 5K Run/Walk, hosted by LGBTQ+ running group Sacramento FrontRunners and FrontWalkers.
Runners will set off from 111 I St. in Old Sacramento at 8:40 a.m. and head south along the riverfront toward Miller Regional Park before turning back north and returning to the start. Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in bright colors and fun costumes to embrace the festive spirit of Pride.
Race registration was sold out as of Tuesday afternoon, but a waiting list was open, with runner slots made available as cancellations appear. Proceeds from the race will go toward supporting the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
Following the race, Old Sacramento pub Bear & Crown will host an after party at 1022 Second St.
The Sacramento Pride festival kicks off a few hours later along Capitol Mall. The festival’s hours are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Attendees can purchase festival tickets ahead of time on the Sacramento Pride website, sacramentopride.org, or in person during the weekend at the Seventh Street and Capitol Mall box office.
Both sides of Capitol Mall between Third and Seventh streets will be lined with vendors, community organizations, brand activations and other activities for guests.
Though the vast majority of the event is family-friendly, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center developed specialty programming for youth and young adults ages 13-24 as part of its Q-Spot program. Youth-friendly drag shows, bingo games with drag performers, live music, crafting sessions and more will be available for young attendees.
At the main Pride Stage on Fifth Street, performers of all kinds will circulate throughout the weekend. Local favorites such as the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus and Sac Dance Lab are slated to hit the stage, and some special guests will be the main attraction for some festival goers.
On Saturday, music artists Bentley Robles and Zee Machine will headline the Sacramento Pride festival. Drag performers Willam and Detox, made famous for their appearances on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” are scheduled for Sunday, according to the festival’s website.
Single-day general admission tickets cost $24.14 plus fees, while a weekend pass goes for $34.80 plus fees. Veterans, seniors over 55 and youth aged 13-17 can purchase discounted tickets for $18.81 plus fees.
Festival attendees looking for a premium experience can purchase VIP tickets, which offer a dedicated lounge, a separate performance viewing area and two free beverages per person each day they attend. Single-day VIP tickets cost $136.07 plus fees, and a weekend pass is priced at $200.03 plus fees.
Where is the 2026 Sacramento Pride March route?
On Sunday morning, the day’s Pride celebrations will kick off with the annual Pride March, a demonstration inspired by the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City.
A parade of floats, walking groups and vehicle contingents will take off from Eighth and U streets at 11 a.m., making their way to the state Capitol through central Sacramento. The parade’s route travels along Eighth Street before turning north onto 10th Street, where it will continue to Capitol Mall.
This year’s grand marshal for the march had not yet been announced as of Wednesday afternoon, but in previous years, beloved members of Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community have been honored as parade grand marshals.
The Pride March is free for all community members to view along the roughly three-quarter-mile route.
It is expected to run from 11 a.m. until about 2 p.m., according to the Sacramento Pride website.
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