Sacramento Wasn't On My List. This Pride, It's Everything.

Sac Queens—

I’ll be honest with you. I hated the idea of moving to Sacramento. I had a list of target cities I was dreaming about as we neared the end of James’ residency—New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles (and probably in that order), the places where I assumed a gay life was supposed to happen, and Sacramento was nowhere on it. I had already lived many places: the Orange County, Berkeley, Madrid, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, and Austin. I knew what a city felt like, and I thought I knew what community felt like. When we settled on Sacramento because of James’ job, I came here bracing for disappointment.

What I found instead is the thing I had been chasing in all of those bigger, louder places and never actually caught. The gay community in Sacramento welcomed me in a way that still catches me off guard. It is not an abstraction. It’s very real. It is people who create the space and facilitate the connections in our community: Ed and Bryce and the Thursday Social they keep hosting, Dan and the OutLoud Sports league that turns just-moved-here online strangers into teammates and besties. Those are just two examples out of a dozens. This town is full of people quietly making room for whoever walks in next.

So this Pride weekend, that is what I am thinking about and reflecting on. Not the city I wanted, but the one I got. The one I dreaded that turned out to be the most welcoming place I have ever lived.

Happy Pride.

-Tom

Before you head out there, settle a debate for us. Fully anonymous, zero judgment, and we will spill the results next week.

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June 11–17.

Pillow Princess Studio 54: Disco Dykes at Roscoe’s: Thu June 11, 8 PM–1:30 AM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers Tonight. At 2007 K Street. A sapphic and lesbian disco dance party hosted by Dolly Romano and Billy Freak, with two floors, two DJs, pop-up drag and burlesque, gogos, and a night market of glitter, tarot, and tooth gems. Pillow Princess attendees get 20% off Pride festival GA with the code at the door. Read More

Art Reception: PRIDE: Thu June 11, 6–8 PM · West Sacramento Community Center (Gallery 1075) · free Gallery 1075 hands its walls to local LGBTQIA+ artists for a free Pride Month group show, with the opening reception across the river at 1075 West Capitol Avenue. A quieter, daytime way into the weekend: see some art, support the people making it, then let the chaos find you later. Read More

ArtMix: Doll House at the Crocker Art Museum: Thu June 11, 6–9 PM · Crocker Art Museum · 18+, free for members / $25 The Crocker’s monthly after-hours party goes full queer this month. ArtMix: Doll House is an evening of drag, art, and unapologetic celebration, with spectacular performances, a QueerShoppe artisan market, stand-up comedy, and interactive body painting. Hit the dancefloor, make something, and see what the museum gets up to after dark. Ages 18 and up, free for members and $25 for everyone else. Read More

7 Deadly Sins Burlesque: Pride Edition: Thu June 11, 8 PM · The Flamingo House (2315 K St) · from $20 A Pride-edition burlesque show hosted by Niko Miracle at The Flamingo House on K Street. Seven sins, considerably fewer garments, exactly the kind of Thursday that earns Friday’s hangover. Tickets from $20 on Eventbrite. Read More

Catch Fridays Are a Drag: Sac Pride Kick Off at Badlands: Fri June 12, drag show 8 PM · Badlands · no cover, 21+ Badlands opens Pride weekend with a no-cover drag blowout at 2003 K Street, hosted by this week’s Person of the Week, Hellen Heels, with performances by Gigi Banks, Polaris, Brenn Badd, Maria Twampson, Dolly Romano, and Aurora Lott Moore. Drag show at 8 PM, hot gogos all night. The girl is booked. Read More

Liquid Therapy: Pure Pride 2026 at Badlands: Fri June 12, 5:30–7 PM · Badlands At 2003 K Street in Midtown. Outword Magazine’s Liquid Therapy happy hour opens Pride weekend at Badlands. Ninety minutes to get loose before the weekend swallows you whole. Read More

Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus at Teneral Cellars: Fri June 12, 6:30–8 PM · Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St #110) The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus performs two sets at Teneral Cellars, a Pride weekend kickoff at the LGBTQ+ and women-owned tasting room. Reservations on Tock. Read More

Concerts in the Park: Fri June 12, 6–9:30 PM · Cesar Chavez Plaza · free Free Friday-night concert series at 9th and J, every Friday through June 26. Not queer-specific, but on a Pride-weekend Friday every gay in town routes through this park, so you will find your people. Follow @cipsacramento for this week’s lineup. Read More

Roscoe’s Angels: Pride Edition: Fri June 12, 8 PM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers (upstairs) Roscoe’s debuts a brand-new drag revue, Roscoe’s Angels, in full Pride regalia upstairs at 2007 K Street. A fresh cast of queens to open Pride weekend’s first real night out. Reservations on the Roscoe’s events page. Read More

Comedy for Bikes: A Friends for Life Bike Rally Benefit: Fri June 12, 9 PM · STAB! Comedy Theater (Land Park) A queer comedy and drag benefit at STAB! in Land Park, with proceeds supporting the Friends for Life Bike Rally and people living with HIV/AIDS. Laugh, give a little, call it your good deed before the weekend swallows you whole. Tickets on Eventbrite. Read More

Heated Rivalry: A Pride Dance Party at Faces: Fri June 12, doors 9 PM · Faces Nightclub · 21+ Pride weekend kickoff at @faces_sacramento, 2000 K Street, with music by Leadfoot and pop-up drag by Sasha DeVaroe. The kind of late-night chaos Faces is built for, and the next morning is Sac Pride. Pace accordingly. Read More

Sacramento Pride 5K Run & Walk: Sat June 13, 8:40 AM · Old Sacramento (111 I St) The official Pride weekend pregame: a morning 5K through Old Sac, start and finish near the Delta King, just before festival doors open. Run it, walk it, strut it, or sashay it, all paces welcome. Cross the rainbow finish line, then rest up for the weekend ahead. Read More

Best of Both Worlds: Pride Drag Brunch at Cafeteria 15L: Sat June 13, 10 AM · Cafeteria 15L (1116 15th St) A Pride drag brunch downtown at Cafeteria 15L, hosted by Lady Dy with a lineup that includes this week’s Person of the Week, Hellen Heels, alongside Brenn Badd and Sasha Reign Dupree. Specialty cocktails, a full show, and exactly the kind of pre-festival fuel Saturday demands. Follow @thegoodladydy for seating and tickets. Read More

Pride Pancake Breakfast at The Bolt: Sat June 13, 11 AM–2 PM · The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St) · $10 The Alta California Leather Corps flips pancakes for Pride at Sac’s leather bar, with sausage, a whole lotta Pride, and prize drawings every 30 minutes. Ten dollars a plate, all are welcome, come hungry and leave happy. Not your father’s pancakes, as the flyer swears, but they might be your Daddy’s. Read More

March with the Capitol LGBTQ Association: Sun June 14, gather 10:15 AM · 8th & T St to the State Capitol Want to actually march, not just watch? The Capitol LGBTQ Association is rallying a contingent for the Sac Pride March. Meet at 8th and T Street at 10:15 AM, step off with the parade, and finish about ten blocks later at the State Capitol, wrapping up around 2 PM. Bring water, sunscreen, shades, and your best Pride fit. Bikes and other wheels are welcome if they make the march more accessible for you. Register at the link in their bio, questions to [email protected]. Read More

Celebrate Pride: LBTQ+ Speed Dating at Radclyffe’s: Sat June 13, 4–6 PM · Radclyffe’s Restaurant & Cocktail Bar Lesbian, bi, trans, and queer+ speed dating at Radclyffe’s, two hours to meet someone whose name you will actually remember on Monday. A refreshingly analog way to date in the year of our apps. Register on Eventbrite. Read More

The Velvet Room: A Drag Cabaret & Dinner Show at Roscoe’s: Sat June 13, 6:30 PM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers (upstairs) Second-Saturday drag cabaret and dinner show upstairs at 2007 K Street. Dinner, drinks, and the best drag in town before you head out into Pride Saturday. Read More

WÜKI Block Party at Barwest Midtown: Sun June 14, 3–8 PM · The West Lot (Barwest Midtown) · 21+ Pride-Sunday afternoon block party at Barwest’s West Lot. WÜKI headlining, Chango and DJ JB on support. Outdoor, summer energy, the obvious pivot from the march or the festival. Read More

Here’s Where I Stand: Sacramento Lavender Chorus Premiere: Sun June 14, 5 PM · Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (2620 Capitol Ave) · $20 suggested The brand-new Sacramento Lavender Chorus debuts with a Pride Sunday premiere concert at Trinity Cathedral, in collaboration with @sacgaymenschorus. Tickets at sacramentolavenderchorus.com or $20 at the door. Refreshments in the courtyard after, gossip encouraged. Read More

Roscoe’s Drag Brunch: Sun June 14, 10:30 AM or 1:30 PM · Roscoe’s Bar & Burgers (upstairs) Weekly Sunday drag brunch upstairs at 2007 K Street, and Pride Sunday is the one to book. $18 bottomless mimosas with any entrée. Two seatings, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Tickets close an hour before showtime. Tip your queens like they paid your rent. Follow @roscoes916. Read More

Trivia Mondays at Teneral Cellars: Mon June 15, 6:30–8:30 PM · Teneral Cellars · free Weekly trivia at Sac’s queer-owned wine lounge, 1050 20th Street. Free to play, every Monday. The gentle landing after a very big weekend. Follow @teneralcellars. Read More

Gay Skate at The Rink: Tue June 16, 6–9 PM · The Rink · $25, $15 students Pride on skates at 2900 Bradshaw Rd, with DJ Pocket on the music and Roselia hosting. Proceeds benefit the Gender Health Center and the Mr. Bolt Travel Fund. Wobbling permitted, sequins encouraged. Read More

Rainbow Chamber Networking Mixer, Pride Edition: Tue June 16, 6–7:30 PM · MOSAC · free for members, $10 non-members Pride-edition mixer at the Museum of Science and Curiosity, paired with a Lady Gaga laser light show, because of course. Hosted by @sacrainbowchamber. Free for members, $10 for everyone else. Register online. Read More

The Trivia Show at The Depot: Wed June 17, 9 PM · The Depot · free Weekly trivia at 2001 K Street, hosted by Just Josh, free to play with teams up to six. Prizes for the top three and rotating drink specials all night. Come test your knowledge, or come watch smarter people do it. Read More

¡Besos! hosted by Liz at Badlands: Wed June 17, 10 PM · Badlands · no cover, 21+ Badlands’ Latin drag night is back at 2003 K Street, hosted by Liz with performances by Paloma Foxx and friends. Showtime 10 PM, free entry, besos para todos. The perfect midweek pick-me-up once the Pride weekend comedown hits. Read More

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Rhinestone Cowboy: SGMC’s 2026 Pride Show: Fri June 19, 7 PM · The Sofia (B Street Theatre) The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus puts a queer rhinestone twist on country classics at 2700 Capitol Ave. Cowboys, cowgirls, cowtheys, all welcome. Additional shows Sat June 20 (3 PM and 7 PM) and Sun June 21 (3 PM). Follow @sacgaymenschorus, tickets via B Street Theatre. Read More

Only Baddies Party at Badlands: Fri June 19 · Badlands · 21+ A Juneteenth-night Badlands party from Brynt Jones Presents at 2003 K Street, with special-guest content creators Adrian Hart and Junior, a lineup of local gogo dancers, and beats by DJ Cliffy. Hustler of Hollywood takes the mezzanine with giveaways. Exactly as grown as it sounds. Read More

Rocky Horror Prom: Sat June 20, 9 PM · Historic Colonial Theatre A Prom and Pride themed Rocky Horror screening with live shadowcast from Amber’s Sweets at the Historic Colonial Theatre. Glitter-soaked, fishnet-immersed, callbacks encouraged. Vote for Prom King, Queen, or Monarch before the disco ball claims us all. Read More

Gay Day at the North Fork American River: Sat June 20, early til sunset · North Fork American River (near Auburn) An all-day queer takeover of an established nude beach on the North Fork American River, about an hour up the hill from Sacramento near Auburn. The invitation is right there in the name: strip down and nurture in nature. This one earns its scenery, so come prepared. Parking is limited along the highway, the beach is reachable only by steep, unmarked trails, shade is scarce, and there are no restrooms. Pack in, pack out, leave no trace, and no glass, please. Plan accordingly and the river does the rest. Read More

Tea Dance at Badlands: Sun June 21, 3–7 PM · Badlands At 2003 K Street in Midtown. The classic Sunday afternoon dance party, and a perfect place to land on Sunday. Read More

Category Is Pride: 10’s Across the Board: Mon June 22, 5:30–8:30 PM · Ace of Spades (1417 R St) · free–$13.30 The California LGBTQ Caucus and the CA LGBTQ Foundation throw a Ballroom night at Ace of Spades, with some of the West Coast’s best Houses. Duck walk your way in. Face, body, joy, drinks, and sweets on the menu. Only 300 tickets, and proceeds fund the LGBTQ+ Foundation Scholarship and Research programs. Read More

Broadway Rave: A Musical Theater Dance Party at Harlow’s: Fri June 26, 9 PM · Harlow’s · 21+, from $21 Calling every theater kid who never quite grew out of it. Harlow’s and Burwood Media throw a Broadway dance party where you belt the showtunes, dress as your favorite character, and live out your Playbill fantasies, with surprise guests promised. General admission runs about $21 to $25, fees included. Read More

Pride at the Old Sugar Mill: Yadao Trio Live: Sun June 28, 3–5 PM · Old Sugar Mill (Clarksburg) At 35265 Willow Ave in Clarksburg, minutes from Sacramento. The Yadao Trio plays a two-hour Pride celebration set among the tasting rooms. More than a dozen wineries under one roof, live music, and a Sunday with nowhere to be. Read More

Dashin’ Down the Delta: Sun Aug 16 · Sacramento · not a timed run Sacramento’s newest summer tradition, a run-walk where the costume is the whole point and the clock is not. Build a themed group, wear the wig, match the shirts, and move at whatever pace keeps it fun. Registration open now. Read More

Boas & Bow Ties Gala (save the date): Thu Oct 22, 6 PM · Sacramento The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber’s annual queer gala. Bow ties go on, boas come out. Far out, but worth a calendar hold. Details to come. Read More

A Drag Queen Christmas (save the date): Wed Dec 9, 7:30 PM · Channel 24 Wildly far out, but the gay Christmas miracle is booked. Murray & Peter’s touring A Drag Queen Christmas hits Channel 24, hosted by Nina West with Drag Race favorites including Crystal Methyd, Nini Coco, and more. Tickets are on sale now, with meet-and-greet add-ons at DragFans.com. Mark it, then forget it until the eggnog hits. Read More

Hellen Heels