Long Beach Pride 2026 parades fearless and free despite festival cancelation

It was the best of Pride, it was the worst of Pride. When Pride season in Southern California kicked off over the weekend with Long Beach Pride 2026, the revelry was tempered with mixed emotions. Mere hours before its annual Pride Festival was to begin, the two-day, ticketed event was abruptly canceled due to permitting issues.

“The Long Beach Pride Festival will not be able to take place this year as sufficient information to safely permit the event has not been made available by the event organizers,” the city announced in a press release.

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According to a cease-and-desist letter sent by the city attorney’s office, the LB Pride’s organizers “failed to timely submit the required application materials and supporting documentation necessary for permit review.” 

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In a statement posted to the Long Beach Pride website, the organization’s president Tonya Martin implored the city to “immediately engage in good faith with Long Beach Pride, community leaders, public safety partners, and elected officials to identify a path forward that preserves the festival and protects the community. We call on our Mayor Rex Richardson and the city council members to make the Pride Festival happen. We ask that our city leaders stand with the community at this critical moment and help ensure that Long Beach remains a beacon of equality, safety, and pride.”

Despite the loss of this year’s festival, Long Beach’s queer community still mounted its annual Sunday Pride parade along Ocean Avenue. The city has operated the parade since 2024, taking over from the all-volunteer Long Beach Pride organization, which has instead focused on running the Pride Festival.

Travel photographer Liam Koji was on the scene snatching our favorite moments from the event.

The City of Long Beach and Visit Long Beach also oversaw a small, free festival in Bixby Park, after the parade. Taking place at the park’s bandshell, the gathering was titled “Canceled? Never Heard of Her!”

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