Look, we don’t always get the big parade or the celebrity-packed festival that LA throws every year — but honestly? Ventura County doesn’t need it. What we have is something a little more real: a tight-knit community that actually shows up for each other, local businesses that put their money where their rainbow flag is, and a summer calendar that’s got some genuinely fun stuff happening. Here’s what’s going on this summer.
Okay, starting the month off on a bike is very Ventura and we are here for it. On June 6th, Trek Bicycle Ventura, Ventura Cycling, and Ventura Bike Depot teamed up for the Ventura Pride Ride — a group cruise departing from Ventura Cycling Center on East Harbor Boulevard. Routes went from a breezy 6.5-mile social ride between the two shops all the way out to a 32-mile stretch to Rincon Point Beach, with a 17.5-mile middle-ground option for those of us who want credit for the effort without absolutely destroying our legs.
The real moment though? Hearing Ventura Cycling owner Will Shiao say they wanted to “create a safe space for people who are in the community and allies as well to come out and show their support.” That’s the energy. Ventura Bike Depot’s Shelley Sund — who has been in business here for over 40 years — was equally fired up, and both owners are committed to making this an annual tradition. We’ll be back next year, helmets and all.
The name alone gives main character energy and we respect it. The Ventura Dreamin’ Festival is a full Pride celebration with a vendor market, live performances, and an all-ages vibe that means you can bring literally everyone — your chosen family, your actual family, your coworker who’s been an ally since before it was cool. This one is the kind of event that reminds you how good it feels to just be in a crowd of people who get it. Check the official event website for performer and vendor details — they’ve got more coming.
Now we’re talking. The Ventura Pride Bar Crawl on Saturday, June 20th is the move if you want to actually go out out. It kicks off at 4:00 PM at The Sewer – Sans Souci Cocktail Lounge and works its way through downtown Ventura’s best bars from there. Your wristband gets you drink specials and free entry at every stop on the crawl. Dress code is: more is more. We’re talking sequins, rainbow, full lewks — this is not the night for your casual Saturday jeans. Grab tickets in advance online and round up your people.
One of the things that genuinely makes this community special is that Pride isn’t just a month for us — it’s a whole lifestyle. Diversity Collective throws the full Ventura County Pride Festival every July, a weekend-long celebration at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura that supports LGBTQ+ community resources year-round. So once you’ve made it through June, don’t put the rainbow flag away just yet — the party keeps going all summer long.
Ventura County is small enough that you’ll recognize faces at every single one of these events. That’s not a bug — that’s the whole feature. See you out there.
