WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
June 4, 2026
LOUD AND PROUD PRIDE PARTIES
It’s Pride month, ya’ll, and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community is a tradition that Santa Cruz has upheld for more than half a century. The 51st annual Pride kicks off this weekend loud and proud with drag queens, festivals and parades. Queerlantis, a one-night queer festival, brings “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Irene the Alien to the Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday night. Tickets are $39.19 to $92.55. At the other end of downtown Santa Cruz, the Hotter Than Hell drag rave comes to The Catalyst at 9 p.m. Tickets are $28.72.
On Sunday, the Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival takes over downtown Santa Cruz. The parade starts at 11 a.m., with festival entertainment starting at noon on two stages, in Abbott Square and on Locust Street. In the afternoon, Hotel Paradox hosts its annual Endless Pride Pool Party from 2 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $65.87. – Lily Belli
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE
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FROM THE LOOKOUT LIST
FAVORITE COMEDY NIGHT
CROW’S NEST
“Generally the best comedians come here, more than other places.”
ICYMI: ARTS & DINING STORIES
A TREAT BEFORE YOU GO
In this story from Sunday, Lookout contributor Jana Marcus recounts in exquisite prose the filming and casting for “The Lost Boys,” the cult-classic vampire flick filmed here in 1986. This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Watch for Part 2 next week.
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