WELCOME

WELCOME was unveiled in 2022 and has gotten even bigger every year. In 2023 the installation inspired an entire Summer of Awe series, with WELCOME being the inaugural event. That year we were joined by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Senator Scott Weiner and Mayor London Breed, who all delivered an address during the official Grand Lighting Ceremony of WELCOME 2023.

The installation debuted in 2022 to great fanfare, setting off celebrations up and down the length of Market Street. With a 49-foot width and a length exceeding four miles, the six beams (purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red) constituted the world’s largest Pride flag. 2023 plans called for 12 lasers, creating even more vibrancy throughout the 4.1 mile span to the top of Twin Peaks. 2024 expanded even further with plans to illuminate 20 lasers in honor of 20 years of marriage equality in San Francisco.

A pre-lighting event is often planned at the base of the installation at Harry Bridges Plaza (near the Ferry Building). DJ’s, circus performers, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Dykes on Bikes rumbling along The Embarcadero to deliver a magnificent “Rainbow Torch” for the lighting, and a human Pride flag made up of at least 120 people, are often part of the events. VIP speakers have included Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Mayor London Breed, State Senator Scott Weiner, and American AIDS and LGBT rights activist Cleve Jones.

^{_{We stand on the shoulders of all the artists who came before us – to share the message of inclusion and celebrate the rainbow flag which belongs to everyone! More information on those who inspire us here.}}