The Red Dress Party San Diego at The San Diego Natural History Museum

Red Dress Party San Diego is a whimsical fundraising event where everyone is encouraged to be brave, let loose, and celebrate impact. Like the name suggests, attendees are required to wear a red dress or dress-like garment. This serves as a powerful sign of compassion and solidarity for those affected by HIV/AIDS and as a way to unite the crowd in one radiant theme.

Red Dress Party San Diego – like other red dress parties in other cities – has a mission to raise funds and awareness for organizations that serve the local HIV community. The event is a night of music and dancing mixed with charity and fun, where all attendees – and we mean everyone – are required to wear a red dress or dress-like garment. This serves as a powerful sign of solidarity and compassion for those of us affected by HIV and a way to unite the crowd in one radiant theme. Red Dress Party San Diego is a unique celebration that invites everyone to be brave, let loose, and celebrate impact.

This is important because San Diego County still lags behind the state and country in key measures related to combating HIV and AIDS:

* It’s estimated that in San Diego County, a new person tests positive for HIV every 18 hours.
* Approximately 9% of people living with HIV in San Diego County don’t know they have it.
* Around 37% of people with HIV in San Diego County follow their care plan, lower than the approximately 43% of patients in California, and 50% of patients nationwide.

Although we have made huge strides in HIV prevention and treatment, there is still a great need for testing, counseling, and care.

Twelve Years of Red Dress Party San Diego!

Red Dress Party San Diego is a celebration that raises awareness and funds for organizations that serve the local HIV community; but not your typical fundraising gala, this event is so much more.

What Makes Red Dress Party San Diego Different? 💃

Red Dress Party San Diego (RDPSD) is a night of music and dancing mixed with charity and fun, where all attendees are required to wear a red dress or dress-like garment. This serves both as a powerful sign of solidarity and compassion for those affected by HIV and a way to unite the crowd in one radiant theme. At this unique celebration we invite everyone to be brave, let loose, and celebrate impact.

Venue, Theme, and other Details 🎉

NEW VENUE: San Diego Natural History Museum! We’re taking over the San Diego Natural History Museum just as it unveils its massive multi-million dollar transformation! Be among the first to experience the stunning new enclosed rooftop and a brand-new attraction opening just in time for our party. This multi-floor venue is the perfect event space for RDPSD 2026 with:

* The Main Foyer: step off the red carpet and into a central area that leads to exhibits and hosts our step & repeat, photobooth, and information desk.
* The Lower Level: Descend into high-energy DJ sets, a massive dance floor, casual seating, and our luxe lounges.‍
* The Upper Levels: we're buying out the entire museum so enjoy the exhibits, models, murals, and fossils. ‍
* The Estrella Lounge: This party in a party on the venue rooftop will feature light seating, Latin beats, and views that can't be beat!

The exhibits are open for your exploration and enjoyment, but please remember: many of these treasures are fragile, rare, and priceless. Respect is sexy! 😉

THEME: Our theme for 2026 is ZODIAC RISING 🌌

This year, the stars have aligned. The collection at the Natural History Museum is the perfect backdrop to celebrate the cosmic forces that connects us all. Just like a constellation, our community is an unbreakable network of support, and the need for funding local HIV nonprofits is rising—but our community knows that we shine brightest together.

For your look, let the cosmos guide you: think Zodiac-inspired fashion, stardust textures, starry patterns, or cosmic silhouettes that defy gravity. Or simply show off your heavenly body in a sexy red toga.

What’s your sign, San Diego? Bring your celestial energy to the dance floor and let’s make history under the stars.