News Summary
This weekend, Orlando will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with its Come Out With Pride Festival, featuring a variety of events including a parade, performances, and a block party. Emphasizing themes of love and acceptance, the festival aims to foster community resilience during challenging times. Events will take place at multiple venues, offering free general admission and VIP experiences. The festival’s theme, ‘We the People,’ underscores unity as it supports LGBTQ+ visibility and celebrates past leaders while providing fun activities for all ages.
Orlando is set to host its annual Come Out With Pride Festival this weekend, aiming to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community amidst rising intolerance at state and national levels. The vibrant event, which has become one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Southeast over the last two decades, promotes themes of love, authenticity, and empowerment.
The festivities kick off on Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m. with the Official Come Out With Pride Orlando Block Party taking place at Anthem Orlando, featuring DJ Scott Robert spinning tunes. If construction at Anthem isn’t finished, the block party will move to Yaz Orlando. Entry to this event is free with RSVP.
Also on Friday, the Swirlery will host a Golden Girls-themed Get Golden Costume and Pride Weekend Party at 7 p.m., including a costume contest, trivia, an art auction, and donation-based entry.
The main attractions at Lake Eola Park begin at noon on Saturday, October 18, with the Come Out With Pride Festival featuring over 250 vendors. At 1 p.m., the Trans & Non-Binary Task Force will lead a Trans Rally & March to showcase community resilience and strength. Live music and dancing will entertain festival-goers starting at 2 p.m. at the Sonic Bloom Field, with performances by DJ Tracy Young and Blue Star.
The day’s highlight, the Most Colorful Parade, is scheduled to start at 4 p.m., boasting nearly 200 participating organizations and allies. Grand Marshals for this year’s event include AJ Blount, Britney Thompson, and Jen Cousins. A Pride Rally & Awards Presentation will follow at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Eola Park.
An evening of drag and burlesque is planned for the Diva Stage starting at 7 p.m., featuring stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The day will culminate with a spectacular Fireworks Finale over Lake Eola at 9:30 p.m.
Events throughout the celebration also include free general admission, while VIP tickets will be available for exclusive experiences. The downtown Pride Block Party, hosted at Anthem, Yaz, and Elixir, will begin at 6 p.m. and continue through the night with DJs and drag performances. Savoy will feature all-day drag performances, drink specials, and DJs on Saturday, while Outpost will kick off Pride Drag Brunches on both Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
The festival will officially close with a party at Anthem on Sunday, October 19, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., charging entry fees between $10 to $15. Additional events include iScream Sundays at Savoy featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Willow Pill, at 9 p.m.
The significance of Pride celebrations has become increasingly important following the recent cancellation of Tampa’s Pride parade, highlighting the need for visibility and support within the LGBTQ+ community. Established in 1991, Orlando Pride has grown into a symbol of resilience and joy for the community over the years.
This year, the festival’s theme is “We the People,” emphasizing unity and acceptance, and providing a family-friendly environment with various activities for all ages, including a kid-friendly Rainbow Ranch area. Organizers are also prioritizing the availability of sober spaces for attendees seeking alcohol-free options. Community connections and support remain vital elements of the festival, as it strives to recognize past LGBTQ+ leaders and address ongoing challenges faced by the community.
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Additional Resources
- WESH: Come Out With Pride Guide
- Visit Orlando: Come Out With Pride Orlando
- Orlando Weekly: All the Orlando Parties and Events
- Watermark Online: Juneteenth Pride Celebration
- Florida Voice News: Orlando’s Family-Friendly Pride Festival
- Wikipedia: Pride Parades
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBT Rights
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
