Orlando’s annual Come Out With Pride celebrations return in all their glory this weekend, pushing back against intolerance in our state and national governments. This time-honored tradition for Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community has served as a way to honor love, authenticity and empowerment for over two decades running, and it’s become one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the Southeast.
As a much-needed reminder of the LGBTQ+ community’s right to thrive and exist both locally and nationally, Orlandoans will gather for a celebration born out of protest and boldly express unapologetic joy. To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun, we’ve compiled a rundown of essential happenings so you won’t miss a minute.
Pride-worthy preludes:
Anthem Orlando downtown kicks off their Come Out With Pride festivities at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, with the Official Come Out With Pride Orlando Block Party, featuring DJ Scott Robert. The venue is currently under construction (so it will be a coming-out party for them as well), but plans to move this jamboree to Yaz Orlando next door if not completed in time for Pride. Entry is free with RSVP.
On a more quirky note, the Swirlery on Michigan Street hosts the Get Golden Costume and Pride Weekend Party at 7 p.m. Friday. Expect a Golden Girls-themed costume contest, trivia, an art auction and music. Entry is donation-based.
The big day:
Lake Eola Park becomes the epicenter of Pride festivities starting at noon on Saturday, Oct. 18, with over 250 vendors setting up shop for the Come Out With Pride Festival.
When the clock strikes 1 p.m., Come Out With Pride’s Trans & Non-Binary Task Force takes to the streets, leading their third Trans Rally & March, spotlighting the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community’s most targeted members.
For some live music and dancing, shimmy over to the Sonic Bloom Field starting at 2 p.m., where Grammy-winning DJ Tracy Young, Blue Star and more will bring the disco vibes for maximum dancing.
Later in the afternoon, the Most Colorful Parade kicks off at 4 p.m., with almost 200 supportive organizations and allies marching alongside the LGBTQ+ community young and old in an ecstatic street party. Grand Marshals of this year’s parade include AJ Blount and Britney Thompson of Netflix’s Ultimatum: Queer Love and Jen Cousins of the Florida Freedom to Read Project.
A Pride Rally & Awards Presentation happens at 6:30 p.m. back at Lake Eola Park, followed by an evening of drag and burlesque from 7 p.m. on the nearby Diva Stage. The night features RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jorgeous, Drag Race judge TS Madison and local star Angelica Sanchez.
At 9:30 p.m., the sky over Lake Eola will erupt in a dazzling light show, marking the end of the day’s festivities with a Fireworks Finale. Although these events are free to attend, VIP tickets are available through Come Out With Pride for a more exclusive experience.
But the fun doesn’t have to stop there! The energy of the parade lives on at the downtown Pride Block Party taking over Anthem, Yaz and Elixir, presented by One Magical Weekend. Starting at 6 p.m., this bash goes on until the wee hours with sets from DJ Jay Warren and DJ Liza Rodriguez, accompanied by striking drag looks from London Adour. General admission tickets are available for $28.36 and VIP tickets for $65.64.
Afterparties and weekend events:
Savoy in Ivanhoe Village keeps the party going on-site all day Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at 11 a.m., with drag, drink specials and DJs holding court during the day (and most of the night).
Outpost near Lake Eola hosts Pride Drag Brunches on both Saturday, Oct. 18 — featuring Darcel Stevens, Twila Holiday, Angelica Sanchez and Kitana Gemini — and Sunday, Oct. 19 — featuring Angelica Sanchez, 92Era Lords and Annie Daynow. Both brunches begin at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m., you can also indulge in more dining, drinks and live drag at Anthems Official Come Out With Pride Orlando Pride Drag Brunch. Hosted by local drag royalty Darcel Stevens and other luminaries, this limited-seating event costs $50 to attend … if you manage to snag a seat!
Later that same day, Anthem throws the Official Come Out With Pride Closing Party to cap off the weekend. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., dance under rainbow lights and relish the final hours of a successful Pride (until next year, of course). The cost of entry is $10-$15.
If you’re still got some more party in you, head (back) over to Savoy for the one-year anniversary of iScream Sundays courtesy of your host Axel Andrews. This Pride-themed event features Willow Pill, winner of Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and kicks off at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $24.
Party with a purpose:
In light of the cancellation of Tampa’s 2026 Pride parade, for “current political and economic” reasons, Orlando’s Pride celebrations have become that much more crucial for Central Florida. Since its humble beginnings in 1991, Come Out With Pride in the City Beautiful has gathered a larger turnout each year, combining defiance and joy.
Come Out With Pride reminds us to look back to the prominent LGBTQ+ figures before us and not to give a single inch in the face of intolerance, cruelty and oppression. The rainbow colors of Pride can be painted over on a crosswalk, sure, but the sentiments these colors represent can never be erased!
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This article appears in Oct. 15-21, 2025.
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Azlyn Cato
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