Your insider guide to the events and festivities of the annual Come Out With Pride Festival.
Orlando is for everyone. That’s why we’ve earned a perfect score eight years in a row from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, which measures the LGBTQ+ inclusiveness of cities’ laws, policies and services. We’ve also been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ tourism since 1991, starting with the original GayDayS® and expanding to other high-profile events.
Discover: LGBTQ+ Travel Guide
One of our most beloved is Orlando’s Come Out With Pride Festival, hosted at Lake Eola Park on October 19, 2024. It’s organized by Come Out With Pride, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides LGBTQ+ events and support all year long. We spoke with Executive Director Tatiana Quiroga about the upcoming festivities — and why you won’t want to miss a moment of this unforgettable celebration of community, love and the freedom to just be yourself. This year’s theme is Colors of Courage, so don yours and join the jubilee!
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Every fall, Orlando stands with its LGBTQ+ community during the Come Out With Pride Festival. This year’s celebration promises to be better than ever, with a brand-new parade route, special events, electrifying musical acts and inclusive activities for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
“One of the main goals of the organization is to create experiences that are open, accepting and welcoming to all members of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Quiroga. “Last year we had over 220,000 people join us. To me those numbers are a reflection of our community. We know that’s inclusive of our allies, our families and our friends. It’s a celebration that’s open for everyone to come and participate.”
Enjoy official Come Out With Pride events in the week leading up to the big day, then head to Lake Eola Park from 12 – 9:30 p.m. Featuring live entertainment, pride rallies, a vendor marketplace, activities for all ages, a can’t-miss parade and a dazzling fireworks finale over Lake Eola, here’s a sneak peek of the fun in store.
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The Most Colorful Parade
The centerpiece of Come Out With Pride is The Most Colorful Parade, a vibrant celebration featuring parades, performers and more colorful fun starting at 4 p.m. This year’s parade will follow an all-new route through downtown Orlando, starting at Washington Street and Orange Avenue and ending at Lake Eola Park in Thornton Park.
Discover: Things to Do in Thornton Park
“One of the things we love about Orlando is that our folks are very loyal,” says Quiroga, pointing out that many repeat visitors have favorite spots along the former route. “The exciting thing about this new parade route is that when working with the City, the City came back to us and said, ‘you guys are too big.’”
The new route travels south on Orange, east on Central Boulevard and north on Rosalind Avenue before coming into the home stretch traveling east on East Robinson Street. Grab a spot and enjoy the show, and don’t miss full-day festivities at Lake Eola Park before and after the main event. ADA accessible viewing is available near the Walt Disney Amphitheater on Rosalind.
Live Entertainment
Get ready to make some noise with live entertainment across two stages. Catch local talent and national headliners at the Divas Stage (Walt Disney Amphitheater) as well as the Club Pride stage across the lake. You can even score a meet and greet with some of the performers with the purchase of a VIP ticket — more on those in a moment.
Stay tuned for additional details on this year’s hottest acts as more information becomes available.
Come Out With Pride Orlando
Pride Rallies
Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a rallying cry and a reminder of all the progress that’s been made for LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. “We don’t ever want to get too far from our roots to realize and recognize that Pride started as a protest over 50 years ago,” says Quiroga.
Musing on Come Out With Pride’s 20th anniversary in Orlando, she adds: “It’s nice to see why it started and now 20 years later, the progress that we’ve had and the resiliency and the energy to keep going. We’ve been fighting this good fight for 20 years and we definitely made some progress, but obviously the battle is still there.”
Pride Rally: Hear from elected officials and more allied local voices during the Pride Rally, which kicks off at 6 p.m.
Trans Rally: Members of the trans and non-binary community are also welcome to be themselves with a dedicated Trans Pride area, celebratory activities and more ways to lift your voice. “We do a trans march and rally,” says Quiroga. “It’s an opportunity to highlight current leaders, talk about issues that are coming up, and do a call to action.” Members of the trans and non-binary community are also welcome to march as part of the larger parade.
Rainbow Ranch
“One of the things we’re most proud of is our Rainbow Ranch,” says Quiroga, who’s taken her own children to celebrate Pride since her firstborn was just two weeks old. The kid-friendly zone offers a variety of activities that families can enjoy together from 12 – 3 p.m.
“It’s not only a fun time,” adds Quiroga. Regardless of how parents or their children identify, the family aspects of Pride represent “something that kids can see as an example of what it looks like when people are just simply themselves and have the freedom to do so.”
Youth Pride Zone
Another key component of this philosophy is the Youth Pride Zone. Per Quiroga, “We definitely wanted our youth in the community to feel like they were very intentionally included in Pride.” Kids and teens can find their place within the community and engage through age-appropriate activities.
Pride Marketplace
Explore Florida’s diverse culinary scene and collaborative community spirit at the Pride Marketplace, which will feature hundreds of vendors and festival flavors for every palate. Stay tuned for additional details.
Sober Space
The Sober Space presented by Pineapple Health will feature mocktails and more fun surprises to be inclusive of those living in sobriety. “We wanted to make sure that we’re creating those accepting and inclusive spaces for all members of LGBTQ+ community,” says Quiroga, pointing out that there are higher levels of addictions within this community.
Optional VIP Experience
Go all out this year with the official Pride VIP experience. “This is an opportunity for folks to elevate their Pride experience,” explains Quiroga. Enjoy exclusive access to a VIP area near the stage where you’ll enjoy catered food, air conditioning, private bathrooms, drink tickets and other goodies. “We’ll also be including a meet and greet with headliner entertainment,” says Quiroga, so don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate with the stars.
Fireworks
End the night on a high note with celebratory fireworks over Lake Eola. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. for an unforgettable finale.
But don’t worry, the party isn’t over yet! Keep the magic going with official pre- and post-festival events, including drag performances, concerts, parades and one hell of an afterparty. Plus, discover even more LGBTQ+ friendly events throughout Orlando.
Official 2024 Come Out With Pride Festival Events
Meet in the Middle for Hope (Oct. 12, 2024)
Hope Community Center in Apopka invites Floridians who value equality to Meet in the Middle of the state and rally for a more inclusive future. The event is hosted by an emerging coalition of local, state and national organizations and will offer a space for reflection, celebration and a renewed commitment to each other.
Zebra Youth’s 2nd Annual Strikes for Stripes (Oct. 13, 2024)
Get ready to bowl one over at Zebra Youth’s 2nd Annual Strikes for Stripes. Teams of six can compete for fun, prizes and memorable moments, with two games, bowling shoes and pizza included in the cost of admission. Hosted at Aloma Bowl in Winter Park, the event will also include a silent auction, plus food and commemorative merchandise available for purchase.
Discover: Things to Do in Winter Park
Official Pride Week Variety Show (Oct. 15, 2024)
Expect the unexpected at the Official Pride Week Variety Show, hosted at First United Methodist Church in downtown Orlando’s City District. Stage combat, drag, flow art and more surprises are all the menu, presented by Orlando’s queer artist community.
Discover: Orlando Arts & Entertainment
Colors of Courage: Celebrating the Diversity of the LGBTQ+ Community (Oct. 16, 2024)
Also at First United Methodist Church is Colors of Courage, a collaborative concert presented by the Orlando Gay Chorus, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom and more local partners. Enjoy music and other forms of art designed to celebrate, uplift and inspire change in our own communities.
Discover: Things to Do in Orlando’s City District
BlueLaLa Presents Peek-a-Boo Burlesque (Oct. 16, 2024)
Head to Stardust Lounge near Lake Eola for Orlando’s longest-running burlesque show. This special rendition of Peek-a-Boo Burlesque show features Bella Marie, Misstiched, Gabriella Juliet and more beloved local performers for an unforgettable show.
Pink Pony Pride: Chappell Roan Bingo & Dance Party (Oct. 17, 2024)
This two-part event begins with Chappell Roan Bingo at The Gnarley Barley, a popular sandwich shop and craft beer bar in the Ivanhoe Village Main Street district. Play to win, then join a Pride dance parade leading to The Hammered Lamb, where you can keep on dancing with DJs and drag queens.
Discover: LGBTQ+ Owned Restaurants
Brown Sugar Factory: Pride Kick Off Party (Oct. 18, 2024)
Brand new this year is the Brown Sugar Factory: Pride Kick Off Party, a rhythmic event “whipped up just for black and brown queer women.” It’s hosted at High Tide Harry’s in downtown Orlando and will feature a high-energy mix of hip-hop, R&B, soca, dancehall, dembow, and reggaeton.
Discover: LGBTQ+ Nightlife & Dining
Pineapple Brunch Hosted by April Fresh (Oct. 19, 2024)
Join drag performer April Fresh for a special pre-pride brunch at Jack & Honey’s near Lake Eola Park. Dig into a decadent spread and enjoy rollicking performances from April Fresh, Mr. Florida Bobby Iman and Venezuela’s own Zeus Arem.
Discover: Orlando Brunch Guide
Orlando Pride After Party (Oct. 19, 2024)
Finally, join revelers at the official Pride After Party, hosted by One Magical Weekend at The Abbey in downtown Orlando. DJs Edil Hernandez and Jerac will provide the beats with a special performance by the legendary Ms. Darcel Stevens.
Discover: Orlando’s Intimate Live Music Venues
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