Come Out with Pride Orlando, one of the largest LGBT pride parades and festivals in the state of Florida, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Organizers of this year’s celebrations are hoping 2014 will be the largest pride yet, even topping last year’s robust attendance figures of 120,000. Many different, diverse events are debuting this year, such as the Pride in Concert series, sponsored by WXXL 106.7 FM. These concerts are bringing to town such recording artists as Capital Cities, Meghan Trainor, and Lil’ Kim.
There are many fun events spread out across the week leading up to “pride day,” which features the festival and the parade, on Saturday, October 11. What you see below is a detailed calendar of events, outlining the things you must see and do this week.
Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
The first Pride in Concert series show, featuring the English band Clean Bandit, will start at 9 p.m. on Monday, October 6 at Firestone Live (578 N. Orange Avenue). For more information, visit comeoutwithpride.com/events/cleanbandit.
Jeff Jones brings back Pink Collar Comedy Night for a second year. He will be joined by Carol Lee, Addison Taylor, Trixie Deluxxe, and more! The show will go on Wednesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. at the Orlando Improv (9101 International Drive, Suite 2310). Admission is free if you call ahead (407-480-5233) and use the code word “PRIDE”!
Thursday, October 9
Come Out with Pride organizers are going back to their roots by bringing the opening ceremony back to where it all began: Heritage Square at the Orange County History Center (65 E. Central Boulevard). Pride is taking over the square and the museum, which will be open to the public starting at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 for general admission, and $35 for VIP (which includes open bar until 9 p.m., hors d’oeuvres and front row access at the Capital Cities concert). These tickets can only be purchased in advance, visit comeoutwithpride.com/events/oc to do so.
Friday, October 10
This year’s Pride Block Party is moving to Lake Ivanhoe after two successful years at Church Street Station. The block party will be held right on the lake, in front of The Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Avenue), starting at 7 p.m. This event is free for everyone to attend!
Saturday, October 11
Pride Day kicks off with the 5k Zebra Run around Lake Eola at 7:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Zebra Coalition. Registration fee is $25 ($15 for students). To register, go to comeoutwithpride.com/events/5k.
The pride festival will be set up along the perimeter of Lake Eola and will be open for all Pride attendees starting at noon. Over 150 vendors and organizations will be showcasing their products and services for the crowd. A new addition this year is the Family and Fun Zone, sponsored by Panera Bread, featuring a zip line, bouncy houses, and a visit from the Orlando City soccer players. The much-anticipated pride parade will start at 4 p.m. and take a path around the four streets that surround Lake Eola: Robinson Street, Eola Drive, Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue.
Pay for the VIP experience and experience Pride in style! VIPs have access to delicious food, courtesy of RA Sushi at Pointe Orlando, two drink tickets, access to a VIP lounge, and a prime viewing spot for the 9 p.m. fireworks. The VIP experience is sponsored by Marriott and costs $55; purchase this ticket in advance by going to comeoutwithpride.com/events/vipexperience.
The International Bridge at Lake Eola Park is turning into a nightclub on the water for people who want to dance right into the evening. Club H2O is the name of the pop-up nightclub, which opens at 5 p.m. $5 gets you admission into the area whenever you like.
The final concert in the Pride in Concert series can be seen at Parliament House (410 N. Orange Blossom Trail) after all the events have ended at Lake Eola. Rapper Lil’ Kim will be taking the stage after the Footlight Players’ midnight show. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. $100 gets you a special VIP meet and greet with Lil’ Kim. Buy your ticket now; go to parliamenthouse.com.
Sunday, October 12
Parliament House presents the play Little Miss Parliament House, written by Jeff Jones. This comedy comes back to entertain audiences for another year. Showtime is at 5 p.m. and tickets cost $12 to $15 in advance, or $15 at the door. Buy your tickets today at parliamenthouse.com.
For more information about Come Out with Pride, visit comeoutwithpride.com.