Pride Week in Orlando will be celebrated on Sunday, October 6 through Sunday, October 13, with Central Florida’s Most Colorful Parade and Festival scheduled for Saturday, October 12 at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. The event has become Central Florida’s largest single-day parade and festival, and is expected to attract more than 175,000 visitors with an anticipated $19+ million economic impact to Orlando.
The theme for the 2019 Come Out With Pride Parade and Festival is “Heroes.” Defined in many ways, a hero can be a public servant, community activist or someone unafraid to be their true authentic self. Come Out With Pride Orlando is pleased to announce four community grand marshals – Jazell Barbie Royale, Miss International Queen 2019; Ben Johansen, founder of The Orlando Ribbon Project; The Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard, long-standing community group; and Joel Strack (in memoriam), one of Orlando’s most prolific LGBTQ+ advocates.
Come Out With Pride is also dedicated to becoming heroes for the environment. Orlando’s Pride festival will be the first large-scale event in the city to participate in the effort to eliminate single-use plastics since the policy went into effect on October 1. Come Out With Pride has worked closely with vendors and partners to incorporate sustainable solutions including selling reusable water bottles to guests, excluding the use of glitters and other micro-plastics during the parade, connecting food vendors with sustainable suppliers and increasing the quantities of recycling bins around Lake Eola Park to sort food waste, garbage and recyclables.
To offset the event’s carbon footprint, Come Out With Pride has partnered with Lyft for a second year to provide discount rides to and from the parade, reducing the number of cars on the road. Furthermore, in partnership with the Foundation for Florida Environmental Protection, 30 trees were planted at Clear Lake Park in an effort to make 2019 the most sustainable event in our Pride’s history.
Continuing Come Out With Pride’s goal of providing diverse entertainers, international pop star Pabllo Vittar will headline the Pride Stage sponsored by Nissan and Broadway superstar Jennifer Holliday will headline the Amphitheater Stage sponsored by Nissan. Vittar, Brazil’s most famous gender-defying drag queen with nearly 10 million Instagram followers, has rocketed to the spotlight after major international hits with music icons including Major Lazer, Diplo, Charli XCX and Iggy Azalea. Additionally, Holliday, best known for her role as Effie in the musical smash Dreamgirls, has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ issues and the arts.
This year’s Most Colorful Parade presented by SunTrust steps off at 4 pm and features nearly 175 businesses and organizations eager to showcase their support for the LGBTQ+ community. Between noon and 7 pm guests can also explore their Vendor Marketplace sponsored by Wyndham Destinations and their Sponsor walk area — combined there are over 200 local businesses, nonprofits and food vendors to explore.
New for families is the Kids Fringe Rainbow Ranch presented by Macy’s, featuring activities and performances throughout the afternoon.
In the evening, the festival kicks up the energy level with the ClubH2O: Heroes Unite! Dance Party presented by Trulieve and One Magical Weekend featuring incredible DJs and go-go dancers. And as always, the best fireworks show in Orlando lights up the sky after 9 pm.
Come Out With Pride’s week-long event series is designed to bring together the LGBTQ+ and ally community. Guests can experience Pride like a VIP with two VIP Experience options that lets guests relax, refresh and re-energize!
Events during Pride Week
Drag Race 5K: Sunday, October 6 | Baldwin Park | 3-5 p.m.
Come Out With Pride and Zebra Coalition invites you to the second annual Drag Race 5K – the kickoff to Pride Week in Orlando! The 5K is open to all ages and skill levels. Before the race, join the pep rally you always wished you had with drag cheerleaders and an awesome band. Come Out with Pride and the Zebra Coalition welcome students from all Central Florida Gay Student Alliances to show their pride and school spirit before the race.
Pride Happy Hour: Monday, October 7 | The Hammered Lamb | 7-9 pm
Enjoy light bites, your favorite drink and music from Sean Holcomb all while you meet your fellow neighbors and the Come Out With Pride team at this relaxing happy hour in beautiful Lake Ivanhoe.
#Transformation: Tuesday, October 8 | Southern Craft | 7-8 pm
Meet and mingle at Southern Craft. Come Out With Pride celebrates the transgender community and pays tribute to the trailblazers who walked the steps before us.
Gayme Night: Truth or Dare with Pepe: Wednesday, October 9 | Savoy Orlando | 7-10 pm
One of Orlando’s favorite Fringe performers, Pepe, brings an over-the-top performance and interactive show that will be sure to draw out the laughs.
Weekend Launch Party: Friday, October 11 | Stonewall Bar | 7 pm
The official location of the Come Out With Pride Weekend Launch Party is sponsored by Trulieve. The event will showcase a variety of entertainment and special performances by Neon Hitch and DJ Kitty Glitter.
Orlando Magic Pride Night: Friday, October 11 | Amway Arena | 7 pm
Wear your Pride gear and cheer on the Orlando Magic during their pre-season game as they take on the Boston Celtics.
Official After Party: Saturday, October 12 | Parliament House | 9 pm
Whether you dance the night away or enjoy celebrity performances in the Footlight Theater, you will surely have an unforgettable night as the celebration continues at the Official Pride After Party.
Pride Recovery: Sunday, October 13 | Ember | 12 pm
Enjoy Sunday Funday with Come Out With Pride at one of downtown Orlando’s most popular venues. Enjoy brunch until 3 pm followed by Surrender Sunday cocktails with all of your favorite bartenders under one roof and food starting at 4 pm Cheer along as COWP Parade judges announce all of Saturday’s winners!
Concert: Looking Back, Marching Forward: Sunday, October 13 | Plaza Live | 4 pm
The Lesbian and Gay Band Association will host a night of music, reflection, and inspiration – featuring two concert bands and a jazz ensemble, sponsored by Two Spirits. The concert will showcase LGBTQ+ history by honoring the past with a focus on building the future, as well as feature the debut of two commissioned pieces written for this event by acclaimed composers Randall Standridge and Julie Giroux.
For more information and additional community events during Pride Week in Orlando, please visit ComeOutWithPride.com/Events
About Come Out With Pride
Come Out With Pride, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization inspired to make an impact in Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community. Celebrated in October, Come Out With Pride welcomes everyone from Central Florida and beyond to come together and celebrate diverse communities. Come Out With Pride is also dedicated to supporting the community through grants and scholarships via its ‘Pride Gives Back’ program.
