Friendly City Pride 2026
- 23 March 2025
- Bradenton
Friendly City Pride 2025 arrives in Downtown Bradenton at the end of March, and it’s much more than a one-day party. Over the years, a small community fundraiser called Manatee Pride has blossomed into a full-scale celebration of queer culture and local spirit. After experimenting with different venues and names, the organisers settled on Friendly City Pride for 2025 to better reflect the warm and hospitable character of Bradenton and to emphasise that everyone is welcome. The festival will take over Oscura, a popular arts venue at 816 Manatee Avenue East, on Sunday 23 March 2025. Gates open at 2 pm, the last performers finish just after 7 pm, and in between there will be live music, drag shows, local art, food vendors and advocacy booths【481242055399755†L54-L60】【95789758925202†L84-L90】.
The roots of Friendly City Pride reach back to March 2014, when the first-ever Manatee Pride drew more than 1,500 people to the Bradenton Riverwalk. At that time there were very few events aimed at lgbtq+Q+ folks in this part of Florida, and volunteers had to borrow equipment and beg for small donations. Community response was so positive that a formal organisation formed to plan subsequent festivals, and by 2018 the fifth Manatee Pride boasted over 50 vendors and around 4,000 attendees lining the waterfront. As the festival grew, organisers noticed that the "Manatee" name confused visitors who assumed it was held at the aquarium or involved sea cows. The new name, Friendly City Pride, is a nod to Bradenton's nickname while still paying homage to its beginnings.
That sense of place permeates every aspect of the 2025 celebration. The main stage will be set up in Oscura’s courtyard, surrounded by potted palms and murals. Throughout the afternoon you can wander between high-energy pop performances, mellow acoustic sets, spoken word and a lineup of drag artists that represent multiple generations of Florida queens. Instead of bringing in big-name headliners, the committee prioritises musicians and performers who live and work in Manatee and Sarasota counties, because the festival exists to amplify local talent. During set changes, local DJs spin vinyl and emcees invite the crowd to visit the booths scattered around the venue.
The heart of Friendly City Pride is its marketplace, where you can browse tables filled with handmade jewellery, art prints, vintage clothing and zines while chatting with the people who created them. Non-profit organisations hand out literature and answer questions about everything from mental health support to HIV testing. There will be a youth zone with art activities, face painting and quiet spaces for kids and teenagers, and a wellness lounge where trained counsellors and nurses offer anonymous advice and resources. Plenty of community partners are involved, including the Fabulous Arts Foundation and the Friendly City Foundation, which help cover costs and ensure the festival remains free to attend. All donations collected throughout the day go straight back into programs for queer youth in the region.
One reason locals love this event is that it isn’t just a party; it is also a platform for activism and education. In addition to live entertainment, there will be short talks and panel discussions addressing current issues facing lgbtq+Q+ Floridians: the erosion of civil rights, the importance of gender-affirming healthcare, and the challenges of housing and employment discrimination. Organisers encourage respectful dialogue and make sure that speakers include trans people, people of colour and parents of queer youth. Between sessions you can sign petitions, register to vote and learn about volunteer opportunities with local advocacy groups. The atmosphere stays festive even when the topics are serious, because the goal is empowerment rather than gloom.
Food and drink are an essential part of Friendly City Pride. Oscura’s baristas and bartenders will be pouring craft cocktails, cold brew and mocktails all day, and you can pair your drink with a snack from one of the food trucks parked nearby. Expect everything from smoked barbecue and vegan tacos to gourmet popsicles and tropical fruit cups. There will be shaded seating areas where you can rest your feet, listen to the music and catch up with friends without feeling pressured to keep moving. As the sun begins to set, a dance party will break out on the lawn; the DJs will pick up the tempo, and the drag performers might return for a final group number. It’s the kind of atmosphere where you might bump into your neighbour at the beer line, learn a new line dance from a stranger and end up exchanging Instagram handles with a painter whose work you admire.
Because the event is held at Oscura, which is on a busy thoroughfare, organisers recommend arriving early and carpooling if possible. Street parking is limited, but public transit routes stop nearby and several ride-share companies operate in Bradenton. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there will be ADA-compliant portable toilets and hand-washing stations on site. Service animals are welcome, but pets should stay at home because of the crowds. Bring sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and some cash for tipping performers and supporting vendors. Although the festival is free, donations at the entrance help ensure that Friendly City Pride continues to grow and remains accessible to everyone.
If you’re visiting from out of town, consider extending your stay to explore the rest of Bradenton. The revitalised Riverwalk offers art installations, playgrounds and views across the Manatee River. A short drive west takes you to Anna Maria Island, where sugar-white beaches and calm Gulf waters are perfect for a post-festival swim. Downtown you’ll find independent coffee shops, breweries, galleries and restaurants that celebrate the region’s diverse culinary heritage. Many businesses decorate their storefronts with rainbow flags during Pride week and offer specials to attendees, reinforcing the community spirit that the event celebrates.
Friendly City Pride 2025 isn’t just another date on the festival calendar; it’s a testament to what can happen when a small group of people decide to create a space for themselves and their neighbours. What began as a modest gathering in 2014 has evolved into a vibrant, community-driven event that still feels intimate. The new name highlights Bradenton’s warmth and invites newcomers to discover what makes this town special. Whether you’ve lived in Manatee County your whole life or you’re visiting the Gulf Coast for the first time, you’re invited to dance, eat, learn, volunteer and connect under the March sun. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 23, 2025【481242055399755†L54-L60】, invite your friends and family, and prepare to experience a day of art, music, activism and joy. Official Website
The roots of Friendly City Pride reach back to March 2014, when the first-ever Manatee Pride drew more than 1,500 people to the Bradenton Riverwalk. At that time there were very few events aimed at lgbtq+Q+ folks in this part of Florida, and volunteers had to borrow equipment and beg for small donations. Community response was so positive that a formal organisation formed to plan subsequent festivals, and by 2018 the fifth Manatee Pride boasted over 50 vendors and around 4,000 attendees lining the waterfront. As the festival grew, organisers noticed that the "Manatee" name confused visitors who assumed it was held at the aquarium or involved sea cows. The new name, Friendly City Pride, is a nod to Bradenton's nickname while still paying homage to its beginnings.
That sense of place permeates every aspect of the 2025 celebration. The main stage will be set up in Oscura’s courtyard, surrounded by potted palms and murals. Throughout the afternoon you can wander between high-energy pop performances, mellow acoustic sets, spoken word and a lineup of drag artists that represent multiple generations of Florida queens. Instead of bringing in big-name headliners, the committee prioritises musicians and performers who live and work in Manatee and Sarasota counties, because the festival exists to amplify local talent. During set changes, local DJs spin vinyl and emcees invite the crowd to visit the booths scattered around the venue.
The heart of Friendly City Pride is its marketplace, where you can browse tables filled with handmade jewellery, art prints, vintage clothing and zines while chatting with the people who created them. Non-profit organisations hand out literature and answer questions about everything from mental health support to HIV testing. There will be a youth zone with art activities, face painting and quiet spaces for kids and teenagers, and a wellness lounge where trained counsellors and nurses offer anonymous advice and resources. Plenty of community partners are involved, including the Fabulous Arts Foundation and the Friendly City Foundation, which help cover costs and ensure the festival remains free to attend. All donations collected throughout the day go straight back into programs for queer youth in the region.
One reason locals love this event is that it isn’t just a party; it is also a platform for activism and education. In addition to live entertainment, there will be short talks and panel discussions addressing current issues facing lgbtq+Q+ Floridians: the erosion of civil rights, the importance of gender-affirming healthcare, and the challenges of housing and employment discrimination. Organisers encourage respectful dialogue and make sure that speakers include trans people, people of colour and parents of queer youth. Between sessions you can sign petitions, register to vote and learn about volunteer opportunities with local advocacy groups. The atmosphere stays festive even when the topics are serious, because the goal is empowerment rather than gloom.
Food and drink are an essential part of Friendly City Pride. Oscura’s baristas and bartenders will be pouring craft cocktails, cold brew and mocktails all day, and you can pair your drink with a snack from one of the food trucks parked nearby. Expect everything from smoked barbecue and vegan tacos to gourmet popsicles and tropical fruit cups. There will be shaded seating areas where you can rest your feet, listen to the music and catch up with friends without feeling pressured to keep moving. As the sun begins to set, a dance party will break out on the lawn; the DJs will pick up the tempo, and the drag performers might return for a final group number. It’s the kind of atmosphere where you might bump into your neighbour at the beer line, learn a new line dance from a stranger and end up exchanging Instagram handles with a painter whose work you admire.
Because the event is held at Oscura, which is on a busy thoroughfare, organisers recommend arriving early and carpooling if possible. Street parking is limited, but public transit routes stop nearby and several ride-share companies operate in Bradenton. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there will be ADA-compliant portable toilets and hand-washing stations on site. Service animals are welcome, but pets should stay at home because of the crowds. Bring sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and some cash for tipping performers and supporting vendors. Although the festival is free, donations at the entrance help ensure that Friendly City Pride continues to grow and remains accessible to everyone.
If you’re visiting from out of town, consider extending your stay to explore the rest of Bradenton. The revitalised Riverwalk offers art installations, playgrounds and views across the Manatee River. A short drive west takes you to Anna Maria Island, where sugar-white beaches and calm Gulf waters are perfect for a post-festival swim. Downtown you’ll find independent coffee shops, breweries, galleries and restaurants that celebrate the region’s diverse culinary heritage. Many businesses decorate their storefronts with rainbow flags during Pride week and offer specials to attendees, reinforcing the community spirit that the event celebrates.
Friendly City Pride 2025 isn’t just another date on the festival calendar; it’s a testament to what can happen when a small group of people decide to create a space for themselves and their neighbours. What began as a modest gathering in 2014 has evolved into a vibrant, community-driven event that still feels intimate. The new name highlights Bradenton’s warmth and invites newcomers to discover what makes this town special. Whether you’ve lived in Manatee County your whole life or you’re visiting the Gulf Coast for the first time, you’re invited to dance, eat, learn, volunteer and connect under the March sun. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 23, 2025【481242055399755†L54-L60】, invite your friends and family, and prepare to experience a day of art, music, activism and joy. Official Website