Madison Magic PrideFest 2025
- 17 Aug 2025
- Madison, WI
Madison’s Magic PrideFest 2025 will once again transform Warner Park into a vibrant celebration of lgbtq+Q+ life and history. The sixth annual festival, organised by the OutReach lgbtq++ Community Center, takes place on Sunday, 17 August 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Madison’s expansive lakeside park. The event builds on a proud legacy of activism and community created by decades of lgbtq+Q+ organizers and promises an afternoon filled with live entertainment, community resources, family activities, and reflection on the city’s progress toward equality.
This year’s festival keeps the community‑driven ethos at its heart. A live stage show will anchor the afternoon with performances by local drag artists, musicians, poets and dancers whose artistry celebrates the spectrum of lgbtq+Q+ identities. Nearby, a vendor area will showcase dozens of booths run by local nonprofits, health providers, artisans and advocacy groups. Visitors can peruse handmade crafts, learn about resources, sign up for volunteer opportunities and support queer‑owned businesses while sampling a variety of food and beverages from local vendors. The festival is designed to be family‑friendly: a dedicated youth area offers games, crafts and activities, and there will be a bounce house and face painting to entertain younger attendees. Recognising the intersectional diversity of the community, the organisers are planning a QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Colour) space that provides information and support for marginalised members. OutReach suggests a $5–$10 donation at the gate to support the cost of staging the festival, but everyone is welcome regardless of ability to pay.
The Magic PrideFest grew out of Madison’s unique history of lgbtq+Q+ organising. In the early 1980s, local activist Rodney Scheel, owner of the landmark Hotel Washington, rallied community members under the banner of the Madison Area Gay Interim Committee, or MAGIC. The group organised a picnic at Brittingham Park that quickly became a cherished gathering for the city’s gay and lesbian community. The acronym MAGIC honoured the coalition that formed to defend the rights of lgbtq+Q+ residents at a time when few businesses were willing to host queer events. As the picnic grew, it fostered fellowship and allowed organisers to raise funds for causes such as AIDS services and youth outreach. Those early gatherings paved the way for a more visible and assertive Pride movement in the city.
Another milestone in Madison’s queer history was the dramatic civil‑rights marches of 1989 and 1991 organised by the activist network GALVAnize. The 1989 Pride March drew an estimated five thousand participants and another two and a half thousand spectators, making it one of the largest lgbtq+Q+ demonstrations in Wisconsin at the time. Two years later, activists again took to the streets to demand protections against discrimination and to memorialise victims of AIDS. These marches attracted nearly six thousand marchers and featured speeches by national and local leaders, including politicians and pioneering activists. The success of the rallies created momentum for ongoing Pride festivities and underscored Madison’s reputation as a leader in lgbtq+Q+ activism. OutReach’s current Magic PrideFest honours this legacy by ensuring that activism and education remain core components of the event.
Today, the OutReach lgbtq+Q+ Community Center coordinates Magic PrideFest as part of its mission to provide support, advocacy and programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in south‑central Wisconsin. OutReach offers counselling services, peer support groups, social events and a resource centre; the festival is both a fundraiser and an outreach vehicle for these services. Throughout the afternoon, volunteers will staff information tables where visitors can connect with mental health resources, HIV testing, legal aid and gender‑affirming healthcare providers. Speakers from local organisations will address pressing issues such as transgender rights, racial justice, homelessness and HIV prevention, underscoring the festival’s commitment to intersectional activism. Attendees will also learn about opportunities to volunteer with OutReach, donate to community funds or participate in year‑round programmes that combat isolation and discrimination.
Beyond the park, the weekend surrounding Magic PrideFest is filled with events that draw visitors from across the Midwest. Bars and clubs on Williamson Street, the Capitol Square and Monroe Street typically host drag brunches, themed dance nights and Pride‑themed trivia contests in the days leading up to the festival. Many local businesses decorate storefronts with rainbow flags, and restaurants offer special menus to welcome out‑of‑town guests. Warner Park itself is easily accessible from downtown by bike or bus, and organisers encourage carpooling or public transit to reduce congestion; there is bicycle parking near the park entrance and limited car parking in adjacent lots. Visitors should bring sunscreen, water and blankets or chairs to enjoy the stage show, and because the festival is held outdoors rain or shine, a light rain jacket is advisable. Pets are welcome but must be leashed, and service animals are, of course, accommodated.
Madison’s Magic PrideFest 2025 promises more than a party—it is a living history lesson and a call to action. By situating contemporary celebration alongside the stories of earlier generations, the festival invites participants to appreciate hard‑won victories and to recognise ongoing challenges. Whether you’re drawn by the music, the food, the activism or simply the chance to be among friends, Magic PrideFest offers a safe and inclusive space where every lgbtq+Q+ person and ally can feel seen and celebrated. Mark your calendars for August 17, 2025, and come experience the magic of Madison Pride.