OURfest Philly 2025
- October 11-12, 2025
- Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s OURfest 2025 – Our Uniting Resilience Festival – will be held on October 11‑12, 2025 and will transform downtown Philadelphia into a vibrant celebration of pride, resilience and community. Organized by Philly Pride 365 and the Philadelphia Office of lgbtq+ Affairs, OURfest is billed as the first and only National Coming Out Parade & Festival. The 2025 edition promises to be even bigger than 2024, building on the success of last year’s inaugural outing to create a two‑day event that uplifts queer voices, honors the courage of coming out and invites everyone to stand proudly with the lgbtq+Q+ community.
The festivities begin on Saturday, October 11, 2025 – National Coming Out Day – with the National Coming Out Parade through the heart of Philadelphia. This free, family‑friendly parade invites community groups, corporate teams, faith organizations, youth groups, arts and sports organizations to march alongside floats and decorated vehicles to celebrate the spectrum of sexual and gender identities【658470750425748†L65-L99】. The parade lineup includes local drag performers, marching bands and dance troupes, along with elders, interfaith leaders and lgbtq+Q+ youth who symbolize the resilience of the movement. Sections of the parade are dedicated to youth and families so that parents and children can experience the joy of pride together. Spectators are encouraged to bring flags, dress in bright colors and cheer for participants along Market Street. At the end of the route there will be a brief speaking program honouring the brave activists who fought for recognition and those who continue to advocate for equality.
On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the celebration continues with the OURfest Block Party & Festival in the Gayborhood. Stretching across several blocks of the city’s historic lgbtq+Q+ neighborhood, the festival transforms the area into a buzzing marketplace and performance space【658470750425748†L65-L99】. Visitors can explore an expansive vendor market featuring local artisans, lgbtq+Q‑owned businesses, non‑profit organizations and resource booths offering information on health services, housing, education and legal assistance. Food trucks and mobile bars will serve up Philly favorites and international cuisine, while beer gardens provide a social space for adults. Two stages host a diverse line‑up of performers including drag artists, DJs, live bands and spoken‑word poets, reflecting the musical tastes of the queer community. Interactive art installations and photo booths allow festival‑goers to leave their mark, and designated wellness and sober spaces offer quiet retreat for those seeking respite from the crowds.
Beyond the headline events, OURfest 2025 aims to educate and connect. In partnership with local museums and cultural institutions, the festival will showcase exhibits on queer history and activism, including a timeline of major milestones since the first National Coming Out Day in 1988. Workshops and panel discussions will address topics such as trans health care, Black queer artistry, elder support, youth empowerment and lgbtq+Q+ immigration. A family zone with bounce houses, craft tables and story‑time sessions ensures that kids are not only welcome but central to the celebration, highlighting the intergenerational nature of the community.
Visitors from outside the city will appreciate Philadelphia’s hospitality. Hotel deals and travel packages will be available through official partners, and volunteers will staff welcome booths at 30th Street Station and the Philadelphia International Airport to greet attendees. Public transit and accessible shuttles will make it easy to get to parade viewing areas and the festival site. For those unable to attend in person, OURfest will stream key events live on social media so that people around the world can join the celebration virtually. Participation is free, though donations are encouraged to support Philly Pride 365’s year‑round education and outreach programmes.
OURfest takes its name from “Our Uniting Resilience,” reflecting the idea that pride is an ongoing journey rather than a single day【658470750425748†L65-L99】. National Coming Out Day honors individuals who have shared their identities publicly and recognizes that coming out remains a powerful act of visibility and defiance. By hosting a parade and festival on this weekend, Philadelphia underscores the importance of community support for people at every stage of their journey. Whether you are celebrating your own coming out, supporting a loved one or simply seeking to immerse yourself in lgbtq+Q+ culture, OURfest invites you to be part of a historic moment. Mark your calendar for October 11‑12, 2025 and join Philly Pride 365 to march, dance, learn and stand proud in the City of Brotherly Love.