Toledo Pride 2025
- August 15, 2025 - August 17, 2025
- Toledo, OH
Toledo Pride 2025
15/8 – Kick Off
16/8 – Pride Parade and main event
17/8 – Big Rainbow Brunch Crawl
In August 2025 the downtown riverfront in Toledo, Ohio will come alive with colour, music, and community as Toledo Pride returns for its 16th year. What started as a local gathering has grown into one of the largest lgbtq+Q+ celebrations in the Midwest, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Promenade Park and the surrounding Adams Street district. The 2025 festival runs over three days, Friday 15 August through Sunday 17 August, and includes a mix of concerts, parades, vendor markets and family-friendly activities that reflect the diverse spirit of northwest Ohio.
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the Kick-Off event at Promenade Park. Gates open around 5 PM and the lineup continues into the night with drag performances, live bands and DJ sets. Local food trucks and breweries set up along the riverwalk, and there are community booths representing advocacy groups, social clubs and health services. For many visitors this first night is a chance to reconnect with friends, pick up rainbow merchandise from vendors and enjoy the sunset over the Maumee River while listening to pop and dance hits. The relaxed atmosphere makes it easy for first‑timers to feel welcome, and there is always a strong emphasis on safety and respect; organisers hire private security and collaborate with city officials to ensure everyone can have a good time.
Saturday is the highlight of the weekend. The Pride Parade steps off at noon from the intersection of Adams Street and 13th Street and winds through downtown for about a mile, ending back at Promenade Park. Floats sponsored by local businesses and community organisations roll past cheering spectators, while marching bands, roller derby teams, church groups and political campaigns show their support for equality. The crowds are loud and friendly, and kids sit on the curb waving handmade signs. After the parade, the main festival grounds open with multiple stages of entertainment from 1 PM until 10 PM. Past years have featured a blend of national touring acts and regional favourites—anything from high‑energy pop singers and hip‑hop artists to drag troupes and marching drum lines. Visitors can browse rows of artisan tents selling artwork, jewellery, clothing and pride accessories, or grab a seat in the shade for storytelling and spoken word sessions. Food stands offer everything from funnel cakes and barbecue to vegan wraps, and local breweries pour their latest seasonal ales.
On Sunday the focus shifts to community and recovery. The Big Rainbow Brunch Crawl invites people to explore the bars and restaurants along Adams Street between 1 PM and 5 PM. Each participating venue offers a signature brunch dish and drink special, and there are roaming entertainers and acoustic musicians keeping the energy up. It’s a smaller, more intimate gathering compared to Saturday’s crowds, but it remains a favourite for longtime attendees who appreciate the chance to support small businesses and catch up with friends. Later in the afternoon there is a family picnic in Promenade Park, with lawn games, face painting and a youth talent showcase. Local health and wellness organisations host booths on topics like HIV testing, mental health resources and substance abuse support.
The 2025 festival continues to be organised by a volunteer board with the goal of uplifting the lgbtq+Q+ community in northwest Ohio. Proceeds from vendor fees and donations are reinvested into local charities, scholarships and outreach programmes. In addition to the main events, there are numerous smaller gatherings throughout the week such as art shows, film screenings and workshops on advocacy issues. Visitors travelling from out of town will find plenty of accommodation options in downtown Toledo, and the organisers maintain an updated list of partner hotels on their website. Parking in the city’s garages is free on weekends, and several bus routes stop near the festival grounds.
What makes Toledo Pride special is the balance between celebration and community. While the concerts and dance parties draw national attention, there is just as much emphasis on creating space for families, elders and people who have never attended a pride event. Volunteers greet guests at the gates with pronoun buttons and maps, and there are quiet zones for those who need a break from the noise. The entire weekend is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Toledo’s queer community and its allies. If you’re planning to be in Ohio in mid‑August, consider joining the parade or simply grabbing a lawn chair and cheering from the sidelines. You’ll leave with a full heart, a few new friends and a better appreciation of what happens when a city comes together to celebrate diversity.
Official Website
15/8 – Kick Off
16/8 – Pride Parade and main event
17/8 – Big Rainbow Brunch Crawl
In August 2025 the downtown riverfront in Toledo, Ohio will come alive with colour, music, and community as Toledo Pride returns for its 16th year. What started as a local gathering has grown into one of the largest lgbtq+Q+ celebrations in the Midwest, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to Promenade Park and the surrounding Adams Street district. The 2025 festival runs over three days, Friday 15 August through Sunday 17 August, and includes a mix of concerts, parades, vendor markets and family-friendly activities that reflect the diverse spirit of northwest Ohio.
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the Kick-Off event at Promenade Park. Gates open around 5 PM and the lineup continues into the night with drag performances, live bands and DJ sets. Local food trucks and breweries set up along the riverwalk, and there are community booths representing advocacy groups, social clubs and health services. For many visitors this first night is a chance to reconnect with friends, pick up rainbow merchandise from vendors and enjoy the sunset over the Maumee River while listening to pop and dance hits. The relaxed atmosphere makes it easy for first‑timers to feel welcome, and there is always a strong emphasis on safety and respect; organisers hire private security and collaborate with city officials to ensure everyone can have a good time.
Saturday is the highlight of the weekend. The Pride Parade steps off at noon from the intersection of Adams Street and 13th Street and winds through downtown for about a mile, ending back at Promenade Park. Floats sponsored by local businesses and community organisations roll past cheering spectators, while marching bands, roller derby teams, church groups and political campaigns show their support for equality. The crowds are loud and friendly, and kids sit on the curb waving handmade signs. After the parade, the main festival grounds open with multiple stages of entertainment from 1 PM until 10 PM. Past years have featured a blend of national touring acts and regional favourites—anything from high‑energy pop singers and hip‑hop artists to drag troupes and marching drum lines. Visitors can browse rows of artisan tents selling artwork, jewellery, clothing and pride accessories, or grab a seat in the shade for storytelling and spoken word sessions. Food stands offer everything from funnel cakes and barbecue to vegan wraps, and local breweries pour their latest seasonal ales.
On Sunday the focus shifts to community and recovery. The Big Rainbow Brunch Crawl invites people to explore the bars and restaurants along Adams Street between 1 PM and 5 PM. Each participating venue offers a signature brunch dish and drink special, and there are roaming entertainers and acoustic musicians keeping the energy up. It’s a smaller, more intimate gathering compared to Saturday’s crowds, but it remains a favourite for longtime attendees who appreciate the chance to support small businesses and catch up with friends. Later in the afternoon there is a family picnic in Promenade Park, with lawn games, face painting and a youth talent showcase. Local health and wellness organisations host booths on topics like HIV testing, mental health resources and substance abuse support.
The 2025 festival continues to be organised by a volunteer board with the goal of uplifting the lgbtq+Q+ community in northwest Ohio. Proceeds from vendor fees and donations are reinvested into local charities, scholarships and outreach programmes. In addition to the main events, there are numerous smaller gatherings throughout the week such as art shows, film screenings and workshops on advocacy issues. Visitors travelling from out of town will find plenty of accommodation options in downtown Toledo, and the organisers maintain an updated list of partner hotels on their website. Parking in the city’s garages is free on weekends, and several bus routes stop near the festival grounds.
What makes Toledo Pride special is the balance between celebration and community. While the concerts and dance parties draw national attention, there is just as much emphasis on creating space for families, elders and people who have never attended a pride event. Volunteers greet guests at the gates with pronoun buttons and maps, and there are quiet zones for those who need a break from the noise. The entire weekend is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Toledo’s queer community and its allies. If you’re planning to be in Ohio in mid‑August, consider joining the parade or simply grabbing a lawn chair and cheering from the sidelines. You’ll leave with a full heart, a few new friends and a better appreciation of what happens when a city comes together to celebrate diversity.
Official Website