Wicked Manors 2025
- 31 Oct 2025
- Wilton Manors, FL
Wicked Manors has become synonymous with Halloween in South Florida. Since 2007 this free‑to‑attend street festival has transformed Wilton Drive into an immersive and inclusive celebration that raises funds for the Pride Center at Equality Park. The festival is produced in partnership with the City of Wilton Manors and all proceeds support the centre’s programs and services for the lgbtq+Q+ community. After more than a decade of creative themes such as “Little Drive of Horrors,” “HeroIcons” and “Misfit Toys,” the 2025 edition invites visitors to “Step into Eden and discover a paradise where innocence is lost and desire takes over.” The official website describes the party as a safe and welcoming space where “temptation awaits after dark,” and emphasises that it is run for charity.
### Event schedule and set‑up
Wicked Manors always takes place on Halloween night, and the 2025 edition will be held on **31 October 2025**. According to the Pride Center the block party will run from **5 PM until 11 PM**, with Wilton Drive closed to traffic from NE 21st Court to N. Dixie Highway to provide a safe pedestrian zone. Wilton Manors’ 2025 event is expected to attract more than **40,000** costumed revellers. Stages will be set up along the drive for DJs, drag performances and costume contests, and local businesses up and down the corridor host themed parties of their own. Bars like Hunters, Rosie's Bar & Grill, The Manor, Alibi and Scandals traditionally act as sponsors and will operate outdoor bars and extended patios to keep the energy high. The event is rain or shine; the Pride Center notes that there are no refunds and that all donations benefit its programs.
Family friendly activities begin early in the evening; the Pride Center typically organises a trick‑or‑treat hour so children can collect candy from local merchants before the more adult‑oriented festivities begin. After dark the atmosphere becomes spookier and more risqué. Guests are encouraged to fully embrace the theme: for 2025 the “Eden” concept invites interpretations ranging from angelic cherubs to seductive serpents. Previous years have seen elaborate group costumes depicting movie characters, historic heroes and political satire. The Pride Center continues to stress that Wicked Manors is an inclusive celebration; all ages, genders and identities are welcome as long as outfits are respectful and body‑positive. Security guards and volunteers are on hand throughout the evening, and local law enforcement maintains a strong but unobtrusive presence to keep the crowd safe.
### What to expect
The popularity of Wicked Manors lies in its ability to combine a giant open‑air party with a strong sense of community. The festival’s main stage near NE 6th Avenue typically hosts a costume contest where participants show off their outfits to a panel of local celebrities and drag queens. Cash prizes and bragging rights encourage people to get creative. DJs spin a mix of dance, pop and retro tracks, while drag performers, stilt walkers and fire‑breathers roam the street between performances. Many of the region’s lgbtq+Q+ social groups and sports leagues build floats or organise flash mobs to entertain the crowds. At various points along the drive vendors sell food, drinks, art and Halloween merchandise.
Because the event draws tens of thousands of participants, parking in Wilton Manors can be a challenge. The Pride Center recommends arriving by rideshare or using Fort Lauderdale’s public transport; Wilton Manors is approximately three miles from the beach and seven miles from the airport. Rideshares from downtown Fort Lauderdale or the beach typically take around ten minutes. Several side streets are designated for parking, but they fill quickly. Those who drive should respect residential parking restrictions and be prepared to walk.
### History and charitable purpose
Wicked Manors began as a grassroots block party aimed at providing a safe alternative to bar‑hopping on Halloween. Over the years it has grown into one of the largest lgbtq+Q+ Halloween events in the United States. The Pride Center at Equality Park produces the event as its biggest annual fundraiser. Money raised through drink sales, sponsorships and VIP packages helps finance HIV services, cultural programming, support groups and senior services at the centre. Because the Pride Center is a registered 501(c)(3) organisation, donations are tax‑deductible and directly benefit programs that empower the lgbtq+Q+ community in South Florida. Visitors can learn more about the centre’s mission through information booths set up along Wilton Drive or by visiting its website.
### Planning your visit
* **Tickets:** Wicked Manors has historically been free, with optional VIP upgrades granting access to private areas, complimentary drink tickets and front‑row viewing at the main stage. Tickets and parking packages are sold through the official website when they become available.
* **Costumes:** The event is known for its extravagant outfits, so attendees should start planning early. Whether you choose to embody an innocent angel, a mischievous serpent or an entirely different persona, creativity is rewarded. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking and dancing for several hours.
* **Code of conduct:** As a community fundraiser, Wicked Manors prioritises safety and inclusivity. The Pride Center asks guests to respect one another, obtain consent before taking photos and refrain from behaviour that could harm or harass others.
* **Amenities:** Portable restrooms and first‑aid tents are available throughout the festival footprint. Food trucks and local restaurants provide a variety of cuisines, from burgers and tacos to vegan snacks. Outdoor bars operated by local establishments serve cocktails and non‑alcoholic beverages.
* **Weather:** October evenings in Fort Lauderdale are warm and humid, so bring water and consider a costume that breathes. The festival proceeds rain or shine, so umbrellas or ponchos are a good idea if showers are forecast.
### Why attend in 2025?
The 2025 edition of Wicked Manors promises to be one of the most imaginative yet. The “Eden” theme encourages revellers to explore myths of temptation and paradise in their costumes, while the Pride Center’s new leadership has hinted at surprises on the main stage and more interactive art installations. With over 40,000 guests expected and dozens of local businesses participating, the festival will once again showcase the creativity and resilience of South Florida’s lgbtq+Q+ community. Attending Wicked Manors is not only an opportunity to enjoy one of the country’s premier Halloween parties; it is also a chance to support the Pride Center and ensure its programs continue to thrive. Plan early, craft a costume that fits the theme, and prepare to step into a festive Eden on 31 October 2025.
### Event schedule and set‑up
Wicked Manors always takes place on Halloween night, and the 2025 edition will be held on **31 October 2025**. According to the Pride Center the block party will run from **5 PM until 11 PM**, with Wilton Drive closed to traffic from NE 21st Court to N. Dixie Highway to provide a safe pedestrian zone. Wilton Manors’ 2025 event is expected to attract more than **40,000** costumed revellers. Stages will be set up along the drive for DJs, drag performances and costume contests, and local businesses up and down the corridor host themed parties of their own. Bars like Hunters, Rosie's Bar & Grill, The Manor, Alibi and Scandals traditionally act as sponsors and will operate outdoor bars and extended patios to keep the energy high. The event is rain or shine; the Pride Center notes that there are no refunds and that all donations benefit its programs.
Family friendly activities begin early in the evening; the Pride Center typically organises a trick‑or‑treat hour so children can collect candy from local merchants before the more adult‑oriented festivities begin. After dark the atmosphere becomes spookier and more risqué. Guests are encouraged to fully embrace the theme: for 2025 the “Eden” concept invites interpretations ranging from angelic cherubs to seductive serpents. Previous years have seen elaborate group costumes depicting movie characters, historic heroes and political satire. The Pride Center continues to stress that Wicked Manors is an inclusive celebration; all ages, genders and identities are welcome as long as outfits are respectful and body‑positive. Security guards and volunteers are on hand throughout the evening, and local law enforcement maintains a strong but unobtrusive presence to keep the crowd safe.
### What to expect
The popularity of Wicked Manors lies in its ability to combine a giant open‑air party with a strong sense of community. The festival’s main stage near NE 6th Avenue typically hosts a costume contest where participants show off their outfits to a panel of local celebrities and drag queens. Cash prizes and bragging rights encourage people to get creative. DJs spin a mix of dance, pop and retro tracks, while drag performers, stilt walkers and fire‑breathers roam the street between performances. Many of the region’s lgbtq+Q+ social groups and sports leagues build floats or organise flash mobs to entertain the crowds. At various points along the drive vendors sell food, drinks, art and Halloween merchandise.
Because the event draws tens of thousands of participants, parking in Wilton Manors can be a challenge. The Pride Center recommends arriving by rideshare or using Fort Lauderdale’s public transport; Wilton Manors is approximately three miles from the beach and seven miles from the airport. Rideshares from downtown Fort Lauderdale or the beach typically take around ten minutes. Several side streets are designated for parking, but they fill quickly. Those who drive should respect residential parking restrictions and be prepared to walk.
### History and charitable purpose
Wicked Manors began as a grassroots block party aimed at providing a safe alternative to bar‑hopping on Halloween. Over the years it has grown into one of the largest lgbtq+Q+ Halloween events in the United States. The Pride Center at Equality Park produces the event as its biggest annual fundraiser. Money raised through drink sales, sponsorships and VIP packages helps finance HIV services, cultural programming, support groups and senior services at the centre. Because the Pride Center is a registered 501(c)(3) organisation, donations are tax‑deductible and directly benefit programs that empower the lgbtq+Q+ community in South Florida. Visitors can learn more about the centre’s mission through information booths set up along Wilton Drive or by visiting its website.
### Planning your visit
* **Tickets:** Wicked Manors has historically been free, with optional VIP upgrades granting access to private areas, complimentary drink tickets and front‑row viewing at the main stage. Tickets and parking packages are sold through the official website when they become available.
* **Costumes:** The event is known for its extravagant outfits, so attendees should start planning early. Whether you choose to embody an innocent angel, a mischievous serpent or an entirely different persona, creativity is rewarded. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking and dancing for several hours.
* **Code of conduct:** As a community fundraiser, Wicked Manors prioritises safety and inclusivity. The Pride Center asks guests to respect one another, obtain consent before taking photos and refrain from behaviour that could harm or harass others.
* **Amenities:** Portable restrooms and first‑aid tents are available throughout the festival footprint. Food trucks and local restaurants provide a variety of cuisines, from burgers and tacos to vegan snacks. Outdoor bars operated by local establishments serve cocktails and non‑alcoholic beverages.
* **Weather:** October evenings in Fort Lauderdale are warm and humid, so bring water and consider a costume that breathes. The festival proceeds rain or shine, so umbrellas or ponchos are a good idea if showers are forecast.
### Why attend in 2025?
The 2025 edition of Wicked Manors promises to be one of the most imaginative yet. The “Eden” theme encourages revellers to explore myths of temptation and paradise in their costumes, while the Pride Center’s new leadership has hinted at surprises on the main stage and more interactive art installations. With over 40,000 guests expected and dozens of local businesses participating, the festival will once again showcase the creativity and resilience of South Florida’s lgbtq+Q+ community. Attending Wicked Manors is not only an opportunity to enjoy one of the country’s premier Halloween parties; it is also a chance to support the Pride Center and ensure its programs continue to thrive. Plan early, craft a costume that fits the theme, and prepare to step into a festive Eden on 31 October 2025.