Event Dates
From: Friday, October 6, 2023
To: Sunday, October 8, 2023
Outfest was previously one of the largest gay events in Philly. The past two “official” events have had issues with organising groups unable to pull together an event of such scale. Local bars and businesses have stepped-in and organised their own events.
- Visiting for Outfest? Stay close to Rittenhouse Square and Midtown Village, home to the city’s busy gay nightlife district.
Parties and Events
- Friday
- Indoor events at Tavern on Camac include piano bar appearances by members of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus .
- Cockatoo hosts a a theme night and Knock will feature live piano bar performances at 10:00 p.m.
- Level Up host their monthly Climaxxx and Tabu host their monthly Madhouse multimedia cabaret show.
- Saturday
- Tavern on Camac and U BAR, will host outdoor events including a Celebration on Camac at 11:00 a.m. Saturday followed by an outdoor DJ set at 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday
- Tavern on Camac festivities include a vendor marketplace on Camac at 1:00 p.m., followed by a DJ set at 3:00 p.m.
Bos Philly Circuit Weekend
- To be confirmed – BOS Philly, the city’s leading Circuit Party promoter presents OUT WKD, a weekend of parties and events including a gear part on Friday and a massive circuit event on Saturday night.
Outfest Philly
- May return in 2023, awaiting confirmation.
- Philadelphia plays host to the largest National Coming Out Day (NCOD) event, known as OutFest. The first NCOD event was observed in Washington D.C. in 1987, and inspired other cities to create similar block party-style celebrations of their own LGBT communities.
- OutFest was launched in 1990 and grew to be one of the most popular LGBT events in the Northeast. It’s in a gay-friendly neighborhood, is free, and local businesses and performers participate. It’s usually held in October, on the Sunday before Columbus Day, and attracts crowds of 40,000 people.
The Outfest Block Party
- Taking over the Gayborhood neighborhood of Philadelphia in Midtown Village, OutFest celebrates Philadelphia’s LGBT history and LGBTQ community.
- The block party — spanning a dozen full blocks of the philly gaybourhood — consists of drag shows, games, bar crawls, music and shopping.
- The main stage hosts live entertainment of all sorts all day long, bringing entertainment that in the past has spanned from high-heel races to belly dance shows to award ceremonies.
- Throughout the festival grounds, a number of outdoor bars and dance parties continue the spirit of the event all throughout the Gayborhood.
Where is the block party held?
- Most of the happenings go down along 12th and 13th streets between Walnut and Spruce streets. The main stage is located at 13th and Locust streets.
- The free block party (with pay-as-you-go drinks and food) typically starts at noon and closes at 6 p.m. but the fun continues as outdoor bars and dance parties carry on the spirit of the event all throughout the Gayborhood.
Where to stay during Philly Outfest
Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to all the action,
The Ritz-Carlton, The Bellevue Hotel, Cambria Hotel, Alexander Inn
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The Element Downtown is where we stay
in Philadelphia. Great location.
For further information and advice on
OutFest Philadelphia Website
The Philadelphia Gay District or “Gayborhood”: The tiny Gay District is anchored by the tiny Colonial alley Camac Street (pronounced cuh-mack) and the quaint blocks near it, between Walnut and Pine streets
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We have chosen hotels in Philadelphia that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
The spacious rooms at Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia are decorated with warm colours and large windows facing the Business District. The marble bathrooms have a separate bathtub and shower. Guests can use the complimentary luxury soap and shampoo products.
On Avenue of the Arts, The Bellevue Hotel, offers accommodations housed in a historic building. The rooms and suites at The Bellevue Hotel, in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt come equipped with Hyatt Grand Beds. Onsite shops include Tiffany & Co., Nicole Miller and Williams Sonoma.
Boasting a fitness centre & rooftop restaurant & bar, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around a 14-minute walk from Mutter Museum & around 1.5 km from National Liberty Museum. Free WiFi. Rooms features a microwave, refrigerator & coffee maker
The Alexander Inn is adorned with stained glass windows, detailed oak wood mouldings, marble tile floor patterns and framed artwork All rooms come with private bathrooms, in-room safes and views of the city. Some rooms at the Alexander Inn also have bay windows and seating areas.
Scenes from Outfest 2017 in Philadelphia
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We have chosen hotels in Philadelphia that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
This smoke-free hotel features 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and a restaurant. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, an indoor pool, 2 bars/lounges, and a 24-hour fitness center are onsite. All 219 soundproofed rooms provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and iPads. Flat-screen TVs with cable channels and Netflix
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a 24-hour fitness center and a bar/lounge. A manager’s reception is free. Additionally, WiFi in public areas, valet parking, and coffee/tea in a common area are onsite. All 230 rooms feature modern comforts like LCD TVs with cable channels, iPod docking stations, and WiFi.
A restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, and a bar/lounge are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a coffee shop/café, a snack bar/deli, and a conference center are onsite. All 499 soundproofed rooms feature WiFi and iPod docks, premium bedding and coffee makers
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli. Other amenities include a 24-hour business center, a conference center, and valet parking. All 306 rooms offer free WiFi, wired Internet, and flat-screen TVs, minibars, premium bedding, and separate bathtubs and showers.