Melissa Donovan
Orlando Out Fest, a theater festival dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ artists and stories in Central Florida, has been officially canceled, according to an announcement from organizers on Wednesday.
Produced by Orlando Fringe, the festival debuted in September 2024 with a three-day schedule of performances highlighting LGBTQ+ voices, history, and culture. The inaugural event featured eight shows and was initially set to launch in June 2024, but was delayed several months due to flooding at the now-closed Fringe ArtSpace venue in downtown Orlando.
Despite a strong reception and plans to return this fall, Orlando Fringe has confirmed that Out Fest will not move forward in 2025.
“We’re incredibly proud to have been able to launch the inaugural Orlando Out Fest (OOF) last fall at Fringe ArtSpace. We carefully considered all possibilities of producing this event but, the truth is we are still trying to build a Fringe that we can sustain for the long haul. Part of that work means being honest about what we can take on right now and making decisions that keep us moving forward in a real and responsible way,” Orlando Out Fest said in a statement on social media. “While changing resources and funding realities have made it difficult to plan for a 2025 edition, the Team and Board of Directors has made the thoughtful decision to pause the event this year. We’re hopeful that Orlando Out Fest will return in the coming years.”
Orlando Fringe is widely known for its annual Fringe Festival and year-round commitment to independent arts. The decision to cancel Out Fest reflects the organization’s efforts to prioritize its long-term operational sustainability following recent venue closures and program restructuring.
While Out Fest will not continue, Orlando Fringe remains committed to fostering inclusive artistic platforms and supporting diverse creative voices throughout the region. Additional updates on the organization’s future programming are expected later this year.
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