13 Mar 2025
Rainbow Festival grows into five-day event to celebrate inclusion, acceptance
The Rainbow Festival will be held in Orange from March 19-23 celebrating inclusion and acceptance within our community.
This year the city’s LGBTQIA+ festival will build on the success of last year’s inaugural celebration with a five-day program of events, including signature events, the Rainbow Walk and Community Gathering, and the Rainbow Festival Pride Party, hosted by Orange City Council.
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto encouraged residents to get involved in the celebration with our local LGBTQIA+ community.
“It’s exciting to see the festival has developed into a five-day event that really embraces and promotes our diversity as a community, Cr Mileto said.
Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Marea is pleased local businesses have come on board to host their own fringe events as part of the festival program.
“I hope the expanded program of events draws visitors from all across the region and the state to join in a colourful celebration that shows what a welcoming and inclusive community we are.”
Orange City Council’s signature events are:
- Rainbow Walk and Community Gathering: Saturday 22 March, 10am to 1pm, starting in Robertson Park and heading to the Civic Square South Court – featuring live music and a variety of stalls offering everything from tasty treats to valuable community services.
- Rainbow Festival Pride Party: Saturday 22 March, 5pm to 10pm, McNamara Street – featuring Joel Creasey as MC, DJ Jimi the Kween and big-name entertainment.
Fringe events hosted by local venues are:
Wednesday 19 March
- Queer Film Festival: 7.30pm to 10pm, Odeon 5 Cinemas, hosted by Charles Sturt University.
Thursday 20 March
- Drag Queen Bingo: 6pm to 9.30pm, CWA Hall, Robertson Park, hosted by Coast to Coast Drag Queen Bingo
Friday 21 March
- Comedy Night featuring Rhys Nicholson and Kirsty Webeck, 6.30pm to 9pm, Orange Function Centre, hosted by Central West Comedy.
- 50 Years of Pride and Mardi Gras Anthem Dance Party, 6pm to 11pm, Parrot Distilling Co, hosted by Studio2800
Saturday 22 March
- Afters at the Blind Pig, 10am, The Blind Pig
Sunday 23 March
- Agrestic Rainbow Recovery Breakfast, 8.30am, The Agrestic Grocer
- Give it a go with Pinnacle Dragon Boating Club, 9am, Lake Canobolas, hosted by Pinnacle Dragon Boating Club
- Doggie Drag Queen Day Out, 11am, Heifer Station Wines
- Rainbow Garden Lunch, 12.30pm, The Oriana Gardens
- Last Drinks at Hey Rosey, 3.30pm, Hey Rosey
The 2025 Rainbow Festival is funded by Orange City Council ($30,000), Destination NSW ($20,000) and Newmont ($20,000), and supported by Orange360, along with sponsors Cheney Suthers, Yallungah Boutique Hotel, Access Life Support Services and Kennards Hire.
For more information about events and ticket bookings, visit www.rainbowfest.com.au