Out & About In MNYK To Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride

MANAYUNK, PHILADELPHIA — The Manayunk Development Corporation announced the return of Out and About in MNYK to Main Street in early October.

Out and About in MNYK will be held from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5.

The main festival will be held Oct. 4, with additional merchant events on Oct. 3 and Oct. 5.

In honor of National Coming Out Day, on Oct. 11, Out & About in MNYK will feature LGBTQ+ artists, performers, organizations, shows and entertainment to promote Manayunk as a safe place that welcomes everyone.

Activations and performances will include an artisan market, drag story time, open-air drag show, Manayunk idol karaoke competition and Rocky Horror Picture Show Live Shadowcast by the Transylvanian Nipple Productions.

Partners for this year include Brittany Lynn and Philly Drag Mafia, Philadelphia Freedom Band, TNP Productions and DJ Da Boo Boo.

Manayunk Merchant events will include Drag Bingo at Winnie's (Friday), The Pretzel Theater Company presents A Miscast Villains of Broad Night of Cabaret at Fat Lady Brewing (Friday), Philadelphia Runner presents Out and About Queer Run and Hoka (Saturday), Performance Kitchens and Home Gold Standard Giveaway (Saturday), Cupid's Bookshop Drag Storytime (Saturday), Fat Lady Brewing Night of Queer Comedy with Jim Gillespie (Saturday) and Fat Lady Brewing Drag Brunch (Sunday).

All weekend long, while in Manayunk save $12 on tickets to Lincoln Mill Haunted House with a special Out & About promo code.

New highlights for this year includes Manayunk Idol Karaoke Competition Canalside, and a new shuttle between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. going between Out & About in MNYK and Roxtoberfest on Ridge Avenue.

"Out & About in MNYK highlights the diversity and heart of Manayunk," Manayunk Development Corporation Branding & Digital Marketing Manager Janine Gasarowski said. "We’re proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and create a space where everyone feels seen, celebrated and welcomed."

Philly Drag Mafia has been a part of the event since its beginning in 2019. They have won Philly Magazine’s Best of Philly for two years in a row: 2022 for Best Drag Shows and 2023 for Best Drag Brunch. Last year, Philly Drag Mafia teamed up with Visit Philadelphia and Philadelphia Gay News to break the Guinness World Record for most attended drag story time reading set, and Manayunk is more than happy to have them host a drag story time during Out & About.

Back again at Out & About is the Philadelphia Freedom Band. Their marching band will perform all up and down Main Street starting at 12:15pm, bringing all the hits and upbeat energy. The band is a charity organization comprised of a wide variety of talented musicians, ranging from amateur to professional. They come together to perform throughout the greater Philadelphia area and provide visible, active support to the LGBTQ+ community.

As a final celebration, the night will culminate with a double feature of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Philly’s own TNP Live Shadowcast. Venice Island Performing Arts Center will set the stage for two shows at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.. All are welcome to experience the iconic cult classic and the true Rocky Horror experience. Costumes and audience participation is highly encouraged. Tickets will run for $20 per person.

Go online here to see the full Out & About schedule, ticket information, updates, and details.