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20 LGBTQ events this Labor Day Weekend

Looking for something to do in the DMV? We’ve got you covered.

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Events this weekend include Black Friday at As You Are, the D.C. Frontrunners Labor Day Run and La Loca at Bunker. (Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Ben Keller)

Are you not planning a trip to Rehoboth Beach this weekend for SunFestival? There is plenty to do in the D.C. metro area this Labor Day Weekend. Below are some of our picks for events in the DMV of interest to the LGBTQ community.


Kinky Bears

Friday, September 1
6 – 10 p.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No Cover
Facebook

Enjoy $18 bottomless bud light on tap with your hirsute buddies at UPROAR tonight for a FURocious Friday happy hour. DJ Darryl Strickland brings the music.


First Lady and The Tramp

Friday, September 1
Doors 7:30 p.m. / Drag Race 8 p.m. / Drag Show 10:30 p.m.
The Lodge
21614 National Pike.
Boonsboro, Md.
$8 Cover before 10 p.m.; $10 after 10 p.m.
Facebook

Laura Bushe and guest host Chasity Vain lead a show with Ivanna Rights, Jalah Nicole and Stormi Skye tonight after a Drag Race viewing party at the Lodge.


Black Friday Drag Show

Black Friday at As You Are. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Friday, September 1
Doors 9 p.m.
As You Are
500 8th Street, S.E.
Instagram

Catch a show by some of the area’s best drag performers at As You Are. Black Friday features Black performance artists.


Right Round 80s Alt-Pop Dance Party

Friday, September 1
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
The Black Cat
1811 14th Street, N.W.
$15
Facebook | Tickets

Celebrate 80’s alternative music at a party with DJ lil’e tonight at the Black Cat.


Slay Them! Drag Competition

Friday, September 1
9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
Instagram

Where do the best drag queens get their start? At an amateur drag competition, of course! Come watch new performers introduce themselves to the world tonight at Red Bear Brewing Company.


Haus Fridays: Miscalculated

Friday, September 2
10 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No Cover
Website

Enjoy customer appreciation day with no cover at Bunker tonight with music by Miscalculated.


District First Friday Underwear Party

Friday, September 1
10 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
$10
Instagram

Davon Hamilton Events presents the District First Friday Underwear Party tonight at the Green Lantern.


POP Rewind

Saturday, September 2
8 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
VIP Tickets $15
Website

There is no cover for the happy hour from 8-10 p.m. and then a party all night at Bunker with music by Ryan Kenney for POP Rewind.


Rewind Request Line

Saturday, September 2
9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook

Catch your favorite music videos from the 80’s and 90’s at Rewind Request Line at the Green Lantern on Saturday.


We Love You Madonna

Saturday, September 2
10 p.m.
Number Nine
1435 P Street, N.W.
Instagram

Celebrate 40 years of Madonna at Number Nine on Saturday.


Labor Day Weekend UPROAR

Saturday, September 2
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
UPROAR Lounge & Restaurant
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No Cover / 21+
Instagram

UPROAR holds a Labor Day Weekend party on Saturday with DJ Milko.


Sisters Bingo

Sunday, September 3
1 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook

The D.C. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence host an afternoon of drag bingo on Sunday at Red Bear Brewing.


LGBTQ+ Falls Church No Agenda Happy Hour

Sunday, September 3
6 – 8 p.m.
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack
130 North Washington Street
Falls Church, Va.

The newly-formed LGBTQ+ Falls Church holds its inaugural event at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack on Sunday.


La Loca

Sunday, September 3
7 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Bunker
2001 14th Street, N.W.
No Cover
Website

The LGBTQ+ Latinx party La Loca has a Labor Day Edition at Bunker on Sunday.


Freddie’s Zodiac

Sunday, September 3
8 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
$5
Instagram

The monthly drag competition Zodiac is held on Sunday at Freddie’s in Arlington.


Dirtee Disco

Sunday, September 3
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Green Lantern
1335 Green Court, N.W.
Facebook

Shirtless men drink free from 10-11 in the upstairs bar at the beginning of Dirtee Disco. The party runs through 2 a.m.


Flashy Labor Day Weekend

Sunday, September 3
10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Flash
645 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$30
Facebook | Eventbrite

Flash holds a Labor Day Weekend party with DJs Twin, Sean Morris and Bill Spieler on Sunday.


DC Frontrunners Labor Day Run

Monday, September 4
Walkers meet 9:30 a.m. / Run 10 a.m.
Taras Shevchenko Memorial
1512 22nd Street, N.W.
Facebook

Join the D.C. Frontrunners for a Labor Day Run on Monday.


Labor Gay Day Party

Monday, September 4
2 – 6 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Vagenesis performs at the Labor Gay Day Party benefit for Capital Pride on Monday.


JR.’s Showtunes

Monday, September 4
9 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Belt your favorite showtunes with your friends at JR.’s on Monday.


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Out & About

Celebrate Black History Month

LGBTQ+ Community Center to host series of events

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‘Paris is Burning’ is screening as part of Black History Month commemorations at the DC Center. (File photo courtesy of Reel Affirmations)

In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.

The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities. 

On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.

The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer. 

For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.

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Calendar

Calendar: February 6-12

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, February 6

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, February 7

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, February 8

DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Monday, February 9

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook

Tuesday, February 10

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected]

Wednesday, February 11

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, February 12

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

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(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

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