Out & About

20 LGBTQ events this Labor Day Weekend

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

Published

3 years ago

September 1, 2023

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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Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by auremar/Bigstock)

The Equality Chamber of Commerce is bringing together LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, advocates, and community partners on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the D.C. Mayor’s Office for LGBTQ Affairs (899 N. Capitol Street, NE).

This is an afternoon and evening focused on one essential question: How do we build businesses and a business community that can thrive? The Pride in Business Expo and Profits & Pours with Stephanie will create a powerful forum for connection, practical knowledge, and economic opportunity at the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. The Pride in Business Expo, taking place from 4-7 p.m., brings the region’s LGBTQ+ business community together to showcase businesses, build relationships, discover resources, and create new opportunities.

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Published

4 days ago

October 4, 2026

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(Image by larich/Bigstock)

Queer Virginia Contributor Amy Bertsch will host “The Remarkable Visibility of Hannah Nokes” on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at Sprouse Rare Book Room inside the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library (717 Queen St., Alexandria, Va.).

Amy will share the story of Hannah Nokes, an African-American transgender woman who made headlines in 1933 when she testified in a high-profile murder trial. Learn about Nokes’s life, her place in history, and the broader social context of her remarkable story. Her story is among those featured in the book “Queer Virginia: New Stories in the Old Dominion.”

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Sixth annual LGBTQ celebration held in Maryland capital

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Annapolis Pride is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The Sixth Annual Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. on the streets adjacent to St. John’s College.

The theme of this year’s Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival celebration is “United in Pride, Together We Thrive!” Saturday’s parade will begin on St. John’s Street adjacent to St. John’s College, continue along Calvert Street to Northwest Street, to Church Circle, and onto West Street. The parade route then turns onto Amos Garrett Boulevard and eventually ends on Constitution Avenue near Maryland Hall.

Those with disabilities will be able to watch the parade from a special viewing porch at the Graduate Hotel at 126 West St. An Annapolis Pride volunteer will be there and available to assist.

For more details, visit the festival’s website.