Out & About

Costume contests, family friendly options, movie screenings among festivities

Published

7 years ago

October 25, 2018

Mariah Cooper

Region teeming with queer-friendly Halloween events through Oct. 31.

Friday, Oct. 26

Night of the Living Zoo, an adult halloween party, is at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) tonight from 7-10:30 p.m. There will be craft beer, food from popular D.C. food trucks, a costume contest, a DJ and performance artists. General admission tickets are $30 for Friends of the Zoo members and $40 for non-members. Tickets include access to the party, complimentary soda and water, after-hours access to animal houses and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are $65 for Friends of the Zoo members and $90 for non-members. They include an additional drink ticket, VIP express check-in, a private dance floor, bar and lounge, complimentary food tastings from D.C. restaurants, animal demonstrations and more. For more information, visit nationalzoo.si.edu/events.

BloominGays presents a screening of “Hocus Pocus” at Crispus Attucks Park (Crispus Attucks Ct., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. Attendees should bring a blanket or low-to-the-ground chair. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook.com/bloomingdalegays.

XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Charmed tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite vampire slayer, ghost, zombie, witch or mermaid from television. Prizes will be given for categories such as Best Witch and Best Throwback Costume. DJ Honey Johnson will play music. Happy hour pricing is from 10-11 p.m. There will also be food served. Cover is $5. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.

The Coven D.C. hosts Otherworld at Ten Tigers Parlour (3813 Georgia Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Tezrah will play music. For more information, visit facebook.com/thecovendc.

Skin Tight USA and Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) host Pre-Halloween, a cos-play party and costume contest, tonight from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There will be more than $500 in prizes and raffles. DJ JerrBear and DJ D’Manda Martini will play music. Cover is $5 at the door. For more details, visit greenlanterndc.com.

Saturday, Oct. 27

The Ivy Project presents Witches Be Cray, an LGBT Halloween party, at Uproar Lounge & Restaurant (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. There will be a costume contest, giveaways and Halloween games. Drink specials run all night. DJ Electrox and DJ Milko will play music. No cover. For more information, visit facebook.com/ivyprojectdc.

XX+ Crostino (1926 9th St., N.W.) hosts Vamp, a Halloween ladies party, tonight from 10 p.m. -2:30 a.m. Madame Seduction will perform. DJ Mim will spin tracks. There will be craft cocktails and small bites. Cover is $10. For more details, visit facebook.com/xxcrostino.

No Justice No Pride hosts a Halloween and house warming party at its new location (169 Uhland Ter., N.E.) tonight from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. This party is also a fundraiser to provide aid for the transgender community. Costumes are encouraged. There will also be drink specials and DJs. For more details, visit facebook.com/nojusticenopride.

DAR Museum (1776 D St., N.W.) hosts a Victorian Halloween Party today from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The family-friendly party will have treats, tricks and games common during Victorian Halloween. Admission is free. Costumes are optional. For more information, visit facebook.com/darmuseum.

Lindy Promotions celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Halloween bar crawl Nightmare on M Street today from 1-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino hosts the event. Participating bars include Decades, Living Room, Public Bar, Blackfinn Ameripub, Heist and more. Registration is from 1-7 p.m. Tickets range from $15-20 and include cover-free entry to all bars, drink specials, costume contests and more. For more details, visit lindypromo.com.

CTRL hosts Halloqueen, a gay dance party, at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-2:45 a.m. DJ Claudia, DJ Dvonne, DJ Jeff Prior, DJ Adam Koussari-Amin and more will spin tracks. Donna Slash will give a special performance. There will also be a costume contest. For more information, visit facebook.com/ctrldc.

The Cherry Fund hosts Cherry Horror Halloween at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. DJ Paulo Pacheco and DJ Sean Morris will play music. Proceeds from the party will be donated to the Barry D Smythers Fund for Mental Health Awareness. Tickets are $15. For more details, visit facebook.com/cherryfund.

Project D.C. Events hosts its Halloween Crawl today from noon-8 p.m. in Dupont Circle. The list of participating bars includes James Hoban’s, The Exchange, Bravo Bravo and more. There will be a costume contest, free raffles and event pictures. Guests will receive a souvenir haunted mug, drink and food specials, cover-free access to bars and more. Tickets are $35 online and $40 day of the event. For more information, visit dchalloweencrawl.com.

Sunday, Oct. 28

Where the Girls Go and Vanniety Kills hosts its OverEasy Season Finale: Scared Straight, a Halloween costume party, at Dodge City D.C. (917 U St., N.W.) today from 3-8 p.m. DJ Keenan Orr, DJ Kryptk and DJ Tezrah will spin tracks. Admission is free. For more details, visit facebook/com/wherethegirlsgo.

Augment VR Arcade and Bar (645 Florida Ave., N.W.) presents scary virtual reality experiences today from 2-8 p.m. A team of four can play each other in survival shooter games, a haunted mansion and a zombie killer game. Tickets range from $60-195. For more information, visit augmentarcade.com.

Monday, Oct. 29

D.C. Gaymers hosts Happy Poké-Week at Cobalt (1639 R St., N.W.) tonight from 7-11 p.m. Attendees can compete in the D.C. Gaymers’ Pokémon League. Attendees can also participate in a costume contest. There will be a raffle with prizes including gaming figures and accessories. For more information, visit facebook.com/dcgaymers.

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Queer Girl Movie Night hosts a Halloween edition at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight at 7 p.m. The film will be a campy, B-horror movie featuring queer, female leads. Movie starts at 8 p.m. No cover. For more details, visit facebook.com/queergrrrlmovienight.

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) hosts Womxn Crush Wednesday: Queering Halloween tonight from 6-10 p.m. This happy hour is for LBT womxn; non-binary femmes, genderqueer and non-gender conforming individuals. For more information, visit facebook.com/tradebardc.

D.C. Finest hosts Haunted Halloween on 17th St at Barcode (1101 17th St., N.W.) tonight from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. DJ LDR, DJ Yazadan and DJ Ivan will spin tracks. Admission is free before midnight. VIP tickets are $15 and include express entry. For more details, visit facebook.com/dcfinestgroup.

Dark & Stormy hosts a Halloween party at Black Cat (1811 14th St., N.W.) tonight from 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. DJ Kangal, DJ Mindjacket and DJ Hemlock will play electronic, synth-wave, retro, goth, industrial, EBM and dark disco music. Guests with the best costumes will receive free T-shirts. Cover is $5. For more information, visit facebook.com/darkandstormydc.

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Calendar

Calendar: February 13-19

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

7 days ago

February 13, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, February 13

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon 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.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.

Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. For more details, visit the group on Facebook.

Saturday, February 14

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.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host a screening of “Love and Pride” at 1:30 p.m. This event is a joy-filled global streaming celebration honoring queer courage, Pride, and the power of love. It’s a bold celebration of courage and community — a fearless reminder of what we’ve overcome, how love is what makes us unstoppable, and how we have always turned fear into fierce. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Sunday, February 15

LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 16

Queer Book Club will be at 7:00p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

“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]).

Tuesday, February 17

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Wednesday, February 18

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 19

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. 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, breath work 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.

Out & About

Celebrate Black History Month

LGBTQ+ Community Center to host series of events

Published

2 weeks ago

February 6, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

‘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.

Calendar

Calendar: February 6-12

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 weeks ago

February 6, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

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

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

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.