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25 LGBTQ events this week

High Heel Race among highlights of Halloween week

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4 years ago

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The High Heel Race is Tuesday, Oct. 25 on 17th Street, N.W. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Below are our picks for some of the most fun and creative things to do this week in the DMV that are of special interest to the LGBTQ community.

The Future is Queer: An Intergalactic Dyke Party

Tuesday, October 25
6-11 p.m.
Capitol Cider House
3930 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$25-$45
Eventbrite

Experience burlesque, belly dance, circus acts, flow arts, body painting, a tarot booth and more in this “visionary, other-worldly, queer, fabulous and sexy” event led by queer BIPOC + and allied artists and performers.

DC Gaymers Costume Contest

Tuesday, October 25
7-10 p.m.
Uproar Lounge
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Facebook

This free-play Tuesday event celebrates All Hollows’ Eve with Hocus Pocus 2 playing on the third floor projector. Come dressed for the costume contest.

35th annual High Heel Race

Tuesday, October 25
7-11 p.m.
Frank Kameny Way
17th Street between P and R Streets, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite

This D.C. institution returns for the 35th year as queens strut their stuff along 17th Street for the High Heel Race. Parties abound all along the “gayborhood” street. The pre-race parade starts at 8, but many people arrive earlier to get a good vantage point.

Halloween Bingo with Kristina Kelly

Tuesday, October 25
8 p.m.
Shaw’s Tavern
520 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Facebook | Reservations

Join Kristina Kelly for some Halloween Bingo fun at Shaw’s Tavern on Tuesday. Specify “Bingo” when making reservations.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Wednesday, October 26
7-9 p.m.
metrobar DC
640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W.
Facebook | Eventbrite

Dress as your favorite characters and watch a live screening of the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at metrobar.

Pre-Halloween Party: Miercoles De Gasoline

Wednesday, October 26
9 p.m.
DIK Bar
1637 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

The best costume wins $300 at Latin Nights at DIK Bar on Wednesday.

Rage for Roe: A Halloween Bash to Support the DC Abortion Fund

Thursday, October 27
7-11 p.m.
Hook Hall
3400 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
$20 presale / $25 door
Facebook

Tara Hoot hosts a spooky night of fun that includes a costume contest. Proceeds support the DC Abortion Fund.

RuPaul’s Night of Living Drag

Friday, October 28
8 p.m.
MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Avenue
Oxon Hill, Md.
$58-$108
Facebook | Ticketmaster

Voss Events and World of Wonder brings the queens to MGM National Harbor on Friday with an all-star lineup.

UNCUT: Anaconda

Friday, October 28
10 p.m.
Bliss Nightclub
2122 24th Place, N.E.
$40-$70
Facebook | Eventbrite

Dougie Meyer and Kinetic presents UNCUT: Anaconda with DJs Onyx and GSP at Bliss Nightclub on Friday night / Saturday morning. There is a clothes check and play zones available for a raunchy DC Halloween. “Slither into your sexiest outfit to kick off District of the Dead at UNCUT: Anaconda . Unleash your deepest desires at this massive venue for DC’s most risqué circuit event.”

Boo-sy Drag Brunch

Saturday, October 29
12-3 p.m.
Duplex Diner
2004 18th Street, N.W.
Eventbrite

Join the Stonewall Kickball team Kicks and Tricks raising money for HIPS. See performances by Tiffany D. Carter, Echinacea Monroe and Labianna on Saturday at Duplex Diner.

Miss Adams Morgan Pageant 34

Saturday, October 29
6 p.m.
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
$100
Facebook | Tickets

Dupont Social Club presents the annual raucous pageant at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.

Candela! Dia De Los Muertos

Saturday, October 29
9 p.m.
Uproar Lounge
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
No cover / 21+
Facebook

Watch a special drag show by LaBella Mafia and Jayzeer Shantey and dance to music by DJ Milko for a fun night out at Uproar celebrating Dia De Los Muertos.

Ghoul Night

Saturday, October 29
9 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Company
209 M Street, N.E.
No cover / 21+
Facebook

It’s Ghouls Night Drag Show time with Baphomette, Juniper Gin, Mota and Hennessey. Desiree Dik hosts a ghoulish night that includes a costume contest.

As You Aren’t: Alter Ego Party

Saturday, October 29
9 p.m.
As You Are
500 8th Street, S.E.
Facebook

Dance the night away in your best costumes at an Alter Ego Party on Saturday. To enter the costume contest, DM As You Are by Friday.

Naughty or Nice: Nightmare on K Street

Saturday, October 29
10 p.m.
KOI
1413 K Street, N.W.
$15 advance
Facebook | Tickets

Dance to DJ MIM, Queen HD the DJ and DJ Jai Syncere at the 13th annual Naughty or Nice Nightmare on K Street party. Billed as the “biggest LGBTQ Halloween turn up in the city,” the costume party includes a contest, drink specials and more.

HellBENT

Saturday, October 29
10 p.m.
9:30 Club
815 V Street, N.W.
$25
Website | Facebook | Ticketmaster

Pussy Noir, Baphomette + Sirene Noir Jackson, Mari Con Carne and Pissy perform with music by DJs Lemz, Electrox, KS and Tommy C. at 9:30 Club’s “HellBENT” party on Saturday.

Blue Hours: Halloween Edition

Sunday, October 30
4-9 a.m.
Flash
645 Florida Avenue, N.W.
$30
Facebook | Eventbrite

Do you want to keep the party going after the bars have closed? Check out Blue Hours: Halloween Edition at Flash in the wee hours of Sunday morning with music by Calagna and Sean Morris.

Halloween Brunch at Lincoln

Sunday, October 30
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Lincoln Restaurant DC
1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Facebook | Website

DJ Matt Bailer brings the music from noon until 3. There is a best costume contest with a $100 Amazon gift card prize for first place. Enjoy and all-you-can-eat experience with unlimited mimosas and bloody Mary’s. There is a two hour time limit at tables.

Nellie’s Halloween Drag Brunch

Sunday, October 30
11 a.m.
Nellie’s Sports Bar
900 U Street, N.W.
$50
Eventbrite

Wear a costume and check out a Halloween-themed drag brunch at Nellie’s on Sunday.

Elevate: Halloween Drag Brunch

Sunday, October 30
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Officina
1120 Maine Avenue, S.W.
$25 (for drag show and complementary drink)
Website

Desiree Dik hosts a Halloween Drag Brunch at Officina on Sunday.

Spookiki: Be Golden, Girl!

Sunday, October 30
4 p.m.
Kiki
915 U Street, N.W.
Facebook

Show off your group costumes at Spookiki on Sunday afternoon.

Halloween Movie Night: Beetlejuice

Sunday, October 30
6:30-8:30 p.m.
metrobar DC
640 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E.
Free
Facebook | Eventbrite

Watch the spooky season classic “Beetlejuice” among friends at metrobar DC on Sunday.

Halloween Party @ Freddie’s

Freddie’s Beach Bar (Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Monday, October 31
6 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook | Eventbrite

Come in costume to mingle at Freddie’s Beach Bar for a Halloween party hosted by Go Gay DC. It is free, but RSVP to help Freddie’s have a good count of who is coming. Bring a nonperishable food item along for the Arlington Food Assistance Center and party with a purpose.

Howl-o-ween Doggy Costume Pawty

Monday, October 31
7-11 p.m.
Aslin Beer Company
1740 14th Street, N.W.
Free / 21+
Facebook

Dress up your four-legged friend for a doggy costume party at Aslin Beer Company. Awards are given for cutest pooch, most original costume, human-dog costume combo and best in show. Judging begins at 8 p.m.

JR.’s Halloween Showtunes

Monday, October 31
8 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook

Citrine and Ricky Rosé perform at a special Halloween Edition of Monday Night Showtunes at JR.’s Bar. Showtunes start at 8 p.m. and the performances start at 10:30 p.m.

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NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade

Local queer journalists celebrate Pride

Published

3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

By

(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)


Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free. 

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DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday

Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery

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3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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The 14th annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m. 

Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.

The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.

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Calendar

Calendar: June 5-11

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

3 days ago

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June 5, 2026

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Friday, June 5 

“Center Aging: Pride Monthly Luncheon with Chair Yoga & Drag Bingo” will be at 12:00 p.m. at the DC LGBQ+ Community Center. Lunch will be provided. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. 

“Comedy Show for LGBTQ+ Prosperity” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This will be a funny, queer show produced by Grassroots Comedy to celebrate the DC LGBTQ+ Center and the beginning of Pride month. Across the country, LGBTQ+ people are losing access to care, protection, and support. These aren’t abstract policy changes – they are real people losing the resources they rely on to stay safe and well. And when that happens, many come to Washington, DC, a place long considered a site of refuge for these vulnerable populations. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website. 

Saturday, June 6

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.

Sunday, June 7

Pride Month Sound Bath Meditation will be at 10:30 a.m. at Atlas Salon DC. Pride Month sound bath meditation is an immersive morning of sound to slow down, reset, and rest in community while supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. 

Monday, June 8

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 www.genderqueerdc.org or Facebook. 

Tuesday, June 9

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

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. 

Wednesday, June 10

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, June 11

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LBTQ+ Community Center. 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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