Out & About
10 LGBTQ events this week
Drag, ugly sweaters and Darren Criss among attractions
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.
Queer Trivia!

Wednesday, December 14
7-9 p.m.
The Dew Drop Inn
2801 8th Street, N.E.
Facebook
The Mistresses lead a trivia game on all things LGBTQ at the Dew Drop Inn on Wednesday.
Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmas

Wednesday, December 14
8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre
1215 U Street, N.W.
$55-$75
Facebook | Tickets
“Glee” heartthrob and spectacular performer Darren Criss brings his tour to D.C. on Thursday at the Lincoln Theatre.
DC Boys of Leather Happy Hour featuring the DC Sisters

Thursday, December 15
6 p.m.
Trade
1410 14th Street, N.W.
Facebook
The D.C. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence join the DC Boys of Leather for a happy hour at Trade on Thursday. The Sisters will be launching their 2023 calendar with proceeds benefiting HIPS.
RuPaul’s Jaida Essence Hall at Hotel Zena

Thursday, December 15
Doors 8 p.m. / Meet & greet 9 p.m. / showtime 10 p.m.
Hotel Zena
1155 14th Street, N.W.
21+ / $35-$75
Facebook | Eventbrite
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall performs at Hotel Zena on Thursday.
Winterween Spooktacular for HIPS

Friday, December 16
9 p.m.
Slash Run
201 Upshur Street, N.W.
$10-$15
Facebook
Go to a spooky party for a good cause. The Winterween Spooktacular fundraiser for HIPS is hosted by The Darkest Star and features Ya Meena, Anna Steysia, Walker Texas BangHER, Natasha Nacre and Sally Cinch with a special acousted set by Sister Ex.
Dragnimated! Holiday Special

Friday, December 16
9:30 p.m.
Red Bear Brewing Co.
209 M Street, N.E.
Facebook
Evry Pleasure hosts a drag holiday special at Red Bear Brewing on Friday featuring Charlemagne Chateau, Citrine, Dax Exclamation Point, Dirty Sanchez and Echinacea Monroe.
Con Acento: Holiday Special

Saturday, December 17
9:30 p.m.
JR.’s Bar
1519 17th Street, N.W.
Facebook
Evry Pleasure hosts a drag show and dance party celebrating hispanic heritage on Saturday at JR.’s. Featured performers include Mari Con Carne, Rico Pico, Jayzeer Shantey and Christin Guerrero.
Kylie Christmas at Uproar

Saturday, December 17
10 p.m.
Uproar Lounge
639 Florida Avenue, N.W.
top level
Facebook
DJ Travis Island brings Kylie music and videos all night to Uproar Lounge on Saturday.
HoliSLAY

Sunday, December 18
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Hall CP
4656 Hotel Drive
College Park, Md.
$15-$120
Facebook | Eventbrite
Some of the best drag performers in the DMV bring you a “HoliSLAY” brunch to be remembered.
Ugly Sweater Party

Sunday, December 18
8-10 p.m.
Freddie’s Beach Bar
555 23rd Street S
Arlington, Va.
Facebook
The Imperial Court of Washington, D.C. holds an Ugly Sweater Party at Freddie’s Beach Bar on Sunday.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“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, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
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, June 17
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 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. 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.
