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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

LGBTQ Military Happy Hour set for Sept. 15

In-person gathering to be held at Tom’s Watch Bar

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A scene from the 2026 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Modern Military Association of America will host “Pride in Service: An LGBTQ+ Military Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Tom’s Watch Bar. 

This in-person gathering is the perfect chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate the diversity within the military community. Come relax, meet fellow LGBTQ+ service members and allies, and enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on an evening full of pride, camaraderie, and good vibes. Visit Eventbrite for more details. 

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Calendar

Calendar: September 11-17

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, September 11

Go Gay DC will host “Out in DC LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena.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 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, September 12

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 LGBTQ+ Community Center will host screenings of “Princess Sparkles” and “Kiloran Bay” at 1:30 p.m. “Kiloran Bay” is a 13-minute musical short set amid the wild beauty of the Scottish Hebrides and the fierce joy of a wedding cèilidh. “Princess Sparkles” is about a girl who accidentally signs up to pet-sit a princess only to discover she’s actually a nippy, Fox News-watching pig. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website

Sunday, September 13

“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite

Monday, September 14

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10:00a.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, September 15

Center Bi Pan+ 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, September 16

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.

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “Movement for Healing” at 3 p.m. This trauma- and yoga therapy–informed class is designed to help guests gently reconnect with their body and their breath. Through mindful movement, somatic awareness, and grounding practices, guests will explore how to release tension, increase mobility, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and ease within. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, September 17

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 LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.  

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Out & About

Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12

Mayor-elect Stewart, state Rep. Snyder-Hall to give remarks

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Rehoboth Mayor-elect Susan Stewart will speak at the Blade Foundation fundraiser on Sept. 12.

The Washington Blade Foundation will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Rehoboth Beach featuring remarks from Rehoboth’s Mayor-elect Susan Stewart and Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.

The Foundation funds fellowships for aspiring queer journalists and enterprise journalism projects.

The event will be held at a private home in Rehoboth. Tickets are $100 and include open bar from Diego’s, catered appetizers from the Blue Moon, entertainment, guest speakers, and an auction. Tickets are available here.

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