As I look at the trinket shelf where my PC monitor sits, I’m struck by the three most prominent figures among the various bric-a-brac. One is a plush Totoro gifted to me by former Qmmunity editor Beth Sullivan, which represents the uncynical shepherdship I must inhabit while heading up the Chronicle’s queer events coverage. There is also a reclining Miss Piggy toy, who symbolizes the need for indulgence in life and work as well as the importance of good fashion. Last, but not least, is my little E.T. in drag figure. He is here to remind me everything we do that is observable by others is in some way doing drag – a performance of persona that is as coupled to our real selves as we’re able to manage.
There’s, like, 15 other guys on the shelf – Kewpie babies, a Garfield PEZ, a monster my friend Jess made, etc. – but those three previously mentioned are the ones my eyes go to first. I think imbuing even the most silly of objects with deeper meaning keeps us from madness. Though born of consumerist urges, the attaining of little guys must be matched with their exaltation. To discard them, then, would be sacrilegious and so one less plastic baby goes into the landfill. Hooray!
Consider all this while shopping small and local this gift-giving season. What items will those in your life not only like but actually keep around? Longevity is the name of the game this year. As the world crumbles around me, holding onto my goofy yet grand trinket accumulation is what keeps despair from gaining ground. Thank you, E.T. in drag figure from Room Service Vintage! For you, I will keep going.
Holiday Healing
Thursday 4 – Friday 5, allgo
Are you a QTBIPOC community member dealing with seasonal stress? Local org allgo offers three different methods across two days for rest & relaxation. Thursday offers collective movement instruction by Ellena, while Friday finds ear seed/needle acupuncture performed by Peace Collective as well as 20-min. chair massages. Check @allgopoc for further details.
Sana Sana: Land of the Misfit Toys
Thursday 4, Ani’s Day & Night
This all-ages open mic welcomes special guest Astrud Aurelia (Dragula & Dragula: Titans), with hosting duties taken up by Marilyn Moonlight and performances of any kind of art encouraged. Plus, the Q Austin offers free STI testing. 8pm.
Body Mechanics #50
Thursday 4, 4211 Todd Ln.
Celebrate the big five-oh with everyone’s favorite rave around hitting 50 events. Coming in from out of town are DJs Miss Parker (NYC) and TX Connect (DFW), with local spinners including Jay Berd, Rowena Jean, and Sewa Choki. 10pm.
Handle Her Bars
Friday 5, Stargazers
Hill Country Ride for AIDS offers arm-wrestling, bike races, grip strength showdowns, and much more at this sapphic and trans-centric fundraiser honoring World AIDS Day. DJ Xoy spins. 8pm.
Futch Fetish: MILF & Cookies
Friday 5, Elysium
Ho ho how about this sexy holiday party to kick off the season, where hosts Karabiner and BeeBee Blvnt invite a few of Austin’s hottest MILFs and DILFs to the stage. Reminder: Elysium’s a cash ONLY cover, so source a crisp $10 bill before attending. 9:30pm.
Big Tits, Bigger Dreams
Saturday 6, Oilcan’s
The Best of Austin Drag Showcase winner this year just moved over to Fourth, so follow ’em for the final non-competitive open-mic drag show. Brigitte Bandit hosts, so if you’re ready to wear the wig and breast plate, DM ’em by Friday. 6pm.
Lemons to Lemonade
Saturday 6, the Cathedral ATX
From What’s in the Mirror comes a “transformative storytelling and healing experience” focused on the voices of those living with/impacted by HIV. Along with 12 stories exploring the stages of grief will be interactive activity stations – one of which does include squeezing real lemons. 2pm.
Club Bushwig
Saturday 6, 29th Street Ballroom
All the way from the Big Apple comes drag fest Bushwig on their Lone Star tour. Austin’s the second stop after Houston, so come see NYC queens alongside local performers – including DJ spins by Horrorchata, Angel Doll, and a B2B set featuring p1nkstar and Turito. 9pm.
Trans Guys Gather ATX: Coffee Chat + Chill
Saturday 6, Lazy Daze Cafe
Hang out with fellow trans men at this South Austin THC cafe, where the good vibes mix with good drinks. My reco? Tutti Frutti matcha latte, for those of you with a sweet tooth. 1pm.
Money Honey! Queeronomics: the Business of Pride
Saturday 6, Hilton Austin
Austin’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce holds their 2025 gala this weekend with a celebration of the queer economy. Dress code calls for chic Wall Street – so like Patrick Bateman if he truly slayed instead of, you know. Those other things he did. 6pm.
Spill the Tea
Saturday 6, OutWellness
Finding a friend or two ain’t ruff when you’re attending this critter tea party/clothing swap, where host Pup Raw and Boop Society of Central Texas offer femme, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks in the pet-play community a safe and affirming space. Mascs are also welcome! 3pm.
Pork’d!
Saturday 6, the Iron Bear
Sixth Street’s only gear/fetish theme night – that I know of – salutes the holiday season with this month’s “Ho Ho Hoes: Ugly Jock Party.” Wear your most festive or foul jockstrap on over to the Bear and dance ya night away. Package offers a pop-up shop as well as clothing check. 9pm.
The Big Queer Wedding Party
Sunday 7, the Cathedral ATX
Alongside Democrasexy, Judge Denise Hernandez and Noah King Day of Noah & Bri bring a communitywide celebration of marriage equality. Offerings include music by Gina Chavez, DJ spins, drag performances, and real-deal weddings performed on-site. Sign up to get married or renew ya vows at bigqueerwedding dot com. 3:30pm.
A Holly Dolly Christmas
Sunday 7, Sagebrush
Brigitte Bandit hosts this seasonal return of the Best Little Drag Brunch in Texas featuring drag by Travis Randy Travis, Ms. Ritzy Bitz, Moxie Queen, and Miss Steelya Girl. Neon Rainbows provides the yuletide tunes via DJ Ed West, and Austin Artisan Market pops up. Plus, pro holiday photos. 3pm.
Where the Girls Are
Sunday 7, 1972 Pub
Join Alison Tucker this Sunday eve for a two-hour acoustic set with her guest, Mags Baker. No cover, so all your bucks can go to tipping the performers and getting a drink from Austin’s only women’s sports bar. 6pm.
Videology
Sunday 7, Cheer Up Charlies
Every Sunday, CUC screens another cinematic classic or cult fave from “holiday rizz classixxx” to “actresses with meltdowns movies.” What’s on rotation this week? Check their Insta to find out. 7pm.
Slay Ride
Sunday 7, Highland Lounge
All your favorite fierce icons find their way to Fourth for this holiday show. Alyssa Edwards, Kori King, and Frankie Grande slay – or maybe it’s sleigh this time of year – Highland during this stop on their national tour.
Beauty’s Birthday Bash Drag Brunch
Sunday 7, Taquero Mucho
Celebrate the hostess with the mostess’ b-day at Taquero Mucho’s Domain locale, with spins by DJ Eriq Stylez and many, many drag performances. 1pm.
Barbette Bash
Sunday 7, Hopsquad Brewing Co.
Honoring the legacy of Round Rock drag and trapeze artist Barbette, this show featuring Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Maxine LaQueene, and Tiffany Epiphany benefits the Barbette’s Legacy Foundation and their LGBTQ artist scholarships. Plus, bingo and a screening of doc “This Is Texas.” 1pm.
Big Gay Holiday Bazaar
Sunday 7, Rain on 4th
Shop BIG and GAY at this market featuring local queer biz and nonprofits like Kind Clinic, the Little Gay Shop, Native Nomadic, and many more. 4pm.
Wicked for Good Drag Show
Monday 8, the Iron Bear
Hilda Dixon’s Hello Darlings show defies gravity with this themed drag extravaganza featuring the second half of the ol’ Ozian musical lineup. Performers included Miz ZgiZgi, Tangelo, Stellar Manz, Cupcake, Cassie Opeia, King Cakes, Jack Rabid, Larry Stylinson, and Dixon herself. 9:30pm.
Louisianna Purchase’s Christmas TV Special
Thursday 11, Elysium
Turn on the boob tube for this seasonal sensation as Louisianna and cast members Salem Purchase, Jenna Talia, Damiana Divine, Bubu, Flex Brojas, and Arinna Dior Davenport deliver fun twists on favorite Xmas specials. 11pm.
Second Annual Out at the Lights Pride Night
Thursday 11, Zilker Park
Join the United Court of Austin in descending like a beautiful queer cloud on Austin Trail of Lights. This night’s free entry, so all you gotta bring is your gay spirit and comfortable walking shoes. Or wear the big heels if you want. I’m not the boss of you. 7pm.
In the Calendar
A Not-So Silent Night: Fierce, Fabulous and Full of Light
Friday 5 – Sunday 7, First Baptist
Austin’s Gay Men’s Chorus will absolutely not go gentle into that good night. Nor should they! With such uplifting concerts, their songs with a spin can raise even the most solemn of spirits. For this holiday season, the captivating chorus crescendos with carols to illuminate the light within us all. “Perhaps it does not begin./ Perhaps it is always,” speaks poet Jan Richardson in one of AGMC’s selections, “Where the Light Begins.” Grab hold of that eternal shimmering with the splendiferous voices of the chorus. – Cat McCarrey
HoliGay Market
Saturday 6 – Sunday 7, Distribution Hall
Hi gay. Did you know the gift-giving season is here, or do you need another commercial break on Las Culturistas to remind you? Well, in any case, the Little Gay Shop once again comes in clutch with their largest annual market. Over 100 vendors fill Distribution Hall across two days, each of them hawking the exact vintage and handmade items you need to win your company’s Secret Santa – or show your loved ones you care, I guess. But wait: There’s obvi more! Free drinks, food vendors, music, drag, crafting, and even a special Austin Public Health resource fair also await you. – James Scott
This article appears in December 5 • 2025.
