Here’s the time for gratitude, and boy am I full of that this year. Honestly, when times are at their most tough is when I realize just how MUCH I have that’s good in my life. So imagine for a moment we’re at a big long table covered in brown, beige, and dark green dishes – hey, it’s Thanksgiving – and listen to what I’m thankful for.
I’m thankful for the always evolving Austin queer scene, who meet every challenge with a can-do spirit. I’m thankful for the one-on-one conversations I’ve had with fellow LGBTQ Bat City buds where we can hold critique and praise in both hands without discarding either. I’m thankful for all the people still here despite the Circumstances and for the people who I got to know before they passed on. I’m thankful for this column and being able to write about this community at a paper that understands how important queer events are. I’m especially thankful for YOU, dear Reader, and your continued support of Qmmunity.
Thanks everybody. Now let’s eat!
Big Ole Queer Market Holiday 2025
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30, Palmer Events Center
You wanna shop cool and queer right here in Austin? Few spots’ll be as packed with LGBTQ finery as this market featuring tons of local vendors. Plus, the first 100 guests get a free shopping bag bursting with goodies and coupons. 12pm.
Red Dress Party Austin
Saturday 29, the Austin Eagle
The Weird City Sisters ATX’s crimson-clothed party in honor of World AIDS Day celebrates AIDS activism past and present – including event beneficiary Project Transitions. Miss Kitty Litter ATX and Serena Severe host with live performances and DJ sets promised. 9pm.
Khattie Loves Karaoke
Saturday 29, Double Trouble
Always fabulous and now sharing the mic with all y’all is KhattieQ, bringing cool as heck karaoke to North Loop along with DJ Yohann Solo. Plus, a simultaneous Austin Makers Collective Market. 11am.
Drag Me to the Tavern
Saturday 29, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Hear ye, hear ye: This month’s drag spectacular at premier fantasy tavern Tiny Minotaur features fair maidens Ruby Knight and Ms Girl 6 joining the Sirs TRT and Beau Elliot. Verily, forsooth, and other ye olde phrases! 7pm.
Sip & Create
Saturday 29, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Hosted by Ladies Love Us and The Ultimatum: Queer Love’s Yoly Red, this sapphic and queer social will have you painting masterpieces while sipping delicious drinks from a dirty espresso bar. Supplies like paint, brushes, and canvas provided, so just bring your lovely self. 7pm.
Knocked Up Anniversary Show
Saturday 29, Alienated Majesty Books
Hardcore stalwarts Knocked Up open up the pit with a drag performance by the lovely Ethel Institution, followed by Sudden Deaf and Skratz. Donations of canned goods and non-perishable items are encouraged. 7:30pm.
Everybody Loves Puppets
Sunday 30, the Butterfly Bar at the Vortex
Hosted by Jack Rabid and Larry Stylinson, performers Gator Gorr, Gemma Nye, Perra Normál, and Greta Grip bring Muppet madness to this Manor Road spot. 9pm.
Trans Picnic
Sunday 30, Pease Park
Bobby Pudrido and Quintin throw a community picnic for all the terrific trans folks around. Come in a group or by yourself for an afternoon of kickball, snacks, and frolicking around Pease Park’s south end. 1pm.
Gorillaz vs. Blur Drag Brunch
Sunday 30, the Glassmith
Resident Damon Albarn enjoyer and Culture Editor Carys Anderson gave this event a thumbs-up-up, so you know you gotta get down to see this Solovino-and-Slaylem-hosted brunch. There’ll be performances by Adasha Kay, Demavoid, Dante Picante, and Flex Brojas; free mimosas; hot and veggie dogs; the traditional dab/bud bar; and an Albarn look-alike contest sure to be filled with pretty boys. 3pm.
TransGiving
Sunday 30, Highland Lounge
Thursday filled your stomach, but what about your soul? That’ll get fed at this chosen-family potluck hosted by the Trans Era, where in addition to performances by Roxanne, Venus Rising, Alexander the Great, and Damiana Divine, there’ll be a feast of community-made dishes. Sign up for your contribution via the Highland Lounge Insta bio. 7pm.
Plus Size Clothing Swap
Sunday 30, OutWellness
Find a new outfit for all those holiday get-togethers coming up at this clothing swap for plus-sized peeps across the gender spectrum. RSVP to attend. 1pm.
Fill a Fridge With LQ
Sunday 30, the Costello at the Union
Join your friends at Local Queer ATX for an afternoon of making meals with ATX Free Fridges. These delicious delicacies will be donated to fridges around town to help keep everyone in Austin fed with love. 2pm.
Day With(out) Art Short Film Series: “Meet Us Where We’re At”
Sunday 30, the Contemporary Austin – Jones Center
Visual AIDS organizes this six-video program featuring pieces from artists in Puerto Rico, Brazil, Nigeria, Germany, and Vietnam, all of which forefront the experiences of drug users as well as harm reduction practices central to the HIV/AIDS movement. 4pm.
Austin Pride Presents the 25th Annual Kelly Kline Pink Santa Show & Toy Drive
Sunday 30, the Austin Eagle
Support less-fortunate kiddos by donating new, unwrapped toys to this annual holiday benefit, with your reward being an excellent drag show hosted by the iconic Kelly Kline. 6pm.
Monday Night Jammie Jam Presents Heresy & Hedonism
Monday 1, Kick Butt Coffee
Kick off the last month of the year with a truly sinful celebration of all things hellacious. Burlesque and variety acts decorate the lineup, so secure your seat by Satan’s side today. 8:30pm.
LGBTQIA+ Adult Support Group
Monday 1, Virtual
OutYouth hosts this monthly support group where folks 18 years or older of any and all sexual and gender identities can come together to discuss various issues impacting them. 6pm.
Queer Craft Night
Tuesday 2, Lark & Owl Booksellers
Need to get on the handmade gift grind? Georgetown Pride brings their laid-back craft night back once more, where you can bring any craft project to work on from sewing to knitting to papier-mâché. 5pm.
Reading the Rainbow Book Club: South
Wednesday 3, Twin Oaks Branch Library
Settle in with Austin Public Library’s LGBTQIA book club to discuss this month’s choice, graphic novel Firebugs by Nino Bulling. 7pm.
Ho Ho Hoedown
Thursday 4, Elysium
Neon Rainbows presents a salute to the “yeehawlidays” featuring line-dance lessons by Country Fried Dance, party tunes by DJ Ed West, and drag by hosts Lawrie Bird, Beau Elliot, and Harlott. Plus plenty more that’ll make ya tip your ten-gallon. 8pm.
The World AIDS Day Ball: The Power of the Ribbon
Thursday 4, Swan Dive
House of Lepore hosts this night honoring World AIDS Day with dinner served up by Traphouse Caribbean and special performances from Lucy Lonestar and Nictone. Plus, a cash $500 drag realness category prize and free Kind Clinic testing. 10pm.
This article appears in November 28 • 2025.