’Tis the season for top 10 lists, but ya boy here has looked at this year’s queer news bulletin and, um, well. It’s not a lot of “fun” or “uplifting” stuff to fill out the ol’ listicle format. Instead, I thought I might drop 10 local queer places to put whatever extra holiday bucks you can spare. None of the recos appeal to you? Donate to a friend’s top surgery, housing, health care, etc. fundraiser. Everyone could use a little help these days, and it does do a body good to give back.
- MASS Gallery: Contributing to this locally and sapphically run gallery means helping continue their platforming of interesting artists through stipends, residencies, and other resources.
- Oilcan’s Winter Clothing Drive: Fourth Street’s longest running gay bar hosts a donation drop spot for Queertopia, a local LGBTQ homelessness nonprofit, where you can give hats, coats, gloves, and other cold weather garments to help your neighbors out.
- allgo: This year marks 40 years of fine programming from this QTBIPOC-centric nonprofit, so consider donating to help them continue their work well past 40 more years.
- OUTsider Fest: Next year’s “BODIES” theme offers radical celebration of queer bodies, with tons of artists showcasing their work. Help them get paid and put on the best show possible by donating to OUTsider – or even pre-buying your fest badge!
- Future Front Texas: Dropping your dough with this cultural hub allows them to keep running multiple markets, festivals, and workshops for women & LGBTQ creatives year-round.
- Local Queer ATX: If you’ve Strut’d, skated, or even helped Fill-A-Fridge with this local queer social nonprofit, then you know they’re using every dollar donated to make Austin a pleasant place for the LGBTQ community.
- Austin Rainbow Theatre: What goes together better than queers and the theatre? Well, your donating power and these local stagecraft creators!
- Equality Texas: You know these guys from every protest at the Capitol to their daily emails on how to fight our state Lege’s newest attack on LGBTQ rights, so it goes without saying a donation here goes far.
- Black Trans Leadership of Austin: From their grant work to their event support, BTLA fights for Austin’s Black transgender residents like few others – and they deserve just as much support from you.
- Transgender Education Network of Texas: Trans Texans are under real, tangible attack from our state and federal government, which means TENT’s work is crucial. Donations here help keep Texas informed and empowered about trans rights during this pretty scary time.
Draggro Teq
Friday 19, Highland Lounge
Gay-mers rise up for this retro game tournament, hosted by drag sorority Kappa Gamma Mascara. Battle it out in TMNT: Tournament Fighters while enjoying drag by Maxine LaQueene, Hellen Handbasket, and host Simone Riviera as well as tunes by DJ Badjoey. 7pm.
Bookwoman: Solstice 2025
Friday 19, BookWoman
Celebrate the winter season as well as Austin’s longest-running sapphic-owned bookshop with refreshments, a gratitude ceremony, and celebratory singing. Artists Laura Freeman and Abriel Louise Young guest. 6pm.
America’s Next Top Lesbian Pageant
Friday 19, the Vortex
Futch Fetish and TribRelations join forces for this first-of-its-kind Austin pageant of all sapphic sweethearts. Five contestants enter the runway, but only one will win this coveted title – so get on out there to see who exactly wears the carabiner best! 7pm.
The Tease of ’87: A FNAF Drag & Burlesque Show
Friday 19, Valhalla
Grab a slice of stale pizza and hold on to your security guard uniform because this tribute to Freddy’s features a truly animated lineup including Fairy Petite, Eevee Velour, Marylin Moonlight, Phoenix Unique, Neura Toxin, Gretta Thunder, Mars Morningstar, Baby, Lithium, Jack the Stripper, and host Open Carrie. 9pm.
HoliGay Party
Friday 19, 1972 Pub
Between college games and serving pints aplenty, Austin’s women’s sports pub hosts a holiday happening hosted by Vylette Ward. Enjoy musical bingo as well as contests for best Xmas pajamas, ugliest sweater, and the most holiSLAY outfit. 7pm.
Better Gays
Friday 19, Better Days
Spread a little holiday cheer with these queers spinnin’ “jams that will make your grandma faint!” Lineup includes DJs MK Ultra, Isto Juan, and Happy Meal. 10pm.
Book Swap & Present-Wrapping Party
Friday 19, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
Catch up on your gift wrap – I know we’re ALL behind – and enjoy light bevs and bites during this community event. For the book swap, bring up to five swappable spines to go to new and loving homes. 6:30pm.
allgo 40th Anniversary Celebration
Friday 19, Vibehaus ATX
Forty years of bolstering Central Texas’ QTBIPOC community looks good on allgo, who celebrate their anniversary at this ceremony honoring leaders in the local community like Tarik Daniels, Natalie Lepore, and Jeaux Anderson. Nicotine and the Warmtones perform. 7pm.
Holiday Gear Party
Saturday 20, the Iron Bear
Dress in your most festive gear fashion for a seasonal edition of the Bear’s gear party. DJ BadDad spins, and Package pops up with merch and a clothing check. 9pm.
Sapphic Singles
Sunday 21, Ani’s Day & Night
Meet your new best friend, your next great love, or just a pleasant companion for the evening at this social hosted by Erin Christine and Areesha Singh. 5pm.
The Patio Sessions
Sunday 21, Highland Lounge
With spins by DJ Hella Yella and Pride in Black ATX powering the night’s vibe, there’s few places that’ll shoo away the Sunday scaries quite like this Fourth and Colorado kickback. 4pm.
Playdate Drag Brunch: Houston Takeover
Sunday 21, the Far Out Lounge
H-town heroes trek on down to South Austin for a drag brunch bash, including Glitter Lxve LaRue, Dazey Seymour, Everly Rose, and host Eileen Dover. TJ the DJ spins. 2pm.
Fourth Annual Jolly Dolly Holiday
Sunday 21, the Fairmont
Extragrams puts the jingle in your bells with this show at the Fairmont’s holiday pop-up, the Ugly Sweater. Brigitte Bandit, Celia Light, Diamond Dior Davenport, and Mars perform, so reserve your spot today. 1pm.
But I’m a Cheerleader
Sunday 21, Hyperreal Film Club
Queer Liberation Network presents this screening of a sapphic classic, where Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne find love in a hopeless place – a conversion camp. 7pm.
JK’s Just Kidding Variety Hour: Winter Solstice Edition
Sunday 21, Trinity Street Playhouse
A night of seasonal rebirth from married artistic duo Jenny Larson-Quiñones (J) and khattieQ (K), this variety hour signs off the 2025 Just Kidding season with performances by Sir Beau Elliot, Adrienne Dawes, Tor Reynolds, and Angie and Audrey of ORO Dance Company. 3pm.
Bronco 2
Monday 22, Sagebrush
Before the year ends, boot scoot over to this final lesson from Country Fried Dance and Neon Rainbows’ Ed West. Usually the advanced event, this Bronco 2’s open to every skill level as well as to all those interested in contributing to a potluck. Sign up for the dish you’re bringing via Neon Rainbows’ Insta. 7pm.
Eagle Chosen Family Xmas Dinner
Thursday 25, the Austin Eagle
Need a place to enjoy good food and warm company? Look no further than the Eagle, where a traditional Christmas dinner gets served right at 5pm. There’ll also be a hot chocolate social with this year’s Mr. and Ms. Eagle title holders as well as the Eagle Bootblack. Bring gently used or new sweaters to donate to keep that giving spirit alive. 4pm.
In the Calendar
The Summer Sauron Turned Pretty
Thursday 18 – Saturday 20, the Museum of Human Achievement
Annual traditions never sounded – or smelled – so good as the yearly MoHA holiday play. But what else could audiences expect from a writing team that includes local genii like Sam Mayer, Sawyer Stoltz, Megan Tabaque, and Best of Austin winners (separate awards) Roxy Castillo and Aira Juliet. An exciting mix of Christmas joy, Aughts-era cringe (Livejournal, anyone?), and Lord of the Rings fanfic fun, this tale of a middle-school girl helping save the One Ring from evil clutches features tons of Austin talent both onstage and behind the scenes – a worthy weekend visit before the holidays swallow us all whole. Friday shows are plumb sold out, but consider snapping up a ticket for either a 7 or 9pm showing most other days, some of which include Smell-O-Vision. Pro tip: Most of the GA tix with a custom, Billie Buck-designed cup added on are still available. – James Scott
The Dirty Bird Show
Sunday 21, the Austin Eagle
Out at Austin’s leather & gear bar is a show most fowl. Malibu Imported hosts every week with support from fellow local icons DeeGee Rey and Lady Grackle and a brunch served hot by the excellent Eagle chefs. This Sunday’s show offers a special thanks for those who’ve supported the show all year with gratis entry, but the real feather-ruffler is their special guest. Fresh off her massive win is season 2 Dragula Titans winner Evah Destruction – our very own hometown hero here to shake her tail feathers with the rest of the flock. Doors at noon, show’s at 1:30pm, and stick around for a 3 o’clock meet & greet. – James Scott
A Most ‘Memerable Holiday Evening
Sunday 21, Stateside at the Paramount
Your holly days just got a little jollier with a visit from the Glorious Two, Rebecca Havemeyer and Stanley Roy. Coming in all the way from NYC (Havemeyer, aka Paul Soileau) and New Orleans (Roy) is a real seasonal storm of fresh festive fun cooked up by these divas just for Austin. There’ll be song, dance, and even “hullabalooin’” to keep you warmed up during these sort-of cold nights. It’s classic campy Christmas chaos the way only this dynamic duo can deliver, so grab your tix to the 9pm showing soon! Their early show, 6:30pm, has already sold out. – James Scott
Last Chance Christmas Market
Sunday 21, the Little Gay Shop
Whoops! You forgot to get holiday gifts. Honestly, what an achievement given our capitalist culture begs you at every corner to shop, damn you, shop. Still, your loved ones deserve treats, so it’s a good thing intrepid small-biz the Little Gay Shop’s rounded up over 20 local & queer makers for a last-dash delight of giftables. Set up in the parking lot across from their 12th Street store, this market’s pet-friendly and features a totally free DIY gift wrap station. Your bacon? Consider it saved. – James Scott
How the Grackle Stole Christmas
Thursday 25, Oilcan’s
For all the sugar plums not snuggled in bed this Christmas night, Austin’s own Lady Grackle hosts her fourth annual Xmas show. There’ll be drag aplenty ’round this Fourth Street tree from friends Amber Nicole Davenport, Kara Foxx Paris, Cupcake, Jayden Daniels, and Nadine Hughes. C’mon, girly-pop: I know you wanna wear that new top you got right away and where better than the oldest gay bar in Bat City? ’Tis the freakin’ season! – James Scott
Better Luck Next Year?
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This article appears in December 19 • 2025.