So, we’ve reached the week or so between holidays where nothing counts. From Dec. 26 onward to the 31st, all bets are off and whatever bad habit you’ve staved off all year is allowed respite because, like. Who cares? 2025 is about to become a memory and a pretty bad one at that. Let yourself off the hook, if you’re not already doing so.
Maybe you’re looking for something to occupy all this weird time – a party, a drag show, a DJ set – in which case I advise you to check this week’s Qmmunity listings. If you’ve got the energy, why not expend it with our fabo local nightlife? Although I understand if the vibe’s a little lowkey, in which case I recommend searching out a January gay book club event. Checking now gives you just enough time to actually finish the book and have a few witty thoughts to share at the meeting. Trusty Austin options for this coming January include the Little Gay Shop’s Little Gay Book Club (Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid), BookPeople’s Y’all Means All Book Club (Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Dr. Kit Heyam, Ph.D.), and the Austin Public Library’s Reading the Rainbow Book Club both south (Hola Papi! by John Paul Brammer) and north (I Make Envy on Your Disco by Eric Schnall).
Speaking from personal experience, exchanging critical thoughts with fellow LGBTQ readers truly helped me while getting through an awful year – so if you’ve been thinking about cracking into a book club, I say do it! We could all stand to use our brain cells more, especially since they’re probably 70% microplastics by now. Who knows what new fascinating ideas lay inside those added polymers?
Girls on AUX
Friday 26, Coconut Club
Up on the rooftop spins Jos tha DJ, who welcomes special guest behind the decks Prissy P to deliver you gifts of hip-hop, Latin pop, and R&B vibes at this post-Christmas shindig. 9pm.
Christmas Cuntz & Villains
Friday 26, Cheer Up Charlies
These yuletide performers may be naughty, but this show will be a real nice time. Enjoy drag, a vendor market, a DJ set by Xoy, and much more in this continuation of holiday hype. 8:30pm.
Holigay Party
Saturday 27, Package Austin
Pop in for a geared-up holiday gathering from your friends at Package, who’re throwing this potluck party at their South First locale. 7pm.
Bear Maximum
Saturday 27, the Austin Eagle
It’s bear-demonium here at this all-night dance party featuring spins by DJs Sport Model and CBass. Local group the Austin Bears are on-site providing info on their goings-on, in case you need your ursine levels upped. 10pm.
Neon Rainbows Winter Formal
Saturday 27, Sagebrush
Wear your nicest pearl-snap and blue jeans for this end-of-the-year social featuring tunes by Devin Jake and the Rebecca Patek band. Plus, Neon Rainbows’ Ed West delivers a DJ set and Country Fried Dance leads partner two-step lessons. 7pm.
Drag Me to the Tavern: Cinderelliot
Saturday 27, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Catch this edition of Tiny Minotaur and TribRelation’s Masterpiece Theatre where the night’s theme is princely ball. Performances by the Trans Era, Venus Rising, Damiana Divine, and co-host Sir TRT help raise funds for royal host Sir Beau Elliot Esq. and his upcoming top surgery. 9:30pm.
Fresh Meat
Sunday 28, Highland Lounge
Eileen Dover kicks off a new beginner drag open mic, where up & coming performers get a slice of stage time. Win the night, and you’ll get a Friday gig at Highland, a booking in a future Eileen event, and a meaty side of bragging rights. 7pm.
New Queers Eve Masquerade
Wednesday 31, Chess Club
Spend the last night of 2025 with sensual sights performed by local burlesque babes the First Theydy, Jacki Moon, and Frankie Sinister, alongside dancing, a themed photo booth, and a midnight champers toast with Local Queer ATX. 9:30pm.
The Mother Monster Ball
Wednesday 31, Oilcan’s
You’ll go Gaga for this New Year’s Eve event, with host Brigitte Bandit guiding all little Monsters through to 2026. Plus, red carpet photos with a real faux-Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
New Year’s Eve Priority Pass
Wednesday 31, Oilcan’s and Rain on 4th
If you already know your NYE involves bar-hopping, why not take the stress out of entry at two of ’em? Oilcan Harry’s and Rain on 4th offer a $108 ticket that secures easy and quick entrance into both bars all night long with a free drink guaranteed at each. Physical and digital passes available.
This article appears in December 26 • 2025.