Are you gay, straight, or a secret third option (bisexual without a South by Southwest Music/Film/Innovation badge)? Austin’s bevy of unofficial queer party options await you during this exciting South By epoch. Whether you’re here for the Fest or a local looking to enjoy good music, food, and prop work – the key to all successful fetes – LGBTQ Austin’s got a shindig to satisfy ya.
Monster’s Ball
Thursday 12, 9pm, 4211 Todd Lane
Eeek! Shrieks and screams of delightful debauchery echo from this warehouse hub taken over by BOOM Immersive. Inside are mega-sized checkers, a photo booth, speed dating, and even a pop-up Monster’s Shop where partygoers may decorate themselves in creature-rific clothes. Don’t forget to strut your grotesque garb on the runway for the Monster Walk Off. NOLA DJs Messy and Rusty Lazer headline as Chore Boys with support from local “TROLL-TRAP BOOTY-BASS WYTCH-POP” DJ Lady Vitamins. $25.09-71.30.
Chrissy Chlapecka
Friday 13, 7:30pm, Cheer Up Charlies
Paint your weekend in all shades of pink with “#BimboTok” personality and pop vocalist Chrissy Chlapecka. Her first-ever live show in Texas takes off with support from local opening act Turito as well as a pre-Chrissy drag show featuring Karabiner, Marilyn Moonlight, Cassie Opeia, Sir Dree, Maria Isabell Hernandez, and hosts Miss Steelya Girl, Damiana Divine, and Impulse Purchase. ATX vendors Clown Couture, Age of Aqueerius, Art by Adriotic, and Mod Mice fill out a li’l market, and DJs Dragonnqueen (outdoor) and BabiDoll (indoor) close out the whole affair. $23.18.
Campy Horror Picture Show
Friday 13 – Saturday 14, 7pm, Sterling Stage Austin
Time gets warped – as do a few other things – during this tribute to Richard O’Brien’s cult classic musical. Sixteen performers deliver their best distillations of iconic characters Riff Raff (Kass), Columbia (Reign), Eddie (Belle Cantata), Magenta (Princessa), Brad & Janet aka the Couple (Kitty Le Blanc & Dezzy Wicked, Elizabeth Lava & Yumi Desires, and Kaiti & Nora), Dr. Frank-N-Furter (special guest Amy Graves), the Narrator (Gemmi Galactic), and Rocky (the First Theydy). Dress up in cutesy lingerie or whatever makes you happy. Just make sure to also tip the artists, enter the raffle, and shop the pre-show vendor market. $15-65.
Neko Rave
Saturday 14, 8:30pm, Cheer Up Charlies
Get frisky with another Haus of Madnes party, this time inspired by curator Dani ZEN’s kitty-cats PapaFrita and ChickenNugget, both adoptees of the night’s beneficiary, Austin Pets Alive! Enjoy fur-flying fun with performances that span the globe from Kučka, Gaptoothv4mp, Keltiey, Yung Bambi, GashTheReaper, Honey Ant, ScamLikely, and Shakelia. ATX bands Leche, Track Five, and En Paz sharpen their claws on the indoor stage followed by Michael Rene Reyes III-led karaoke. Moon Mirage handles visuals, Woomy Aisaka heads up the dance battle, and local vendors and free eats keep y’all entertained between boogies. Two bucks outta every ticket purchase goes to help Austin animals, so this cat-scratch fever dream’s for a good cause. $12.51-23.18.
Girls on Aux: SXSW Edition
Sunday 15, 1:30pm, Coconut Club
Maybe you think this week’s all about Austin, but monthly music party Girls on Aux flips that script with a guest-star selection from Space City. Joining local stalwart Jos Tha DJ behind the Coco decks is DJ Ayoo, who’ll bring the spirit of Houston via scorching sets and seamless blends. Bring your appetite for what food vendor Tooo Sauccy serves up; bring a buck or two to huff a little 3PS Hookah; and definitely bring your best dance moves for daytime rooftop revelry. $17.
OUTlaw Pride
Sunday 15, 2pm, Dainty Dillo
Texas’ first queer country festival and event company have rustled up one hell of a lineup to celebrate their equally groundbreaking move into being a queer roots record label – and you’re invited! Headed up by singer-songwriter Julie Nolen, OUTlaw Pride has always brought country twang with a queer spin, and this show’s no different. Lineup stars include out-of-towners Melissa Carper & Bonnie Montgomery, Lydia Loveless, Paisley Fields, Sean Barna, Reilly Downes, and Wiley Gaby, as well as locals Steph Cash, Julie Bouchard, Connor McGee, and Nolen herself. Enjoy the tunes; shop the vendor market; and party with a light and airy conscience knowing that proceeds from food and drink purchases benefit Austin-area orgs Stonewall Sports and Transgender Education Network of Texas. Free.
Renossaince: The Renowned Renaissance Faire
Sunday 15, noon, the Far Out Lounge
The tagline on this day fest is “Bringing Back Ye Ol’ Austin,” but Renowned Magazine’s mega medieval takeover of this southside venue shines with modern Austin gems. Local icons and institutions stud the entire event lineup, including musical performances by Juni, Shiv, SexPop, Foam, Big Wy’s Brass Band, J’cuuzi, and BabiDoll; drag by Alexander the Great and Brigitte Bandit; full-contact sword duels by Austin Blood Guard; interactive quests hosted by Tiny Minotaur; cosplay and crafting tables by Anime Alliance of Austin; a “medieval weapons petting zoo” by the Historical Weapons Guild; and many mo wonderfull offringes besyde. That’s “a buncha other cool things,” for those of y’all who don’t read Middle English. $20-65.
TX Queer Country Club
Monday 16, 6pm, Sagebrush
Round up all your Western-wear-lovin’ homies for a hoedown most multihued. Local event co. Neon Rainbows showcases a pick-and-mix lineup of pure country candy including sweet tunes from She Returns From War, Paisley Fields, Reilly Downes & the Acid Cowboys, Bandana Cheyenna, Wiley Gaby, Jack Boaz, Bae Price, headliners Next of Kin, and spins by one DJ Ed West. Haven’t gotten your sweet-tooth satisfied just by country songs? Country Fried Dance offers a savory selection of queer two-stepping and line dancing to balance the whole party palette out. Free with RSVP.
Stay Out: Loud & Queer
Tuesday 17, noon, Continental Club
History happens during South By, but you don’t need a badge to catch it. Dream team the Backstage Brain and Nakia (who used to write for Qmmunity progenitor Gay Place) premiere what they say is the first-ever queer showcase at Continental Club. This new series uses the big stage to platform local artists across the rainbow spectrum with lineup members including She Returns From War, Parker Woodland, Quentin Arispe, Lucia Beyond, Retro Cowgirl, Nakia & the Never Not Now, and drag star Cynthia Lee Fontaine. Surprise guests still to be announced, but there’s already plenty to recommend this pioneering party from the Austin Music Award-nominated folks behind C-Boy’s weekly Out Late residency. Free.
This article appears in March 13 • 2026.