Event Dates
From: Thursday, September 18, 2025
To: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Austin International Drag Festival 2025
Austin becomes the centre of the Drag Universe every November as hundreds of drag artist from all over the world
Austin International Drag Festival 2025
Austin becomes the centre of the Drag Universe as hundreds of drag artists from all over the world descend upon the city to entertain drag fans and each other.
- Visiting Austin for the event? Stay close to the gay bars and clubs in the downtown district. Guests love the Fairmont Austin giving the hotel a “Superb” rating. It is also host to the official pride pool party and features spacious rooms and central location.
The Performances
- Next Edition – Thursday 18th September 2025 – Sunday 21st September, 2025.
- Austin Drag Festival host the creme de la creme of the Drag world with more than 400 performances taking place over the weekend event.
- This year they have TWO Festivals in one. There will be a mini festival celebrating Drag Kings called KingFest.
- Then the full festival takes over for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where you will celebrate everything Drag (and yes, the Kings will be there too!)
- Events take place at The Holiday Inn Midtown Austin, an 8-minute drive from Texas Memorial Stadium, this modern hotel is located next to Interstate 35 and 11-minutes from the gay bars in the downtown district.
The Drag Village
- The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Midtown Austin.
- The Drag Village is hosted at a different hotel each year and is where all the daytime festival activities will take place including KingFest!
- (All Day Drag King celebration from 3pm to 10pm on the Thursday of the festival), Drag Village Showcases, Drag Market, Meet & Greet area, Panels, Workshops, Glamour Lounge, Photography Studio, Hospitality Suite, Welcome Dinner & Show, After Hours events, and so much more!
- In the evenings a fleet of Drag Shuttle buses run a route between the host hotel and the Red River Cultural District where the nightly Drag Showcases will be taking place.
Gay Austin
- Most of the gay bars are located in the downtown district, all within easy walking distance.
- Stay at the East Austin Hotel for a unique Austin welcome, amazing pool and spacious rooms.
Recommended Hotels in Austin
The following Austin Hotels are all close to the gay bars
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
The Hotel ZaZa is the perfect place
to stay, close to the gay scene, great pool
Official Website
For further information and advice on
The International Drag Festival Facebook
Gay Map of Austin
The gay clubs in Austin are largely centered around the 4th street gay district and don’t get going until around midnight. Most of the city’s gay bars are within walking distance not only of each other but of dozens of other cool mainstream bars and clubs downtown, mostly in the hip Warehouse District that’s between the Texas Capitol building and the Colorado River. The gay scene in Austin is well integrated with the town so people mix and you’ll often spot gay folks hanging out at the music clubs, trendy lounges, coffeehouses, and restaurant bars that everyone else in town likes.
Also, Austin is home to a very popular and scenic gay sunbathing area, Hippie Hollow Park, a county-operated, clothing-optional park that’s about a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown, on the rocky but scenic shore of Lake Travis.
101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a bath or shower. Fairmont Austin features some units with city views, and rooms are fitted with a coffee machine.
304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Guest rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bath or shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. At Austin Marriott Downtown each room has bed linen and towels
211 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown offers air-conditioned accommodation & features a bar called Coffee to Cocktails that serves light appetizers. The property has a swimming pool and a fitness centre. A number of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and hiking.
111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
The LINE Austin features free bikes and outdoor swimming pool in the heart of Austin. Featuring a bar, In-room amenities include complimentary WiFi, floor-to-ceiling windows with lake and city views, and a fully stacked minibar. Other amenities include a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
91 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
The accommodation is air conditioned There is a seating & dining area with a flat-screen TV, a kitchen fitted with a dishwasher. Every unit features a private bathroom with free toiletries. Free WiFi
Austin, TX 78701
Key apartment features include: king-size bed with memory foam mattress, Queen-size sleeper sofa, Fully equipped kitchen, living room with smart TV, Ultra high-speed Internet. One free parking space
201 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
Each unit at the apart-hotel is fitted with air conditioning, private bathroom and kitchen with dishwasher, a living room. Offering an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Free business-class Wi-Fi
301 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Every unit features a private bathroom & bath or shower, air conditioning, Living room & a dining area in all units. guests can enjoy a fitness & business centre, a shared lounge & garden. Free WiFi, & parking
404 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
Austin's ONLY Gay Nightclub!!!
High Energy- High Volume, 3- Level Dance Club, with BASS BOSS Soundsystem and Lightshow! Largest Dance Floor in the ATX!!! Drag Show Every Friday and Saturday
404 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
The Jackalope is Austin’s favorite and most famous gay dive bar with incredible food. We serve up burgers consistently voted as one of the best in a city known for great burgers, as well as receiving national recognition for the excellence of both our food and our lively and uniquely “Austin” bar experience. We are located in the heart of Austin’s Historic District, smack in the middle of one of the country’s great entertainment districts
900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
This gay vegan bar could be described as a colorful cabin, with a large outdoor music venue behind it.
121 W 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
Bears, Cubs, Otters, Wolfs, Leather, Fetish and all their admirers!
Proudly Bear owned and Operated
217B W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Fun upscale gay lounge bar always busy
211 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Austin’s Oldest Gay Bar Popular with the younger boys,
Recommended Hotels in Austin By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in the old town of Austin that keep you close to all the shops and restaurants
Fairmont Austin Gold
5 Star, Great Pool
- 5 Star, Great Pool, Downtown luxury, extravagant dining.
- A short walk to the gay bars.
- 5-star, luxury accommodation.
- The epitome of downtown luxury with superb dining options, a relaxing spa, & meeting facilities.
Hyatt Place
4 Star – Central
- 4 Star, Pool, fitness center, light appetizers.
- Close to the gay district.
- Air-conditioned, flat-screen TV.
- Central location with cozy rooms, offering activities like cycling & hiking nearby.
The LINE Austin
4 Star, Nice Pool
- 4 Star, Pool – Free bikes, outdoor pool.
- Close to the gay district.
- Lake, city views, minibar.
- Situated in the heart of Austin, offering picturesque lake and city views & variety of amenities.
Austin Marriott
4 Star, Location
- 4 Star, Air-conditioned, flat-screen TV.
- Close to the gay district.
- Seating area, safety deposit.
- Comfortable stay with modern amenities in a perfect location for exploring Austin’s downtown area.
Video Of Austin International Drag Festival
Bijou Bentley – Austin International Drag Festival
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