Event Dates
From: Thursday, August 28, 2025
To: Monday, September 1, 2025
It is the hottest and sexiest party in the lone star state!
SPLASH DAYS AUSTIN 2025
Splash Days Austin is a Labor day weekend party raising funds from the LGBT community in Texas. It is the hottest and sexiest party in the lone star state!
- Austin is a popular Labor Day Weekend Escape, so book early. We recommend you stay in the downtown district. Guests love the Fairmont Austin giving the hotel a “Superb” rating with a stunning rooftop pool and features spacious rooms and a central location.
Splash Days (Second Splash)
- Next Edition: Thursday 28th August – Monday 1st September, 2025.
- Each year, during the Labor Day Weekend, the people of Austin head to the lake at Hippy Hollow to escape the heat and cool down in one of the few nudist-friendly bathing areas in Texas.
- The gay exodus to Hippy Hollow is known as Splash Days, a one-day trip to Lake Travis, that has since morphed into a weekend of circuit parties, drag brunches and barge parties.
- The gay section of Lake Travis is at the very end of the park. Keep on the paved walkway until it runs out … and you’re at the gay area.
- Stay right by Lake Travis – check out the hotels closest to the party.
Barges and Wristbands
- Sunday, August 31st, 2025 – Party barge tickets can be purchased on the Splash Days website
- The event at Hippie Hollow from 9 AM to 8.30 PM. Parking lot fills up early so arrive early to the park or plan to arrive by sea!
- Splash party at the lake is open to everyone, 18 and up – that’s the rule at Hippie Hollow.
- Stay at the LGBT run Hotel Saint Cecilia offering swanky suites and bungalows, plus a stunning terrace with a lap pool.
The Pool Party
- Saturday 31st August, 2024 – From 1 pm to 7 pm –Featuring International DJ Dani Brasil. Tickets can sell out a week to two weeks in advance so buy early.
- The Official Second Last Splash Pool Party at the East Austin Hotel, a gay hotspot thanks to its proximity to the downtown district, hikes and trails, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.
- Downtown Austin is full of a range of dining, nightlife, and entertainment options, including several gay bars and clubs.
Signature Events and Parties
- Thursday 28th – 10PM – Bobby Cook’s Splash Days Strip-Off – Rain on 4th
A cheeky and crowd-pleasing opener hosted by Bobby Cook.- Friday 29th – 10PM – Summer House Party – Oil Can Harry’s
The energy builds with a sweaty, packed Friday night throwdown.- Saturday 30th – 10PM – Splash Weekend Main Event with DJ Isis Muretech & Performances by Rupaul Drag Race All Star Denali! – Location: Speakeasy Ballroom. Pro Tip, Platinum VIP Weekend Pass holders get access to Denali Meet & Greet
High production, big crowd, and a peak-night set from a global favorite.- Sunday 31st – 2AM to 5:30AM – After Hours with International DJ DJ Vicky Kuba – Location: Speakeasy Cabaret
For those still going strong, deep into the night.- Sunday 31st – 9PM – High Tide Official Closing Party – Location: Roma/Reina
Final push before the afters. Expect a sexy vibe with friends new and old.- Monday 1st – 2AM to 6AM – After Hours with DJ Alex Ramos –
Location Highland Lounge. One last sunrise session to say goodbye to Splash Days with style.The Park – Hippie Hollow
- Hippie Hollow Park is located on the shores of Lake Travis in western Travis County, approximately 20 miles from downtown Austin. It is usually a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic. If driving, use the address 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732 on your navigation app.
- Entry to the party is free, BUT there is a fee to get into the park. $8 per person if you walk or bike in. Cash or check only, no credit/debit cards.
- There is no fee if you come off the lake on a boat. Please note that Hippie Hollow Park generally reaches capacity on holiday weekends, so parking lot will close between 11am and 2pm.
- The park is closed for the remainder of the day when at capacity. So don’t be surprised if you’re turned away at the gate when you show up late in the afternoon.
The Venues
- Neon Grotto – Neon-themed nightclub has great rooftop views, regular drag shows and DJs spinning late into the night.
- Rain on 4th – Popular gay bar and lounge with dancefloor, friendly bar staff, theme nights and great location.
- Oil Can Harry’s Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 9pm. Satisfy all of your carnal desires in the sexiest and darkest entertainment venue in Austin!
- Highland Lounge – Three-story LGBTQ+ dance club with six bars, drag shows, VIP bottle service and a sprawling Warehouse District dance floor
- Speakeasy Cabaret – Downtown Austin entertainment venue running since around 1997. Known for its multiple levels—Music Lounge, Bowling Mezzanine, Kabaret Room, and the rooftop Terrace59—it offers live music, vintage bowling lanes, games, and panoramic skyline views Fever +9
Where to stay during the Austin Splash Weekend
Most of the gay bars are located in Downtown and you can walk from one to the other. The following hotels are currently trending with our readers:
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Hotel ZaZa is the perfect place
to stay, close to the gay scene, great pool
For further information and advice on
Splash Days visit Facebook
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!
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,
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