Austin International Drag Festival 2025
- September 18-21, 2025
- Austin. TX
The Austin International Drag Festival has grown from a niche gathering to one of the most anticipated celebrations of drag culture in Texas. Each year the festival brings together performers, fans, and curious newcomers for a long weekend that mixes glamorous stage shows with workshops, discussions and late‑night parties. Its tenth anniversary edition is set for 2025, giving regulars a chance to look back on a decade of drag innovation and newcomers an opportunity to discover why this event has become so beloved. The festival is not about competition or crowning winners but about providing a space where artists can experiment, collaborate and share their skills with a supportive crowd.
The next festival is scheduled to run from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 21, 2025. Organisers announced that events will again take place at the Midtown Austin Holiday Inn, a venue that has become a home base for the festival. Locals appreciate the convenient central location, and out‑of‑town attendees enjoy easy access to accommodation and public transport. Over four days the hotel’s ballroom and surrounding venues will host drag shows, comedy sets, live music, film screenings and artist panels. Daytime programming often begins with coffee gatherings and workshops before the crowds spill into performance spaces by late afternoon. Nights are capped off with after parties that blur the lines between audience and performer.
What sets the Austin International Drag Festival apart is its dedication to showcasing the diversity within drag. Performers range from established names who tour internationally to newcomers who are making their first appearance on a professional stage. Attendees can catch polished theatre‑style productions, raw experimental pieces, comedic lip‑sync routines and everything in between. A highlight of recent editions has been the Drag Village, a marketplace where vendors sell costumes, accessories and memorabilia while DJs keep the energy upbeat. For 2025 the festival is also planning the return of “KingFest,” a mini‑festival within the festival that focuses on drag kings and masc‑presenting performers, giving them dedicated space to tell their stories and connect with audiences.
Behind the performances is a nonprofit organisation committed to supporting marginalised communities in drag. Austin International Drag Festival is organised by a 501(c)(3) foundation that emphasises representation for Black, Indigenous, people of colour as well as transgender, non‑binary and gender‑fluid artists. The event intentionally invites performers from these communities and offers workshops and panels on topics such as navigating the entertainment industry, advocating for diversity and building sustainable careers. The organisers also collaborate with local charities and lgbtq+Q+ centres to fundraise and raise awareness. Many attendees return year after year not just for the shows, but because they feel part of a wider community that values inclusion and creativity.
Tickets for the 2025 festival will go on sale months in advance through the official festival website. Passes range from day tickets for casual visitors to VIP packages that include priority seating, backstage meet‑and‑greets and access to exclusive events. Because the festival is spread across multiple venues within the hotel and downtown Austin, organisers provide detailed schedules online so visitors can plan their days. They also offer discounted hotel rates through partnerships with the Holiday Inn to make the event more accessible. Those looking to support the festival beyond buying tickets can donate to the foundation or volunteer. Volunteers help with tasks such as registration, ushering and providing information to guests, and often cite the experience as a rewarding way to engage with the community.
As the Austin International Drag Festival approaches its tenth anniversary, organisers are reflecting on how far the event has come while looking ahead to future growth. In blog posts and social media updates they’ve hinted at new collaborations, more international performers and expanded educational programming. They have also encouraged artists from around the world to apply to perform, noting that the application process is open to amateurs and professionals alike. Whether you’re a longtime drag enthusiast or someone who has only watched a handful of performances, the 2025 festival promises a welcoming environment where curiosity is celebrated and self‑expression takes centre stage. The organisers’ message is simple: come as you are, bring your friends and celebrate the vibrant spectrum of drag culture.
For more information, schedules, performer applications and ticket sales, visit the festival’s official website below: