Splash Days Austin 2025
- 28 Aug 2025 - 1 Sep 2025
- Austin, TX
Splash Days Austin 2025 will take over Austin’s Labor Day weekend in late August 2025 with a string of parties and outdoor gatherings that celebrate the city’s vibrant lgbtq+Q+ community. The event began as a modest day trip to Hippie Hollow, the clothing‑optional park on Lake Travis, but it has grown into a long weekend of barge cruises, dance parties and benefit events that raise funds for local causes. The 2025 edition invites guests from around the U.S. to experience Austin’s legendary blend of nightlife, outdoor fun and Southern hospitality.
Splash Days is organized by volunteers as a fundraiser for Austin charities, and it highlights the importance of giving back while having a good time. The 2025 celebration will unfold over five days during Labor Day weekend, running from Thursday 28 August through Monday 1 September 2025. Each day features multiple parties at venues across downtown, culminating with outdoor gatherings at Hippie Hollow where hundreds of swimmers and party‑goers descend on Lake Travis. Organizers encourage participants to attend events across the city, support local businesses and remember that the weekend is about community and inclusion.
The schedule kicks off on Thursday evening, 28 August, with Bobby Cook’s Splash Days Strip‑Off at Rain on 4th, a cheeky opener that sets the tone for a weekend of friendly competition. On Friday night the action moves to Oil Can Harry’s for the Summer House Party, a sweaty, high‑energy night that draws a diverse crowd and keeps the dancefloor packed. Saturday afternoon features the Official Splash Pool Party at East Austin Hotel, where music and cocktails flow by the poolside until early evening. Saturday night is the Main Event at a downtown venue, with internationally known DJ Isis Muretech spinning a high‑production set for hundreds of revelers. After‑hours events continue into the early morning with DJ Vicky Kuba and other local favorites. On Sunday night the Closing Party offers a final chance to dance with friends old and new, while Monday morning’s sunrise session with DJ Alex Ramos allows die‑hards to say goodbye to the weekend in style.
A highlight of Splash Days is “Second Splash,” the day at Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis. Hippie Hollow is about 20 miles (30 minutes) west of downtown Austin; it is reached via a scenic drive and offers a clothing‑optional cove where local lgbtq+Q+ residents have gathered for decades. Entry to the party is free, but visitors must pay the park fee – $15 per vehicle or $8 per person for walkers and cyclists – and only cash or check is accepted. The park often reaches capacity on holiday weekends, and those who arrive late may be turned away. Once inside, participants follow the paved walkway to the far end of the park, where the gay section offers rocky but comfortable spots to sunbathe and swim.
Sunday’s barge party is the event’s signature spectacle. Several of Austin’s gay bars charter party barges, stock them with bartenders and DJs, and anchor them in the cove at Hippie Hollow. Barges operate from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, and participants who want to drink from the barge must obtain a wristband from one of the sponsor bars. The lakeside party is open to everyone aged 18 and over, making it a welcoming space for people across generations to meet and relax. Attendees should bring sun protection, plenty of water and appropriate footwear for the rocky shoreline, and they are reminded to pack out all trash to help keep the lake beautiful. For those who prefer to stay on land, the pool party and late‑night events in downtown Austin provide plenty of alternatives.
Austin’s gay scene is centered in the Warehouse District along 4th Street, and Splash Days makes use of many of the neighborhood’s venues. Rain on 4th hosts drag shows and theme nights; Oil Can Harry’s features multiple bars and a dance floor; and Cedar Street Courtyard offers an open‑air space for live music and shows. Newer hotspots like Neon Grotto add rooftop views and a neon‑themed lounge to the mix. Beyond these venues, participants will find dozens of lgbtq+Q‑friendly bars, coffeehouses and restaurants within walking distance downtown. Organizers encourage visitors to explore the city, support queer‑owned businesses and enjoy Austin’s live music, street food and cultural attractions.
Because Splash Days coincides with Labor Day weekend, travel and accommodation should be booked well in advance. The event attracts visitors from across Texas and beyond, and hotels near downtown often sell out. Parking around the venues is limited, so attendees are advised to walk, use public transit, rideshare services or carpool. For those driving to Hippie Hollow, carpooling helps reduce traffic and parking fees. It is also important to plan ahead for hydration and sun protection, as August temperatures in Austin frequently climb above 35 °C (95 °F).
Splash Days Austin 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration that combines community activism with unforgettable parties. With a full schedule of events from Thursday through Monday, a lakeside escape at Hippie Hollow, and dance floors soundtracked by international DJs, the weekend offers something for everyone. Whether you join the barge flotilla on Lake Travis or dance the night away at one of the downtown venues, you will be supporting local charities and affirming Austin’s reputation as the lgbtq+Q+ capital of Texas.
Splash Days is organized by volunteers as a fundraiser for Austin charities, and it highlights the importance of giving back while having a good time. The 2025 celebration will unfold over five days during Labor Day weekend, running from Thursday 28 August through Monday 1 September 2025. Each day features multiple parties at venues across downtown, culminating with outdoor gatherings at Hippie Hollow where hundreds of swimmers and party‑goers descend on Lake Travis. Organizers encourage participants to attend events across the city, support local businesses and remember that the weekend is about community and inclusion.
The schedule kicks off on Thursday evening, 28 August, with Bobby Cook’s Splash Days Strip‑Off at Rain on 4th, a cheeky opener that sets the tone for a weekend of friendly competition. On Friday night the action moves to Oil Can Harry’s for the Summer House Party, a sweaty, high‑energy night that draws a diverse crowd and keeps the dancefloor packed. Saturday afternoon features the Official Splash Pool Party at East Austin Hotel, where music and cocktails flow by the poolside until early evening. Saturday night is the Main Event at a downtown venue, with internationally known DJ Isis Muretech spinning a high‑production set for hundreds of revelers. After‑hours events continue into the early morning with DJ Vicky Kuba and other local favorites. On Sunday night the Closing Party offers a final chance to dance with friends old and new, while Monday morning’s sunrise session with DJ Alex Ramos allows die‑hards to say goodbye to the weekend in style.
A highlight of Splash Days is “Second Splash,” the day at Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis. Hippie Hollow is about 20 miles (30 minutes) west of downtown Austin; it is reached via a scenic drive and offers a clothing‑optional cove where local lgbtq+Q+ residents have gathered for decades. Entry to the party is free, but visitors must pay the park fee – $15 per vehicle or $8 per person for walkers and cyclists – and only cash or check is accepted. The park often reaches capacity on holiday weekends, and those who arrive late may be turned away. Once inside, participants follow the paved walkway to the far end of the park, where the gay section offers rocky but comfortable spots to sunbathe and swim.
Sunday’s barge party is the event’s signature spectacle. Several of Austin’s gay bars charter party barges, stock them with bartenders and DJs, and anchor them in the cove at Hippie Hollow. Barges operate from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, and participants who want to drink from the barge must obtain a wristband from one of the sponsor bars. The lakeside party is open to everyone aged 18 and over, making it a welcoming space for people across generations to meet and relax. Attendees should bring sun protection, plenty of water and appropriate footwear for the rocky shoreline, and they are reminded to pack out all trash to help keep the lake beautiful. For those who prefer to stay on land, the pool party and late‑night events in downtown Austin provide plenty of alternatives.
Austin’s gay scene is centered in the Warehouse District along 4th Street, and Splash Days makes use of many of the neighborhood’s venues. Rain on 4th hosts drag shows and theme nights; Oil Can Harry’s features multiple bars and a dance floor; and Cedar Street Courtyard offers an open‑air space for live music and shows. Newer hotspots like Neon Grotto add rooftop views and a neon‑themed lounge to the mix. Beyond these venues, participants will find dozens of lgbtq+Q‑friendly bars, coffeehouses and restaurants within walking distance downtown. Organizers encourage visitors to explore the city, support queer‑owned businesses and enjoy Austin’s live music, street food and cultural attractions.
Because Splash Days coincides with Labor Day weekend, travel and accommodation should be booked well in advance. The event attracts visitors from across Texas and beyond, and hotels near downtown often sell out. Parking around the venues is limited, so attendees are advised to walk, use public transit, rideshare services or carpool. For those driving to Hippie Hollow, carpooling helps reduce traffic and parking fees. It is also important to plan ahead for hydration and sun protection, as August temperatures in Austin frequently climb above 35 °C (95 °F).
Splash Days Austin 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration that combines community activism with unforgettable parties. With a full schedule of events from Thursday through Monday, a lakeside escape at Hippie Hollow, and dance floors soundtracked by international DJs, the weekend offers something for everyone. Whether you join the barge flotilla on Lake Travis or dance the night away at one of the downtown venues, you will be supporting local charities and affirming Austin’s reputation as the lgbtq+Q+ capital of Texas.