Qmmunity: Halloweekend Trends

Okay, so here are all the trends I’ve observed while writing up the panoply of gay Halloween events. First, and this is true every year, but you literally have SO many options for costume contests. Every event offers a chance to strut your costumed stuff with varying prize money amounts attached – so pick based on your level of monetary need, or whichever crowd you believe can be wow’d easier. 

Second trend is less attached to Halloweekend specifically, but did y’all also catch how many Rocky Horror productions got scheduled this month? I’ll chalk up the uptick in Frank-N-Furters to Tim Curry tributes, unless there was a huge sale at the fishnet factory I’ve yet to learn about. 

Trend No. 3? This All Hallows’ Eve has a full deck, by which I mean it’s DJs all the way down the schedule. Take your pick of spin-meisters scoring the scares – but be warned! Once you get into the groove, you’ll be boogie-ing until the grave!

And there you have it, the big Things of Halloween 2026. We’ll see how the actual weekend shakes out, but I hope to see a third trend emerge: everyone getting home safe, hydrated, and mindful about removing their makeup before bed. Too much to hope for? Guess I’ll have to cast a spell on all y’all, instead. Abracadabra, baby!

Glamp Glamp: Cats & Buttholes Thursday 29, Lynny’s on 12th

Don’t over anal-lyze this queer open mic performance night’s theme; bring whatever you want to show the Lynny’s stage by the 6pm sign-up time. 7pm.

Body Horror  Thursday 29, RSVP for location

At a secret spot revealed only over text, Scissor Sisters ATX alongside Dragonnqueen offer a sapphics-only intro to kink combined with a pulse-pounding party. Featuring adult entertainment, dancers, DJ sets, and no cameras allowed. 10pm.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Thursday 29 – Friday 30 and Thursday 5 – Saturday 7, Ark Park and Esther’s Follies

Catch this much-discussed UT student shadowcast of Rocky Horror Picture Show either solo over at Pearl Street Co-op’s Ark Park (Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 6-7) or partnered up with Esther’s crew (Nov. 5). Check @creatureofthenight._ for tickets and showtimes. 

Actually Scared: Night of Mischief Friday 30, Oilcan’s

Xoy brings the haunts to this Friday DJ showcase with sets by Ledef (San Antonio), Dragonnqueen, Sicc Puppy, and herself. Plus, a horror costume contest with a $100 prize via Vivent Health. 9pm.

Helioween: The Mothership Friday 30, Helios Co-op

Campy creep hits Austin streets with the arrival of this UFO featuring drag by Sir Maxim, Miss Steelya Girl, and Mars Morningstar alongside live tunes by Seluna, Violet the First Time, and Souveniir. 8pm.

Halloween Spooktacular Friday 30, Cherrywood Center

Get freaked for this night of performance art, drag, and music presented by Sip & 8bit. Plus, J. Marie deals tarot readings and Joaquina, aka Homebugz, offers sun catchers. 7:30pm.

Date the Capital Friday 30, the One

Two cities, both alike in DJ-ty, join up for a Halloweekend soulset special featuring sets by Jos Tha DJ (Lez in the Capital), VVN (Stramango), and Mak (Proper Women) as well as spoken word, mash-ups, and more. 8pm.

Long Live The Black Parade Drag Tribute Friday 30, Elysium

Another emo salute from Brigitte Bandit marches through Red River with co-presenters Boyz of Austin as this iconic My Chemical Romance album hits 20 years. Plus, a photo booth by Izzy Gazette. 9:30pm.

Bitchcraft Friday 30, Swan Dive

Conjure a good time with Sister Fisters at their Hallows’ Eve event featuring DJ sets by Angel Doll and Relatabel, performances from Salem Doll, Nixi, Ruby Knight, and Lavender Thug, and Cupcake on hosting duties. 9:30pm.

Saints & Sinners Halloween Party Friday 30, Highland Lounge

The Cvntinerary prepares y’all a cvnty party featuring drag, DJ spins, a Halloween toast, and hostesses with the mostesses Athena Dion and Nadine Hughes. 10pm.

T-Virus: A Resident Evil Drag Show Friday 30, Valhalla

Red River becomes Raccoon City for one night only with this video game-inspired show hosted by Open Carrie and Fairy Petite, and featuring an all-trans drag cast. 10pm.

Slay of the Dead Vol. III Friday 30, the Secret Lantern

Cedar Park Pride plays ringleader for this haunting happening with all-ages queeraoke, burlesque, and a special Day of the Dead community ofrenda. 6pm.

I Love Gay Halloween Saturday 31, Hyperreal Film Club

For those of you who aren’t chronically online, allow me to explain the title of this event. Gay people are the most referential, unserious people on the planet, which has inspired a wave of viral Halloween costumes based not on your classic goblins and ghouls or even famous movie characters, but über-niche background extras, pop culture moments, and other ridiculous figures only those on PrEP and/or antidepressants are wont to recognize. Hyperreal is already the native habitat for most of us folks anyway, so it only makes sense that they’re turning their microcinema into a devil’s dance floor this Hallows’ Eve, complete with haunted hooch and a costume contest. If you see a Courtney Love-accosted Madonna there, say hey. – Carys Anderson

Drag Me to the Tavern: Halloween Edition Saturday 31, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

From the deep creeps out this fantasy drag showcase hosted by Sir Beau Elliot and featuring Ethel Institution, Gothess Jasmine, and Senor Sissa Muerta. 9:30pm.

Haunted Honky Honk Hoedown Saturday 31, the Hartyard

Join the Clownmmunity for a bone-afide good time of clown cowpokes, spooky art, a costume contest, line-dancin’, a monstrous bake sale, and much more. 8pm.

Sapphic Writers Circle Halloween Party Saturday 31, Family Eldercare

Eek! An earlier-than-usual start time for this weekly writers’ meetup might shock some, but your fears should be assuaged by the cute Halloween craft and potluck planned. Come in costume, if you dare. 2pm.

Brigitte’s Haunted Halloween Hoedown Saturday 31, Stoney’s Good Time Ranch

The only thing more terrifying than missing out on this drag show hosted by Brigitte Bandit and featuring Sir Maxim, Miss Steelya Girl, Moxie, and special guest Mama Bandit is not having enough cash to tip ‘em all. 9pm.

Yeehawloween Saturday 31, Austin Motel

Neon Rainbows brings the country creeps out for a Halloween hurrah featuring drag, DJ sets by Ed West, a costume contest, vendor market, and a heated pool that’ll keep those skeletons from clattering. 4pm.

Market Macabre Saturday 31, Tweedy’s & 29th Street Ballroom

From the cool events triumverate of Howdy Gals, Glaze, and Whiskey River Vintage comes a creepily well-curated array of vendors – vintage to tarot to vegan food. Plus, drink specials, a photobooth, and DJ spins all night. 2pm + 9pm.

The Haunted Happy Hour Saturday 31, the Violet Crown Wine and Coffee

Pre-Hallows’ Eve sips at this queer-owned wine shop promise orange wine specials and themed cocktails, but if you’ve got kiddos, too, come at 4pm for special child-friendly treats. 7pm.

Halloween Carnival Saturday 31, Rain on 4th

Come during daylight hours to Fourth for a no-cover Halloween bash featuring drag by Diamond Dior Davenport and Mars as well as games, a costume contest, and go-go dancers grooving to DJ Eriq Stylez spins. Noon.

NightBears on 6th Street Saturday 31, the Iron Bear

Freaky fun’s happening on Sixth at this un-bearably fun party featuring shot specials, spins by DJ Mike, and a costume contest with a $200 prize. 9pm.

Out & About Halloween ATX Saturday 31, Cheer Up Charlies

Pump up the beats while in your Halloween beat as a five-star DJ lineup including VVN, Oh!V, Cherry Crush, Orya, and DJ Miho take to the decks. Plus, a costume contest. 8pm.

Drag Becomes Her Sunday 1, Ezov

Raising funds for local queer theatre and solving a drag murder mystery? All this and more await at Austin Rainbow Theatre’s fundraising brunch featuring performers Cupcake, Ritzy Bitz, and Lawrie Bird at the center of a cursed little caper. 12:30pm. 

Hottieween Sunday 1, Cheer Up Charlies

Aira Juliet hosts this Halloween-night redux for all those who missed Saturday’s fun with flash tattoos, free STI testing, costume karaoke, a cash prize twerk-off, spins by Xoy and Lidia Beatz, and 25% off for our service industry icons. Hungry for more? Have a Hot Dyke HQ glizzy, on-site. 8pm.

Día de los Muertos Sunday 1, allgo

Remember those who’ve passed before us and celebrate their lives with allgo’s altar exhibition and celebration. Featuring live performances, a reception, and more. 5pm.

Rope Sunday 1, Cheer Up Charlies

What do you get when you combine two boy best friends and one murder most foul? The recipe for a Hitchcock thriller based on the real-life Leopold and Loeb case, which Soft Focus screens this Sunday. 5:30pm.

Sana Sana: El Sagrado Aniversario Tuesday 3, Ani’s Day & Night

Traumada hosts this edition of the all-ages open mic, with 10 slots available to queer POC and special guest performances by Damiana Divine, Ethel Institution, and Kino Kino. 7pm.

King of Drag Watch Party Tuesday 3, Oilcan’s

Get real with star of KoD season 1 Alexander the Great at this screening of episode 7 of season 2 with San Antonio’s Papi Culo. Expect drama, behind-the-scenes details, and live drag performances. 8:30pm.

OUTsider Happy Hour Wednesday 4, Butterfly Bar

Austin’s experimental transmedia festival invites one and all to this exclusive sneak peek of their 2027 lineup – and to share a delicious drink or two. 5:30pm.

Raindrops Wednesday 4, Rain on 4th

Divas unite in a tribute to visiting headliners Doja Cat and Katseye as Basura hosts this tribute featuring Midnight and Mars. 10:30pm.

QBWA Game Night Wednesday 4, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

You’ll never be bored at this board game night, where Queer Black Women Alliance invites all LGBTQIA+ BIPOC gamers to the table. Donations suggested ($10) but no one’s turned away for lack of funds. Nicky Drayden hosts. 7pm.

First Thursday Thursday 5, Top Drawer Thrift

Shop the gayest thrift store in town after hours to find the coolest scores and have a little wine spritzer. 5:30pm.

Bisexual Sadness Thursday 5 – Sunday 22, Trinity Street Playhouse

People might think that bisexual folks have it all because their options are technically more open. But when they choose a partner of the opposite sex, how does that affect their place in the queer community? That’s the conundrum explored in this comedic play by L.A.’s India Kotis, directed by Will Gibson Douglas. Faye (Kelsey Mazak) is about to marry a man she loves, but part of her wishes he were a woman. Find out how Faye approaches her nuptials while exploring how who she loves affects how other people see her in this play they swear is funnier than it sounds. A special champagne opening pops off Friday with a reception following the performance. – Kat McNevins

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