International Drag Festival

Every year, Austin trades its cowboy boots for stilettos and becomes the glitter-dusted capital of the drag universe for the Austin International Drag Festival. If you think you know “fabulous,” honey, you haven’t seen anything yet. Hundreds of drag artists—queens, kings, and every flavor in between—crash the city to serve looks, performances, and pure, unfiltered slayage.

So, what’s the tea? Imagine a four-day bender of comedy, camp, glamour, and gender-bending artistry that would make your grandma clutch her pearls. From iconic legends who paved the way to the fresh faces snatching crowns, this festival is a buffet of drag excellence. Whether you live for old-school ballroom culture or the high-production spectacle of modern drag, you’ll find your tribe here. It’s not just a show; it’s a full-blown celebration of creativity and queer community.

The chaos unfolds across multiple venues, so you get a tour of Austin while you chase your favorite performers. We’re talking late-night shows that bleed into sunrise, daytime panels where you can actually learn something, and afterparties that will test your will to live (in the best way, of course). If you’ve ever wanted to see Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” motto in its most glorious, sequined form, this is your pilgrimage.

But beyond the wigs and the reads, the Austin International Drag Festival is about connection. It’s your chance to meet the artists you stan, for up-and-coming performers to get their spotlight, and for all of us to revel in the art and activism that is drag.

Bottom line: if you love drag, or if you’re just a little drag-curious, this is where you need to be. So glue down that lace front, pack extra glitter, and get ready to join the most fabulous circus in town.