Spells and Sequins: The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Fall & Halloween Event Guide
The moment the leaves turn, the LGBTQ+ community begins preparations for its biggest holiday – Halloween. From mid-October through the Thanksgiving holiday, the US calendar is packed with legendary festivals, high-stakes drag performances, and charitable circuit parties.
If you’re looking for where to spend your energy (and show off your costume skills) between October 13th and the end of November, look no further.
The Witches’ Tour
Before the main event, several cities will be spellbound by a major traveling production that celebrates the intersection of queer performance and Halloween camp.
The highly-anticipated Hokus Pokus Live! tour, written and co-produced by Drag Race winner Ginger Minj, is crisscrossing the country, delivering a theatrical parody inspired by the cult-classic witchy film. The cast is a Drag Race and Dragula powerhouse, starring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Sapphira Cristál, and Landon Cider. This is more than a standard drag show; it’s a fully-scripted, high-production musical spectacle running throughout October. Key stops in the latter half of the month include: Boston (Oct 13), Red Bank, NJ (Oct 15), Wilmington, DE (Oct 16), Tampa, FL (Oct 18), Fort Lauderdale, FL (Oct 19), Dallas, TX (Oct 21), Phoenix, AZ (Oct 23), Anaheim, CA (Oct 25), and a closing night in Los Angeles, CA (Oct 26).
Destination Halloween: The Major Festivals (Oct 17 – Nov 2)
The third and fourth weekends of October are defined by three enormous, travel-worthy celebrations that attract global crowds.
The 10-day fantasy begins in Key West, Florida, with Fantasy Fest (Oct 17–26). The theme for 2025, “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters,” sets the stage for a week of hedonistic indulgence featuring body-painting contests, themed pool parties, and the famous Zombie Bike Ride. This is an absolute must for anyone seeking an all-out, tropical costume experience.
Staying in Key West immediately after Fantasy Fest, is the Key West Bear Weekend, which is back in force this year. With a new event called Jock Swap… it’s going to be fun. Book your tickets here, and head to www.keywestbearweekend.com for hotel recommendations.
The East Coast’s premiere circuit weekend, Halloween New Orleans (HNO) (Oct 24–26), is known for its high-production dance parties and philanthropic mission. Dedicated to raising money for those affected by AIDS, HNO’s “Myths & Legends” theme promises an epic weekend of spectacular fundraising events, culminating in a lively Second Line Parade through the French Quarter.
Provincetown, Massachusetts, hosts Spooky Bear Weekend (Oct 30–Nov 2). The seaside town embraces the ghoulish theme with multiple dances, parties, and the legendary Spooky Bear Costume Ball, offering a festive and focused community gathering.
The Ultimate Halloween Night Celebrations (October 28 – 31)
When the calendar hits Halloween, cities from coast to coast shut down streets for one-night-only events that demand a truly exceptional costume.
In Los Angeles, California, the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval (Oct 31) shuts down Santa Monica Boulevard, drawing up to half a million people for a colossal, free-to-attend street festival considered one of the world’s largest. Meanwhile, in Chicago, Illinois, the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade (Oct 31) is a spectacular parade known for its highly competitive costume contest, which awards thousands in prizes.
On the East Coast, the iconic Village Halloween Parade (Oct 31) in New York City is the unofficial home for every queer creative, with anyone in a costume invited to march. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Wicked Manors block party (Oct 31) takes over Wilton Drive for a massive outdoor fundraiser.
For the runners and the fierce, Washington D.C. hosts the iconic 17th Street High Heel Drag Race (Oct 28), where drag queens in full regalia and stilettos sprint down the avenue in a hilarious and fabulous pre-Halloween spectacle. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the HallowQueen Ball (Oct 31) provides a major costume competition with a hefty cash prize, benefitting the Utah Pride Center.
Late Fall Highlights (November)
The party continues past the night of the dead, with major regional events capping off the autumn.
The late-season festival energy moves to the desert for Greater Palm Springs Pride (Nov 6–9). This large-scale celebration, featuring a full parade and festival, is a favorite for ending the Pride calendar year in the warm California sun.
For the serious dance crowd, the circuit continues over the Thanksgiving break with the URGE Miami Thanksgiving Festival, which brings world-class DJs and pool parties to Miami Beach.
Is there an event we have missed? Let us know send an email to bearworldmag@grayjonesmedia.com
