Whether you’re single and ready to secure your next U-Haul passenger, or in your Bette and Tina fuzzy-slippers era, this list of the best and biggest lesbian celebrations in the United States is sure to seduce you into (or at the very least considering) leaving your cats at home and setting aside your TikTok-inspired oat milk latte for a collective adventure.
The hot lesbian, bi and trans fun definitely doesn’t have to start or stop with Pride. Use this guide to the biggest lesbian parties to map out your queercations for the next year. Most of these events take place in the spring, summer and fall, providing safe and accepting spaces for the WLW community and celebrating womyn of all genders, colours, shapes, sizes and sexual orientations.
Stargaze Festival
Tolland, Massachusetts
August 25–27, 2023
All fire-stoking, tent-pitching, nature-loving ladies and lesbos rise for this one-of-a-kind event that sets a perfect Sapphic scene to relax and revel in the outdoors. This musically motivated lakeside event—three days, two nights—takes place at Camp Timber Trails (1266 East Otis Rd., Tolland, Massachusetts), and is the perfect gay getaway for everyone who has ever tried and failed to wrangle their city-loving friends into attending a group camping trip. Tickets will be sold up to the event date and accommodations range from a spot of land on which to post your tent, to rustic cabin rentals. All tickets include access to the art-focussed activities, yoga sessions, workshops, dance parties and concerts. The 2023 performer lineup features Kate Vargas & The Reckless Daughters, The Femmes, Genie Santiago, Adrienne Mack-Davis and others. Stargaze promises a space for all women, non-binary and trans people to feel unbound by societal expectations during their stay.
Womenfest
Key West, Florida
September 6–10, 2023
You and your gang will definitely want to catch this four-day festival of women-fuelled fun that offers more than enough excitement to bring tears of queer joy to any lesbian’s eyes. This well-established festival for lesbian, queer, bi and trans women attracts thousands of participants each year. This event team really knows how to take the weight off of an itinerary-loving lesbian’s shoulders with days packed with a variety of relationship-forming and fun activities at various venues. From cornhole competitions on the beach, to poetry slams at the local jazz club, this festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Alexander’s Guesthouse (1118 Fleming St., Key West, Florida) will be the host hotel in 2023, and they make it their mission to create a safe space for those that identify as LGBTQ2S+. Most events are individually priced, so pick and choose what fits your pace of partying.
The Dinah
Palm Springs, California
September 20–24, 2023
It would be nearly impossible to put together any kind of list of lesbian events without this pool-party-styled one coming in at the top. This queer whirlwind takes place this year at the Margaritaville Resort and Spa (1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs). With more than 15,000 femmes, theys and thems feverishly flocking to the desert town, this pussy-poppin’ party boasts being the largest queer/lesbian/non-binary event in the world. The focus has been more and more on the music and 2023’s event features hot queer artists like Princess Nokia, G Flip and Phem. (Read our spotlight on The Dinah promoter Mariah Hanson here.)
Girls in Wonderland
Orlando, Florida
May 30–June 3, 2024
If you’re noticing a nearly-naked poolside theme happening in this list, that’s probably because many lesbians love an excuse to show up to a party wearing next to nothing just as much as the next gay. This event attracts some of the hottest and most influential LGBTQ2S+ artists, DJs and celebrities including, in 2024, Leisha Hailey and the entire cast of The Real L Word. GIW hosts their femme fatale festival at the Wyndham Orlando Resort (8001 International Dr., Orlando, Florida) and has a live countdown on their website in an attempt to appease the eager lesbians already anticipating the 2024 event.
Womxn of Color Weekend
Provincetown, Massachusetts
May 30–June 2, 2024
With Provincetown’s long history of being a gay haven, it’s no surprise that they host some of the best queer gatherings today. WoCW is a spectacularly Sapphic four-day option for women, trans, non-binary and genderfluid people of colour and their allies who want to celebrate together in a series of workshops, shows, parties and meals at venues around the area. Founded in 2007, WoCW aims to help diversify Provincetown through its events, which in 2024 include writing and sexual exploration workshops, game nights, yoga sessions, open mic shows and creatively themed parties. They also welcome vendors who want to offer products and services that might benefit the LGBTQ2S+ and POC communities. The lodging for this weekend can fill up quickly, so make sure to check out the WoCW’s website to find special deals and discounts. Most activities are within walking distance of Anchor Inn Beach House (175 Commercial St., Provincetown), one of several host accommodations.
She Fest
San Diego, California
July 2024
This variety show typically kicks off the first week of San Diego’s Pride festivities, attracting more than 4,000 attendees. It’s organized by a committee of volunteers who support and celebrate the queer community through relationship-building, arts, education and advocacy. Though the Pride show is their signature event, She Fest works year-round to connect small LGBTQ2S+ businesses and other endeavours to larger audiences, and to stimulate social connections between communities and those in search of giving back and sharing the love, no matter your preferred label. Typically takes place at the Hillcrest flagpole/Hillcrest farmers’ market area at Normal Street and University Avenue in San Diego.
