Just GO! 13 Of Our Faves…
Our top picks for events, parties, and new openings in NYC and beyond.
Featured Image: Girl The Party in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Maia Monet.
Let’s Start with NYC
All Things Go—New York, Maryland, and Toronto September 26-October 5
Whoever said All Things Go was made for the queer girls was not wrong. And this year, for the first time, the festival is expanding beyond New York and Maryland to Toronto, giving fans across North America a taste of its handpicked blend of artists and community ethos.
At NYC’s Forest Hills Stadium, the festival will span from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28. Lucy Dacus, Doechii, Remi Wolf, Clairo, Djo, Lola Young, The Marías, The Aces, Blondshell, G Flip, and more will grace the stage.
Many of these artists will make their way to Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion the same weekend to perform, with the addition of a few extra guests: Kesha, Noah Kahan, The Beaches, Julien Baker & Torres, and Role Model.
On October 4 and 5, Renée Rapp, Kacey Musgraves, Role Model, Remi Wolf, Noah Cyrus, Ravyn Lane, Chelsea Cutler, and more will play at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage.
Grab your single-day passes or get tickets to the entire festival before they sell out! More information at allthingsgofestival.com.
An Evening with Kate McKinnon at 92NY—New York, NY September 30
The world could use a lot more Kate McKinnon, and lucky for you, you can join her in celebrating her first book. Accompanied by Seth Meyers, Kate McKinnon is putting on a night of comedy and conversation to launch her debut novel, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science. This book is the first of a series about three sisters and is based on McKinnon’s childhood, “eating honeysuckle on the playground and collecting bugs and falling in love with the natural world.”
You’ll hear about how this passion project started and stories about her lifelong fascination with science and nature. Her hope is to inspire and empower young readers, teaching them that being weird is wonderful.
Get your virtual and in-person tickets at 92ny.org/event/kate-mckinnon. All in-person tickets also come with a pre-signed copy of the novel.
NewFest37: New York City’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival—New York, NY October 9-21
The city is about to get served a two-week feast of narrative and documentary features, shorts, and special events spotlighting queer stories from all over the globe. Since lighting up screens in 1988 in direct response to the AIDS crisis, NewFest has blossomed into the premier LGBTQ+ film festival in the U.S. and has become a siren
call for queer storytellers. With a whopping 37 editions under its sequined belt, it’s basically a New York City institution.
This year’s festival will be held all across Manhattan and Brooklyn, including at the BAM, SVA Theatre, the LGBT Community Center, Nitehawk Prospect Park, plus secret support from even more tucked-away theaters. And if you can’t make it in person, you can get yourself a virtual ticket to watch these incredible features at home.
Over the years, NewFest has presented the world theatrical premiere of Paris Is Burning, the New York premieres of films like Hedwig & The Angry Itch, and advanced screenings of classics like Carol, Moonlight, and Call Me By Your Name. It’s where emerging filmmakers get the boost they deserve and where underrepresented voices find an audience.
But there’s more than just movies. You can also catch fab panel convos and red carpets that round out the magic of a film festival. Find explosions of culture and conversation around every corner, and fall in love with your new favorite film in the process.
Grab your popcorn! Find NewFest’s lineup of incredible flicks and exciting panels at newfest.org.
CRUX Queer Climbing Days—New York, NY
There are very few activities that are more lesbian than rock climbing, but CRUX takes it to a whole new peak with their dedicated queer climbing nights. Across the city, CRUX hosts events specifically for sapphic, trans, non-binary, intersex, and the broader LGBTQ+ community, making sure everyone has a chance to find their grip, both on the wall and in a supportive community.
Their climbing nights aren’t just about building muscle (though you will definitely feel it the next day). They’re about encouraging each other to push boundaries and celebrating every victory. With welcoming instructors, inclusive language, and an atmosphere that’s equal parts adventurous and affirming, CRUX events offer a breath of fresh air compared to traditional climbing gyms, which can feel intimidating or exclusive. Because they partner with various gyms and climbing spaces around the city, there’s always a new wall to conquer and a new group of friendly faces to meet.
No experience is required! Keep up to date with their events on Eventbrite or at climbcrux.org.
grotto—New York, NY
Jazz it up with grotto, a pop-up “sapphic bar concept for queer women, trans and nonbinary folks.” Founded in 2023 by Austa Sovichian-Clausen on the principles of creating safe and beautiful experiences for queer women that feel authentic and intentional, grotto has hosted long-term residencies and themed events at some of the best bars and restaurants in New York City. Next up for grotto? To raise enough money for a permanent location in the city.
In 2023, grotto had a four-month, four-times-per-week residency at Ludlow House, the trendy venue in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Since then, they’ve only continued to create intimate spaces for sapphics, bringing their magical pop-up experience to Cobble Hill’s TALEA, the Pebble Bar at Rockefeller Center, and more.
On September 3, sapphics were dressed to impress at grotto’s event in Hell’s Kitchen at So & So’s in the Romer House Hotel. The sapphic jazz night with Kirrin Finch featuring TimaLikesMusic made a special supper club show, perfect for anyone from couples and friend groups to solo jazz appreciators looking to mingle.
And just in time for spooky season, grotto is planning something special this October. The second installation of grotto coven, a vamp vs. witch leather party, will take over Turk’s Inn on October 10. Check out @grotto.nyc for more.
The LGBT Community Center—New York, NY
The Center is a cornerstone for LGBTQ+ culture, providing resources, support, and a sense of belonging. Beyond its essential services, The Center hosts a dynamic range of events, from art exhibitions to workshops and social gatherings. Let’s see what they’ve got in store this year…
Within the library and archive space on the fourth floor of The Center, check out Everyone Watches Dyke Sports: Queer Histories of New York Liberty Basketball. On view until September 28, the exhibition celebrates the New York Liberty’s lesbian fans, telling the story of their role in the league’s history. Curated by the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the exhibition features vintage Liberty jerseys, zines, archival photographs, and more!
Calling all book lovers! The Pat Parker/Vito Russo Library is open Thursdays from 6-8 pm and Sundays from 12-4 pm, and you’re invited! This one-of-a-kind library, named in memory of lesbian poet Pat Parker and gay film historian Vito Russo, is a treasure trove of stories for, by, and about LGBTQ+ people. Check it out for free!
Grab your controllers, and fire up your consoles—it’s game time! Join Center Youth: Gaymers on Tuesdays from 5:30-7 pm, a space which unites queer gamers with one another and provides them with various board, card, and video games. This free event is for those aged 13-22.
On the second Wednesday of every month, join The Manhattan Orchid Society for an evening that’s blooming with beauty and botanical know-how! The Manhattan Orchid Society meets 6:30-9 pm at The Center, and is a group where orchid lovers—from curious beginners to seasoned growers—gather to geek out over these stunning, mysterious plants.
Get ready to tango, queer style! Every Saturday, from 4:30-7:30 pm, partake in Queer Tango Lessons at The Center. No prior experience or partner needed! First, ease in with a beginner class, then practice your moves in the open dance hour, and finally, show off your moves in the intermediate class. Queer Tango Lessons are free to attend,
with a suggested donation.
Keep up with everything The Center has to offer at gaycenter.org.
Blazers Sports Bar—Brooklyn, NY Opening Soon
At 308 Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, Blazers Sports Bar is gearing up to make its debut in the New York City sports bar scene—and we can’t wait for the doors to open! Promising a fresh, energetic take on the classic sports bar experience, Blazers is setting out to become the go-to hangout for game days, late nights, and everything in between.
Co-owners Debany Dávila, Chandler Robertson, and Caroline Kane are building Blazers Sports Bar not just as a place to watch games, but as a community hub where women’s sports are front and center and inclusivity is the standard.
“The reason we’re doing it is all the impressive women that have caused us to fall in love with all these sports,” Dávila tells GO. “We want to do it justice.”
The space will blend bold design with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Think murals of trailblazing woman athletes, along with a curated menu of standout cocktails. Guests can snack on chips and guac, dig into Mexican hot dogs, and more on a menu curated to reflect diverse dietary needs. The design aims to be more flattering than the typical bar scene, with lighting, layout, and details that make everyone feel good the moment they walk in.
“We don’t want it to feel like what you might expect from a sports bar, where you walk in and it’s dark and all wooden, and the floors are sticky,” Robertson tells GO. “We would really like it to feel like a space…you would want to go even if the game wasn’t on.”
Despite the hurdles of construction delays and balancing the demands of daily life, the trio remains focused on creating a space where fans can come together, feel seen, and celebrate sports in all their forms. They told GO they’re looking to open their doors next March—so keep your calendars marked.
Keep up with Blazers @blazerssportsbar.
Get Outta Town…
The Dinah—Palm Springs, California September 24-28
The Dinah is throwing their iconic party in Palm Springs, marking founder and CEO Mariah Hanson’s final production. For Hanson’s last year, they’re really going all out. It’s five days of DJs, day parties, after-hours hookups (the social kind…or not), and that intoxicating mix of nostalgia and pure chaos that only The Dinah can deliver.
Start your weekend off at the Pre-Party on Wednesday, recover by the pool on Thursday, and then dance the night away at the Official Opening Party on Thursday night, taking place at the sexy and sophisticated Reforma nightclub.
Then on Friday, get ready to get wet at the G-Spot Pool Party, presented by GO Magazine, with performances by Mariah Counts and ONLY1 THEORY. At night, the iconic Black and White Ball will feature a star-studded red carpet, including Princess Nokia.
Saturday, get back out in the sun for the BIGYAY Pool Party, which includes book signings from The L Word’s Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey (you know they had to be in attendance) and a killer performance from Xana. Saturday night is for the Hollywood Party, with another stunning red carpet featuring Kate and Leisha, Crystal
Waters, Xana, and more.
Sunday is the last Dinah day, so you really can’t miss out. The Lucky Sunday Pool Party includes annual Sunday Funday games and performances from ICEY.xo, Nikki Holland, and Velvet Dive. Then, take one last wild ride at The Official Dinah Closing Party on Sunday night back at Reforma. Feel the music from the nation’s hottest DJs
and the courage to finally ask out that girl you’ve been crushing on all weekend.
Pack your cutest swimwear and get your girls to The Dinah for this lesbian experience of a lifetime. Plan your trip at thedinah.com.
Utah Queer Film Festival—Salt Lake City, Utah October 24-26
The Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF), previously titled Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival, is a stunning filmmaking showcase dedicated to LGBTQ+ cinema in the Mountain West. It officially rebranded as UQFF in 2024, signaling its evolution and renewed commitment to inclusivity and impact.
Launched in 2003 as part of Pride Week with a handful of screenings, the festival has become the longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the area. Over more than two decades, it has served over 33,000 attendees from Utah and across the U.S.
Its core purpose is to bring to life queer triumphs, struggles, history, and cultural expressions through powerful films and events. The programming committee is made up of community members across the queer spectrum, ensuring an authentic representation of experiences that especially highlights Utah-based filmmakers.
The weekend’s programming includes feature-length and short films, including documentaries, dramas, experimental works, and animated narratives. These viewings are available in person at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, where the film festival will also host workshops, art showcases, and post-screening discussions. But if you’re not in town, don’t fret! You won’t miss a thing with a virtual pass.
Purchase your passes at utahqueerfilmfestival.org.
The 28th Annual Lesbians & Friends LGBTQ+ Dance—Boston, Massachusetts October 25
Get ready to shake your boo-ty at this Halloween bash for a cause! On October 25, head to Club Café in Boston, where the 28th Annual Lesbians & Friends LGBTQ+ Dance will be a night to celebrate community, dance in your best costume, and support the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC).
The MBCC is dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy. Founded in 1991 by women concerned with the lack of attention to breast cancer, they are now the state’s leading breast cancer organization. Funds raised from the event will support the organization’s ongoing mission to eradicate breast cancer.
With music by guest DJ Christina from San Francisco, drag performances, and a whole lot of dancing—this is a spooktacular party you don’t want to miss out on!
If you’re looking for a little bit of pre-party action, you can purchase the VIP party ticket. From 6-8 pm, the VIP party ticket offers a more intimate experience, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and early access to the night’s party.
For those looking to dance the night away with their ghoul-friends and create lasting memories in support of prevention, you can purchase your ticket at mbcc.org/dance.
Girl The Party—Orlando, Florida Saturdays
Southern Nights, a gay nightclub in Orlando, transforms every Saturday night into the epicenter of queer womxn’s nightlife. Girl The Party, a long-running and beloved event hosted by the all-queer burlesque troupe Les Vixens, is the place to be. It’s known as one of the largest and longest-running womxn’s queer parties in the U.S.
Doors open at 9 pm, with free entry until 11 pm, making it a sexy, accessible night out. Music pulses through at least two separate spaces with DJs like dLux and DJ Nela spinning beats that keep the energy high. Earlier in the evening, drag performers set the mood before the burlesque kicks off. Starting around 12:15 am, Les Vixens’
dancers take over the main stage with dazzling performances that mix empowerment, camp, and queer artistry.
Since Orlando lacks a traditional lesbian bar, Girl The Party fills that gap, creating a space that is by and for queer women. Les Vixens are just plain hot as hell, but they also flip the script on traditional portrayals of sexuality and beauty, centering what women actually find empowering and attractive.
If you want to have a guaranteed fun night out with the best queer women and non-binary folks on the East Coast, Girl The Party is a must. Find out more @girltheparty.
As You Are—Washington, DC
Located on Barracks Row, As You Are is a queer social club, café, and dance venue all rolled into one. By day, it’s a cozy café where queer folks and allies gather over coffee, food, and conversation. By night, especially on weekends, it transforms into a spirited dance and event space that welcomes all identities.
Tuesday evenings are sacred at As You Are’s Trans Night, offering a dedicated, affirming space for trans folks to gather, socialize, and feel seen. Thursdays and Sundays get hilariously fun with Shower Karaoke, hosted by KJ Autumn. Cue the bubbly sing-alongs and watery puns. If you’re into a day party vibe, start your Sunday with Dance Church, a welcoming, all-levels movement class where you dance freely to pop beats with the guidance of a teacher.
If you want something more chill, join the Later In Life Coffee Chat, which happens on Sundays. This event brings together queer folks who are 35 and older to mingle and build community without having to stay up late or shout over loud music.
Keep up with As You Are’s events at asyouaredc.com.
Femme Bar—Worcester, Massachusetts
In Worcester, Pride shines bright in September, and Femme Bar is right at the heart of the celebration. Every year, the first week of September brings the city’s official Pride festivities, and Femme throws one of the biggest highlights: a massive outdoor Pride party on September 6 with DJs, brand partners handing out swag, contests with cash prizes, and plenty of space to dance under the open sky. Then, when spooky season rolls around, they do it all over again with their legendary outdoor Halloween party to celebrate the most lesbian of the holidays.
But the magic isn’t limited to those two weekends. Femme keeps the party going all year long with a packed calendar of events that make it one of Worcester’s go-to queer destinations. The drag brunches are a local phenomenon—there are two every month for the rest of the year—pairing jaw-dropping performances with food and drinks that are just as fabulous.
The bar also hosts community events, like a weekly book club, Women’s Sports Wednesdays, live music, game nights, craft nights, trivia, emo nights, musical bingo, and singles’ mixers. Femme, which celebrated its second anniversary earlier this year, is truly a spot for the entire community and our allies.
Stay up to date with their events @femmebarworcester.
