Submitted by Orcas Island Pride.
Ring in the queer new year with Orcas Island Pride’s most dazzling festival yet. From May 29 to June 1, Orcas Pride invites islanders and visitors to celebrate radical joy, drag magic and collective visioning at QUEER NEW YEAR, a weekend-long celebration honoring LGBTQIA+ beauty, resistance and belonging.
Now a Washington state nonprofit, Orcas Pride continues its mission to build vibrant, liberatory community spaces through joy-forward political action and grassroots organizing. With a slate of events that shimmer with glitter and grit, 2025’s theme invites us to envision anew — how we love, how we gather and how we move toward collective futures.
Thursday, May 29 — Opening Cabaret at The Barnacle | 8 p.m.
We kick off with a bang as beloved performers Shiksa and Gene Shorts light up the stage in a dreamy evening cabaret. Come early, stay late, tip well.
Friday, May 30 — The Big Slay Drag Show at Oddfellows Hall | 7:30 p.m.
Doors at 7 p.m. It’s THE event of the season: 10 drag performances, including local icons and returning faves like Shiksa, Uh Oh, Hoochie Papa, and Rowan Ruthless. Expect laughter, lip-syncs and possibly a few tears. The show is 18-plus. Tickets at orcasislandpride.com.
QUEERAOKE at The Lower Tavern | 9:30 p.m. to midnight
Hosted by Shiksa Mess. $1 from every themed drink goes to Orcas Pride. Sponsored by The Lower.
Saturday, May 31
Drag Brunch at the Orcas Hotel | 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. seatings
All ages welcome! Enjoy delicious fare and fierce performances from Uh Oh, Hoochie, Bubblegum Bitch and Shiksa. Hosted in partnership with Orcas Hotel, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Pride. Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1374753708349?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Drag Dinner Cabaret at Oddfellows Hall | Doors at 6 p.m. | Dinner at 7 p.m.
$75–$100 sliding scale. Catered by Westside Kitchen with desserts from Seabird Bakery.
Think star-crossed lovers, messy entanglements, kiss-cams and mystic oracles. It’s dinner theater, but queerer. Expect interactive fun and characters delivering flirty mix-ups with every course. Tickets at orcasislandpride.com.
QUEER NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY at The Lower | 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Champagne toast at midnight. DJ Rowan Ruthless on the decks. Opulent looks encouraged. Suggested $5 donation at the door.
Sunday, June 1 — All-Ages Celebration| noon to 3 p.m. at Oddfellows Hall
Close out the weekend with an intergenerational dance party and variety show celebrating connection and imagination. Featuring performances by UhOh XOXO, Bubblegum B, Jean Budapest, Stacy Zhmam and more. Drag Story Time included!
Community Visioning of the New Year. Glitter optional. Heart open required
This Pride is grassroots-powered and community-grown. Want to lend a hand? Email orcasislandpride@gmail.com to volunteer. Many hands = light work = big celebration. We’re here. We’re queer. And this year, we’re making community magic together.
