This past weekend I attended my 6th Dinah Shore weekend with Bumble. I love queer events because I feel like it’s the one time when I get to be surrounded by my people and completely immerse myself in our culture.
After mentioning several of my favorite events around the world I realized that so many of the people I was chatting up had no idea how many queer women’s events there actually are – spoiler, it’s more than this list of 20. But I narrowed it down to the biggest and best. Whether you’re looking for love for a lifetime or just one night or you want to build community and friendships these events are for you. Can’t make it to any of the events in person? Check out Bumble or BumbleBFF to get started from home.
Dinah Shore
Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, popularly known as “The Dinah” is the most famous and largest lesbian party in the world. It’s kind of like a lesbian festival mixed with a lesbian pool party mixed with a bunch of lesbian club nights oh and throw in a concert over the course of five days. Every year they have A-list celebrities attending and performing. Last year Lady Gaga was seen in the crowd along with dozens of celesbian YouTubers. It’s incredible – I’ve been a bunch of times and I’d highly recommend it to anyone searching for community or a date – or both.
Photo Credit: Molly Adams
When is it? End of March through early April
Where is it? Palm Springs, California in the United States
How much does it cost? A regular weekend pass is $259 USD
Girls in Wonderland
Girls in Wonderland is an Orlando based lesbian circuit party for queer women of all stripes. It’s a first-class women’s event with over a decade of amazing parties, special performances, celebrity appearances and thousands of attendees. It’s basically Disney for lesbians – ‘cause it’s in Orlando – get it? By now y’all should know I’m never going to give up the opportunity for a dumb joke.
Photo Credit: Christin Lewin
When is it? June
Where is it? Orlando Florida in the United States
How much does it cost? Weekend passes start at $80 USD
Ella Festival
Every year Ella Festival gets bigger and better. They’re now offering two festivals, one in the winter in Switzerland and another in the summer on the island of Majorca in Spain. Ella is a little more on the grown and sexy side of lesbian events because they attract a more polished crowd. While there is definitely still a nightlife and party element to Ella, they also have a little something else going on with speakers and panels about important issues in our community.
When is it? January & August
Where is it? Davos, Switzerland & Majorca, Spain
How much does it cost? Majorca starts at 334 Euros for a weekend pass. Davos starts at 884 Euros per person but please note Ella Festival comes with your hotel stay, week-long party passes, lift tickets, alcohol and some meals whereas the other festivals are for just a weekend pass.
Fiesta Rose Girls – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fiesta Rose Girls is one of the largest lesbian parties in the world. With over 1500 queer women, DJs, dancers, this high production valued event is definitely one to put on your bucket list! Check out this article to read more about it.
When is it? November
Where is it? Buenos Aires, Argentina
Women’s White Party – Miami
The Women’s White Party is four days of parties, shopping, dining and sunning, culminating in a blow-out party with top entertainment. The White Party is a charity party to benefit CareResource.
When is it? November
Where is it? Miami, Florida, USA – South Beach
How much does it cost? $15
Krave Spring Break
Krave is the direct competitor to Dinah Shore. The three-day pool party and concert series is held the same weekend as Dinah in the same town but it has a smaller more diverse crowd and a lot more flavor. They also attract well-known headliners like Young MA and Remy Ma.
Photos Courtesy of Krave
When is it? Last weekend in March
Where is it? Palm Springs, CA, USA
How much does it cost? $175
ClexaCon
ClexaCon is an annual media and entertainment convention for the female queer community. Basically, it’s a fandom con but with a queer twist. You can go and attend panel discussions, nightlife events, and even meet some of your favorite stars.
When is it? March and November
Where is it? Las Vegas and London
How much does it cost? $15- $450
Velvet Ibiza
Velvet IBIZA welcomes queer women from all over the world to celebrate life and love in Europe’s hottest party city. Velvet Ibiza is a four day all inclusive weekend featuring the hottest Dj’s from Europe and the US, including DJ Whitney Day.
When is it? April
Where is it? Ibiza, Spain
How much does it cost? 526 Euros for the weekend which comes with a hotel room, food and drinks until 24:00, all entrance fees, transportation to the airport and to the clubs.
P-Town Single Women’s Weekend
Single women’s weekend in P-Town is a rite of passage. It’s a bit different than some of the other parties on this list because it’s not centrally located at one hotel. Lesbians from all over folk to Provincetown, one of the US’s historically gay towns, to hangout at queer women’s events, parties, and of course meet single lesbians.
When is it? Memorial Day Weekend
Where is it? Provincetown, MA
How much does it cost? $25 for party entrance
Backlot Bash
Back Lot Bash is the Midwest’s largest LGBT women’s festival. It always takes place during Pride week in Chicago and is known for drawing huge crowds to the Andersonville neighborhood of ChiTown.
Photos Courtesy of Backlot Bash
When is it? June
Where is it? Chicago, IL, USA
How much does it cost? Varies
Girl Splash
Each year Girl Splash offers a full line-up of parties, performers, and lots of activities for women who love women. Provincetown is my favorite city on this list. It’s just got this adorable charm that you have to experience for yourself. Head to P-Town for the beach hangouts, lobster rolls, lattes at Wired Puppy, and the best nightlife.
Photos Courtesy of Girl Splash
When is it? July
Where is it? Provincetown MA, USA
How much does it cost? $10
SheFest
SheFest is San Diego Pride’s event for the women of the LGBT community. It consists of workshops, live performances, lawn games, and park vendors. It’s basically a women-centric pride within the larger pride festivities.
When is it? July
Where is it? North Park Community Park San Diego, CA, USA
How much does it cost? Free
Chunky Dunk
Chunk Dunk is a body positive pool party each summer in Portland celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes. They’re not going to let anything stop us, or you, from enjoying a refreshing summer cool-down! Chunky Dunks are a safer, fun environment to test the waters of your own empowerment and swim, lounge, splash!
When is it? July & August in Portland or February in Melbourne
Where is it? Portland, OR, USA and Melbourne, Australia
How much does it cost? $5 cash donation
Folsom Street Festival
Folsom Street Fair is an annual BDSM and leather subculture street fair held in September, that caps San Francisco’s “Leather Pride Week” similar events are also held in New York City. While this is not a strict women-centric event, it is a woman, trans, and genderqueer inclusive space with many events and offshoots catering to our communities.
When is it? September
Where is it? San Francisco and New York
How much does it cost? Most events are free or a small donation
