The Month: September 2025

The 10 best cultural happenings in LGBTQ NYC.

By: Alexander Kacala & Jim Silvestri

“Prince Faggot”

Here are the ten best cultural events in LGBTQ NYC for September 2025:

COLOR-THEORIES

Sept. 3 to Sept. 22 | Performance Space NY: E. Village, Manhattan

Emmy nominated writer, director, performer and poster boy for wells Julio Torres will make his Off-Broadway debut in Color Theories, a new theatrical spectacle that blends stand-up, surreal design & dream logic into a whimsical exploration of color, emotion and identity. For tickets.

OCCUPY THE DISCO BOAT PARTY

Sept. 6 | Circle Line Cruises: Pier 83, Manhattan (42nd St & 12th Ave)

Occupy The Disco return with their end-of-summer boat party celebrating another great season. For tickets.

RYAN RAFTERY: THE BALLAD OF JONBENET RAMSEY

Sept. 12 to Sept. 17 | Joe’s Pub at the Public: NoHo, Manhattan

The New York Times once called him “the Shakespeare of pop culture satire,” but Ryan Raftery’s newest project may be his riskiest yet: A musical satire about our society’s all-consuming obsession with True Crime. For tickets.

PRINCE FAGGOT

Sept. 11 to Oct. 26 | Seaview Studio: Midtown Manhattan

Transferring from Playwrights Horizons to the recently rechristened Seaview Studio, Jordan Tannahil’s Prince Faggot is a “meta-theatrical tragicomedy” that features a queer and gender expansive ensemble daring to imagine a monarch from their own community. For tickets.

MISS CONEY ISLAND USA 2025

Sept. 13 | 1208 Surf Ave, Brooklyn

The annual Vaudevillian dreamscape of a pageant attracts burlesquers, carnies, drag artists, magicians and even the occasional pet dog of all sizes, ages and genders to compete for the coveted crown. For tickets.

SECOND SUNDAYS

Sept. 14 | Sheep Meadow, Manhattan

This massive gathering of gays in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow keeps growing in all the right ways.

STILL HERE

Sept. 16 to Sept. 21 | The Joyce Theater: Chelsea, Manhattan

Following their acclaimed 2021 Joyce debut, Indigenous Enterprise returns with the world premiere of Still Here, a powerful expression of Native pride, community and continuity. For tickets.

17TH ANNUAL URBAN BEAR NYC

Sept. 17 | Various Locations

Step into the wild heart of NYC’s furriest, fiercest celebration. Organizers promise this isn’t just a weekend — it’s a full-throttle, four-day ride through the most unapologetically bold bear experience in the world. For tickets.

SOUL SUMMIT BLOCK PARTY

Sept. 21 | House of Yes: Bushwick, Brooklyn

Soul Summit’s 9th annual takeover returns — transforming the street into a glittering carnival of performances, art, play, and outdoor dance floor magic. Free, all ages, rain or shine. RSVP here.

ALI FORNEY’S LUSCIOUS

Sept. 28 | Brooklyn Bowl: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Luscious Brunch is Ali Forney’s first ever signature event celebrating and centering the women, lesbian, trans, and non-binary members of our community. For tickets.