Most of the biggest summer songs ever written have been about “keeping boyfriends warm at night,” “waxing down our surfboards” and “getting down on our knees pretending to pray.”
Damn, Beach Boys lyrics sure sound pretty gay out of context.
But we’re here today to argue that as much as we love California, perhaps the queerest destination of all this summer is the bursting-with-Americana Provincetown.
Also known as P-town, it’s one of our favorite vacation destinations of all time. Nowhere else on earth that we’ve ever been combines historic small-town charm with an unparalleled openness to the LGBTQ community.
Our first-ever visit took place over July 4, 2019 and we were blown away with the diversity of the crowds and how wonderfully everyone got along.
During the patriotic Independence Day parade, we witnessed floats with drag queens followed by Shriners in tiny cars followed by children waving American flags. It was truly a melting pot of cultures and ideals, fittingly staged less than a couple of miles from where the Pilgrims first landed. (Sorry, Plymouth Rock.)
This year, if you’ve yet to book any upcoming getaways, we highly recommend Provincetown for a summer vacation, whether it’s your first time or your 69th.
This year, more superstar entertainers descend upon the LGBTQ+ Cape Cod destination.
We’ve gathered a list of major queer events this summer, followed by a list of some of the top acts you can catch while you’re there.
As we get older, we’re happy to trade our usual “We gotta pee!” for “We gotta P-town!”
Memday Weekend Women’s Festival
This one’s for the lesbians.
May 21-25, 2026
Provincetown Pride
Annual Pride celebration.
June 5-7, 2026
Provincetown Film Festival
Film fest celebrating movies outside the mainstream.
June 10-14, 2026
FROLIC Weekend
Queer men of color, unite!
June 17-22, 2026
Bear Week
Beefy, hairy deliciousness.
July 11-18, 2026
Family Week
Queers with kids.
July 25-August 1, 2026
Provincetown Carnival – Deep Sea Disco
Annual celebration of LGBTQ+ community and creativity.
August 15-22, 2026
Provincetown remains one of the best places to catch drag queens, Broadway legends and other high-talent entertainers in intimate settings for a fraction of the price of other cities. Plus, most performers stick around after the show for photos without having to shell out for an expensive VIP package.
Note: Not all acts have been announced yet for the summer. (PINK headings contain links, those in black are at Crown and Anchor, which was just purchased by Tryst Hospitality, but we are assured programming will continue as normal this summer after the rooms get a nice refreshing before the season).
In the meantime, here are a few can’t-miss masters of their craft.
DIVA! Drag Spectacular
April 10-September 2, 2026
A Woman Named Carlos
May 2-September 12, 2026
Paige Turner
May 22-September 2, 2026
The Devil Wears Payless
May 22-June 12, 2026
Miss Conception
May 22-September 12, 2026
Sutton Lee Seymour
May 22-September 12, 2026
Miss Richfield 1981
May 23-September 19, 2026
Puppetry of the Penis
May 24-September 13, 2026
Audra McDonald & Seth Rudesky
May 24, 2026
Tina Burner
May 25-September 11, 2026
Sabrina, The Middle-Aged Witch
May 29-October 10, 2026
Plasma as Bernadette Peters
June 1-September 30, 2026
Judy Gold
June 7-September 13, 2026
Varla Jean Merman
June 14-September 20, 2026
Hedda Lettuce
June 26-September 13, 2026
Joel Kim Booster
June 26 & 27, 2026
Latrice Royale
July 2-September 5, 2026
Megan Hilty
July 5, 2026
Ginger Minj and Jujubee in “Licked: For Gay”
July 9-26, 2026
Alyssa Edwards
July 12, 2026
Cheyenne Jackson
August 2, 2026
Bianca Del Rio
August 16, 2026
Marilyn Maye (96 years old!)
August 30, 2026
