Texas Burlesque Festival

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Arts & CultureAustin
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsFounded in 2007, the festival predates the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Texas Burlesque Festival in Austin

The Texas Burlesque Festival is a multi-night burlesque, cabaret, and vaudeville festival in Austin, founded in 2007 and now produced by the nonprofit Texas Burlesque Productions, making it one of the longest-running burlesque festivals in the world. The 2026 edition, its nineteenth year, opened with an Opening Night Extravaganza at Elysium before moving to the Long Center's Rollins Studio Theatre, headlined by reigning Miss Exotic World and Queen of Burlesque 2025, Jessabelle Thunder.

Its specific performance-art niche gives it enough identity for curated cultural coverage.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Founded in 2007, the festival predates the more recent mainstream revival of burlesque, giving it a claim as one of the oldest continuously running burlesque festivals anywhere in the world rather than a recent trend-driven event

02

The mystery stays covered

It is produced by Texas Burlesque Productions, a Texas nonprofit formed to support the wider burlesque, cabaret, and vaudeville community through networking, education, and professional opportunities, rather than by a for-profit promoter

03

The city starts moving

Its programming goes beyond stage shows to include workshops and a roundtable brunch, building connections between Texas performers and the broader national burlesque community

04

The water draws everyone in

The structure, opening with a club show at Elysium before shifting to the Long Center's Rollins Studio Theatre, pairs an intimate nightclub setting with a formal theater stage across one weekend

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's opening-night format at Elysium

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a raucous club show before the weekend shifts to the more formal Long Center stage

The sacred route

Living ritual

has become a signature structure that distinguishes it from single-venue burlesque showcases

The local code

Living ritual

Crowning headline performers who hold titles such as Miss Exotic World and Queen of Burlesque

Tradition 5

Living ritual

drawn from the broader national pageant circuit

Tradition 6

Living ritual

is a recurring tradition that connects the Austin festival to the wider competitive and honorific culture of the American neo-burlesque revival

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Venue locations vary by year.

What to wear

Dressy, glamorous attire is welcomed and common among attendees, from vintage pin-up style dresses to sequined or feathered accents, though standard nightclub or theater-appropriate clothing...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Austin

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.27 N, 97.74 WOpen in Google Maps

Austin, TX

TransportVenue locations vary by year.
Stay areaAustin

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Austin via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Austin, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearDressy, glamorous attire is welcomed and common among attendees, from vintage pin-up style dresses to sequined or feathered accents, though standard nightclub or theater-appropriate clothing is also fine; layers are useful since the festival runs in mid-May, when Austin evenings are warm but indoor venues are air-conditioned.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Texas Burlesque Festival?

Texas Burlesque Festival is listed for Past edition: 14–16 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Texas Burlesque Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Austin, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Austin, TX

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtexasburlesquefestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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