36th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race

The Annual 17th Street High Heel Race is a time to celebrate the diversity of DC’s LGBTQ+ community and join thousands of costumed spectators cheer on costumed drag queens, drag kings and community members as they race down 17th Street NW. Lively and filled with local drag entertainment, a parade, and much more, you won’t want to miss this DC tradition, hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis, with SPECIAL APPEARANCE FROM KARAMO BROWN.

THE LGBTQIA+ HISTORY of the 17th STREET HIGH HEEL RACE:

The 17th Street High Heel Race historically occurs the Tuesday before Halloween and “Crossing The Line Since 1986” is piece of DC’s rich LGBTQ+ history. One of DC’s most unique events, the 17th Street High Heel Race, started over 35 years ago as a wager amongst drag queens, bartenders, and community members to race in heels, to each of the LGBTQ+ bars along the strip. The LGBTQ+ founders of JR’s Bar continued the event, and in 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser, as an act of support for the LGBTQ+ community, proclaimed the 17th Street High Heel Race as an Official Mayoral Event. DC is now one of the only jurisdictions in the nation to sponsor and host an event of this type that highlights the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.