Mayor Bowser to Host 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race

Mayor Bowser to Host 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race Monday, Oct 26, 2026 tonyea.tharpe Mon, 10/26/2026 - 3:05pm (Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, October 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs will welcome residents, visitors, and LGBTQIA+ community members to the 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race, one of the city’s most beloved LGBTQIA+ traditions. Festivities will begin at 6 pm on 17th Street NW near Dupont Circle. Check-in will begin at 5 pm, followed by performances from 6–8:40 pm. Attendees can join the annual costume contest at 8 pm, leading up to the race start at 9 pm The race will feature costumed drag performers and community members, local entertainment, and thousands of spectators. “The High Heel Race is a beloved DC tradition that brings residents and visitors together to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community. This event showcases the District’s diversity while supporting local businesses and driving economic activity in our neighborhoods,” said Lamont Carey, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs. The High Heel Race began in 1986 as a friendly wager among drag queens, bartenders, and community members who raced in heels betwe

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