Described as one of North America’s largest gatherings of lesbians and their friends, Key West’s annual Womenfest returns to our tiny piece of paradise on Wednesday, September 6 and runs through Sunday, September10.
The five day celebration attracts thousands of lesbians, transwomen, and friends to what is arguably, the premier LGBTQ+ vacation destination in the country. Created over twenty years ago, Key West Womenfest is now regaled as one of the HOTTEST parties for women 21+ in the country.
The merriment’s official kickoff starts on Wednesday, September 6 from 6 – 8 pm at the festival’s host hotel, the Alexander Guesthouse at 1118 Fleming Street. At 9 pm, the party continues with a special Womenfest Edition Drag Show at Aqua Nightclub, 711 Duval Street. Throughout the week, the festival showcases a wide range of activities for couples, singles, and those in between. You can enjoy adventures in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, see top entertainment, attend edgy parties and kick back on an accepting subtropical island whose “One Human Family” motto is embraced by local islanders.
For more info and a complete event schedule, hit up gaykeywestfl.com/womenfest/.
Womenfest 2023 Schedule of Events
Daily Activities
Land Activities
Key West Food Tours, Up the Keys Eco Tour, Fort Zachary State Park, West Martello Tower, A & M Scooter Rental, Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Key West Cemetery, Key West Adventures, Papa’s Pilar Rum Distillery, Ghost Hunt, Old Town Trolley Tours, Conch Tour Train, Haunted Key West, Ghosts and Mysteries, Ghosts and Gravestones, D’vine Wine Gallery, Perky’s Key West Excursions.
Museums
Custom House, Ernest Hemingway, Key West Butterfly Conservatory, Little White House, Key West Aquarium, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, Key West Firehouse Museum, Key West Light House, Key West Ship Wreck Museum, Audubon House, Oldest House and Garden Museum, USCGC Ingham Museum, Tennessee Williams Exhibit.
Water Activities
Argo Navis, Blu Q, Classic Harbor Lines, Cruisin’ Tikis, Danger Charters, Fish N Chicks, Fury, Island Vibe Charters, Island Vibe Charters, Java Cat, Jolly Rover II, Key West Eco Tours, Key West Sailing Center, Key West Snorkeling. Land Boat Charters, Off the Charts, Schooner America, Sunset Sail Key West, Sunset Watersports, SV Argo Navis, Yankee Freedom.
Wednesday, September 6
6 – 8 pm
Womenfest Official Welcome Party
Mix it up poolside with local songstress Marjory Lee. Enjoy an open bar, small bites, and live music! Takes place at Alexanders Guesthouse, 1118 Fleming St. 305-745-7514; alexanderskeywest.com.
9 pm
Womenfest Edition Drag Show
Stop by after the Welcome Party and hang with Key West’s very own, Aquanettes!
Womenfest rates are $10 for Standing Room and $20 for table seating. If you would like a VIP booth (an additional $150 per booth) Booths hold up to 6 guests, and requires a reservation to hold. Takes place at Aqua, 711 Duval St. 305-294-055; aquakeywest.com.
Thursday, September 7
12 – 3 pm
Womenfest’s 3rd Annual Corn Hole Tournament & Beach Bash
Warning: this ultimate Womenfest beachside event is always packed and only has a total of 10 spots available for competitors – first come first serve. To participate, please complete the waiver at gaykeywest.com/womenfest/ and bring your “A” game! Cost is $25 per person, or $50 per team (teams are REQUIRED to play). Great prize for 1st place winners! Takes place at Lagerheads, 0 Simonton Street. 305-509-7444; lagerheadsbeachbar.com.
5:30 pm – 7 pm
1st Annual “Women, Words, & Art Poetry Reading and Art Exhibition”
Enjoy a terrific combination of round-robin and open mic readings by women poets of the Key West Poetry Guild, as well as a special display by local artists. Donations benefit the Connie Gilbert Scholarship Fund for local women who are returning to school from the workforce, seeking professional licensing or certification, or have completed at least one year of higher education. Takes place at the Little Room Jazz Club, 821 Duval Street. 305-741-7515; littleroomjazzclub.com.
6 pm
Vibrator Charity Race for Womenfest
Fun and booze fuel this hilarious weekly charity event that’s all about vibrators shimmying to the finish for a good cause. Lots of dancing, being inappropriate and banging the gong with a dong adds to the silly fun. FYI: This is no spectator sport and you, too, will be part of the show. Be sure to bring money to donate and be a participant. The more fun you have, the more money gets raised and the more people get helped. Takes place at Mary Ellen’s Bar,420 Appelrouth Lane. 305-294-7750; maryellensbar.com.
6:30 pm
Women Fest Sunset Sail
Hop onboard Key West’s luxury catamaran, the Argo Navis, for a magical two hour sunset sail. Includes gourmet cheeses, locally baked breads, charcuterie, bean-to-bar chocolates, and other delicious treats as well as craft beer, premium wines and music by the Jessica Wachs Duo. Cost is just $99 with a percentage being donated to the Business Guild to support upcoming Womenfest events. Check-in at 6 pm. Takes place aboard the Argo Navis, 0 Margaret Street in Key West’s Historic Seaport. Tickets: 305-509-1771; sailargonavis.com.
6 & 9pm
The Girly Burly Burlesque Show
Hosted by drag king sensation, Chief Peach, this intimate evening of bump and grind beauties stars Mona Amour and the Key West Burlesque dancers. Special guest appearances by Sheba Queen of the Night and Karma Kamdlewick make this a “one night only” performance a “must see!” FYI: Doors open at 5:30pm for early show and at 8:30pm for later show. Takes place at the Key West Theater, 512 Eaton Street. Tickets and info: 305-985-0433; thekeywesttheater.com.
Friday, September 8
8 – 9am
Early Bird Clean Up
One hour of your time can help keep Key West beautiful! Join us for this environmental litter pickup where vests, gloves, buckets, and pickers are all provided. Meet the crew at Duval Street and Petronia Street at the rainbow crosswalks. Bagels, danish, and coffee will be provided by Goldman’s Deli afterwards!
9:30 – 11am
Where is the Woman? Expressive Art Workshop
An expressive arts educator/therapist, somatic educator/therapist, and multimodal artist.Katharine Doughty, masters self and community exploration. She’ll show you how to use drawing, writing, movement, and creative dialogue to identify and embody joys and challenges from physical, emotional, and mental perspectives. Absolutely no prior arts or movement training is required. Experiences are given a voice through your own innate creativity. All bodies, abilities, philosophies, traditions, backgrounds who are 18+ are welcome. Materials are provided or you can bring your own journal, drawing pad, and drawing supplies. Suggested donation is $30 donation but no one will be turned away. Takes place at Unity of the Keys, 1011 Virginia St. Registration and info: kmdhealingarts@gmail.com; katharinedoughty.com
11am
Clothing Optional Sandbar Snorkel Trip
Set sail to one of many remote reefs off the Florida National Marine Sanctuary for snorkeling with tropical fish and various marine life. Afterward, you will be taken to a secluded sandbar where you can swim, or just relax in the crystal clear waters of the Keys. It all happens on the Blue Q Catamaran, 200 Margaret Street in Key Wet’s Historic Seaport. Info: 305-394-0016; blueqkeywest.com.
5:30 – 7:30pm
Marjory Lee & The Misspellings
Don’t miss this tribute to the badass female musicians of the 90s and all the closet doors they kicked down. Marjory Lee is a full-time local musician in Key West bringing ALL the lady love you can handle. No cover. Takes place at Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, 6 Charles Street. Info: 305-517-6350; smokin-tuna-saloon.com.
7 pm
Play & Get Pinked Game Party!
Don’t have anything pink for the “50 Shades of Pink” Dance Party (see event info below).No worries! There’s still time to get plenty of fun “pink” accessories for your theme party costume; get some help from a local costume expert; and walk away with great pictures of your outfits too! First thirty women in the door get a free Pink Rubber Duckie, Pink Duck Clipart, Ducks Clipart Emoji, and Baby Duck Emoji. During this special ducky pre-party, you can win fun pink party attire and prizes playing games like Corn Hole Toss, Putt Her in Golf, Basketball Hoops, Football Pass, Baseball Pitch, Wheel of Pink Fortune Spin, and Instant Bingo, or try your chance at the 50/50 Raffle! Takes place at the American Legion Post 168, 803 Emma Street (just three blocks from the Rainbow sidewalks). Info: 703-626-0600; alpost28keywest.org.
9pm – 2 am
“50 Shades of Pink” Dance Party
DJ Blondie returns for a sultry evening that will have you seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Entry is just $20 per person and includes your first drink. Pink attire encouraged! Takes place at Mangoes, 700 Duval Street. Info:305-928-0031; mangoeskeywest.com.
Saturday, September 9
10am – Noon
Old Town Key West Bike Tour
Celebrating influential women, this leisurely 2.5 hour bike ride takes you through the charming back streets of Old Town Key West. As you ride through the picturesque neighborhoods and historic sites, you’ll hear stories of remarkable women who have called Key West home. The tour culminates with a delicious slice of Award Winning Key Lime Pie! More info and reservations at Key Lime Bike Tours, 122 Ann Street. 305-340-7834;
keylimebiketours.com.
Noon – 3pm
“Kat’s Are you Wet Pool Party”
Womenfest’s notorious pool party is back with legendary deejay Kat D and guest DJ Erica. Get wet and wild to the latest hits while you imbibe in drink specials, complimentary food, games, and prizes! Takes place at Alexanders Guesthouse, 1118 Fleming St. 305-745-7514; alexanderskeywest.com.
5:30 – 7:30pm
Stop Light Party
Hosted by Olivia Travel, this “Party for the Taken, Maybe’s, and Singles” is a high energy kick of to the Womenfest concert which follows at 9pm. Great prizes from Olivia Travel, and special happy hour prices will be available for food and drinks! Takes place at Margaritaville Key West, 500 Duval Street. 305-292-1435; margaritavillekeywest.com.
8pm
The Key West Womenfest 2023 Concert
This all welcome concert stars critically acclaimed singer and songwriter, Sarah Potenza and Louisiana-raised singer-songwriter, Tonya Boyd-Cannon. According to Rolling Stone Magazine, “Potenza is to the blues what Adele is to pop”. She’s competed on NBC’s The Voice, and America’s Got Talent and In 2021 her rendition of “Worthy” off her sophomore album “Road to Rome” hit number one on the iTunes Blues Charts. Tonya Boyd-Cannon is renowned for her heart-wrenching ballads that range from jazz, funk, rock, and gospel, to everything in between. She was crowned winner of ‘Budweiser’s: Battle for the Crown’ contest and ranked in the Top 20 on NBC’s’ The Voice. Special guest, Marjory Lee is a South Carolina bred independent artist-songwriter. Her versatility combines the Southern roots and charm of South Carolina, the musicality of Nashville, and fun-loving “Key Weirdness” of Key West. Her striking vocals meld the fiery sounds of Gladys Knight and Amy Winehouse with her light-hearted, often witty presence. Doors open at 7pm. Takes place at the Key West Theater, 512 Eaton Street. Tickets and info: 305-985-0433; thekeywesttheater.com.
9 pm
Glow Dance Party
All you need is love and neon lights for a wild night glowing, drink specials, and go-go, dancers. Make sure to wear fluorescent clothing and glow-in-the-dark accessories! Glow sticks and body paint will be provided. Takes place in the Sidebar at AquaPlex, 711 Duval Street. 305-294-0555; aquakeywest.com.
Sunday, September 10
Noon
Sunday Drag Brunch Show
Key West’s favorite Sunday brunch has been voted one of the Top 10 Drag Brunch Show in the USA. VIP tickets and General Admission tickets include a fabulous show with incredible Drag Queens; live DJ with amazing entertainers; and bottomless mimosas. Stay for the After Party to get your picture taken with one of the beautiful drag queens and keep dancing to DJ Jeff’s tunes. A portion of each ticket sold benefits a nonprofit partner for this month.Takes place at Mangoes, 700 Duval Street. Info:305-928-0031; mangoeskeywest.com.
