photo by Ted Eytan
From Duke’s Grocery (1513 17th Street, NW):
“39¢ BEERS & ABSOLUT HALF & HALFs tonight from 3-5PM and again from 10PM-midnight at Duke’s Grocery Dupont in celebration of the 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race! 👠🍻
Stop by for some pre-race fun, then come back later to keep the party going. See you tonight! 🌈”
From the Mayor’s Office:
“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 6:00 p.m. on 17th Street NW near Dupont Circle. Check-in will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by performances from 6:00–8:40 p.m. Attendees can join the annual costume contest at 8:00 p.m., leading up to the race start at 9:00 p.m. 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 between LGBTQ+ bars along 17th Street. LGBTQIA+ founders of JR’s Bar continued the tradition, which has grown into a signature DC celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture, creativity, and community. This year, a new mural will be created at JR’s Bar & Grill, honoring the history of the race and the generations of LGBTQIA+ Washingtonians who have made 17th Street a cornerstone of the community.
“Since 1986, the High Heel Race has been crossing the line—and making history,” said Japer Bowles, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. “This year’s mural will help ensure that the stories and spirit of this incredible tradition remain part of the District’s LGBTQIA+ history for generations to come.”
This year’s High Heel Race coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, established in 2006 to connect LGBTQIA+ residents with District services and ensure their priorities are reflected in government programs. Over the past 12 years, Mayor Bowser has expanded LGBTQIA+ affirming housing, including the District’s first LGBTQIA+-affirming senior housing community, strengthened cultural humility training, and invested in a new LGBTQIA+ Community Center and violence prevention resources. From continued support for the 17th Street High Heel Race to welcoming WorldPride 2025, the Bowser Administration has celebrated LGBTQIA+ culture while expanding access to resources that help residents live safely and openly in the District.”
From AlertDC:
“On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the 39th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race will take place in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures that motorists should take into consideration:
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking:
• 17th Street from New Hampshire Avenue to O Street, NW
• R Street from 16th Street to New Hampshire Avenue, NW
• Corcoran Street from 16th Street to New Hampshire Avenue, NW
• Q Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
• Church Street from 16th Street and 18th Street, NW
• P Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:
• 17th Street from New Hampshire Avenue to O Street, NW
• Riggs Place from 16th Street to 17th Street, NW
• R Street from 16th Street to New Hampshire Avenue, NW
• Corcoran Street from 16th Street to New Hampshire Avenue, NW
• Q Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
• Church Street from 16th Street and 18th Street, NW
On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from approximately 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the following street may be closed intermittently to vehicle traffic for public safety reasons:
• P Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW”