The London queer scene will be pulsating again when Lezzer Fest returns as a one-day celebration of lesbian, sapphic and trans+ nightlife. Curated by Gal Pals founders Scarlett Shaney (she/her) and Xandice Armah (he/they), the festival builds on a decade of parties that created space for community and connection. Last year the launch drew 1600 attendees, marking a milestone for a scene that often has to create its own stages and moments of joy. This edition promises sets across three stages, curated line-ups and collectives from London and further afield, offering both nostalgia and fresh sounds for the dancefloor.
Lezzer Fest is more than a programme of DJs; it’s an intentional gathering centred on queer women and gender diverse people where community-led nightlife is foregrounded. Expect a mix of archival power, new energy and politics-in-dance as organisers intentionally highlight marginalised voices, including Black, QTIPOC and sex worker-led collectives. The festival’s compact, daytime format invites people to arrive, reconnect and celebrate without the late-night pressure—making it accessible to a wider range of attendees looking for a focused cultural experience.
What Lezzer Fest represents
Lezzer Fest is framed as a response to gaps in mainstream nightlife, creating safe, exuberant spaces where lesbians, sapphics and trans+ attendees can be centred. The festival operates as an extension of Gal Pals, the long-running dance party collective that has incubated a range of queer nights and collaborations. Underneath the fun is a political thread: by spotlighting collectives that have historically been excluded from the mainstream, the event positions itself as both celebration and resistance. The programming intentionally foregrounds intergenerational presence and mentorship so that histories of queer nightlife are visible and celebrated alongside emerging talent.
Line-up highlights
Collectives and scene-defining platforms
Several collectives bring distinct perspectives. Blackstage, a Black, queer, sex worker-led nonprofit, will present a 90-minute pole set led by founder Leila Davis (aka Cutie Whippingham), amplifying FLINTA performers who often face exclusion. BUMPAH, a QTIPOC-centred rave collective, returns with underground rhythms and a political edge born from community organising. Longstanding names like Sistermatic Sound—the Black lesbian-led sound system co-founded by DJ Shineye (Eddie, she/her)—bring intergenerational resonance and a history of reshaping club music for and by Black lesbians.
DJs, duo acts and club nights
The festival also showcases influential nights and DJ pairings. Dykes On Decks (Alex Berry and Lebby) offer euphoric, nostalgic sets shaped by their bi-monthly parties. Brighton duo Wildblood and Queenie promise a queer-forward soundtrack, while Bristol’s Soft Butch—created by Lexx (they/them)—brings a celebration of butch culture amid calls for joy-as-resistance. STRAPPED, billed as East London’s provocative dyke party by founder Becca Homer, and Norwich’s Pillow Princess from Stripped Sets (DJ L U) round out the offering with club-ready energy and spaces for flirting, dancing and expression.
Practical details and how to support queer media
Lezzer Fest volume II will take place at the Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden on 25 April 2026. For ticketing and full line-up information visit galpals.club; tickets are also available via DICE and RA. The festival’s daytime schedule and multiple stages aim to create a manageable, high-impact event where people can move between performances and reconnect with friends. Attendees are encouraged to check site access, arrival windows and any community guidelines set by organisers to ensure the event remains welcoming for the broad range of gender identities and ages it aims to serve.
Media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people matters to the sustainability of these gatherings. DIVA has been highlighting this community for decades and now operates as the DIVA Charitable Trust, a registered charity that supports queer journalism and creative projects. If you value sustained platforms for lesbian and gender diverse culture, consider visiting divacharitabletrust.com or supporting via the magazine’s links such as linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine to help keep community-led coverage thriving for future generations.