Hello my darlings! We made it to the holigays! Can you believe 2017 even existed? I feel like this year lasted 17 years. Anyone else feeling fatigued, extremely anxious, overwhelmed, and a little sad? That can’t be just me, right?! Seriously, this was a true whopper of a year, and if you’re feeling a little tender or fragile, that’s okay. But the holigays are here whether we feel joyful about it or not, and that’s an excuse to do something nice for ourselves. Namely: hang out with each other. Yes, it’s meet-up time, aka my favorite time of year! Per always, our staff will be hosting some meet-ups in their respective cities and we encourage our readers (that’s you!) to host meet-ups of your own! For those who have never held a meet-up or attended a meet-up before, or for those who need a small refresher, let’s go over the details.

What is an Autostraddle Holigay Meet-Up?

An Autostraddle Holigay Meet-Up is literally any activity wherein you hang out with Straddlers and “celebrate” the holigays. Some examples: a cute ugly sweater party, a Friendsgiving Side Dish Potluck, an ice skating or snow shoeing event, a tree decorating scenario, a Hannukah party, a Christmas party, karaoke, games night, happy hour, brunch…the list is endless. The list is as long as your imagination! How do you want to celebrate the holigays with your chosen family?

Who can host an Autostraddle Holigay Meet-Up?

Anyone! Me! You! Your girlfriend! Your baefriend! Your theyfriend! Your cat! (Pro tip: Cats should be supervised when hosting and should always co-host with a human.)

What do I need to do to host an Autostraddle Holigay Meet-Up?

Decide what you’d like to do and then fill out this nifty form! Within 24 hours, the meet-up will be posted on our events page and it will also be added to a frequently updated list on this very post.

When should my Autostraddle Holigay Meet-Up take place?

That’s up to you! I would suggest your event take place anywhere from tomorrow to January 1. (But you might have a hard time getting people to show up with less than 24 hours notice, so think about that for a second when you create your event.)

I wish we could ALL hang out together in a magical virtual reality universe!

Ugh, same! We can’t do that quite yet, but what you can do is tag all your meet-up photos with our special holigay hashtag: #holigays2017! Our badass social media team will keep an eye out for tags and we’ll be re-posting lots of cute celebratory images on Instagram and Tumblr! Feel free to tag your cute Autostraddle holigay merch, also — I wanna see all you babes with your Mommi t-shirts and your robust pin collections!

Have more questions? Ask them in the comments! I’ll be babysitting this post extra hard, so don’t be shy — I am here to help and to make sure we all have a nice holigay meet-up season together! Let’s take care of each other and love each other even more than usual this holigay season, okay? We all need a little extra TLC after the year we’ve endured, and who better to provide that support than our Autostraddle family? I love you all. Happy Holigays!

Submit your meet-up plans here!

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Meet-Up Schedule

(I chose to organize this schedule in alphabetical order by cities, not states, which admittedly was maybe not ideal. But that’s the way it’s done! So if you’re scrolling and are surprised you can’t find your city/state, it’s possible that you either missed it because of confusing organization on my part, OR that there isn’t a meet-up scheduled in your city yet and you should host one! Either/or.)

Australia

Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia 12/19: Naked for Satan & Mama Alto!

Venue: Naked for Satan then Hares & Hyenas
Event Date: December 19, 2017
Start Time: 6:00 pm
End Time: 9:00 pm
Host: Creatrix Tiara & Ngaire Sidhu
Description: Hey Melbourne Straddlers! Let’s meet up for drinks & food before checking out a show by a fantabulous nonbinary queer trans femme diva!
DRINKS & FOOD: Naked for Satan
285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
6pm onwards
SHOW: Mama Alto Holiday Special
Hares & Hyenas
63 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
7:30pm
You can come for one or the other, or come to both! They’re pretty much next door to each other and near public transport.
Get in touch if you have any questions.
RSVP: Facebook event 
Get tickets for Mama Alto’s show here ($10-$20)
Otherwise just come by! Naked for Satan is pretty big.

Sydney

Sydney, Australia 12/10: Festive Butchcraft Pool Party and Picnic

Venue: Prince Alfred Park Pool
105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills
Sydney, NSW
2010
Australia
Event Date: December 10, 2017
Start Time: 2:30 pm
End Time: 6:30 pm
Host: Max Whitby
Description: Yay! A poolside picnic with crafting opportunities (for those who are so inclined). REMINDER: every body is a beach/pool body and whatever you wear will bring joy to all the Straddlers so do not stress about your choices including the choice to not swim. (Max will 10/10 be wearing a sunshirt and boardies and googles and zinc and perhaps flippers.)

ZOOPERDOOPERS will probably make an appearance.

BYO swimwear, towel, suncream, hat and waterbottle. Feel free to bring snacks for the picnic or a book or picnic rug or sunglasses or whatever else. The pool does has a cafe with limited opening hours.

Pool entry fee is around $7 if you are planning on swimming, less if you are a spectator. There are showers and lockers and all the usual pool amenities. Pool shuts at 8pm. http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/facilities/swimming-pools/prince-alfred-park-pool

Crafting projects on offer:
– Celebratory bunting
– Sew your own bowtie
– Flower crown headbands

(If you want to craft please RSVP so Max can organize enough supplies)

If you want to bring along a donation for the twenty10 holiday hamper appeal the guidelines are here: http://www.twenty10.org.au/2017hamper/

Description of the picnic spot will be posted to the Facebook event page on the day (so you can find us when you arrive).

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/183356095548100/
Please RSVP to the Sydney Autostraddle Facebook Event

If you want to craft please RSVP so Max can bring enough supplies!!!

Canada

Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC, Canada 12/1: Holigay Queer Games Night

Venue: Casey’s House (see descriptions for details)
Event Date: December 1, 2017
Start Time: 7:00 pm
End Time: 11:00 pm
Host: Casey Stepaniuk
Description: Want to come be a nerd with me and play board games at my house? I have Cranium, Taboo, and Scattegories and it would be great if you wanted to bring a favourite game or two with you so we have lots of variety! I’ll have some snacks and non-alcoholic drinks but feel free to bring your own drinks (boozy or not) and/or food too. Holigay-ish apparel encouraged but not mandatory (I may be wearing my Christmas cat sweater).
RSVP: You can RSVP on the Facebook event or send me an email stepaniukcasey [at] gmail.com. Since I don’t want to put my address out there on the whole world wide internet, you will have to email me for my address either way: stepaniukcasey [at] gmail.com. Feel free to email even if you’re just a maybe!

United Kingdom

London, England

London, UK 12/30: Another London Brunch

Venue: Long White Cloud
151 Hackney Rd
London,
E2 8JL
United Kingdom
Event Date: December 30, 2017
Start Time: 11:00 am
End Time: 2:00 pm
Host: Hattie
Description: For those of you who will be in London over the holigays – come have brunch with some fellow Straddlers.

Location: Long White Cloud. Nearest overground station: Hoxton.

Accessibility: There is a small lip going into the cafe and its not a very wide door but after that there are no steps. The toilet is on the ground floor but I can’t remember the cubicle situation – let me know if you need me to find out more accessibility info or alternatively contact them directly here: http://longwhitecloudhoxton.com/

Prices: Varying from pastries/cakes for £2-3ish to a full english/veggie/vegan cooked breakfast for £8. Coffees and teas around £2-3. No pressure to buy anything – you can simply turn up and hang out!

RSVP: We have a table booked so please RSVP on the FB event so I can let them know solid numbers: https://www.facebook.com/events/220751478464472/

You have to be a member of the AS London group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/372919629458135/

USA

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, GA 12/23: S’more Please: Happy Holigays

Venue: Healium Center
344 Candler Park Dr NE
Atlanta, Georgia
30307
United States
Event Date: December 23, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: 9:00 pm
Host: Rotten Peaches
Description: Join Rotten Peaches ATL and This Free Life for a fun-filled celebration during the holiday season!
RSVP: https://tfl.events/atl#/atl
Follow Rotten Peaches on Facebook and we will post the event soon! https://www.facebook.com/rottenpeachesatl/

Berkeley, CA

Berkeley, CA 12/29: Kali Kristmas

Venue: Camille’s Apartment
Event Date: December 29, 2017
Start Time: 7:00 pm
End Time: 11:00 pm
Host: Camille & Jenn Wiseman & Campbell
Description: Surf’s up Santabros!
The tide is hiiiiiiigh and the mistletoe is TIIIIIIIITE!

these babes are bringing the party wave to the east bay
drop in to this sweet hang for some chill vibes and gnarly grub
leave those surfboards at home and bring your tubuluar selves
in keeping a rad space, let’s keep it sober bro
i’ll be cooking up some gluten/sugar/dairy/grain-free yum yums
totally sick if you wanna bring ur own chow/fluids
it’s Kristmas in Kali!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In all seriousness, this is a low-key friendly meet-up for the holigays! We know it’s late in the season, but we would love to kick it with some new queers before the new years! I am hosting at my (Camille Wiseman) apartment in Berkeley. It is a 15 minute stroll from Downtown Berkeley Bart. I live on the 5th floor, but there is an elevator. **The elevator has been inconsistent lately, and I am hopeful that it will be working by this time.** We will keep you posted on the status of the elevator, as accessibility is our priority! If need be, the event location will be changed. This is a sober space, so you do you to honor that! Amped to see you there!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Address will be posted later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1842334869128892/

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA 12/9: Holigay Meet-Up: Day Drinking and Games!

Venue: People’s Republik
878 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA
02139
United States
Event Date: December 9, 2017
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: N/A
Host: Dufrau and Jenna
Description: Wear flannel, drink beers, be friends, show us pictures of your pets.
RSVP: No RSVP needed – just show up!

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio 12/16: Holiday Party and Meet Up

Venue: Elizabeth’s House!
Event Date: December 16, 2017
Start Time: 7:00 pm
End Time: 12:00 am
Host: Elizabeth China
Description: It’s that time again for our annual Holiday Meet Up Party! Let’s celebrate all that gives us comfort and joy with drinks, snacks, board games, and if the weather holds a bonfire and some snow-smores!

Wear whatever makes you feel the most festivus, bring a snack or drink to share, ya bae, and some friends!

Notes about the house: it’s parallel parking and an energetic pup and cat are in residence!
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/844702642368647/
The event is private since it was made through the Columbus Straddler! group which is private. Join the group for access to the event!

Dallas, TX

Dallas, Texas 12/9: Coffee and Winter Crafts!

Venue: Toasted
5420 Ross Ave #180
Dallas, TX 75206
Event Date: December 9, 2017
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 5:00 pm
Host: Yvonne Marquez
Description: Stop by Toasted for a merry holigay afternoon with Dallas Straddlers! The loft is reserved for our meet-up so we have the entire upstairs space to hang out! We’ll be making paper snowflakes so bring your own paper and scissors and we’ll provide the how-to. Feel free to bring other materials to work on your own crafts. If that’s not your thing, just bring yourself! Join us for coffee, beer, good company and some winter crafts!
RSVP: You don’t have to RSVP, but here’s a Facebook link for your convenience.

Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis 12/17: Game Night at Kingmakers!

Venue: Kingmakers
881 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN
46204
United States
Event Date: December 17, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: 8:00 pm
Host: Brandalynn White
Description: Game night, ahoy! Kingmakers is a newer game library in town but I hear it has a decent range of beverages (some alcoholic, some not) as well as some snackage. There is a parking lot behind the building as well as street parking available out front.

Kingmakers is $5 per person for the length of the visit. I recommend checking out their FAQ if you have any questions: http://kingmakersfun.com/faq/.

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/833556123352942/
You can RSVP and join us on Facebook or email me at brandalynn.snow (at) gmail, Happy Holigays!

Kansas City, MO

Kansas City, Missouri, 12/12: Gayme Night at Pawn & Pint!

Venue: Pawn & Pint
613 Walnut St
Kansas City, Missouri
64106
United States
Event Date: December 12, 2017
Start Time: 7:00 pm
End Time: 11:00 pm
Host: Karly Kownslar
Description: Let’s meet up at KC’s board game bar! P&P has the largest stock of board games I’ve ever seen, a fully stocked bar, and good food (vegetarian and GF friendly). December 12 is their Ladies Night event and women (owner says “anyone who identifies as a lady”) gets in free, otherwise $5 to play. They’re welcoming to queer people, and it’s a chill place to hang out. And free parking in their lot across the street!
RSVP: No need to RSVP, but if you have more questions about the event karlykownslar (at) gmail or find Pawn & Pint on Facebook!

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles 12/3: LA Autostraddle Cuties Meetup!

Venue: Cuties Coffee
710 N Heliotrope Drive
Los Angeles, CA
90029
United States
Event Date: December 3, 2017
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 5:00 pm
Host: Reneice Charles
Description: Come to Cuties to have coffee and chat with Autostraddle staff writers Carrie Wade, Mey Rude, Carolyn Yates, and Reneice Charles! We’ll be hanging at Cuties coffee for the afternoon and can’t wait to see your lovely faces!
RSVP: No RSVP necessary!

Los Angeles/Southern California 12/10: LBTQ Potluck At The Park – Holiday Edition

Venue: Echo Park
751 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles,, California
90026
Event Date: December 10, 2017
Start Time: 12:00 pm
End Time: 5:00 pm
Host: Al
Description: People had such a great time at the previous events, so this is the December event to meet other people in the LBTQ community. It will be at Echo Park, which many enjoyed and is close to the metro and public transportation. There is also street parking for those who drive/carpool.

It will be POTLUCK style where someone brings something to share (like last time). Please keep in mind there may be vegan & gluten free people who go to these events. So, not all the food has to be vegan or gluten free friendly but preferred that some of it be. Also, if you bring alcohol make sure it’s covered​ and in non-clear cups, don’t want people to get in trouble. Also charcoal would be nice for the BBQ pits at the park. Most importantly this is safe & consent space, so feel free to wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing.

Exact location of which area will be announced day of the event as its a first come first serve basis. Feel free to invite LGBTQ friends and family. This is a safe space.

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1940225132911390/

New York, NY

New York City 12/2: Holigay Meet-Up: Straddlers Take Stonewall!

Venue: The Stonewall Inn
53 Christopher St
New York, NY 10014
Event Date: December 2, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: N/A
Host: Heather Hogan and Valerie Anne
Description: Come celebrate the Holigays with Heather and Valerie at Stonewall Inn! Drop in, drop out. No RSVP necessary.
RSVP: No RSVP necessary.

Portland, OR

Portland, OR 12/6: After Hours Tea & Talking @ Seagrape

Venue: Seagrape
319 NE Wygant St.
Portland, OR 97211
Event Date: December 6, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: 8:00 pm
Host: Maria & Vanessa
Description: Seagrape bath & body is a queer-owned witchy shop in NE Portland specializing in products that help you feel good about yourself on the inside and outside. Owner Maria Vashakidze is generously keeping the shop open late just for Autostraddle on December 6! Come by the cozy magical space and make yourself a cup of tea, shop for last minute holigay gifts, or just hang out with other Straddlers. Learn more about Seagrape at their website or on Instagram. We can’t wait to see you.
RSVP: No RSVP necessary!

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA 12/17: Hella Gay Holiqueer Meet Up

Venue: El Rio
3158 Mission St
San Francisco, CA
94110
United States
Event Date: December 17, 2017
Start Time: 6:00 pm
End Time: N/A
Host: Dwyn Asher
Description: Come get your holigay cheer on with other Straddlers at El Rio! Come when you want, leave when you want.
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/baystraddler/
No RSVP needed. The event page is attached to Straddlers By The Bay though so feel free to RSVP there if you want!

Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz, CA 12/4: Santa Cruz Black & Pink Postcard Party

Venue: Woodstock’s Pizza
710 Front Street
Santa Cruz, California
95060
United States
Event Date: December 4, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: 7:00 pm
Host: Bristol Cave-LaCoste
Description: Join a ragtag group of nerds and queers for a night of coloring, queer joy, and hating on the prison-industrial complex. We will have a big box of cute winter-y postcards to color/write on for the Black & Pink Network that supports LGBTQ and HIV+ folks in prison. It’s my first year volunteering with the org, and my first attempt at a meet-up, so it could be disastrous but will probably be great and will definitely be important. You don’t even have to color if you just want pizza and beer. Let’s remind Santa Cruz how queer it is.
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/127920734566812/
This facebook invite is currently private, although if you email me I can get you in. I just don’t want all kinds of strangers showing up, only the cool kinds. Otherwise you can email me at [email protected] with questions or enthusiastic RSVPs!

Seattle, WA

Seattle 12/8: Hot Chocolate & Board Games!

Venue: Chocolati
8319 Greenwood Ave N.
Seattle, Washington
98103
United States
Event Date: December 8, 2017
Start Time: 7:00 pm
End Time: 10:00 pm
Host: Katrina Carrasco
Description: It’s the Holigays in Seattle! Come enjoy snacks, games, and good company. Chocolati cafe has hot chocolate, truffles, coffee, and desserts. I’m going to bring Cranium, Scattergories, cards, and a few other games. (Feel free to bring your favorite game, too!) No need to RSVP — drop in whenever during the evening. I’ll put an Autostraddle logo on our table so you can find the group. Hope to see you there!
RSVP: No need to RSVP!

Worcester, MA

Worcester, Massachusetts 12/16: Worcester Meetup: Queer Craft Night!

Venue: Stone Soup Community Center
4 King Street
Worcester, Massachusetts
01610
United States
Event Date: December 16, 2017
Start Time: 5:00 pm
End Time: 8:00 pm
Host: Heather Mangione
Description: Calling all queers!! Let’s get together to craft, color, and eat! This is an all-ages, family-friendly, FREE event.

Please join the folks from Airspray Worcester & The HX Library at Stone Soup Community Center to make some glittery holiday crafts, color in queer coloring books, and eat some tasty food!! This event is a potluck so please bring something to eat or drink if you’re able to.

Feel free to bring your own craft projects that you’re working on or coloring books as well. Spread the word and bring friends!!

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/302281036935567/
No need to RSVP but the link to the Facebook event is included.