Texas Burlesque Festival 2026!

Texas Burlesque Festival Returns to Austin with International Headliners, Legendary Icons, and Unapologetic Glamour May 14, 2026, Opening Night: Thursday, May 14 at Elysium May 15-16, 2026, Competition Nights: Friday and Saturday at the Rollins Theater / Long Center Full details and tickets on sale now at www.texasburlesquefest.com Austin, TX — Feathers will fly and heels will hit the stage as the Texas Burlesque Festival returns to Austin for a dazzling multi-night celebration of the art of tease, talent, and theatrical flair. Kicking off Thursday, May 14 at Elysium before continuing May 15–16 at the Long Center’s Rollins Theater, the 2026 festival promises a bold, body-positive spectacle that is equal parts glamour, grit, and good trouble. The festival opens Thursday night at Elysium with a high-energy showcase featuring standout headliners including Eros Sea, alongside a lineup of boundary-pushing performers who set the tone for a weekend of unforgettable performances. Headlining this year’s festival Friday night is Jessabelle Thunder (Los Angeles, CA), an internationally renowned performer who has been setting stages ablaze since 2009. Recently crowned Miss Exotic World, Queen of Burlesque 2025 at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Thunder is known for her electrifying blend of power, playfulness, and undeniable stage magnetism. With performances spanning 11 countries and stages shared with icons like Lizzo and Dita Von Teese, she brings a global spotlight and serious star power to Austin. Adding a touch of living history to the lineup on Saturday night is Madame E, a true legend of burlesque. Beginning her career in 1970 as Pearl Divine in Honolulu, Madame E has performed across the Pacific, entertained U.S. troops during the Vietnam era, and later became a staple of the Los Angeles performance scene. Inducted into the Burlesque Hall of Fame as a legend, she continues to captivate audiences with timeless elegance and a rebellious spirit that proves Burlesque has no expiration date. The Texas Burlesque Festival celebrates performers of all backgrounds, styles, and bodies, creating a space where classic striptease meets modern storytelling. From sultry slow burns to high-energy spectacle, the festival invites audiences to experience the full spectrum of burlesque artistry across both an intimate club setting and a world-class theater stage. Tickets range from $15-35 Thursday, $46 to $74 Fri/Sat and are available now. Whether you’re a longtime fan or burlesque-curious, this is your invitation to step into a world where confidence is currency, individuality is celebrated, and a well-timed glove peel can bring the house down. Come for the glamour. Stay for the attitude. This event features ASL interpreters all 3 nights and is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment.