An Army of Lovers: The Magical Crowd That Carried LadyLand Festival

Pride Month or not, year-round, LadyLand is dedicated to defying conventionality and empowering the dolls, the girls, the gays, and the theys.

Photography by Elan Nguyen

As LadyLand Festival quotes, “An army of lovers will never be defeated.” They never lied. This year (and every year), Under the K Bridge hosted over 20,000 people, where love lived in bountiful ways at LadyLand Festival. Here, love looked like making out on the dance floor, grinding with strangers to their favorite DJ sets, admiring each other in the most iconic and unforgettable outfits and makeup looks, belting out anthems with your best friends and loved ones, voguing in the middle of the crowd, and creating a safe space for everyone to just be.

The two-day festival, created and hosted by Ladyfag, celebrates Pride Month and concludes it with a bang, creating an intentionally, unapologetically queer environment. Whether it was live performances, DJ sets, drag shows, or stunts, dozens of artists from around the world graced three different stages (and one rave cage-like setup in the middle of the pathway) for two memorable nights: the Fist Stage, the Red Bull Stage, and the Resist Stage.

Photography by Elan Nguyen

On Day 1, there were performances by headliner Cardi B, Cobrah, Sukihana, Dani Tenaglia, F5ve, Sofia Kourtesis, Hercules & Love Affair, Alex Chapman, Armana Khan, Charlene, Chase Icon, Gallipony, Karim Olen Ash, Por Detroit, Leonce, Michael Magnan, Paurro, Santi, Uniiqu3, Lushious Massacr, and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Symone and Kerri Colby.

On Day 2, the night was just as powerful and energetic (if not more) with performances by headliner FKA Twigs, Pabllo Vittar, Boris, Eartheater, VTSS, Isabella Lovestory, Kevin Aviance, Alexis De La Rosa, Boy Cordero, Chippy NonStop, Cortisa Star, Jeffrey Sfire, Liam Benzvi, Manuka Honey, Meth Math, Sissies of Mercy, Taahliah, and Toccororo—going until 2 a.m. on both nights.

Photography by Elan Nguyen

Artists popped out to support one another at LadyLand Festival, representing a diverse range of disciplines, including musicians, designers, makeup artists, drag queens, influencers, visual artists, and many more. Vendors throughout the festival included tooth gems by Dorian Ferrer, clothes by Mother Daughter Holy Spirit, and official LadyLand Festival merch. And we can’t forget the LadyLand partners that kept all of us hydrated, entertained, resourced, and lit: Arizona Hard, Chrome Horse Tequila, Mistr, Ponyboi, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and L’Oréal.

Pride Month or not, year-round, LadyLand is dedicated to defying conventionality and empowering the dolls, the girls, the gays, and the theys. LadyLand wants you to show up as your most fabulous, glammed-up, authentic selves. 1202 MAGAZINE captured some of our favorite looks from both nights throughout the festival. Check them out to see if we photographed you or someone you know! We already can’t wait to strap our boots on and plan out our most extravagant outfit for LadyLand Festival 2026.

Marisa Kalil-Barrino

Marisa is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of 1202 MAGAZINE.

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