Event Dates
From: Friday, May 23, 2025
To: Sunday, May 25, 2025
First Splash is when Austin gays kick off summer over the Memorial Day holiday weekend
First Splash Austin 2025
First Splash is when Austin gays kick off summer over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The party takes place out on the lake at the gay section of Hippie Hollow on the Sunday of the holiday weekend.
- Visiting Austin for Memorial Day Weekend? The city fills up fast so book your hotel early. Stay at the Fairmont Austin with a “Superb” rating, featuring spacious rooms and excellent location.
The Event
- Friday 23rd May – Sunday 25th May, 2024 – First Splash has grown into a weekend series of events, circuit parties and and the perfect excuse to throw a party as the Texas heat gets everyone hot and bothered!
- Events culminate at Hippy Hollow on the Sunday of the weekend.
- Stay at The Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt, a boutique hotel offering guests spacious rooms, a great pool and the famous gay-friendly Kimpton welcome.
Splash Pool Party
- Saturday 24th May, 2025 – From 1 pm – Saturday Splash Pool Party with DJ Wayne G. –
- Venue to be confirmed – previous events have been held at the East Austin Hotel.
- We love the East Austin Hotel, with its spacious retro rooms, super cool rooftop bar and pool and close proximity to downtown.
Hippie Hollow Splash Days Barge
- Sunday 25th May, 2025 – The gay section of Hippie Hollow is located at the very end of the park. Just keep on the paved walkway until it runs out … and you’re at the gay section.
- Each year, on the Sundays of Memorial weekend, you can rent barges or boats and head out to the cove. Arrive by 10 am to ensure entry.
- The lake event runs from 9am-8pm. It’s advised people BYOB but no glass.
- There is no cost to go the Splash party at the lake, BUT there is a fee to get in to the park. It’s around $20 per vehicle if you drive in or $10 per person if you walk or bike in. Cash only, no credit/debit cards. There is no fee if you come in off the lake on a boat.
- From 10 pm to 4 am.
The Venue
- Hippie Hollow is a 30 minute ride from the gay bars of downtown Austin, located on the shore of Lake Travis in northwest Austin. It is the only legally recognized clothing-optional public park in the State of Texas.
- Stay close to Hippie Hollow (11 min drive) at the Hyatt Place Austin, recently refurbished with spacious rooms and a modern gym.
Other Parties – To Be confirmed
- Awaiting dates – DNVRMX Austin Big Splash Weekend – A weekend of epic circuit parties featuring international guest DJs, sexy gogos, spectacular stage productions and more.
- Check out the top hotels in Downtown Austin.
- Awaiting dates – Inn Cahoots Rooftop party with guest DJs and dancing, followed by a fun bar tour of 4th street mainstays, Rain and Oil Can Harrys for Splash Dance!
- Located on the rooftop at the Inn Cahoots Hotel with stunning views of the city and private cabanas.
Recommended Hotels in Austin
The Following Austin Hotels are close to the city’s top attractions and a short ride away from most of the First Splash Events:
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Hotel ZaZa is the perfect place
to stay, close to the gay scene, great pool
For further information and advice on
Splash Days visit The Website
The gay clubs in Austin are largely centered around the 4th street gay district and don’t get going until around midnight. Most of the city’s gay bars are within walking distance not only of each other but of dozens of other cool mainstream bars and clubs downtown, mostly in the hip Warehouse District that’s between the Texas Capitol building and the Colorado River. The gay scene in Austin is well integrated with the town so people mix and you’ll often spot gay folks hanging out at the music clubs, trendy lounges, coffeehouses, and restaurant bars that everyone else in town likes.
Also, Austin is home to a very popular and scenic gay sunbathing area, Hippie Hollow Park, a county-operated, clothing-optional park that’s about a 30-minute drive northwest of downtown, on the rocky but scenic shore of Lake Travis.
101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with free toiletries and a bath or shower. Fairmont Austin features some units with city views, and rooms are fitted with a coffee machine.
304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Guest rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bath or shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries. At Austin Marriott Downtown each room has bed linen and towels
211 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown offers air-conditioned accommodation & features a bar called Coffee to Cocktails that serves light appetizers. The property has a swimming pool and a fitness centre. A number of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and hiking.
111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
The LINE Austin features free bikes and outdoor swimming pool in the heart of Austin. Featuring a bar, In-room amenities include complimentary WiFi, floor-to-ceiling windows with lake and city views, and a fully stacked minibar. Other amenities include a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
91 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
The accommodation is air conditioned There is a seating & dining area with a flat-screen TV, a kitchen fitted with a dishwasher. Every unit features a private bathroom with free toiletries. Free WiFi
Austin, TX 78701
Key apartment features include: king-size bed with memory foam mattress, Queen-size sleeper sofa, Fully equipped kitchen, living room with smart TV, Ultra high-speed Internet. One free parking space
201 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
Each unit at the apart-hotel is fitted with air conditioning, private bathroom and kitchen with dishwasher, a living room. Offering an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Free business-class Wi-Fi
301 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Every unit features a private bathroom & bath or shower, air conditioning, Living room & a dining area in all units. guests can enjoy a fitness & business centre, a shared lounge & garden. Free WiFi, & parking
404 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
Austin's ONLY Gay Nightclub!!!
High Energy- High Volume, 3- Level Dance Club, with BASS BOSS Soundsystem and Lightshow! Largest Dance Floor in the ATX!!! Drag Show Every Friday and Saturday
404 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
The Jackalope is Austin’s favorite and most famous gay dive bar with incredible food. We serve up burgers consistently voted as one of the best in a city known for great burgers, as well as receiving national recognition for the excellence of both our food and our lively and uniquely “Austin” bar experience. We are located in the heart of Austin’s Historic District, smack in the middle of one of the country’s great entertainment districts
900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
This gay vegan bar could be described as a colorful cabin, with a large outdoor music venue behind it.
121 W 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
Bears, Cubs, Otters, Wolfs, Leather, Fetish and all their admirers!
217B W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Fun upscale gay lounge bar always busy
211 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Austin’s Oldest Gay Bar Popular with the younger boys,
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