Los Angeles has always been a city that knows how to put on a show, and this spring, the Hollywood Burlesque Festival is bringing three nights of pure, unapologetic glamour to one of the most storied venues in the city. Marking its return from March 27 through 29, 2026, the festival makes its home at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Melrose Avenue a breathtaking 1924 Hollywood-era ballroom that feels like it was built for exactly this kind of evening.

With more than 90 performers from across the country taking the stage over three nights, this is the largest celebration of the art of Burlesque that Los Angeles has to offer. And whether you’re a longtime devotee or a curious first timer, each show is designed to surprise you. Classic old-Hollywood glamour shares the spotlight with cosplay, aerial acrobatics, and drag  a reminder that burlesque has never been one thing, and that’s precisely what makes it irresistible.

Friday kicks off the festivities in style with the Opening Night Red Carpet Gala and Showcase, hosted by the incomparable Kiki Maroon and Scarlet O’Gasam. Headlining the evening is Jessabelle Thunder, Los Angeles’s very own reigning Queen of Burlesque  Miss Exotic World 2025. Having competed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame last year and taken the crown, Jessabelle returns home to headline the opening night as the festival’s Hometown Headliner. She’ll be joined by an extraordinary lineup including Gaea Lady, Egypt Blaque Knyle, Miss Marquez, and more than a dozen other performers.

Saturday night turns up the heat with the Hollywood Burlesque Competition, where the city’s finest battle it out before a live audience for titles including Miss Hollywood, Mr. Hollywood, Hollywood Starlet, and Hollywood Chanteuse. The audience itself gets a vote with the Blockbuster Award — the crowd favorite of the evening. Hosted by Vanity Halston, this is the night when the stakes are highest and the performances most daring.

Sunday closes the festival with an unmissable Brunch Showcase  a more intimate, celebratory affair featuring a diverse cast including festival producer Miss Spent Youth and this year’s Hollywood Community Icon Award honoree, Audrey DeLuxe. A pioneer of the neo-burlesque movement since 1999, Audrey is the force behind Burlesque Bingo and the burlesque programming at Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend. Her recognition is long-due and entirely deserved.

Tickets are available now at HollywoodBurlesqueFestival.com. VIP options include premium seating, early access to workshops, and a sponsor gift bag. The Ukrainian Cultural Center is located on Melrose Avenue in the heart of Hollywood, steps from the 101 and the Vermont/Santa Monica Metro station.

This is one weekend you won’t want to miss.