The Evolution of Ladyland
Ladyfag is a visionary force in New York City nightlife, and as she stands backstage at Ladyland 2026—adorned with a unicorn horn—it is clear that her annual Pride extravaganza has reached a new pinnacle. The festival, which gathers the queer community under the iconic Kosciuszko Bridge in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, has become a sanctuary for debauchery, pop music, and radical self-expression. Since its inception in 2018, the event has hosted legendary acts, but this year feels distinctly different.
The festival was born from a simple, necessary observation: there was a void in the NYC Pride landscape. While corporate-backed parades and underground warehouse shows existed, there was no queer, alternative festival that captured the “spicy” energy of the scene. As Ladyfag puts it, “Where there is a hole, fill it.”
A Full Circle Moment with Kim Petras
The 2026 edition of the festival featured a headline performance by Kim Petras, marking a profound full-circle moment for both the artist and the organizer. Petras, who performed at the very first Ladyland in 2018, has since ascended to global stardom. Reflecting on that early performance, Ladyfag recalls the moment she knew Petras was destined for greatness: “She had a few songs in her back pocket… she put her mic in the audience, and everyone started singing, and she was just feeling it. I looked at her, and I was like, ‘She’s going to be a big fucking star.'”
Today, Petras is headlining the festival, showcasing tracks from her critically acclaimed record, Detour. For Ladyfag, the goal has always been to provide a platform for artists to grow. “I want to create platforms for these kinds of artists to have those moments so that one day they can become big stars. I’m really proud of her,” she says.
The Magic of NYC Nightlife
Organizing a festival of this magnitude is no small feat, and Ladyfag is the first to admit that it requires a certain level of madness. From navigating the logistics of the Under The K Bridge venue to coordinating with artists who are simultaneously perfecting their craft in studios across the city, the process is a labor of love. When asked what keeps the festival—and New York City nightlife—thriving, her answer is simple: resilience. “It’s the fact that New Yorkers don’t give up,” she notes. “Every year, I almost give up on Ladyland and then I get to the festival, and I hear everyone screaming, and I see everyone having the time of their life, and I’m just like, ‘Oh yeah, I can’t wait till next year.'”
