Drag and decadence will collide once again aboard Long Beach’s most iconic vessel as “Queens on the Queen” returns for one night only on Monday, Sept. 8. The queens will take over the aptly named Queen’s Salon for this year’s event from 7PM to 9PM—an upgrade from last year.
Following its sold-out debut in the historic Observation Bar in 2024, the show is moving to a grander stage, marrying the ship’s Art Deco opulence with all the glitz, lashes, and lip-syncs one could dream of.
Hold up—there’s a drag show aboard the Queen Mary?
Yes—and last year, it sold out. With this year’s stacked lineup? Don’t expect less. So get your tickets now if you’re genuinely interested.
The night will be helmed by Long Beach’s own queen and philanthropist Jewels Long Beach. With it? Promises of an unapologetic mix of comedy, cocktails, and camp. The lineup is, well, beat:
- RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star Jasmine Masters
- Emmy-winning stunner Meja Massacr
- Birdcage film legend and local icon Dolly Levi
So go support…
On top of this, we have a cast of performers who know how to bring down the ship (without actually sinking it). With backing from Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, Hamburger Mary’s, and the Queen Mary herself, the event doubles as a celebration of both drag artistry and Long Beach’s deep ties to queer culture.
Those lucky enough to snag a Royal Package will step beyond the mainstage spectacle into a hidden speakeasy tucked deep within the ship—a velvet-draped, wink-and-you’re-in cocktail lounge where the night stretches into more performances and surprises. As Jewels herself puts it: “This isn’t just a drag show—it’s a full-blown experience. It’s Long Beach meets luxury with a whole lot of lashes.”
Why drag is essential—particularly in today’s social climate.
Drag, at its heart, has never been just about performance. It’s been about survival. It’s been about joy in the face of those who’d rather see it silenced. And right now, in a political climate where queer and trans communities are once again under attack, drag matters more than ever. It takes the very things lawmakers try to legislate away—fluidity, flamboyance, and, given the climate, I would even say “faggotry”—and turns them into living, breathing art. When a queen walks on stage in all her sequined glory, she isn’t just lip-syncing. She owns a space. She stakes a claim to visibility in a world still trying to erase it. It’s tangible art at its finest.
For Long Beach, a city with deep queer roots and a long tradition of unapologetic self-expression, drag is part of our cultural backbone. These shows are not just entertainment. They’re centered gatherings for the community. Places where we can laugh. Cheer. Feel seen. Feel unhindered. They remind us that queer joy is still radical in 2025. And that celebration itself can be a form of protest. At a time when reactionary forces would rather shove queer life back into the shadows, drag says loudly and with rhinestones: we’re not going anywhere.
And maybe that’s the most beautiful thing about it—drag creates space for joy in the midst of struggle. The camp, the comedy, the over-the-top glamour—it’s all armor. It tells our queer youth they are not alone. It reminds allies of the culture they’re here to protect. And it reinforces the idea that resilience doesn’t always look like marching in the streets. Sometimes it looks like a standing ovation after a perfectly timed hair flip.
In Long Beach, that joy isn’t just welcomed—it’s essential.
Tickets are on sale now: $40 general admission, or $125 for the VIP Royal Package (for two), which includes prime seating, a cast meet-and-greet, and post-show speakeasy access.
