From lightsabers to lingerie, The International Nerdlesque Festival (TINF) returns in 2025 for its most immersive and ambitious year yet—bringing its signature blend of fandom, glitter, and body-positive performance to the nation’s capital.
Taking place Friday, September 12, and Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the landmark Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St NE), this two-night extravaganza invites audiences into a universe where the grown and sexy meet the geeky and fabulous.
With an all-star lineup of burlesque royalty, TINF 2025 will feature headlining performances from Sweetpea (MN) and Fem Appeal (NY)—plus standout acts by Aquarius Moon (DC), Jacqueline Boxx (MD), Sally Stardust (RVA/DC), and Xena Zeitgeist (LA). The creative team includes Maki Roll, Kimono Jones, Aquarius Moon, and Diva Darling, all respected visionaries in burlesque, nightlife, and immersive entertainment.
Workshops
Join us on Saturday, September 13th, for workshops with some of our performers. Space is limited, reserve your spot now!
1) Energy Flow: Mastering the Stationary Sizzle with Jacqueline Boxx - 1 hr (11:00AM-12:00PM)
2) Freaky Face!: Virgin Vogue for Nerdlesque & Cosplay with Aquarius Moon - 1 hr (12:15PM-1:15PM)
3) Shapeshifting 101 with Xena Zeitgeist - 1 hr (1:30PM-2:30PM)
4) Super Sexy Propwork with Sweetpea - 1hr (2:45PM-3:45PM)
Donations
Right now the city is a hot bed of politics and civil unrest, but as a reminder, there is culture, history, art, and beauty in DC. H St used to have one of DC's busiest art and entertainment districts, the Atlas District, where Atlas Performing Arts Center is located, but now is overlooked for more gentrified areas of DC. Atlas has partnered with many organizations and art collectives that align with the values we uphold in maintaining the International Nerdlesque Festival. It is not by accident thar we chose Atlas to make our grand mark on DC.
We hope you will support us in continuing and expanding the legacy of this explosive and impactful piece of nerd and nightlife history. Please look at our donation tiers, and consider donating. Any amount will help us make the festival even better!