Our mission is to uplift monster drag and raise the profile of alternative drag, proving that this art form is vibrant, professional, and bookable far beyond Halloween.
We operate on a not-for-profit basis to benefit our community, advancing education and wellbeing by creating accessible platforms, paid opportunities, and skills development for underrepresented LGBTQ+ artists working in alternative drag and performance.
What began in 2021 as a tiny basement show - and Sheffield’s only dedicated alternative drag event at the time - has grown into one of the UK’s largest celebrations of alt drag.
Cryptid Queers has grown through the passion and support of its community, helping to create and nurture a vibrant creative scene centred around alternative drag in Sheffield and giving birth to more alt drag platforms through it's Camp Cryptid initiative.
Built entirely without formal funding, relying only on ticket sales, merch, and the love of our community, Cryptid Queers has delivered unforgettable events and workshops - and now we’re taking it further. This August, we bring you our first Drag Monster Festival in Sheffield.
A love letter to the drag monster community, the festival will feature daring performances, our first monster pageant, monster led workshops, immersive shows, DJs, live music, and a marketplace for queer makers and creatives - celebrating creativity, community, and the deliciously weird side of drag.

Our flagship show takes place at FORGE Warehouse. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by our door monster who will check your tickets before you enter through the courtyard and into the main room. Inside you’ll find two bars and our alternative market - the perfect place to browse before the show begins.
Expect a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere as we present two rounds of floorshows featuring some of the UK’s most thrilling drag monsters alongside the fiercest rising talent on the alternative drag scene.
Between the performances and late into the night, the party continues across two rooms of music from our legendary resident DJs - Gilly Woo, Kohl, and L8N. Room One delivers industrial, EBM, techno, and uplifting queer anthems, while Room Two dives into metal, rock, punk, and goth.
Join us for an unforgettable night of monstrous drag, alternative music, and unapologetic queer joy.

Cryptid Queers is a disabled and neurodivergent ran event and therefore accessibility is central to how we operate.
Full accessiblity info for all our events can be found here