The holidays are upon us! Later this week Americans will be gorging on turkey and stuffing and spending time with their families and loved ones. Not many people know that the night before Thanksgiving is actually one of the busiest nights of the year for bars and clubs because everyone has family in town and no plans for the weekend other than eating and drinking and nursing their hangovers.

Therefore, it makes sense that this would be a perfect weekend to get out and see a burlesque show and, boy howdy, have we got some good ones. We even have a few that aren’t in America. So even if you don’t celebrate “thanksgiving” in the American sense of the word, this is still a great weekend to go out, enjoy some cocktails and celebrate time with family and friends.

A little holiday burlesque could be just the ticket for a great night out with the family (assuming they’re not puritans) and we got a bursting “buffet” of burlesque action to feast on. There’s even an actual burlesque buffet happening on Saturday so you can get food and flirty fun all in one shot.

So, whether you’re in Seattle, New Orleans, D.C., Toronto or Paris, France, we got some tasty holiday treats in store for you this week! Have a great holiday everyone.

TONIGHT! Tuesday, November 26

Lipgloss Crisis Presents: The Day Before The Day Before Thanksgiving!! – New Haven, Connecticut

This full-length cabaret at Lipgloss Crisis is stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey with all kinds of entertainment!

Hosted by one of New Haven’s premier drag queens, Miss Robin Banks! Lipgloss Crisis herself will hit the stage with some singing and Viking action. Miss Kitty Katastrophe, New Haven’s cutie, will shake and shimmy some of her burlesque skills, and Uber Dami from Circus Delecti will be doing tricks and tap-dancing her way straight to your heart!

Mat Stokes will be playing 1920’s tunes with his guitar and harmonica. There will also be some surprise performers! There will also be an intermission with light refreshments and wine between acts.

Start your Thanksgiving season right with Lipgloss Crisis!

Wednesday, November 27

Kinky Parade Au Standard Porte Maillot – Paris, France

At the heart of the golden triangle and just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysees, is Le Standard and its elegantly sophisticated pleasures. Spend an evening among unforgettable, funny, sexy and glamorous burlesque artists in an interactive show that will be an extraordinarily unforgettable experience!

Le Standard’s cuisine, like the club itself, combines classic and contemporary for a menu built around seasonal ingredients. You’ll be surprised by the concoctions of Le Standard’s mixologists and their custom cocktails featuring rare alcohols, fresh juices and mixers, as well as a wide assortment of classic cocktails.

Performing this Wednesday will be: Lightning Love, Lila Chupa -Hoops, Betty Frizzy Patsy, Polly Pony Girl and Eva Valentina.

THANKSGIVING! Thursday, November 28

Cirque d’Licious: Swanksgiving!!! – New Orleans, Louisiana

Are you ready for the best dessert on Thanksgiving? After you have gobbled up your pilgrim portions, come feast on some delicious entertainment with Cirque d’Licious’ SWANKSGIVING.

Each month Cirque d’Licious brings a revolving cast of all-star performers for your viewing delight. This month Cirque will be joined by stars from all over the nation to bring you comedy, sideshow, vaudeville, burlesque, stilting, juggling, acrobatics, and aerial arts. So get ready to sit back, relax and let the Cirque entertain you for SWANKSGIVING!

Produced by Ginger Licious, aerialist, acrobat and dancer. Hosted by the Yippee Ki Yay Cabaret’s Clay Mazing and Jasper Patterson. Starring:  Charlotte Truese – the intoxicating flirt, Scarlett Rose – sensational stilting superstar, Monsier Lind – the amazing musical acrobat, The Acromantics – gravity defying duo, Aaron Bonk – knives, juggling, fire and Chatty the Mime – clown queen.

Tassels and Tabletop 3: Dice and Dames – Toronto, Ontario

Striptease and gaming is a match made in nerdvana! Nerd Girl Burlesque is back for another exciting round of Tassels and Tabletop at The Central

The first half of the evening features a taste of some of the brightest stars in the local neo-burlesque and nerdlesque scene. Come see them shimmy and shake their “natural 20s”. After the show, stick around and mingle with the performers, have some drinks and roll some dice with them!

There will be games on hand, including board and card games, but you are welcome to bring anything you would like to play! Both floors of The Central are reserved, so there’s lots of room to spread out to play games and socialize after the show.

Lineup includes the ladies of Nerd Girl Burlesque: Delicia Pastiche, Helen of Tronna and Loretta Jean, Chow Mein (The Harlettes), Dolly Berlin (Great Canadian Burlesque) and Li’l Relly (The Firecrackers). Show Hosted by comedienne Caitlin Blain.

Friday, November 29

A Platinum Holiday Special! – Toronto, Ontario

A Platinum Production invites audiences into their living room over the holidays, where anything can happen!  Holiday guests include a burlesque-ing polar bear, nearly naked crooners and the Hanukkah story – with a twist!

Featuring performances by:  Dangrrr Doll, Sassy Ray, Chow Mein & Maria Juana (The Harlettes), Cerise Noir, Esther De Ville and Sexy Mark Brown.

A Platinum Holiday Special promises a lively night of burlesque and cabaret that you won’t soon forget featuring some of the top names in the Toronto burlesque scene.

VivaVoom Brr-Lesque Presents: Surprise Santa! A Nut-Crackin’ Burlesque Bedtime Story – Anchorage, Alaska

This Friday kicks off THREE weekends of dancing, live music, comedy, striptease, candy and boobie prizes! And, of course, a burlesqued Land of the Sweets! The fact that it’s set in Spenard and that you can have cocktails should make up for not seeing the ballet version.

Tease the Season!

Wiggle Room – Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s most acclaimed burlesque producers have pulled together another incredible ongoing lineup of amazing performers hosted by Adam Burke and featuring the World Famous Chicago Starlets (winner “Best Burlesque Group in the World 2010” at the Burlesque Hall of Fame).

Each Friday, Chicago’s cream of the cream stand-up comics will take the stage at the Everleigh Social Club along with a bevy of beautiful burlesque dancers to entice, delight and otherwise entertain in this intimate setting.  Guests will find themselves couched in the  luxurious sexuality of this incredible, unique nightspot surrounded by the best talent the City of Broad Shoulders has to offer.

Saturday, November 30

Peeks from the Pantry: A Burlesque Buffet – Seattle, Washington

Thanksgiving is all about indulging. In rich food as well as other vices. Join Morgue Anne and her friends this Saturday as they undo their belts and enjoy some beautiful dishes brought to life by some of Seattle’s sexiest burlesque performers.

Combining the joy of gluttony to the art of dance, Peeks from the Pantry combines burlesque, bellydance, and even a little live music to celebrate the sexiness of food. Featuring performances by: Alexia Perplexa, Russ Strutto, Cirquesse, Scandal From Bohemia, Minni Bobbins, Morgue Anne and more!

Live Music by Urban Jellyfish! Hosted by Quazie.

Carnal Comedy presented by Lady Lux Burlesque & Darrell’s Tavern – Seattle, Washington

Join Lady Lux Burlesque and Darrell’s Tavern for a night of stellar comedians, sassy burlesque performers with a pension for funny, and, of course, music.

Held at Darrell’s Tavern, “The bar your Dad used to drink at,” in Shoreline this Saturday, Carnal Comedy will be hosted by Shoreline’s very own burlesque babe – Bella Bambina! Comedy by Silas Lindenstein, Monica Nevi, and Leah Mansfield! Burlesque by Lady Lux Burlesque – featuring some of Seattle’s finest burlesque performers.

Bring your friends and get ready to laugh your pants right off! This show has sold out every time they’ve held it – so don’t hesitate to get your tickets NOW!

Hot Night Productions Holiday Hootenanny! – Washington D.C.

Hot Night Productions cordially invites you to join them for a night of giving thanks for all things tasty, pastie, and nearly nakie!

This year marks the confluence of Thanksgiving and Hannukah. This is a sign from the great beyond. It’s a religious imperative that we celebrate ALL the holidays with a night of amazing variety talent! It’s in the bible… look it up. Staying true to the spirit of the holidays (gluttony), Hot Night Productions has assembled a delectable line up that will have you coming back for seconds, and wishing the show lasted 8 nights!

Performers include: Missy Aggravation, Alyssum Pohl, Cheríe Sweetbottom, Melody Magpie and Cherie Nuit. The night will be MC’d by none other than Hot Todd Lincoln!