‘Drive ‘N Drag Saves Christmas’ Tour Kicks Off Tuesday

FLORIDA — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Voss Events presents a holiday treat for drag fans — a socially distanced, drive-in theater-style Christmas show starring many favorite performers from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

The show, “Drive ‘N Drag Saves Christmas,” kicks off at Westfield Broward Mall in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday and Wednesday night before making its way across the state for performances at Westfield Brandon mall Friday and Saturday evening. From there, the tour heads to Texas, where it will make stops in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas between Dec. 8 and 20.

The immersive, outdoor concert stars Bianca Del Rio as Scrooge Del Rio, who hates Christmas and wants to destroy it. It is up to the drag queens of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to save the holiday and teach Scrooge how to be merry.

Also starring in the show is Aquaria as a child on Christmas morning. Asia O’Hara plays a toy-making elf. Kameron Michaels takes on the role of Mrs. Claus. Naomi Smalls performs as Rudolph the Reindeer, while Plastique is a Christmas angel. And Violet Chachki takes the stage as The Grinch.

Voss Events has presented several live drive-in events during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have drag fans enjoyed these experiences, but they’ve also been a creative outlet for the performers during a time when many shows and events have been canceled, said producer Jon Norris in an interview with Patch.

“It’s great that we’ve had something to keep us busy through COVID, especially in a live format," he said. "We didn’t have that luxury in the beginning (of the pandemic.) We’re lucky that we’re able to be in our little bubble and find a way to get our content out into the world.”

In a statement, producer Brandon Voss said, “We’re excited to spread cheers and queers throughout Florida and Texas this season. Our wildly popular drive-in productions haven proven the drag show must go on even through a pandemic! ‘Drive ‘N Drag Saves Christmas’ has been adapted to be even more interactive than previous productions, lighting up parking lots with a new kind of Christmas magic.”

Norris recalls the last drive-in movie he saw back in 2005, a screening of “Return of the Jedi” at Citi Field in Queens.

“There were no masks and I dragged my ass all the way up there to see a movie that I could have watched on my TV screen,” he said. “Who’d have thought that drive-ins would be making a return in 2020? It’s been a year full of surprises. Going back to a drive-in format wasn’t something I’d even considered before this, especially with emerging media and content being delivered right to our phones.”

The live aspect of “Drive ‘N Drag Saves Christmas” makes it “unique…compared to an actual drive-in movie,” he added. “We take it the next step up with the immersive aspect of it and the concert aspect of it. We’re going through hoops just to perform and to put on this show. It’s about bringing entertainment back into our lives.”

All cars will be spaced 6 feet apart to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Food and drinks will be available to purchase from food trucks on site.

“Drive ‘N Drag Saves Christmas” tickets are $69 per car for two people. Each additional person per car costs $25. There are also VIP spots available closer to the stage for $150. Tickets can be purchased online here.

For those unable to attend the show live, the Brandon performance will be recorded and made available to watch virtually for $14.99.