Kent, Connecticut, September 26, 2025
News Summary
John Waters, the legendary filmmaker, will conclude his annual Camp John Waters event at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, after next year’s gathering. Since its inception in 2017, the camp has offered fans a unique experience with workshops, performances, and discussions. Despite the camp’s end, Waters plans to continue his other creative endeavors, which include an expansive fall tour, a new Christmas single, and upcoming book releases. The camp’s final event will mark the end of an era for devotees attracted to Waters’ innovative spirit.
Kent, Connecticut
John Waters to end annual Camp John Waters at Club Getaway after next year
John Waters, the iconic filmmaker and writer, will conclude his annual Camp John Waters event at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, after next year’s edition. The decision marks the planned end of an event that has brought fans together for workshops, performances and conversations led by Waters and guest artists since its start in 2017.
Camp John Waters started in 2017 and has been held annually except for a cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers and Waters have signaled that the next scheduled gathering will be the final Camp John Waters at Club Getaway. Waters has indicated no plans to curtail other public appearances or projects outside of the camp, meaning other activities will continue.
Expanded fall tour and new music release
Waters will perform his “A John Waters Christmas” show 19 times in 15 cities across the U.S. and Canada from November 30 to December 23. The run includes multiple dates on both coasts and stops in major and mid-sized markets. The fall slate also incorporates Waters’ new spoken-word show and related events.
At 79 years old, Waters is also releasing a new Christmas single titled “John Waters Covers Little Cindy” with Sub Pop Records. The single pairs two seasonal tracks aligned with Waters’ offbeat sensibility. The A-side of the single features the song “Happy Birthday Jesus,” while the B-side is titled “A Pig Latin Visit from St. Nicholas.”
Tour routing and additional events
Waters’ performances include nine shows on the West Coast starting in San Francisco on November 30, with additional dates in cities such as Portland, Seattle, and San Diego. Other confirmed stops will reach audiences in the eastern and central United States and in Canada.
Other shows in December will take place in Boston, Boulder, Madison, Chicago, Atlanta, Alexandria, New York City, and Baltimore. The full schedule mixes theatrical venues and cultural centers and will be joined by book events, spoken-word performances and special presentations tied to Waters’ film work.
Books, talks and special events this fall
Three screenplay books by Waters, which include “Multiple Maniacs,” “Female Trouble,” and “Hairspray,” are set to be released on October 16 by MacMillan Publishers. These releases follow three other of his screenplay books that were published in May, offering readers access to original scripts and related material from across his career.
He is scheduled to speak at the 92nd Street Y cultural center in New York City on October 21. That appearance is part of a fall calendar that pairs public talks with stage shows and local events.
Waters received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Unleashed LGBTQ+ Conference and Festival in Dallas, Texas, on September 19. The recognition was among several honors and retrospectives marking ongoing interest in Waters’ work.
Waters’ new spoken-word show, “Going to Extremes,” will also be featured during his events this fall. The program is slated to appear alongside the A John Waters Christmas dates and at select speaking engagements.
A listening party for a reissued single by late actress Edith Massey, who starred in many of Waters’ films, will be held on November 7 at Atomic Books in Baltimore. The event ties into Waters’ longstanding collaborations and the reissue program surrounding artists from his films.
Waters expressed no plans to curtail any of his other activities outside of Camp John Waters. While Camp John Waters at Club Getaway will conclude after next year’s edition, Waters’ touring, speaking, publishing and recording activities will continue as scheduled.
Background and context
Camp John Waters was established in 2017 as an annual gathering for fans and collaborators, combining performances, workshops and social programming. The only interruption since its founding occurred in 2020 when the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Waters has remained active across multiple media in recent years, releasing books, performing spoken-word shows and recording music while keeping a steady schedule of public appearances.
FAQ
Will Camp John Waters continue after next year?
John Waters, the iconic filmmaker and writer, will conclude his annual Camp John Waters event at Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, after next year’s edition.
When did Camp John Waters start and has it been held every year?
Camp John Waters started in 2017 and has been held annually except for a cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the dates and scope of Waters’ holiday show this year?
Waters will perform his “A John Waters Christmas” show 19 times in 15 cities across the U.S. and Canada from November 30 to December 23.
Is John Waters releasing new music?
At 79 years old, Waters is also releasing a new Christmas single titled “John Waters Covers Little Cindy” with Sub Pop Records.
What songs are on the single?
The A-side of the single features the song “Happy Birthday Jesus,” while the B-side is titled “A Pig Latin Visit from St. Nicholas.”
Where do the West Coast performances begin?
Waters’ performances include nine shows on the West Coast starting in San Francisco on November 30, with additional dates in cities such as Portland, Seattle, and San Diego.
Which other cities will host shows in December?
Other shows in December will take place in Boston, Boulder, Madison, Chicago, Atlanta, Alexandria, New York City, and Baltimore.
Did Waters receive any recent honors?
Waters received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Unleashed LGBTQ+ Conference and Festival in Dallas, Texas, on September 19.
Does Waters have other public appearances planned this fall?
He is scheduled to speak at the 92nd Street Y cultural center in New York City on October 21.
Are there new books coming from Waters?
Three screenplay books by Waters, which include “Multiple Maniacs,” “Female Trouble,” and “Hairspray,” are set to be released on October 16 by MacMillan Publishers.
Were there earlier screenplay releases this year?
These releases follow three other of his screenplay books that were published in May.
Will Waters present other shows this fall?
Waters’ new spoken-word show, “Going to Extremes,” will also be featured during his events this fall.
Is there any related special programming tied to Waters’ film collaborators?
A listening party for a reissued single by late actress Edith Massey, who starred in many of Waters’ films, will be held on November 7 at Atomic Books in Baltimore.
Will Waters stop other activities once Camp John Waters ends?
Waters expressed no plans to curtail any of his other activities outside of Camp John Waters.
| Feature | Details | Scope / Location |
|---|---|---|
| Final Camp John Waters | Camp John Waters will conclude after next year’s edition at Club Getaway | Kent, Connecticut |
| Camp origin and interruption | Started in 2017; cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Kent, Connecticut (event history) |
| A John Waters Christmas tour | 19 shows, November 30 to December 23 | 15 cities across the U.S. and Canada |
| New single | “John Waters Covers Little Cindy” (A-side: “Happy Birthday Jesus”; B-side: “A Pig Latin Visit from St. Nicholas”) | Released with Sub Pop Records (national) |
| Books | Three screenplay books released October 16 by MacMillan Publishers; three others published in May | Nationwide publication |
| Notable appearances | 92nd Street Y on October 21; listening party at Atomic Books on November 7; Lifetime Achievement Award on September 19 | New York City; Baltimore; Dallas, Texas |
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Additional Resources
- The New York Times: John Waters in Baltimore
- Wikipedia: John Waters
- Baltimore Fishbowl: John Waters Fall Schedule
- Google Search: John Waters
- Baltimore Sun: Baltimore Film Museum
- Encyclopedia Britannica: John Waters
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