Promising an extraordinary celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, culture, and community, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns from 14 February to 2 March 2025.
With a refocused approach, the 2025 festival will bring the community back to the heart of what Sydney Mardi Gras is all about – unapologetic self-expression, powerful inclusivity and joyous unity.
The 2025 theme, FREE TO BE, honours the decades-long fight for equality while celebrating the individuality and collective strength of our vibrant community. It’s a call to embrace who we are and continue the work that remains to ensure freedom for all.
The 2025 festival will be filled with unforgettable moments, where the power of love, resilience and visibility will once again take centre stage.
“Each year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brings people from all corners of the globe together for a celebration of community, visibility, and progress,” said Gil Beckwith, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO.
“The 2025 festival embodies this spirit, reflecting the resilience, creativity, and unity of our LGBTQIA+ communities. We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this year’s festivities and look forward to continuing to champion the values of inclusivity and equality,” said Beckwith.
“Mardi Gras is one of my favourite times of the year. Sydney truly sparkles with diversity, inclusion and love proudly on show. We’re delighted to welcome people from around the world to our wonderful city – a place that embraces and celebrates everyone, where you are truly Free to Be,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO.
This year’s program offers over 80 events that bring together the diverse elements of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ communities. While navigating Australia’s evolving live events landscape, the 2025 Festival stands as a testament to the power of creativity and resilience. With a line-up that is as rich and varied as ever, the focus is on creating meaningful experiences for all festival-goers.
Returning signature events include the dazzling Sissy Ball, the ever-popular Kaftana Pool Party, the hilarious Laugh Out Proud, the vibrant Paradiso Pool Party, the iconic Mardi Gras Party, and everybody’s favourite kick-on, Laneway.
The jewel in the Mardi Gras crown, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, will once again take to the streets in spectacular fashion, featuring three premium Parade Viewing Areas, including the newly revamped Taylor Square Takeover – promising parade-goers a totally new block party experience.
After an unexpected hiatus in 2024, Fair Day is back in full swing at Victoria Park, bringing together over 200 food, retail, community stalls, and the best of our four-legged friends at the always camp Doggywood. In addition, Trans Camp and the Karaoke Cave are set to make their Fair Day debut, adding even more fun to the festival’s grand opening event.
The Mardi Gras Party is set to be another unforgettable night, headlined by Grammy award winning DJ, producer and fashion icon Honey Dijon and UK musician, DJ and songwriter Romy – one third of indie band The xx and now a solo artist with her debut album Mid Air, featuring Grammy nominated track Strong.
In an exclusive Sydney appearance, Romy will perform live, bringing her unique sound and energy to the iconic event. Expect an eight-hour explosion of music across six venues, celebrating the rich diversity of our global community through a night of pure, unadulterated joy.
Also back by popular demand after debuting in 2024 are Ultra Violet – a day-to-night party for LGBTQIA+ women and their nearest and dearest; and Hot Trans Summer – a celebration dedicated to trans and gender-diverse communities, taking place on a luxurious floating venue.
First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome, the second rendition of the event will take place on Gadigal, Bidjigal, Birrabirragal Land at Bondi Beach, featuring a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and performances to kick off the festival with an inspiring and unifying moment.
New and Noteworthy
The 2025 Festival sees the return of Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert. Presented in partnership with City Recital Hall, 2025 will mark its first appearance since its inception during WorldPride in 2023. This event, hosted at the City Recital Hall, will celebrate Blak and Queer excellence, with performances that honour First Nations culture and LGBTQIA+SB identities.
Also new for 2025 is Mardi Gras + Qtopia – an exciting collaboration with Sydney Mardi Gras Community Partner Qtopia Sydney – the world’s largest centre for queer history and culture. The festival-long event will feature a range of exhibitions, experiences and performances.
The program includes the electrifying They Will Be Kings – a bold fusion of drag king artistry and contemporary performance celebrating modern masculinity from diverse queer perspectives. Another standout is I Want It That Gay – a nostalgic and comedic journey through ’90s and 2000s pop culture, blending cabaret and parody as it reclaims the queer milestones of millennial adolescence.
At the Sydney Opera House, Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen is a razor-sharp, one-man show starring Samuel Barnett. Fresh from its acclaimed London season, this darkly comic hit dives into the anxieties of modern life, offering festival audiences a laugh-out-loud theatrical exploration of intimacy and ego.
Mardi Gras +
The Mardi Gras + open-access program showcases the creativity of LGBTQIA+ artists, communities, and venues across Sydney. This year’s standouts include the glittering Solid Pink Disco featuring drag superstar Trixie Mattel, where vibrant pink fashion and infectious party vibes combine for the ultimate dancefloor experience.
The ever-risqué The Kaye Hole, hosted by cabaret icon Reuben Kaye, promises a wild night of no-holds-barred comedy, daring performances, and live music that push boundaries and celebrate queer art in its rawest form.
For a more family-friendly affair, Disco on the Green invites all ages to join in a joyous day of music, dance, and drag, creating a sense of community while raising funds for LGBTQIA+ charities.
Slow-Cooked Mutton & The Church of the Clitori offers a hilarious and irreverent musical cabaret starring fierce women over 50, while tribute show An Evening Without Kate Bush honours the legendary singer with a witty, whimsical cabaret performance that invites audiences to embrace their inner Bush.
Pride in Sport Festival presented in partnership with Pride in Sport
2025 also marks the launch of the Pride in Sport Festival – an initiative that highlights LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports across Australia. From self-defence workshops to volleyball tournaments, this new addition aims to inspire and empower LGBTQIA+ athletes of all levels.
“Mardi Gras has grown from a grassroots human rights protest to a foundation event in our city’s calendar and one of the most celebrated Pride events in the world,” said Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham.
“Mardi Gras underpins Sydney’s reputation as a welcoming and diverse city. With tens of thousands of people flocking to the event each year, it also makes a significant contribution to the NSW visitor economy.”
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras runs from 14 February to 2 March 2025. Mardi Gras Members will get first access to tickets from 10.00am (AEDT) – Monday 11 November 2024. The program goes on sale at 10.00am (AEDT) – Friday 15 November 2024. For more information and full program, visit: www.mardigras.org.au for details.
Images: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – photo by Joseph Mayers | Kaftana Pool Party (supplied) | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party – photo by Jordan Munns | Samuel Barnett stars in Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen (supplied) | Reuben Kaye stars in The Kaye Hole (supplied) | SPECTRES Pride Basketball Australia (supplied)