Promising another unforgettable season of pride, protest, and celebration, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns from 13 February to 1 March 2026. At the heart of the Festival is the new theme, ECSTATICA – a rallying call to gather, connect, and transform individual joy into a powerful collective movement.
Now in its 48th year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras remains one of the world’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ festivals and a stage for visibility, inclusion and radical self-expression. ECSTATICA speaks to the collective spirit that emerges when individuals connect across generations, cultures and identities, turning personal joy into a powerful communal force.
“ECSTATICA is what happens when you find your people, community and family,” said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Interim CEO, Jesse Matheson. “It’s the joy that you can see, hear, touch and celebrate together – it has always been at the heart of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.”
“In 2026, we’re inviting everyone to shape their Parade floats, events, and gatherings around this shared frequency. By tying into the theme, these community creations become part of a bigger story: a living, breathing manifestation of our community’s power, resilience, and joy,” said Matheson.
“For almost half a century, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been a place where our communities gather, celebrate, and be seen,” said Co-Chairs Kathy Pavlich and Mits Delisle. “ECSTATICA carries that legacy forward by reminding us that joy is not only a feeling, but also an act of resistance and renewal.”
“We look forward to seeing our communities bring this theme to life through floats, performances, and moments that capture both our history and our future as we march towards the 50th anniversary in 2028!”
The full 2026 Festival program will be revealed in the coming weeks; however, key opportunities to get involved with the festival, such as booking a Fair Day stall or applying to enter a float in the Parade, are now open for applications.
FAIR DAY – Sunday 15 February 2026
Fair Day bursts back into Victoria Park, filling the city with all-day, all-ages joy. From market stalls and food to live performances, pets, and family-friendly fun, it’s Sydney’s biggest LGBTQIA+ community gathering and the perfect way to kick off the Festival season. Stall applications are now open!
MARDI GRAS PARADE – Saturday 28 February 2026
The beating heart of Mardi Gras, the world-famous Parade will once again transform Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade into a dazzling procession of pride, celebration and protest. With up to 200 floats and over 12,000 marchers, the Parade brings families, elders, allies, and community groups together on one shared frequency of ECSTATICA. Parade applications are now open – apply to register at: www.mardigras.org.au
The 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival takes place from 13 February to 1 March. For more information, visit: www.mardigras.org.au for details.
Image: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade 2024 – photo by Ann-Marie Calilhanna