Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has opened submissions for Mardi Gras+, the open-access program that brings community-led parties, performances, exhibitions, sporting events and family activities into the official 2026 Festival.
In 2026, Mardi Gras+ will also feature a brand-new Mardi Gras+ app, providing audiences with an easy way to discover the Festival program and plan their Mardi Gras experience. The app will serve as a central hub for events during the Festival and beyond, delivering new opportunities for connection and visibility.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is also making it completely FREE for First Nations and Trans and Gender diverse event producers who are producing events for the community to place their events in the festival. Through this, they plan to create a full First Nations program and Trans and Gender Diverse program to ensure accessibility to underrepresented communities.
Entries to Mardi Gras+ are open to local, interstate and international organisers across Parties, Arts, Sports, Community and Family categories. Applications will be assessed for their relevance to LGBTQIA+ communities, contribution to the Festival, and alignment with Sydney Mardi Gras’ ethical framework. Successful events will be added to the official 2026 program running from 13 February – 1 March.
“Mardi Gras+ is where the richness of our diverse communities truly comes to life, with events created by and for LGBTQIA+ people,” said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Interim CEO, Jesse Matheson.
“This year, by making the program free to enter for First Nations and Trans and Gender Diverse events, we are addressing the reality that these communities are often underrepresented, face systemic barriers to entry, and are increasingly under attack.”
“This change highlights and cements their place at the heart of the festival. And with the launch of the new Mardi Gras+ app, we’re ensuring Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is more than a moment in the calendar; it’s a platform that connects, promotes and celebrates the diversity of our communities all year round,” said Matheson.
Applications for events that wish to be featured in Mardi Gras+ for the 2026 festival launch – close on 6 October 2025. For more information and submission details, visit: www.mardigras.org.au for details.
Image: Mardi Gras Fair Day – photo by Jess Gleeson