The 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of pride, inclusivity, and resilience, scheduled from 14 February to 2 March. This year, the festival returns with a focus on the heart of Mardi Gras—joyful self-expression, unity, and unapologetic celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities. Under the theme FREE TO BE, the event honours both the long-fought battles for equality and the individuality of its diverse participants, calling on the community to embrace their true selves and continue the journey towards universal freedom and equality.
Gil Beckwith, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, emphasised the festival’s enduring role in celebrating unity and visibility. “Each year, we bring together people from all around the world to celebrate community, visibility, and progress,” Beckwith said. “The 2025 festival reflects our collective resilience, creativity, and unity, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s festivities.”
This spirit is echoed by Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who expressed her enthusiasm for the festival. “Mardi Gras is one of my favourite times of the year. Sydney shines as a beacon of diversity, inclusion, and love, welcoming people from around the globe,” she said. “Our city embraces everyone, allowing them to truly be ‘Free to Be.’”
Mardi Gras’s Evolution from Protest to World-Class Celebration
John Graham, NSW’s Minister for the Arts and Tourism, highlights how Mardi Gras has transformed over the years, evolving from its early days as a grassroots protest into one of the most renowned Pride events worldwide. “Mardi Gras bolsters Sydney’s reputation as a welcoming, diverse city,” he noted. “It draws tens of thousands each year, making a significant impact on NSW’s visitor economy.”
A Line-Up Designed for All: Signature Events and Festival Highlights
The 2025 Mardi Gras Festival features over 80 unique events that cater to all tastes, celebrating the diverse elements within Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ communities. Returning signature events include the Sissy Ball, Kaftana Pool Party, Laugh Out Proud comedy show, Paradiso Pool Party, and the beloved Mardi Gras Party. Of course, the centrepiece of the festival, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, will once again light up the streets on 1 March, featuring three premium viewing areas including the revamped Taylor Square Takeover, which promises a fresh block-party atmosphere.
Fair Day, one of the festival’s most popular events, makes a return in 2025 at Victoria Park after its brief hiatus. Expect over 200 food, retail, and community stalls, along with the vibrant Doggywood for pet lovers, plus exciting new additions like Trans Camp and the Karaoke Cave.
The Mardi Gras Party, an annual highlight, is set to be an unforgettable night with Grammy-winning DJ Honey Dijon and UK musician Romy headlining the event. Romy, known for her work with indie band The xx and her solo debut album Mid Air, will make an exclusive Sydney appearance, infusing the night with her unique sound. This eight-hour celebration will unfold across six venues, creating an immersive experience that celebrates global diversity.
Mardi Gras Fair Day: Doggywood
New Additions and Special Collaborations
This year’s program introduces the Pride in Sport Festival, an initiative spotlighting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports. Events range from self-defence workshops to volleyball tournaments, aiming to inspire LGBTQIA+ athletes and allies to come together in the spirit of friendly competition and empowerment.
Another highlight is Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert, held at the City Recital Hall. This powerful showcase of Blak and Queer excellence pays homage to First Nations cultures and LGBTQIA+SB identities, celebrating diverse intersections of identity with performances by Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ artists.
Mardi Gras + Qtopia, a partnership with Qtopia Sydney, presents a series of exhibitions and performances, including the bold They Will Be Kings, a fusion of drag king artistry and contemporary performance exploring queer masculinity. Another crowd-pleaser, I Want It That Gay, offers a nostalgic journey through ‘90s and 2000s pop culture, blending comedy and cabaret with a nod to millennial queer experiences.
Theatre, Family Fun, and Artistic Expression
Festival attendees can also look forward to an array of theatrical experiences, including Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen, a critically acclaimed one-man show starring Samuel Barnett, direct from London’s West End. This darkly comic production explores the anxieties of modern life, balancing wit with moments of introspection.
For family-friendly festivities, Disco on the Green invites all ages to join a day of dance, music, and community spirit, raising funds for LGBTQIA+ charities. Other notable performances include Slow-Cooked Mutton & The Church of the Clitori, a musical cabaret starring women over 50, and An Evening Without Kate Bush, a whimsical tribute to the iconic singer, blending cabaret with performance art.
Tickets and Early Access
Tickets for the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival go on sale at 10 am AEDT on 15 November. Presale access opens earlier:
– Mardi Gras Members: 10 am AEDT, 11 November
– American Express Card Members: 10 am AEDT, 12 November
– Newsletter Subscribers: 10 am AEDT, 14 November
Supporting Partners and Essential Details
The 2025 festival is supported by partners like American Express, Coles Group, the NSW Government’s tourism agency Destination NSW, and the City of Sydney. With their support, Mardi Gras continues to celebrate Sydney’s legacy as a hub of inclusivity and resilience.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival runs from 14 February to 2 March 2025. The parade, a highlight of the festival, takes place on 1 March, with this year’s theme FREE TO BE calling for a celebration of individuality and unity. For more details and to explore the complete line-up, visit www.mardigras.org.au.
