Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras returns for a spectacular 2025 season full of parades, parties, and show-stopping performances.
This year, the Mardi Gras theme is ‘free to be’, honouring the decades-long fight for equality and celebrating a future of visibility and acceptance for Australia’s queer community. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly day out, or an all-night party with friends, this list of top Mardi Gras events is a great place to start.
Mardi Gras 2025 will run from 14 February to 2 March, with more information available on the website.
Parties
Ultra Violet – 22 February
Each year, the grounds of the National Art School are taken over by the best LGBTQIA+ women’s event around. With four massive stages, this day-to-night party features performances from local and international DJs and artists. The indoor Violet Hall is all about techno and house, while the three open-air stages showcase the best of dance, pop and funk.
Queer women are invited to grab their friends and their tickets for this unforgettable party.
Mardi Gras Party – 1 March
Known as the biggest overnight LGBTQIA+ party in Australia, the Mardi Gras party has been a staple of pride for more than 40 years. For 8 jam-packed hours, DJs and performers from around the world will be lighting up the stages. There are six venues to choose from, each with a unique sound and experience. Head to Liberty Hall for the tech house rave, whole-body house at Hordern Pavillion, or food trucks, bars and chill zones at The Entertainment Quarter.
Make sure to grab your tickets before they sell out. Mardi Gras Party is an 18+ licensed event.
Kaftana Pool Party – 19 March
Head to ivy Pool for a colourful kaftana party featuring palm trees, cocktail bars and music. Guests will be thrilled with free drag shows, a live DJ, and performers all day long. And don’t forget to put on your favourite splashy outfit, as the highly-revered best dressed awards draw fierce competition every year.
Family-friendly events
Fair Day – 16 February
Bring friends and family along to Victoria Park for more than 200 food, retail and community stalls celebrating queer culture. On the main stage, the prestigious Drag Queen Games put the best performers to the test, while Trans Camp makes its debut in 2025 as a collection of community groups, health services and businesses all about trans identity. Make sure to also check out the First Nations Circle, where you can enjoy performances and workshops to learn more about queer First Nations culture.
With plenty of rainbow merch, delicious snacks and roving entertainment, there’s something for everyone at the highly-anticipated fair day.
Minus18 Queer Formal – 22 February
LGBTQIA+ young people ages 12 to 19 are invited to get dressed up and attend the Minus18 Queer Formal. This inclusive event is all about expressing who you are and celebrating the queer community in a fun environment. Expect live music, drag, a packed dance floor, photo booths and so much more. There’s even an activity space for those looking to chat with new friends.
Family Zone at Oxtravaganza – 22 February
For those hoping to chill out with their young ones, the Family Zone is located just one block from Oxford street. From 10am, it will be a hub of face painting, arts and crafts, balloons and goodie bags. There’s even two Drag Storytime sessions, and plenty of local cafes for delicious food. While the event is free, it does tend to book out quickly so we recommend grabbing your tickets early.
Parades and viewing points
Mardi Gras Parade – 1 March
The biggest event on the Mardi Gras Calendar, the 47th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will be taking over the CBD for one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ nighttime parades in the world. This spectacle of colour, light and music is a must-see for anyone in Sydney.
Beginning with Dykes on Bikes, the parade will feature more than 11,000 marchers and 200 floats, each celebrating a unique aspect of the queer community. The parade is designed to be inclusive of everyone, with a free Accessible Parade Viewing Area available by application, and other free and ticketed viewing areas.
Sideshow
Sideshow is a premium viewing area offering front row tickets to the entire parade from Flinders Street. Choose from grandstand seating or standing, grab a drink from the bar, and enjoy the show.
Club Cindy
Another premium ticketed viewing area, Club Cindy is located at the Moore Park end of Flinders Street. Surrounded by bars, toilets and food trucks, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the parade and party from a prime location.
Shows
Laugh Out Proud – 21 February
Join all the best queer comedians for a night of side-splitting stand-up with a 5-year sold out track record. The comedy gala is known for its outrageous, relatable and heart-warming comedy perfect for anyone looking for a fun night out, and features a line up of award-winning comedians and fan favourites you’re guaranteed to love.
Blak & Deadly – 27 February
Black & Deadly is the First Nations Gala Concert making its return after a stand out year at Sydney WorldPride. Taking place at City Recital Hall, the gala highlights top local art, music, comedy and performance made by and for First Nations People. Blak & Deadly will be an incredible night of performance all about Blak and queer culture.
Sissy Ball – 28 February
Voguing is a stylized form of dance that originated in the Harlem ballroom scene of the 1960s and was created by black and Latino LGBTQIA+ communities. Today, Sissy Ball is the biggest vogue ball in the Southern Hemisphere, drawing performers from vogue families all across Australia.
Join a crowd of thousands as performers take to the stage to show off their moves and uplift international queer, trans and POC communities. With colour, lights and music, it’s sure to be an exciting and inspiring night for all.
To read about similar events, check out our complete guide to cultural experiences in Australia.
