This June, Qtopia Sydney is transforming the heart of the city into a vibrant celebration of queer culture, as Pride Fest 2026 returns bigger, bolder and more inclusive than ever.
Running for the entire month of June, the festival will feature more than 300 events, marking its largest program to date and cementing its place as highly-anticipated part of Sydney’s cultural calendar.
Timed to coincide with International Pride Month, Pride Fest isn’t just a festival, it’s a city-wide celebration of community, creativity and identity.
Beyond the walls of Qtopia
In an exciting evolution for 2026, Pride Fest is stepping outside its home base and into wider Oxford Street precinct. For the first time, venues all along this iconic strip will come alive with colour, performance and pride. Expect everything from live performances and club nights to intimate talks and interactive experiences, all contributing to a month-long takeover that paints Oxford Street purple.
This expansion also reflects a growing vision for Pride Fest as a truly city-shaping cultural event, encouraging audiences to explore different spaces, discover new artists, and engage with the queer community in dynamic and unexpected ways.
A program packed with personality
The 2026 program includes over 300 exciting events including drag, cabaret, comedy, film, workshops, fitness sessions, and more.
Make sure to get tickers for Skank Sinatra, the award-winning cabaret sensation who is returning with a showstopping one hour performance of all your favourite musical theatre hits, complete with a live pianist, sparkly costumes and plenty of comedy.
Then, join musicians Kala Gare and Victoria Falconer for high-energy variety show Juicy Riot at The Eternity Playhouse, with music, cabaret and performance art all rolled into one.
There will also be two mini festivals running for the length of the main event – Intersections and Fit N’ Proud. Intersections is a celebration of cultural diversity that champions First Nations, Pasifika and CALD LGBTQIA+ creatives with a series of workshops, performances and talks. Fit N’ Proud is all about connection through inclusive sports, fitness and dance events such as 80s aerobics classes, line dancing, gay boxing, restorative yoga, and even a class on the history of swordplay.
If you’re looking to make new friends, sign up for the Palomar Community Dinner Party or Linla Community Dinner Party, where you’ll head to these restaurants and enjoy a community meal at a shared table. For those interested in learning more about Sydney’s queer history, check out the screening of Dykes on Bikes: An Origin Story, which is followed by a meet and greet with the Dykes on Bikes themselves. Then, in the following week, honour the legacy of the 1978 Sydney Mari Gras in a powerful evening with the people who attended the first march (known as the 78ers).
Kicking things off in style
The celebrations begin with the inaugural Pride Fest Gala on 2 June, setting the tone for a month of unforgettable moments. Designed as a showcase of the festival’s diversity and talent, the gala promises a night of standout performances and community spirit all in one place.
Festival Director Carly Fisher describes Pride Fest as “a powerful reminder of what happens when community comes together with purpose,” highlighting the growing support from artists, audiences and partners alike.
A cultural landmark for Sydney
Since opening in 2024, Qtopia Sydney has quickly established itself as a global leader in queer storytelling, housed within the historic former Darlinghurst Police Station – the very same station where marchers from the first Mardi Gras were held after walking peacefully down Oxford Street before being intercepted by police.
Qtopia is now the largest centre for queer history and culture in the world, spanning more than 1,750 square metres across three sites. As well as being a museum, it is an interactive space for storytelling and education.
The charity was founded by David Polson AM, one of the country’s first HIV/AIDS trial participants.
With backing from Destination NSW, Pride Fest 2026 is poised to become a signature annual event for the city. This June is a time to not only celebrate pride, but amplify voices, foster connection and invite everyone to be part of the story.
Tickets are now available for the entire program, and you can even purchase a Pride Pass for $45. This must-have ticket gives you five two-for-one entries, 10 percent off at the bar, 10 percent off Pride Fest merch and three Pride Fest raffle entries.
If you like this story check out some other upcoming festivals you can experience in Sydney like the Prymont Festival.
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