We’re back! The 2025 Festival returns 14 February – 2 March 2025

It’s time! We’re back world, the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is set for 14 February to 2 March 2025.

Celebrating 47 years in 2025, get ready for 17 days of unforgettable moments, international performers, parties, theatre, community events and more. The Festival will wrap with the world famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 1 March 2025.

Festival theme: Free to be

The 2025 Festival theme Free to be is a celebration of the strides toward true LGBTQIA+ equality while also acting as a global reminder that our fight is far from over, and that we are not truly free until we are all free to be.

“Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will continue to be here, fighting, celebrating and being fiercely visible for the generations to come,” said Gil Beckwith, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “Our theme is about making a statement to embrace and rejoice in our unique individuality as well as our collective identity. It is about the bravery to rise for each other in the darkest of times and protect the progress we’ve made, using it as a springboard toward the progress we deserve.”

The full Festival calendar will be released with tickets on sale later in the year. In the meantime, sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with all the latest tea on 2025.

Host a Fair Day stall in 2025

Get ready for a big opening! Fair Day presented by American Express will kick off the 2025 celebrations, and we can’t wait. With over 90% of stallholders rolling their 2024 inclusions into 2025, we’ve got *very* limited stall availability, submit an expression of interest today!

Parade applications

Want to march in the 2025 Parade? Applications are now open to be one of the thousands of people taking to the streets for the 47th annual Sydney Mardi Gras Parade on 1 March 2025. Applications close 12 Sept 2024.

Make magic with Mardi Gras +

Hosting an event during the 2025 Festival and want to add it to the official calendar? Applications are now open.

Prep for pre-sale

Want access to the annual Mardi Gras Member pre-sale? Become a Member today and enjoy the year-round benefits.

Don’t miss the tea on 25

Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when the full 2025 calendar is released, tickets go on sale and how to get involved.

Join the family

Want to join the team that brings together one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ Festivals in the world? We’re hiring a range of roles as we ramp up to the 2025 Festival.