PLAN YOUR 2025 FESTIVAL experience
Want to dial up your 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras season experience? No matter how you choose to celebrate, we have your schedule sorted.
The Ultimate Marathon
Sydney Mardi Gras only comes but once a year so if you’re in the mood to go all the way we have just the schedule to keep you going non-stop!
Ease into the festival with our award-winning Fair Day program at Victoria Park and explore Queer vendors, live music and more while sipping on a Pinot Grigio in the sun.
Next, it’s no Sydney Mardi Gras without a pool party, so take your pick at Paradiso or Kaftana both at the renowned ivy Pool Bar, or, why not choose both? You deserve it!
Keep the party going at the ultimate LGBTQIA+ women’s event, Ultra Violet! Spread across four stages, the day-to-night party will feature international, interstate and local DJs, bands and performers.
You of course HAVE to experience the official Mardi Gras Parade and why not do it in style at one of our many Official Viewing Areas, it’s the perfect pre-drinks before heading to Mardi Gras Party.
Thought we were done? No, this is the ultimate marathon, remember? Kick-ons are sorted at The Beresford for Laneway, as the perfect end to the epicness that was your 2025 Mardi Gras ultimate marathon.
Fair Day 16-Feb-2025
Kaftana Pool Party 19-Feb-2025
Ultra Violet 22-Feb-2025
Paradiso Pool Party 24-Feb-2025
Mardi Gras Parade 01-March-2025
Mardi Gras Party 01-March-2025
Laneway 02-March-2025
Weekend Warriors
So, you think because you work Mon-Fri 9-5 you can’t get the full Mardi Gras experience? Don’t worry we have carefully curated the best events to keep you weekend warriors entertained.
WEEKEND ONE: 15-16 February
Kick off your Sydney Mardi Gras experience with the vibrant Fair Day at Victoria Park where you will enjoy food trucks, drinks, live performances and dancing all day long, and see why it took out the award for “Best Live Event in NSW, 2023.”
WEEKEND TWO: 21-23 February
What better way to start round two than a Laugh Out Proud? Gather the gaggle and find out why queer comedy’s night-of-nights has sold out every single year. Mark your Saturday calendar for Ultra Violet
WEEKEND THREE: 1-2 March
No matter how you choose to celebrate, the annual Parade is not to be missed. Experience a sea of bio-glitter, feathers and pride as hundreds of floats dazzle down Oxford St. You can join the crowd or watch from an exclusive viewing area, either way, it’s bound to be a fantastic night. Keep the party going by joining us at our official After Party at Moore Park for 10 hours of non-stop excitement from dusk to dawn, across 6 venues. As the 2025 Festival comes to an end there’s no need to fret, because it’s time to muster up any remaining energy and join your mates for a final hurrah at Laneway, at The Beresford.
Fam Friendly
Whether this is your first festival with the little ones, or you’re an experienced family of ravers, we have a fun-filled lineup for your celebrations:
Immerse your family in Indigenous culture and begin the 2024 season with Festival First Light. Held across various locations witness Aboriginal elders welcome you to the land, as a beautiful tradition.
Definitely not to be missed, Sydney Mardi Gras is partnering with Minus18 to bring our youth a spectacular night of Queer celebration, at Minus18 Queer Formal. Anyone from the ages of 12-19 are welcome at this alcohol-free event, led by qualified, Queer leaders to ensure a safe and supportive environment.
Ask anyone and they will tell you that Fair Day is not to be missed! Featuring drag story time, Doggywood pageant, a karaoke rave, junior drag pageant and much more – it’s an event for everyone. We recommend packing a picnic, arriving early, and enjoying all the free activities that Fair Day has to offer.
Our 2025 Festival will also include face-to-face cultural experiences, including a Living History Walk or intimate exploration through Taronga Zoo with our Zoo Walk, presented by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Want to experience the Parade with the whole fam? Sideshow is our top pick for families to enjoy the Parade and boasts food trucks, and plenty of space for the little ones to run wild.
Fierce & Free
Experience the biggest events of the Festival without dropping a dime on tickets. Here’s your guide to all the free events in Mardi Gras 2024:
First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome will have you experience the sun peaking over the horizon on the first day of the Festival, with simultaneous welcome to countries by elders of the land you stand on.
Fair Day is back to regular rainbow programming in 2025, get ready for non-stop free live entertainment, and with over 300 vendors, stalls and performances, we’re confident that you will be entertained all day, for free!
Explore Australian LGBTQIA+ culture as Queer Art After Hours turns the Art Gallery of New South Wales into the epicenter of queer artistry. Fellow community members will be bringing you a kaleidoscope of expression throughout the evening.
Our Mardi Gras+ program offers an range of free community events with everything from parties to art showcases, and community gatherings.
The iconic annual Sydney Mardi Gras Parade is not to be missed and is truly the most immersive event that the season has to offer. Choose to stand with the roaring crowd on Oxford Street or enjoy the free ABC live-stream from the comfort of your home.
First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome 14-Feb-2025
Fair Day 16-Feb-2025
Queer Art After Hours 26-Feb-2025
Mardi Gras Parade 1-March-2025
Culture Kid
Explore the cultural and educational side to Sydney Mardi Gras with a range of events designed to make you think, feel and appreciate.
Festival First Light will have you experience the sun peaking over the horizon on the first day of the festival, with simultaneous welcome to countries by elders of the land you stand on.
Experience a night that is both hilarious and intellectual with Laugh Out Proud. The comedy classic is back with a lineup of hilarious Queer comedians to tickle your funny bone.
It’s B(l)ak! Curated and made by and made for First Nations people, Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert makes its return for the first time since its inception at Sydney WorldPride. You won’t want to miss this showcase of the very best in local art, music, comedy and performance.
If you haven’t experienced the legendary Sissy Ball, Australasia’s biggest vogue ball, this is THE year you need to. Our beloved vogue ball is going mainstream as vogue families form across the country battle it out at the first of it’s kind event Down Under and under the Ball’s new curator: Kianna Oricci.
Festival First Light 14-Feb-2025
Laugh Out Proud 21-Feb-2025
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert 27-Feb-2025
Sissy Ball 28-Feb-2025
Explore Sydney Mardi Gras Events
