On the 44th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and to announce the Sydney WorldPride 2023 program, nearly 1,000 Sydneysiders have created a giant human Progress Flag on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

The colourful display sends a message of welcome to the world as we gear up to host WorldPride in 2023, with the hotly-anticipated tickets going on sale from 15 July. Sign up as a Mardi Gras Member by 1 July to access the pre-sale.

Sydney’s famous Mardi Gras is a must-do in the calendar of global Pride festivals – and Sydney WorldPride will be 17-day celebration of Australian LGBTQIA+ fabulousness, with over 300 events across the city.

Taking place from 17 February to 5 March 2023, Sydney WorldPride will celebrate Australia’s brilliant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community, in a city renowned for its diversity, inclusivity and proud LGBTQIA+ population.

More than a million people are expected to participate in Sydney WorldPride and the festival will feature much-loved events including Fair Day, pool parties, the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade coming home to Oxford Street and the iconic Mardi Gras Party, returning for the first time since 2020.

The jam-packed program, announced today, includes:

Fair Day

Sun 19 Feb 2023

Proudly presented by American Express

Kick off Sydney WorldPride in true Mardi Gras style – Fair Day! Roll up with your dog, your Nan and your neighbour as the Mardi Gras festivities begin at our all-day rainbow extravaganza in Victoria Park.

Paradiso Pool Party

Mon 20 Feb 2023

We’re turning up the heat as the world comes together at the iconic ivy Pool for Paradiso Pool Party. 

Parade

Sat 25 Feb 2023

We’re coming home! Our world-renowned Parade returns to Oxford Street in celebration of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ 45th anniversary.

Parade Sideshow

Sat 25 Feb 2023

Presented by Optus

Welcome to the show! Celebrate our grand return to Oxford Street with a ticket to the all-ages Parade Sideshow.

Parade Diamond Club

Sat 25 Feb 2023

It’s Diamond Club, darling! This is your ticket to witness the Mardi Gras Parade magic from a premium, tiered, standing platform right by the iconic Taylor Square.

Party

Sat 25 Feb 2023

Enter an adult playground of music and performance at the official Mardi Gras Party.

Laneway

Sun 26 Feb 2023

This Mardi Gras fan-favourite has gone from a portable speaker and milk crates to a rampant recovery party that can only be described as the epitome of kick-ons.

Kaftana Pool Party

Wed 1 March 2023

Throw on your best frock and feast your eyes on the campest event of the Festival, Kaftana Pool Party!

Laugh Out Proud

Fri 3 March 2023

Gather the gaggle and assemble at the Enmore Theatre for a night of guaranteed laughs. We’ll be serving a merry-go-round of the crème de la crème from the queer comedy scene.

Sissy Ball

Sat 4 March 2023

Witness the regal, the ravishing and the revolutionary battle it out at Sissy Ball.

Local and international headliners for major events will be revealed later this year.

Sydney WorldPride Chief Operating Officer, Gabriel Pinkstone, said: “In just a few months, Sydney will be transformed as more than 500,000 people come together for the global family reunion LGBTQIA+ people have been waiting for.”

“Sydney WorldPride is a party with a purpose, and will celebrate Sydney’s most iconic locations, from Bondi Beach to the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.”

“It’s the biggest summer event of 2023 and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to celebrate Pride with Australia’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community.”

As well as Sydney WorldPride’s major events, there will be over 60 specially curated arts events and more than 20 sporting events as part of WorldPride Arts and WorldPride Sports. WorldPride Arts has been made possible thanks to Create NSW.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said: “Sydney WorldPride 2023 will showcase our incredible and inclusive city to a global audience and will re-establish Sydney as a must-visit destination for visitors.”

“It’ll be the first time this event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere and has the potential to be the biggest event Sydney has seen since the Sydney 2000 Olympics.”

“As a city and a state, we are embracing the freedom we have earned through the hard times of the past two years.”

“The NSW Government continues to invest in world-class entertainment, hospitality and events; our goal is to be the events capital of the Asia-Pacific and supporting Sydney WorldPride 2023 helps achieve this.”

“NSW is ready to host this event and we are encouraging visitors to make the trip to enjoy the best that Sydney has to offer.”

Local artists, producers and party promoters are also being invited to take part in Pride Amplified, a dedicated open access program for arts, culture, experiences and parties, with hundreds of events expected to take place across Greater Sydney.

Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, said: “The City is proud to be a fierce ally of the rainbow community and we are delighted to welcome the world to Sydney for Pride in 2023!”

“This is a fantastic moment for Sydney. Hosting WorldPride 2023 is an affirmation of our city as a richly diverse and accepting society, open to the world and inclusive of all, and a wonderful opportunity to help our arts, tourism and hospitality sectors that were so hard hit by the Covid pandemic.”

Gil Beckwith, Chief Financial Officer, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the world’s LGBTQIA+ communities to our city for Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras.”

“This event will not only showcase the iconic surrounds of Sydney and NSW as a premier tourist destination, but it will also boost the profile of the Mardi Gras Festival to international audiences, creating a legacy that will have an important impact for the growth of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and our community in years to come.”

Tickets

Every year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the hottest summer event in Sydney, with international headliners and visitors from around the globe joining one of the world’s most renowned Pride festivals.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 09:00 AEST on 15 July via SydneyWorldPride.com.

To secure early access to Sydney WorldPride tickets, sign up now at sydneyworldpride.com to access pre-sale tickets from 09:00 AEST on 11 July. Mardi Gras Members not only get pre-sale access, but discounted tickets on many Mardi Gras events.

Sydney WorldPride is proud to offer $49 + booking fee tickets to select events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through MobTix, and for select concession card holders through our Affordability Program.

Special thanks to Gildan Brands Australia for their generous donation of over 1,000 Gildan t-shirts worn by the participants in the Human Progress Flag.

Full list of 2023 events

A full list of the Sydney WorldPride festival’s events is as follows: