Sydney Mardi Gras 2026

Sydney Mardi Gras 2026

Sydney’s Mardi Gras is one of the most iconic gay celebrations in the world. The event features a colourful parade, spectacular circuit events, pool parties, after parties and outdoor events.  The Program is long – but so is the Journey – & Its worth it!

• Visiting for Mardi Gras? Stay in Darlinghurst , the focal point of the annual Mardi Gras festival and home to some of Australia’s longest-running and best-known LGBTQI bars.

Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 Dates

• Next Edition: Friday 13th February 2026 – Sunday 1st March 2026.
• The 48th edition of Sydney’s Mardi Gras celebrations return with a new theme. The main parade is held on the final Saturday of the event.

Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 Parade

• Saturday 28th February, 2026 – The 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade takes over Oxford Street for one of the most spectacular parades featuring elaborate floats, famous faces and over the top dance routines!
• The parade continues along Flinders Street and Anzac Parade as part of the biggest night-time LGBTQIA+ Parade in the world.
• Event rungs from 6 pm until 11 pm featuring over 12,000 marchers.
• Discover the best places to dine, party, stay and play with our guide to Gay Sydney.

Fair Day in Victoria Park 2025

• Sunday 15th February, 2026 – Join over 80,000 people in Victoria Park for a free, fun-filled celebration of Australia’s communities with delicious food, rides, market stalls, comedy, dance and live music to boot.
• Whether you are in the mood for a picnic or a party, whether you’re eight or 85, Fair Day offers something for everyone, kicking off the fortnight to come. Chill with a picnic spread, browse the community stalls or kick up your heels and have a dance.
• Stay close to Victoria Park. The Old Clare Hotel is rated “Fabulous” by guests and features spacious rooms, a great rooftop bar and gorgeous pool.

Mardi Gras Party

• Saturday 28th February, 2026 – The Mardi Gras Party – After the spectacular Parade, come and enjoy the night with over 12,000 of your newest and closest friends!
• The Mardi Gras Party is Australia’s biggest LGBTQI event of the year, with music, light and performances at the Hordern Pavillion.
• Stay close to Hyde Park. Check out the Sheraton Grand, with views of the park. The hotel is right on the doorstep of the busy gay bars on Oxford Street.

Laneway

• Sunday 1st March, 2026 – Laneway, a cherished tradition of the Mardi Gras Festival, has evolved from a couple of milk crates and a portable stereo on Hill Street, Surry Hills, to a full-blown street party across the Beresford Hotel & surrounding laneways.
• Expect live music, diva drop-ins, pop-up drag shows and world-class DJs across a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Stay close to the venue in Surry Hills. Feel like a local in your own apartment at the Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar, offering full suite amenities and just steps from the bustling and vibrant gay scene.

The Sissy Ball 2025

• Typically held on the final Friday – Awaiting dates –  The Sissy Ball –  inspired by NYC’s iconic vogue ballroom scene, entrants will take centre stage as they battle for judges attention.

Oxtravaganza and Darlo Big Drag Brunch

• Awaiting dates – Oxford Street is home to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, and plays host to Oxtravaganza, a two-week festival as part of the celebrations.

Paradiso Pool Party

• Awaiting dates – Typically on the Monday leading up to the main parade – Paradiso – The Official Mardi Gras pool party at The Ivy.

Other Pool Parties

• Several party promoters host a series of epic pool parties during the Mardi Gras celebrations, including Daywash, Thick and Juicy, Poof Doof and the Official Mardi Gras parties.
• For a touch of class, head into the city to Ivy, which features a popular open-air Pool Club Bar for the beautiful people and their admirers.
• Full program and dates to be confirmed for the following:
• Friday  – Swim Club by Poof Doof and House of Trash (Evening event)
• Sunday  – Ty Tea Pool Party by Poof Doof at The Ivy with the legendary Ty Sunderland.
• Monday  – Daywash persents Kiki Gay Pool Party Finale at The Ivy

The Circuit Parties

• Awaiting dates – Poof Doof, everyone’s favourite gay party hosts a series of nightly events, drag brunches and poolside soirees during Mardi Gras. Check out the Poof Doof Mardi Gras Programme.
• Awaiting dates- Bears, chasers and lovers unite during three days and nights of events hosted by Thick and Juicy.
• Apollo Sydney presents the ultimate Mardi Gras all day party like no other.
• DejaVu, Sydney’s popular weekly event hosts a special Mardi Gras FINALE edition at HOME.
• Extra Dirty, the horniest gear party in Sydney takes over the Shark Hotel for an iconic end of event edition.
• Daywash presents Candyland XXL at The Oxford Art club with two different levels, stunning visuals and their signature sex-on-legs gogos!

Bear Parties

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates
• Sydney Harbour Bears organise some of Sydney’s furriest and friendliest gay parties throughout the year with several pop up parties and events.
• The Bear Essentials celebrations takes place during Sydney Mardi Gras and include several parties, meet ups, sauna nights, underbear parties and more.

Boat Parties

• Awaiting dates – Poof Doof’s Big Gay Boat Parties are kicking through Summer, so curate your crew and plan your trip today. Ahoy Sailors.
• Awaiting dates –Morning Glory Boat Cruise is back for another edition on Seadeck, trading sunrise for sunsets.

Sydney Fetish Week & Men Only Parties

• Awaiting dates – Typically the final Sunday – Extra Dirty, the horniest gear party in Sydney takes over the Shark Hotel for an iconic end of event edition.

Gay Sydney during Mardi Gras

• Darlinghurst – In Sydney, bustling inner-city Darlinghurst is the focal point of the annual Mardi Gras festival and home to some of Australia’s longest-running and best-known LGBTQI bars, such as The Colombian and the Stonewall Hotel, where you can catch drag shows and dance on podiums until late.
• The neighbouring suburbs of Surry Hills and Potts Point are queer hubs, too; both spots are known for their concentrations of top restaurants and their well-dressed residents.
• Newtown  – (10 Mins drive from Sydney city centre) –  Think of Newtown as Darlinghurst’s wonderfully weird bohemian cousin. Newtown’s main thoroughfare, King Street, has long been a popular hangout for students, artists, musicians and members of the LGBTQI community, while its leafy backstreets and pretty old terrace houses attract hip families and young professionals. Newtown also boasts some of the best casual dining in Sydney.
• In nearby Erskineville, the Imperial Hotel has been an LGBTQI meeting spot since the 1980s.

Top Gay bars in Sydney

• ARQ – Popular nightclub with 2 spaces featuring regular drag performances and DJs spinning house, possibly the city’s most delightfully trashy gay nightclub.
• THE BEACHAM  – Newly renovated. Come for the Sunday sesh! Enjoy Chicken Parmigiana, Beef Wellington, and happy hour from 4pm to 6pm. 265 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
• THE BEARDED TIT  – The Bearded Tit is a haven for rebels and queer artists in Redfern, encouraging emerging work and performances. 183 Regent Street, Redfern
• THE BERESFORD  – Celebrating good times in Surry Hills? The Beresford is open Tuesday to Sunday; enjoy wood-fired pizza, pappardelle, and happy hour from 6pm to 8pm. 354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
• THE BURDEKIN HOTEL  – Darlinghurst’s 5-storey icon is open Tuesday to Sunday with drag trivia, Italo-dining, and bottomless brunch. You can enjoy heavy metal to princess pop at this icon! 2 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• CHING-A-LINGS  – This Darlinghurst, softly lit sanctuary is open Wednesday to Sunday, complete with exposed brick, low ceilings, couches, a rooftop, and drag performances. Level 1/133 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• THE COLOMBIAN HOTEL  – Sip cocktails and enjoy the rooftop sunset at this Oxford Street after-hours gay bar. Patrons can enjoy themed parties, DJs, and mirror balls. 117-125 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• THE IMPERIAL  – The jewel of Erskineville holds Priscilla’s restaurant, UP-rooftop bar and Basement bar. Enjoy nightly drag, Wednesday to Sunday and happy hour, 5pm to 7pm. 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
• KINSELAS  – Darlinghurst’s Kinselas is open every day with 6pm to 8pm happy hour, drag trivia, pool tables, and three levels with bars. 383 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst
• OXFORD HOTEL  – This 100-year-old landmark is open seven days a week, entertaining patrons with trivia, drag, RuPaul watch parties and RuGirls Coco Jumbo and Maxi Shield. 134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• PALMS ON OXFORD – This classic Darlinghurst nightclub is open from Thursday to Sunday. Party the night away at the tropical-themed bar with 80s and 90s dance hits. 124 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• POOF DOOF SYDNEY  – Sydney’s gay rave is hosted by Poof Doof every Saturday at Ivy – join the dance parties and drag queens to bring on the weekend. 330 George Street, Sydney 
• THE RED RATTLER THEATRE INC  – This queer-run community performing arts centre in Marrickville supports emerging and established artists and a warehouse theatre for performances, drinks, and music. 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville 
• STONEWALL HOTEL  – The Heart of the Community is open seven days a week. Patrons can enjoy drag, DJs, cocktails, and happy hour from 6pm to 8pm. 175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• UNIVERSAL  – Universal is a two-level party destination. Ground floor hosts drag shows seven days a week. Friday to Sunday, upstairs welcomes DJs and light shows. 85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Where to stay during Sydney Pride?

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to the gay bars, pride parties and tourist attractions:

Best Western,    Rydges Hotel,    Meriton Suites,    Pullman Hotel