Mardi Gras Sydney 2025: Your Guide to a Fun & Fabulous Festival
Where to dance, dazzle and celebrate the iconic Sydney Mardi Gras 2025.
Holding onto its title as one of the city’s most iconic (and fabulous) festivals, Sydney Mardi Gras will treat festival-goers to a huge celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture over two rather colourful weeks this February and March.
There's a slew of exciting events on the festival calendar, including comedy, music, theatre performances, exhibitions, and parties on either side of the famously flamboyant Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
As always, among the singing, dancing, and discussing, the festival has a theme. This year’s theme is ‘Free to be'. While the full list of events is available through the official website, here’s a taste of what’s at the top of our list for the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras.
Have a Heaps Gay V.Day at the MCA
Celebrate love in all its forms this Valentine's Day at A Heaps Gay Valentine on Friday, February 14, hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
Curated by Heaps Gay, renowned for creating inclusive spaces for the queer community, the evening features live music, performances, and access to the Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory exhibition, part of the Sydney International Art Series 2024–25.
Tickets start at $28, purchase here
Friday, February 14, 6pm-10pm
Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks
Get Your Vogue on at the 2025 Sissy Ball
Sissy Ball is set to captivate audiences on Friday, February 28, as the Southern Hemisphere's largest vogue ball returns with unparalleled flair. Under the new curation of Kianna Oricci, vogue houses from across Australia will converge to showcase their talents in a night filled with drama and sensation.
Originating in 2018, Sissy Ball has evolved into a global platform celebrating the excellence and fantasy of the ballroom scene Down Under.
Friday, February 28, from 6pm
Tickets from $99, purchase here
Sydney Town Hall, 483 George Street, Sydney
Get the Good Vibes Flowing at the Pre-Mardi Gras Party at the Pullman
To mark the 2025 Mardi Gras, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park will transform into Pullman Pride Park on Saturday, March 1, as they host the Let your Pride Shine pre-Mardi Gras pride party.
The not-to-be-missed event will offer a prize position on the front doorstep of the parade and a special performance by beloved Aussie pop sensation Samantha Jade, alongside a range of entertainment and surprises, plus free-flowing drinks, roaming bites, DJs and good vibes all around.
2025 Mardi Gras Parade
Like the rainbow community it represents, the 47th Mardi Gras Parade will be as colourful a carnival as ever. This world-renowned extravaganza is the ultimate celebration of beauty, self-expression, strength, and solidarity.
With 200+ floats and over 12,000 marchers setting the scene for a fun, festive and downright fabulous evening, keep an eye out for fan favourites Dykes on Bikes, First Nations and 78ers.
Watch this year’s theme, 'Free to be,' come to life from the free viewing areas, spanning Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Anzac Parade, from Hyde Park to Moore Park.
6:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday March 1, 2025
Oxford Street and surrounds
Dance the Night Away at the Official Mardi Gras After Party at the Horden Pavillion
Get ready for the ultimate celebration at the Mardi Gras after party 2025, happening Saturday, March 1, at the iconic Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park. This is THE party of the year, featuring unmissable performances from Romy of The xx and the legendary DJ Honey Dijon, bringing you electrifying beats and pure magic on the dance floor.
Saturday, March 1, from 10pm
Tickets from $229, purchase here
Horden Pavillion, Moore Park
Oxtravaganza
Oxford Street’s annual Oxtravaganza is pulling out all the stops with celebrations and activations over the full two weeks of the Sydney Mardi Gras schedule.
This celebration of Oxford Street will see 100+ local businesses coming together to offer special retail promotions, live music, viewing parties, exclusive performances, outdoor entertainment, and art walks alongside food and drink deals.
Friday, February 14—Sunday, March 2
Oxford Streets and surrounds
Boogy to Your Heart's Content at the Paradiso Pool Party
To sip the day away, round up your friends and make your way to the Paradiso Pool Party at Ivy Pool Club. Mardi Gras-goers from around the world at the city’s hottest pool for an unforgettable evening of music, performances, and fun. Kick-off parade week with renowned DJs, entertainment, and poolside vibes. The cabanas are calling!
From $89 per person, purchase here
Monday, February 24, 1pm
Ivy Pool Club, 320 George Street, Sydney
Soak Up Live Music at the Ultra Violet Festival
Recover in style at the Ultra Violet Recovery Session at Forrester’s
Keep the good vibes going at the official Ultra Violet recovery party on Sunday, February 23. Join the fun at Phylli’s at Forrester’s for an afternoon filled with beats from Sydney’s top DJs, electrifying drag performances, and flowing Four Pillars cocktails;
Sunday, February 23, 12-5pm
Free entry. Bottomless menu for $109per person
366 Riley Street, Sydney
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert is returning for 2025 at the City Recital Hall in Sydney. Curated by and for First Nations people, this gala showcases exceptional local art, music, comedy, and performance, celebrating Blak and queer culture during the Sydney Mardi Gras 2025.
The venue, located on Gadigal Land, holds cultural significance as it sits atop the Tank Stream, the original waterway that provided abundance to the Gadigal People.
Thursday, February 27, all-day event
City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place Sydney
Ticket pricing to be announced
Disco Sessions at Chin Chin
If your favourite way to celebrate is via food, then Chin Chin's Mardi Gras: Disco Sessions will be right up your alley. The celebrations involve a bottomless lunch, a cocktail special (supporting LGBTQIA+ youth) and DJ tunes. The perfect way to ease into Mardi Gras season!
$109 per person
The Disco Sessions will run on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival, starting at 12pm on the following dates: February 15, 16, 22, 23, and March 1, 2
69 Commonwealth Street, Sydney
Get into the Mardi Gras Spirit with Cocktails, Qtopia, & Comedy
Kick off Mardi Gras weekend with an unforgettable evening in the heart of Surry Hills! Brix Distillers and Qtopia Sydney have teamed up to bring you a celebration of queer history, culture, and comedy.
Start your evening at Brix Distillery with a signature Mardi Gras cocktail and a charcuterie platter of tasty bites. Then, take a short stroll to Qtopia Sydney for a guided tour through their stunning exhibits, celebrating the rich history of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Wrap up the night with a laugh at Gays and Gags, a fabulous comedy show hosted at Qtopia's Loading Dock Theatre, featuring an incredible lineup of talent. You'll also receive a Brix Mardi Gras cocktail upon entry.
$99 per person, tickets available here
Thursday, February 27, 6:00pm–10:30 pm
Brix Distillery, 350 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Queer Drawing
Queer Drawing is an exhibition running from February 6 to March 2 at DRAW Space in Taylor Square. Curated by Jeremy Smith, it showcases the works of 17 artists, each presenting their unique queer perspectives through diverse drawing styles.
The exhibition delves into themes of love, identity, community, and resistance, offering insights into the intersections of queerness with broader cultural, social, and political landscapes. Participating artists include Andrew Nicholls, Dan Gladden, Gareth Ernst, and more.
Thursday February 6—Sunday March 2
31A Enmore Road, Newtown
Mardi Gras Sydney 2025 will be held from February 14 to March 2 in various locations. For more details (and parade outfit inspiration), visit the website here or take a look at the Instagram page here.
Now that you've got your calendar full, it's time to sort your MG lewks! Check out our best party dress edit, then take a look at our round-up of the best Australian jewellery brands that should be on your radar.
