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.