North Sydney’s Ted Mack Civic Park will come alive with music, colour and community spirit this June as the local council hosts a Pride Picnic to celebrate Pride Month 2025.
The free, family-friendly event will be held on Sunday June 1 from 3pm to 6pm and promises a joyful afternoon of live music, drag performances, food trucks, and face painting for all ages.
Kids – and canines – won’t be left out, with plenty of activities and even a rainbow dog competition encouraging pups to dress in their most fabulous Pride-themed outfits.
Centred around this year’s Pride Month theme of “Love, Respect, Empower”, the Pride Picnic aims to bring people together in a welcoming and inclusive celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity and history.
As the sun sets, the event will take a reflective turn with a unique projection tribute to North Sydney’s queer past. Stories from the Mapping Queer North Sydney project will be projected onto the walls of Stanton Library – shining a literal light on the lives and legacies of local LGBTQIA+ residents.
The Mapping Queer North Sydney initiative, developed over two years, has created a digital archive of personal stories, spaces and experiences that have shaped the area’s queer identity. It offers a powerful glimpse into the community’s rich and diverse history – much of which has remained largely unseen until now.
“This event is more than a celebration – it’s about visibility, storytelling and honouring the ongoing contributions of our LGBTQIA+ community in North Sydney,” said Mayor Zoë Baker.
To mark Pride Month throughout June, both Stanton Library and North Sydney Council Chambers will be lit in rainbow colours – a gesture of solidarity and visibility for the queer community.
Located near North Sydney Oval and just a short walk from the train station, Ted Mack Civic Park will be the heart of the celebration. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic rugs, gather their friends and family, and join a growing community united in pride and joy.
Full event details and updates can be found at northsydney.nsw.gov.au/pridepicnic.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
