Whether you’re after sunrise dance floors, underground queer raves, drag competitions, theatre, or a big gay harbour cruise, Sydney’s October long weekend has something for everyone.
Palms White Party (Sponsored)
A gay dance party for fans of gay club Palms on Oxford Street. White is the theme, so glam it up in your best white outfit or dress down and display your best assets in your tighty whities.
Featuring special guest hostess Ashley Madison and shows through the night by Madison and the cast of Palms’ GLAMBOYANCE production show, Heath Keating, Eli Crawford and James Vidigal.
DJ Korvaia, DJ Division 4 and DJ LXO will be spinning tracks.
Sunday, October 5, 8pm-5am
Tix: $17.09-$22.34
palms.simpletix.com
Big Gay Piano Bar
Start your long weekend with a night of singing, drinking and camp fun at the Oxford Hotel’s Ginger’s bar, where John Milligan will be on the keys, leading the crowd through your favourite requests.
Friday, October 3, with singing from 7.30pm
Tix: $32.41-$37.63
events.humanitix.com
Sydney Theatre Company‘s queer community night
Catch Whitefella Yella Tree by playwright Dylan Van Den Berg at Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf 1 Theatre in Walsh Bay, directed by Declan Greene and Amy Sole. The acclaimed production runs until October 18, with a special queer community night this Friday at 7.30pm.
The evening features a post-show lip sync by First Nations fem queen Tynga Williams, plus the option of a queer backstage tour of The Wharf before the show at 5.30pm exploring STC’s history of First Nations and LGBTQIA+ storytelling.
Friday, October 3, 7.30pm
Tix from $93 for adults, under 30s from $35, and $25 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples using promo code WFYTCOMMUNITY. Tour at 5.30pm, from $55.
sydneytheatre.com.au
Slay 2 Stay
Oxford Street drag competition Slay 2 Stay returns to Universal Sydney this Friday for its sixth season, running over 12 weeks. Hosted by drag queens Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle, the competition will this year take place in the venue’s upstairs superclub. As with previous years, it will feature performances, challenges and weekly prizes. The venue’s club night Sanctuary will serve as the official afterparty.
Friday, October 3, 7.30pm
Tix: Free
universal.sydney
Sugarush’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ album release party
Expect a dazzling night of Taylor Swift hits, her new album, drag performances and themed drinks at a Swift-themed party hosted by Sugarush at Mary’s Underground in the CBD. Are you ready for it?
Friday, October 3, from 9pm
Tix: $22-$25
moshtix.com.au
I Remember House (sold out)
DJ Dan Murphy’s I Remember House is back on the October long weekend in Sydney. It promises to fill up the Ivy in Sydney’s CBD with the “best house music on the planet”.
Saturday, October 4, 1-8pm
Tix from $67.98 (sold out, join wait list)
events.humanitix.com
Ouwais Menzel’s book launch
Celebrate the launch of gay author and Youth Against Violence co-founder Ouwais Menzel’s new book upstairs at The Beresford in Surry Hills, with DJ LXO on the decks. Menzel, who founded Youth Against Violence after a friend was stabbed in 2021, has become an advocate for tougher knife laws and youth safety in western Sydney. The organisation now works across NSW to prevent knife crime, support affected communities and campaign for legislative reform.
Saturday, October 4, 4pm-7pm
Tix: Free.
@ouwais.menzel
Flash (Sold out)
Sydney gay club night Flash – known for its dark, sweaty and intimate atmosphere while also holding space for pop bangers – returns with Issue 024 at the Kings Cross Hotel club. Expect house-party vibes and a packed dance floor, with house, tech-house and trance beats alongside guilty-pleasure pop moments, all delivering the close-quarters energy that has made Flash one of the city’s most talked-about gay parties.
Saturday, October 4, 10pm-4am
Tix: Sold out online, limited sales on the door
megatix.com.au
Homodisko
4thelove, the team behind Halloween Whores, are back with Homodisko at Kinselas this October long weekend. The upstairs club will be transformed into a queer dance haven with DJs Brad James, Colin Gaff, Joelby and Sveta serving up euphoric remixed house and club beats all night. Guests are advised to dress in a way that makes them feel sexy, from jocks and fetish to glamour or club kid looks.
Saturday, October 4, 9pm-3am
Tix $32.41
humanitix.com
Superficial’s ‘Is This Illegal?’
Superficial is hosting a PinkPantheress appreciation night at The Imperial Erskineville, with its DJs spinning the British singer-songwriter and producer’s hits alongside tracks from her friends and contemporaries. Expect sets that run late into the night, featuring music from Charli XCX, Magdalena Bay, Addison Rae, Troye Sivan, Shygirl, SZA, Chappell Roan, Grimes and more.
Saturday, October 4, from 10pm
Tix: $25.85
moshtix.com.au
DéjàVu: Voltage
Every Saturday at Universal Superclub, GAYM Entertainment’s DéjàVu turns Oxford Street’s Universal Superclub into a big-room blitz – big production, lasers and a fusion of tribal/techno energy. This week’s edition, DéjàVu: Voltage, cranks the dial with headliners Mike Palma and Ryan John, special guest NEY (Queensland), and support from Gutiel and James Alexandr. Expect peak-hour electronic & EDM anthems, floor-shaking drops and a high-energy, all-night atmosphere.
Saturday, October 4, from 10pm
From $27.87
eventbrite.com.au
Thick ‘N’ Juicy’s Beefcake
Like them thick? Beefcake is back – “Sydney’s mouthwatering dance party for meaty men and their friends”. Presented by Thick ‘N’ Juicy, the party takes over Oxford Art Factory with DJs, beefy go-go dancers, an upgraded venue and the kind of friendly, all-in energy that has made it a staple of Sydney’s gay party calendar. Everyone is welcome, with a big family of beautiful men and their LGBTQIA+ friends packing the dance floor.
Saturday, October 4, 9pm-4am
Tix: $57.59
humanitix.com
Morning Glory
GAYM Entertainment’s Morning Glory returns for the October long weekend, transforming Home The Venue’s rooftop into a sunrise party overlooking Darling Harbour. Organisers describe it as a Sunday morning “religious experience”, with high-energy house music, outrageous outfits and a lively dancefloor atmosphere from open to close.
Sunday, October 5, 4am-10am
Tix: $33.06
eventbrite.com.au
Extra Dirty at Space Nightclub
Featuring DJ Skippo from Cologne, Sydney’s queer underground party Extra Dirty is back, this time taking over Space Nightclub in the CBD. Founded in 2008, the event is known for its harder-edged electronic music and inclusive ethos, welcoming all genders, bodies and aesthetics. The crowd often includes queer, gay, leather and fetish communities, though the party resists easy classification.
Sunday, October 5, 9pm-3.30am
Tix $84.03
humanitix.com
Haus of Savvy presents Chaps
Mark Alsop MA15+ and Rob Davis will headline as queer fetish events company Haus of Savvy presents a special edition of Chaps, described as the ultimate Sunday tea dance party. The dress code includes leather, rubber, uniforms, pup gear, pig wear, kink fashion, jockstraps, denim – and, of course, chaps.
Sunday, October 5, 5pm-10pm
Tix: Presale $21.97, $30 on the door
humanitix.com
Flash special issue 001
Sydney gay party Flash returns to Oxford Street venue Two 3 One for a special long-weekend event featuring DJs Adam Thomas, Az Matthews, Dingo Disco, Onarsé and Tomgraaam.
Sunday, October 5, 10pm-5am
Tix: $20
megatix.com.au
DéjàVu XXL
DéjàVu goes XXL this Sunday at Universal Superclub, with international headliner Dani Brasil joined by Freddy Pinzon. Supported by Brendan Campbell, Chrs and D’Mateo, the night promises big-room sounds, high-energy production and a packed Oxford Street dancefloor.
Sunday, October 5, from 10pm
Tix: From $33.06
eventbrite.com.au
Coastie Carnie Fair Day
Umina Beach on the Central Coast is being transformed into a glittering playground packed with art, culture, food and fabulous entertainment. Enjoy headline acts including Greg Gould, Stellar Addiction, Non Binary Code, Frock Hudson, Sexy Galexy and more, plus local legends and choirs. Families can explore the Rainbow Family Zone with drag storytime, circus play and kids’ disco, while pups strut their stuff in the Puparazzi Parade. Bring your crew, picnic rug and dog.
Sunday, October 5, 10am-5pm
Tix: Free
coastaltwist.org.au
Loose Ends Spring Awakening (sold out)
Loose Ends, described as an “underground queer/gay/whatever club since 2006”, returns at the Oxford Art Factory with a spring awakening long-weekend party with resident DJ Matt Vaughan and special guests.
Sunday, October 5, from 10pm
Tix: $64.48 (sold out)
moshtix.com.au
Club Broadway presents Afloat
Club Broadway sets sail on Sydney Harbour with a musical theatre-themed cruise aboard Seadeck. DJ Dan Murphy will lead the night with a set inspired by stage and screen musicals, joined by live performers.
Sunday, October 5, 6:30pm-10.30pm
Tix: $51.42
humanitix.com
Correction: Mark Alsop MA15+ and Rob Davis are headlining Haus of Savvy’s Chaps, not Skippo. Skippo is headlining Extra Dirty (as written in the article). During editing, one paragraph in the events section was misaligned.
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
