The dates are set for the biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration Down Under to return next year.
The 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival will be making its glittering return from February 13 to March 1 in 2026.
This means 2026’s Fair Day will almost certainly be on Sunday, February 15, and the Mardi Gras parade and official party on Saturday, February 28.
Sydney Mardi Gras doesn’t typically announce its dates this far in advance, but this year it has decided to give us all as much notice as possible.
The release of next year’s dates follows the 2025 parade on Saturday night, which Mardi Gras said had an estimated 200,000 spectators cheering from the sidelines in addition to more than 10,000 marchers across 180 floats.
Under this year’s theme, Free to Be, the parade was both a celebration of self-expression and a reminder from Mardi Gras that while much has been achieved, the fight for equality continues.
Leading the parade, Dykes on Bikes roared down Oxford Street, setting the stage for a night of pride and protest.
They were followed by the First Nations and 78ers floats, honouring the movement’s history and ongoing fight for equality, alongside a vibrant mix of creative and satirical floats that brought messages and spectacular visuals to life.
As the last float made its way to the end of the parade route, thousands of revellers kept the Mardi Gras spirit alive at various parties, including the official party, which transformed multiple venues in Moore Park into a celebration until 6am.
The party featured a line-up of artists including international headliners Honey Dijon (US), Romy (UK) and HAYLA (UK).
But the ultimate show-stopping moment came just after 2am when DJ and producer Leland (US) brought out his friend, Aussie pop icon Troye Sivan.
Sivan sang along to some of the lyrics of “Talk talk” by Charli xcx, in which he features, and his hit single “Rush”.
Before Sivan appeared on stage, crowd control barriers were temporarily put in place for about 15 minutes as hundreds tried to watch up close.
Sivan’s attendance at the after-party and potential for appearing on stage was rumoured for weeks. On Friday, GSN captured him on stage at what appeared to be a soundcheck.
“Mardi Gras is a celebration, a protest, and a love letter to our community all at once,” said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith.
“The 2025 festival embodied ‘FREE TO BE’ — a statement that we are here, we are proud, and we are shaping the future with every step we take.”
Editor’s note: This article was written by Ben Grubb, who pays $50 annually for Mardi Gras membership to access discounts, including at retail stores and bars, but doesn’t use the membership’s voting rights.
Gay Sydney News editor