Qtopia has revealed the line-up for its 2025 Pride Fest, promising more than 150 events across June in what’s fast becoming a new cornerstone of Sydney’s queer cultural calendar.
Now in its second year, Pride Fest runs throughout Pride Month and is produced by Qtopia – the world’s largest centre for queer history and culture – based in the heart of Darlinghurst.
Qtopia chief executive Greg Fisher told Gay Sydney News the festival reflects over a year of work and ambition.
“I don’t want us just to be the largest centre for queer history and culture by square meterage,” he said. “It’s the sort of festival that will have a significant impact on the community and our standing as a queer community around the world.”
While pride celebrations in Australia typically peak during the summer with events like Sydney Mardi Gras and Melbourne’s Midsumma, Fisher said Qtopia’s winter offering helps extend that energy into the middle of the year.
“We felt it important that we [Qtopia] played our part in elevating Pride Month in Sydney, given the size of the community that we have here.”
With more than 400 artists involved, the program spans theatre, cabaret, drag, literature, visual art, exhibitions, and education. Community icons like the 78ers, ACON, Rainbow Families, and The Bookshop Darlinghurst are all taking part.
“These community collaborations are something really special,” Fisher said.
Headline acts include A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride, Skank Sinatra and The Platonic Human Centipede – all previous fringe festival favourites.
While most events take place at Qtopia’s home in the former Darlinghurst police station, Fisher hopes the entire precinct will buzz with activity.
“The idea is for us to not act in silos but for us to act as a community and to spur along people going from our venue over to Stonewall or to a local restaurant,” he said.
“It’s to get people to come back to the area and to have a sense of excitement about the precinct again.”
Educational and corporate offerings are also in the mix, including workshops on queer history, culture, and allyship – 75 per cent tax-deductible and aimed at helping organisations make more meaningful Pride contributions than just a rainbow logo.
“This is a community-based festival and in order for the community to be cohesive, education must be at its core,” Fisher said.
“Education is what overcomes intolerance, what creates understanding and love and is so important to us.”
The full program is now available on Qtopia’s website.
Gay Sydney News reporter