The organisation behind the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival and parade is poised to post a surplus for the 2025 financial year, according to two people familiar with the yet-to-be-released results.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras says it will no longer engage with Gay Sydney News or include it in future media opportunities because the outlet didn't cover a mobile app the organisation announced in September and re-announced in October – even though it wasn't available to download either time (and still isn’t available to download).
The event, which is billed as the largest LGBTQIA+ festival of its kind in Europe, is set to take over Bondi Beach in February during Mardi Gras, though it is not connected to the organisation that runs the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Pop superstar Kesha has been confirmed as the headliner for Mighty Hoopla Sydney, which will take place at Bondi Beach in February during the Mardi Gras festival.
American Express has withdrawn sponsorship of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, leaving Australia's most prominent queer organisation with no principal sponsor for 2026 and exposing the cash-strapped non-profit to an estimated $500,000 to $1 million shortfall to fill yearly for future festivals.
Key discrepancies in a Waverley Council contract disclosure document – modified at least three times since first being uploaded – could point to changes in the Bondi Beach Party planned for the 2026 Mardi Gras season.
Rival Mardi Gras factions are preparing to rally supporters, setting up a decisive contest over the future direction of the festival.
A new campaign group seeking to challenge the influence activist collective Pride in Protest hold over Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras says it will support board candidates who align with its views at the non-profit's annual general meeting later this year.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has signalled its desire to move away from producing all of its events in-house, announcing it is inviting external promoters, community partners and creatives to co-produce “signature” celebrations while it focuses its energy on producing “hallmark” events alone.
The NSW government will receive $550,000 from the City of Sydney after the council passed a motion on Monday night to contribute to a $1.1 million emergency relief package secretly provided to the Mardi Gras organisation earlier this year.