Liberate!
Friday 17 February to Sunday 2 July
Customs House
Celebrating 45 years of community-led social change, Liberate! highlights significant social issues and events. From the creation of queer organisations and world-leading HIV education campaigns to the 13-year struggle for marriage equality and the historic and monumental win.
You also have the chance to meet the queer, gender diverse and First Nations photographers and artists behind the exhibition in this panel discussion.
Pride Villages
Friday 24 February to Sunday 5 March
Surry Hills
For 9 days, parts of Crown Street and Riley Street will be closed to traffic and come to life with stalls, performances, dining and places to connect with friends and family in between WorldPride events. Crown Street will be home to a stage with nightly shows and special extended entertainment on weekends.
To mark the final weekend of WorldPride (4 to 5 March), Oxford Street will also be closed for a once-in-a-lifetime street party, all the way from Liverpool Street to Flinders Street.
Residents can find information about road closures around Crown and Riley Streets on the Sydney WorldPride website.
Queer Screen's 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival
Wednesday 15 February to Thursday 2 March
Different cinemas across Sydney
Featuring over 110 LGBTIQ+ feature films, documentaries, shorts, special events, afterparties and more. You can opt for a night at the cinema or staying home to binge queer content all festival season.
Mardi Gras Parade
Saturday 25 February from 6pm to 11pm
Oxford Street
The world-renowned parade returns to Oxford Street to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. In a dazzling display of LGBTQIA+ excellence, 12,500 marchers and 200+ floats will adorn Oxford Street for the first time since 2020.
Positive Musings: Reflections of HIV in Modern Australia
Tuesday 28 February from 6pm to 7pm
Customs House Library
This panel discussion takes a closer look at Australia’s history of dealing with HIV and how it’s been represented in media and literature over the decades. How do Australian representations compare to international representations of the AIDS crisis? How well do they serve Australia given our unique positioning in the history of the pandemic?
Dragons on Darling
Saturday 4 March from 8am to 5pm
Cockle Bay Wharf
Enjoy a day of colourful dragon boat racing. The first ever Pride-themed regatta features dragon boat clubs from all around Sydney and Australia.
Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference
Wednesday 1 March to Friday 3 March
International Convention Centre
This year, Sydney WorldPride will host the largest LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Conference ever to be held in the southern hemisphere. The conference is immersive, fast-paced and takes place over 3 levels. Explore LGBTQIA+ human rights, as we journey from where we are now to our vision for the future.
Mardi Gras Fair Day
Sunday 19 February from 10am to 9pm
Victoria Park, Camperdown
Don’t miss one of the community's most-loved events bringing over 200 stalls, great food, sample giveaways and family-friendly picnic areas. There’ll also be entertainment featuring Carla Wehbe, Mama de Leche, Penelope Pettigrew and The Buoys.
If you’re in the mood to party on after Fair Day, don’t miss the Junipero after party at The Burdekin Hotel.
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert
Thursday 2 March from 7pm to 9pm
Sydney Opera House
Made by and for First Nations people, everyone is welcome at this glittering event. Experience a rainbow explosion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait LGBTQIA+SB artistry, across a 2-hour concert starring Jessica Mauboy, Electric Fields and Casey Donovan and hosted by Steven ‘Faboriginal’ Oliver. From traditional song, to comedy, pop and ballroom, it’s going to be deadly.
Mardi Gras Laugh Out Proud
Friday 3 March from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Enmore Theatre
One of the most sought-after tickets in the festival calendar, this comedy gala guarantees a night full of laughs. The line-up features Bob Downe, Dazza and Keif, Rosie Piper, Rudy-Lee Taurus, Spankie Jackzon.
Want more? Find all events in the Sydney World Pride program.
Published 30 January 2023, updated 14 February 2023
