The 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival will electrify Sydney from 13 February to 1 March 2026, inviting all to step into ECSTATICA. A world where joy becomes movement, and celebration becomes power.
Over 20 days, the city will pulse with queer energy through a dynamic program of theatre, music, parties, talks, and community events, culminating in the 48th Annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 28 February, when Oxford Street once again transforms into the beating heart of LGBTQIA+ pride and visibility.
“ECSTATICA is about euphoria as resistance,” said Jesse Matheson, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “The idea that our joy is powerful, political, and unstoppable. This year’s Festival celebrates connection in all its forms: from streets to screens, from protest to party, and from one another to the world. It’s a celebration of who we are, what we’ve built, and the future we’re creating together.”
“Sydney truly comes alive during Mardi Gras,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO. “Our city sparkles with diversity, inclusion and love proudly on show. The City of Sydney is proud to support this globally significant celebration that brings our streets and our communities together. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Oxford Street to celebrate a festival that stands for joy, equality and belonging.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said, “The NSW Government is proud to support Mardi Gras, which has grown from a grassroots protest into one of the world’s great festivals. It is the pride of Sydney’s major events calendar and a symbol of our city’s creativity, diversity and inclusiveness. Mardi Gras continues to inspire pride and progress, while also delivering huge cultural and economic benefits to NSW. The 2026 Festival program will once again unite communities and showcase our vibrant global city at its very best.”
Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, said: “From the original 1978 protest to now, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an important celebration of inclusivity and tolerance.”
“Every year, Mardi Gras brings out the best of Sydney and reminds us of the progress made towards freedom and equality for our LGBTQIA+ community. Along with the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the Mardi Gras is an international icon of Sydney.”
Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich MP said, “Mardi Gras is a time when Sydney comes together to show love for the LGBTIQA+ communities, and the events and parade provide a powerful platform to advocate for further progress for our community. Importantly, it’s also a time for the LGBTIQA+ community to support each other and celebrate who we are.”
The 48th Annual Parade
On Saturday 28 February, the 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will fill Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade with light, colour and sound. Thousands of marchers and floats will unite in a dazzling procession of pride, visibility, and solidarity..
“Every year, the Parade reminds us that visibility is joy in motion,” Matheson said. “It’s about showing up for ourselves and each other, and doing it with glitter in our veins.”
The final weekend of the Festival brings the community together for one last celebration of connection, colour and pride.
The PARTY returns. Reimagined.
The dance floor’s calling, and it’s louder than ever. PARTY returns to SGLMG on Saturday 28 February with more love, rhythm and energy than you can handle. It’s our moment to shine, and it will be bright.
A Festival of Connection, Culture and Celebration
The 2026 Festival features over 80 events, opening with the Progress Pride Flag Raising at Sydney Town Hall on Friday, 13 February, signalling the start of two weeks of unstoppable queer joy.
For more info on the incredible line up of festival events, click here!
Mardi Gras App
The Festival’s evolution into a year-round platform continues with the new Mardi Gras App, a FREE digital home for event listings, safety tools, and queer-owned business discovery, connecting the community across streets and screens.
Welcoming the initiative, Shane Warren, President of Sydney’s Rainbow Precinct, said, “We’re excited to see Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras launch another wonderful season of celebration and community. It’s a moment to come together as businesses, neighbours and friends to honour all that’s been achieved over the years. Now more than ever, as we witness hard-won rights under threat in some of our neighbouring countries, we’re reminded of the importance of visibility, unity and pride.”
Tickets
Tickets go on pre-sale to members on Monday 3 November 2025 at 10am and general sale on Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 10am via mardigras.org.au or through the new Mardi Gras App.
The Details
Festival dates: 13 February – 1 March 2026
More info: www.mardigras.org.au
