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The 10 biggest, buzziest and boldest things to do at Sydney WorldPride
Prepare for a month of fun.
Mammoth global LGBTQIA+ festival WorldPride hits the southern hemisphere for the first time as it arrives in Sydney, officially running from February 17 to March 5.
Here’s our guide to the 10 biggest, buzziest and boldest happenings from the more than 300 events planned.
Queer Contemporary
Karla Dickens’ Looking At You VII (2017).
National Art School’s visual arts program for WorldPride kicks off with a block party on February 16 and visitors can check out group exhibition Braving Time: Contemporary Art in Queer Australia and a live mural drawing commission from Luke Thurgate. National Art School, until March 18
Choir Boy
Choir Boy will be at the Riverside Theatres.
Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta stages the Australian premiere of Choir Boy from American playwright and Moonlight Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney. The play follows a young gay black man navigating his way through prep school and features a stunning soundtrack of a cappella gospel hymns. Riverside Theatres, February 14-March 11
Mardi Gras Film Festival
Of an Age stars Hattie Hook, Thom Green and Elias Anton.Credit: Ben King
The cinematic showcase celebrates 30 years of queer storytelling, with 166 flicks set to screen across its run, including Australian drama Of an Age, Danish romance The Venus Effect and the Golden Lion-winning documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. Various locations, February 15-March 2
Opera Up Late
Benjamin Rasheed will be part of Opera Up Late at the Sydney Opera House.Credit: Daniel Boud
This after-dark romp from Opera Australia should be a camp and cheeky night out as comedian Reuben Kaye hosts a mix of arias, drag and laughs with a program of music from Verdi and Mozart alongside tunes from Judy Garland, Stephen Sondheim and Lady Gaga. Sydney Opera House, February 18 and 23
Mo’Ju with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Mo’Ju will perform as part of WorldPride.
ARIA Award-nominated Wiradjuri and Filipino musician Mo’Ju gives fans the first chance to hear the raw and soulful songs from their heavily anticipated new album, Oro, Plata, Mata, due out in March, at a one-night-only concert backed by the soaring sounds of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Sydney Opera House, February 21
The Dan Daw Show
Dan Daw will perform at the Seymour Centre.
Catch the Australian premiere of this acclaimed dance theatre work from queer disabled artist Dan Daw. The National Dance Award-nominated show is a tender exploration of kink, consent and intimacy. Seymour Centre, February 21-24
Marri Madung Butbut
The Huxleys – Will and Garrett Huxley – at Carriageworks.Credit: James Alcock
This First Nations gathering space takes over Carriageworks in a blaze of creativity. The opening night disco curated by visual and performance art duo The Huxleys, Joel Bray tackling father figures and colonisation in his show Daddy, and the fierce but fabulous competition between drag queens at Miss First Nation. Carriageworks, February 23-28
Mardi Gras Parade
The Mardi Gras Parade will return to Oxford street.Credit: James Alcock
The famous parade makes a very welcome return to Oxford Street, back for the first time since 2020, with more than 200 floats and 12,500 marchers expected to spread pride, joy and LGBTQIA+ excellence as they get the party started for this year’s theme of “Gather, Dream, Amplify”. Oxford Street, February 25
Bondi Beach Party
Pop star Nicole Scherzinger will join a line-up of Australian DJs.Credit: Frederic Monceau
The world’s most famous beach will be transformed into an open-air club for 12,000 lucky partiers, with a musical roster featuring American pop star Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls fame, and an all-Aussie DJ line-up of dameeeela, Jarred Baker, Jacqui Cunningham, DJ Charlie Villas and DJ Dan Murphy. Bondi Beach, March 4
Rainbow Republic
Kim Petras performing at Coachella. Credit: AP
WorldPride’s closing concert, Rainbow Republic, ensures the festivities end on a high note. It features a pop-tacular line-up boasting sets from singing sensation Kim Petras, indie outfit Muna, Australian vocalist Peach PRC and others. The Domain, March 5
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