Sydney is gearing up for what promises to be one of its most dazzling celebrations of the year, as the 48th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival officially launches its 2026 program.
Sydney is gearing up for what promises to be one of its most dazzling celebrations ever, as the 48th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival officially launches its 2026 program.
Every year, tens of thousands of people from across Australia turn up to watch more than 10,000 participants and more than 200 floats.
Running from February 13 to March 1, 2026, this edition of the festival invites everyone into a world of movement, connection and joy, under the theme "Ecstatica".
READ MORE: Wet weather looms for Melbourne Cup Day
"Ecstatica is about euphoria as resistance, a reminder that our collective queer joy is on a break from the battle," Mardi Gras interim CEO Jesse Matheson told 9news.com.au at today's launch.
"It is actually the fuel that keeps us marching forward.
"Our joy tells us where to go next, and this year's mighty festival is all about just that: evolution, collaboration, connection, community, community, community.
"And joy that's loud, hot, and a little bit unholy."
Matheson emphasised the festival's dual role, celebration and activism, at a time when trans and gender-diverse communities are under renewed pressure.
"Visibility, connection, and joy. These aren't luxuries. They're lifelines."
The festival enjoys enthusiastic support across the entire city.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore, a long-time supporter of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras explained, "Sydney truly comes alive during Mardi Gras. Our city sparkles with diversity, inclusion and love proudly on show. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to Oxford Street to celebrate a festival that stands for joy, equality and belonging."
READ MORE: A rare celestial event kicks off this week. Here's how to see it
Festival program: When and where to see the iconic parade
Sydney is gearing up for 20 days of non-stop celebration from February 13 to March 1, 2026. The festival will feature more than 80 events, from massive parties and music shows to theatre and essential community gatherings.
Key dates
- Fair Day: The community favourite, including the famous pooch parade and drag king games, is set for Victoria Park on Sunday, February 15.
- The Main Event: The 48th Annual Parade will light up the city on Saturday, February 28. The iconic procession will sweep down Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Anzac Parade, making note to pass through the celebrated Taylor Square "Glitter Club" viewing area.
- Final Bash: The festival closes with the legendary Laneway party on Sunday, March 1, transforming The Beresford and Hill Street into a street celebration.
What's new in 2026?
The festival's theme, Ecstatica, blends its roots in protest and visibility with unashamed joy.
Matheson explained that the new events represent the festival "stepping into a new era that celebrates our past while expanding boldly into the future".
- New Community Hubs: New dedicated event for trans and gender-diverse communities, "Black Cherry," at the National Art School's Cell Block Theatre.
- Arts and Culture: The program features an art activation at the Art Gallery of NSW and major theatre productions like The Normal Heart, revisiting historic moments of LGBTQIA+ significance.
- Digital Shift: A new Mardi Gras App has been launched to serve as a year-round digital home for event listings, safety tools, and discovering queer-owned businesses.
Membership presale is now open with general sale from this Wednesday, November 5 at 10am via mardigras.org.au and the new Mardi Gras App.
Full event listings, volunteer opportunities, and registration for stalls/floats is still to come.
How to dive in
- Dates: February 13 – March 1, 2026
- Parade: Saturday 28 February (Oxford Street → Flinders Street → Anzac Parade)
- Theme: Ecstatica: Joy, movement, connection
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
'Like being fried': WA mum suffers serious burns in firebombing
The 4-word slogan that scares Aussie cyber experts
'I feared for my life': Family traumatised by two break-ins in one night
Man charged with attempted murder over train stabbing that wounded 11
Erin Patterson granted leave to appeal guilty verdicts
'Mistakes made': Optus bosses admit failures in fatal triple-zero outage
Road rage dispute that led to man's death either murder or self-defence, court hears
'Massive line of thunderstorms' hits battered state for third day
Medieval tower in Rome collapses during renovations, injuring worker
Orca pod seen hunting sharks with special 'paralysis' move
Kookaburra lands on bride's head during wedding ceremony
Australian Mint brings out limited edition coin
A stunning celestial event kicks off this week. Here's how to see it
A timeline of US strikes on boats that have killed 64
Three in four Aussies share the same fear - and it could cost them hundreds
Powerful earthquake shakes northern Afghanistan months after deadly quakes
The concerning factor believed to be behind surging house prices
Trump doesn't need approval alleged drug boat strikes: Justice Department
