<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sydney is gearing up for what promises to be one of its most dazzling celebrations ever, as the 48th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/mardi-gras" rel="" target="" title="Mardi Gras"><span>Mardi Gras</span></a><span> Festival officially launches its 2026 program.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Every year, tens of thousands of people from across Australia turn up to watch more than 10,000 participants and more than 200 floats.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-forecast-victoria-melboune-cup/8cff542d-a3bb-4e70-8638-492dcec08faa" rel="" target="" title="Wet weather looms for Melbourne Cup Day"><strong><span>Wet weather looms for Melbourne Cup Day</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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 </span><a href="https://9news.com.au" rel="" target="" title="9News.com.au"><span>9news.com.au</span></a><span> at today's launch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is actually the fuel that keeps us marching forward.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-gay-and-lesbian-mardi-gras-festival-2025/c54748c7-dc7d-428b-bb47-5ca9d1f178a2" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And joy that's loud, hot, and a little bit unholy."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Matheson emphasised the festival's dual role, celebration and activism, at a time when trans and gender-diverse communities are under renewed pressure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Visibility, connection, and joy. These aren't luxuries. They're lifelines."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The festival enjoys enthusiastic support across the entire city.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/leonid-meteor-shower-2025-when-how-to-watch-best-visibility-australia-everything-to-know/d7de6fd2-8c2e-403d-9137-c1298bb48e17" rel="" target="" title="A rare celestial event kicks off this week. Here's how to see it"><strong><span>A rare celestial event kicks off this week. Here's how to see it</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Festival program: When and where to see the iconic parade</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Key dates</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><span>Fair Day:</span></strong><span> The community favourite, including the famous pooch parade and drag king games, is set for Victoria Park on </span><strong><span>Sunday, February 15.</span></strong></li><li><strong><span>The Main Event: The 48th Annual Parade</span></strong><span> will light up the city on </span><strong><span>Saturday,</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>February 28</span></strong><span>. 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.</span></li><li><strong><span>Final Bash:</span></strong><span> The festival closes with the legendary </span><strong><span>Laneway party</span></strong><span> on </span><strong><span>Sunday, March 1</span></strong><span>, transforming The Beresford and Hill Street into a street celebration.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What's new in 2026?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The festival's theme, Ecstatica, blends its roots in protest and visibility with unashamed joy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Matheson explained that the new events represent the festival "stepping into a new era that celebrates our past while expanding boldly into the future".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><span>New Community Hubs:</span></strong><span> New dedicated event for trans and gender-diverse communities, "Black Cherry," at the National Art School's Cell Block Theatre.</span></li><li><strong><span>Arts and Culture:</span></strong><span> 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.</span></li><li><strong><span>Digital Shift:</span></strong><span> 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.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Membership presale is now open with general sale from this Wednesday, November 5 at 10am via </span><a href="https://mardigras.org.au" rel="" target="_blank" title="mardigras.org.au"><span>mardigras.org.au</span></a><span> and the new Mardi Gras App.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Full event listings, volunteer opportunities, and registration for stalls/floats is still to come.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>How to dive in</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><span>Dates:</span></strong><span> February 13 – March 1, 2026</span></li><li><strong><span>Parade:</span></strong><span> Saturday 28 February (Oxford Street → Flinders Street → Anzac Parade)</span></li><li><strong><span>Theme:</span></strong><span> Ecstatica: Joy, movement, connection</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: 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. 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