Mardi Gras Fair Day

Don we now our sunscreen and our (eco-friendly) glitter – Fair Day is back on, baby! Traditionally, this free community event leads the charge for all the colourful festivities the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is bringing to town in the lead up to the world-famous Parade. 

More than 70,000 people are expected to rock up when Fair Day returns to Victoria Park on Sunday, February 16 (10am–9pm) in 2025. (This is especially exciting because last year’s Fair Day was derailed by a frankly homophobically-timed asbestos outbreak, and the community scrambled to put on alternative events.)

You can expect a fabulously inclusive day out featuring massive Main Stage performances, fun activities, sweaty dancefloors, food trucks, pop-up bars, and a whole bunch of market stalls and info booths where you can connect with LGBTQIA+ community, buy stuff from local queer artists and makers, and start putting together a sparkly parade night outfit with party-ready fashions. If you’re so inclined, you can even try out leather bondage gear, join a new social club, sign a petition – or just gather fistfuls of stickers, condoms and other miscellaneous freebies. Plus, the team from ACON (in partnership with the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care) will be offering free cervical screenings and private consultations with registered family planning nurses.

The dynamic First Nations Circle returns this year, as well as the beloved Doggywood pageant alongside newcomers Trans Camp, and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under royalty Hannah Conda will be your hostess with the mostess for Karaoke Cave: Dolly Disco. 

The Main Stage is set to host a diverse array of performances that will slay the house down boots, including Royston Noell, Sumner, Melissa Tkautz, LION, and the cast of the hit musical comedy sensation Titanique, as well as a special Sissy Ball showcase and the return of the Drag King Games. To cap it off, DJ Nate promises to keep the energy high as the sun sets.

That’s not all. The ABSOLUT X DANCEFLOOR will come alive as it honours the diverse communities that define the past, present, and future of queer nightlife – with sets from Feisty, James Alexandr, L.O.U (VIC), and Joelby. Across the park, the Sun Stage and Aperol Aperidisco offer an eclectic mix of DJs and performances with the likes of James Alexandr, The Fabulous Wonder Mama, Joelby and Alex Dugan (aka Canned Fruits), ensuring that every corner of Victoria Park pulsates with the spirit of Sydney Mardi Gras. 

Gather up your mates, get ready to make some new ones, and find out more about Fair Day over here.

Mardi Gras Fair Day after parties 

Want to kick on like a pro? Right by the park at The Lansdowne, queer party collectives Junipero and Muva are joining forces for the ultimate Mardi Gras kick-off party Free To Be Fruity (3pm–midnight): a welcoming space to escape the Fair Day heat where you can dance along to an impressive lineup featuring 30+ Sydney-based pop and electronic dance music DJs, along with drag, burlesque and cabaret acts. (Tickets start at $20, and you can find 'em over here.)

Meanwhile just down the road at The Abercrombie, party legends Heaps Gay and Girlthing are teaming up again for a venue takeover with another throng of fabulous DJs and performers. (Tickets are on sale from $20, over here.) Erskineville drag palace The Imperial is also going all out for Fair Day, with Jackie Daniels hosting drag jelly wrestling from 3pm, the Diva Cups DJs on the decks, and a special edition of Drag N' Dine. (Book here).

But if you find yourself at a loose end for where to head out after Fair Day, our advice is to just start walking towards Newtown from Victoria Park, and you'll run into a pub with good vibes and a drag queen barking down a microphone in no time.