How to make the most of the final week of Sydney Mardi Gras 2025

• Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 comes to an end this Sunday 2 March; here are the best events happening this week.
• The Mardi Gras Parade is the unmissable event of the festival, taking place on Saturday 1 March.
• Big club nights, laidback recovery parties and
• READ MORE: How to have the perfect Mardi Gras Parade day

Sydney Mardi Gras is an annual highlight, with more than 100 community events, dance parties, theatre and music making it Australia’s largest LGBTQIA+ celebration. With so many events taking place, it can be hard to choose which to hit and which to miss. Here’s our list of some of the best parties on this week before things end on Sunday 2 March.

Mardi Gras Parade

Saturday 1 March, 7pm-11pm

If there’s one event you go to to this week, make it this. The parade is the biggest event of the festival and the one that most people go along to, so plan the rest of your week around this one.

More than 11,000 marchers and 200 floats will wind their way in a blaze of colour down the heritage-listed parade route along Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade. This year’s theme is ‘free to be’, encouraging people to be their true self.

Find a spot to watch the performers pass, led by the beloved Dykes on Bikes, First Nations and 78er floats as always. Free viewing spaces are available along the route between Hyde Park and Moore Park, or there are premium and accessible viewing spaces in ticketed areas to view the spectacle from Hyde Park to Moore Park.

Feeling the pressure to have a perfect parade day? Read our itinerary here.

For the party people

Club Gras

Wednesday 26 February, 9pm-2am

Head on over to the ivy on Wednesday as Absolut X and Queer Art After Hours trace the roots of queer dance culture with a high-energy club night. The inaugural event is one of several helping to broaden the Sydney Mardi Gras program this year, presenting more avenues to party with pride with a sweaty lineup of international and local talent including BASHKKA, CCL, Jennifer Loveless and Fried Pork Chop.

Apollo the Party

Sunday 2 March, 2pm-10pm

Let your true colours shine beneath mirror balls and dance to a soundtrack of high-energy pop, camp and electric anthems at The Metro Theatre on Sunday. Apollo is known for its otherworldly production and they’ll be on full display at this blockbuster closing party. It starts at 2pm so you can party all afternoon and say goodbye to the Sydney Mardi Gras season, and still make it home early for the week ahead.

Trixie Mattel’s Solid Pink Disco: Blonde Ball

Friday 28 February, all day

American drag queen and season seven star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race is hosting the party of all parties at Home The Venue. Her worldwide smash hit Solid Pink Disco was born here in Australia, but it’s undergone a blonde revolution for the Mardi Gras weekend. Expect bigger production, more dancers, bigger wigs and more pink than you’ve ever seen. Dress in pink for the full effect and celebrate the end of summer in style.

Art and culture

Queer Art After Hours

Wednesday 26 February, 5pm-10pm

The Art Gallery of NSW will celebrate the diversity, resilience and creativity of the LGBTQIA+ community at a special after-hours event this week. Staying open beyond its usual 5pm closing time, the typically quite galleries will be buzzing with activity. Putting the vibrancy of Sydney’s queer culture under the spotlight, visitors can explore the art collection while also encountering special performances, installations and DJ sets across the two buildings, Naala Nura and Naala Badu.

Ayebatonye Abrakasa has curated an extensive program that platforms Bla(c)k artists, while Kai Clancy and Gusta Silky have co-produced and choreographed Legacy, by the Indigenous All Stahz, which will be performed twice, once in each building. There will also be film screenings, talks, drop-in drawing sessions and other workshops including meditation and collaging. It is a free event but you will need a ticket, bookable here.

Taronga Zoo Walk with The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Thursday 27 February, from 8:45am

The early start will be worth it as you enjoy a scenic ferry ride across Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. It’s set to be a sunny day too – best to get outside.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, also called Order of Perpetual Indulgence (OPI), is a charitable movement that uses drag and religious imagery to satirise issues of sex, gender and morality (particularly Christian perspectives on these topics) through protest and performance, as well as charitable fundraising.

Prepare for a unique tour experience, led by a dynamic combination of zoo guides and the Sisters. Learn about Australia’s native fauna from the knowledgable guides while the Sisters recite poems and share some 19th century recipes of Australian fauna. Come with sensible shoes, water, sunscreen and a sense of humour!

The tour is free but you will need to pay for your ferry fare, zoo entrance and any other additional purchases such as food. Combined ferry/zoo passes are available – just ask at the ferry terminal.

Gays and Gags Comedy Festival

Wednesday 27 February, 9pm-10:30pm

Qtopia Sydney is the largest centre for queer history and culture in the world, located in Darlinghurst. This week, its Loading Dock Theatre will host three nights of side-splitting comedy. Wednesday will see comedians Carolyn Swindell and AJ Lamarque take to the stage with Chris Knight as MC; night two, it’s Bec Melrose and Elliot McLaren with Jarryd Prain as MC and the final night sees Chris Knight and Jake Howie lead the way with Elliot McLaren returning as MC.

Closing time

Mardi Gras Laneway

Sunday 2 March, 2pm-10pm

The big Mardi Gras closing party sits across The Beresford and Hill Street, which has been a sell-out success for the past two years. The street party is the only official festival closing party in Sydney, so it’s always brimming with energy. This year will be no different as Kito and Lady Shaka bang out a soundtrack of house, disco and pop. VIP upgrades are also available, granting access to the exclusive top level of The Beresford with bars DJs all night (plus, you won’t have to wait in an achingly long queue for the bathroom).

Sundaylicious – Colombian Hotel

Sunday 2 March, 3pm-11pm

Go along to the iconic Colombian Hotel for the ultimate Mardi Gras Recovery Sesh. Wrapping up the Mardi Gras weekend in true Sundaylicious style, expect chilled beats, plenty of drinks and a whole lot of sparkle, fun and flair. Raise a glass, throw on some glitter and say goodbye to Mardi Gras 2025.

Harper Rooftop ‘Slow’ A Kylie Re-Covery

Sunday 2 March, 12pm-6pm

Whether you partied too hard at the Mardi Gras Parade, are feeling the post-Kylie show blues or you’re gearing up for Kylie’s concert, Harper Rooftop Bar has a party for you. Slip into the relaxed pool party and sip frozen cocktails as you soak up the Kylie-inspired magic. There will be Kylie-inspired performances hosted by Rupaul’s Drag Race star, Hollywood Star, and DJ Brett Riesling will be spinning all of the Pop Princess’s greatest hits (plus other pop icons) all afternoon.

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Read more of our Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 content

• Why is Kylie Minogue going head-to-head with the Mardi Gras?
• Your ultimate guide to the 30 best Sydney Mardi Gras events
• How to plan the perfect Sydney Mardi Gras Parade day
• These are the best places to eat and drink during the Sydney Mardi Gras