Well folks, it’s officially Mardi Gras season, with a bunch of celebrations set to kick off this weekend and continue till early next month.
You were probably in the throes of organising your night out (and outfit) when Mardi Gras Afterparty — the go-to event for scores of Sydneysiders — announced it had cancelled its 2026 edition.
But fret not, dear revellers, because there’s plenty of other events happening smackbang in your gaybourhood across Mardi Gras’ three-weekend run from February 13 to March 1.
From queer film festivals to late-night raves, here’s everywhere you can shake your tooshie, have a snog, and otherwise get amongst it this gay Christmas.
Oxford Street Night Market
October 31 – February 30
Who said Mardi gras can’t be both horny and wholesome? The Oxford Street Night Markets have already kicked off at Taylor Square North, and will continue running weekly on Fridays from 5pm to 10pm.
It’s the perfect way to start a night out, shop local wares, and enjoy some funky music, alfresco style. A section of the markets is also licensed, so you can start that night out I mentioned off with a bang! Find more details HERE.
Mardi Gras Film Festival
February 12 – February 26
Gay cinephiles, assemble! Queer Screen’s 2026 instalment of the Mardi Gras Film Festival kicks off on February 12 and runs all the way until February 26.
There’ll be a bunch of queer themed movies showing in cinemas across the city during this time, from Alexander Skarsgård’s hotly anticipated (emphasis on the hot) Pillion to a nature doco narrated by Elliot Page.
Multiple short films will also premiere during this program, so it’s a great chance to celebrate upcoming filmmakers in the community. The cinemas trail from Newtown to Lane Cove with multiple stops everywhere in between, so grab that bucket of popcorn!
Find movies, venues, and screening times HERE.
Ultra Violet
February 13
The ultimate sapphic experience this Mardi Gras season, Ultra Violet returns in 2026 with an edition that celebrates the creative power of women. Ultra Violet will overtake City Recital Hall (a God-tier venue) in Angel Place. Go on and live out your WLW fantasies with more event details HERE.
Medusa Queer Events
February 14
Premier organisers Medusa are hosting the Mardi Gras edition of their popular parties at Waywards Ballroom on February 14. This is a space that welcomes the entire spectrum with an emphasis on trans and non-binary people.
There’ll of course be a stacked lineup which will prep the dance floor for what’s billed as a sexy and sultry night of revelry. Sounds like my kinda night! Find tickets HERE.
Black Cherry
February 14
Mardi Gras’ biggest celebration of BIPOC trans talent, Black Cherry, is this year taking place at the National Art School in Darlinghurst. The immersive exhibition fuses performance art with live music, spotlighting some of the community’s brightest stars. Find tickets HERE.
Mardi Gras Fair Day
February 15
One of the earliest official events, Fair Day ushers in Mardi Gras season with a full day of galavanting at Victoria Park.
This year’s lineup is stacked with icons like Kath Ebbs and Courtney Act, who’ll take to the stage alongside various markets, pop-up stalls and general festivities. It’s where Mardi Gras unofficially kicks off, and it’s where you’ll likely spot any number of your exes.
Find more details about the free (!) Mardi Gras Fair Day HERE.
Laugh Out Proud
February 20
If you need to balance out the partying with a well-earned giggle, get yourself to Laugh Out Proud. The much-loved comedy gala spotlights some of the community’s brightest and funniest comics, since no one knows how to laugh through the struggles like us.
This year, Laugh Up Proud has tapped an array of comedians from award-winners to up-and-comers. It’s all going down at Enmore Theatre on February 20. Find tickets HERE.
Paradiso Pool Party
February 22
Gays love a pool party, and this year the place to be is Paradiso Pool Party. The event has been running for 15 years, meaning it’s seen its fair share of shirtlessness and is best-poised to host all your poolside antics.
This year, the event will return to Jimmy’s Rooftop in George Street for an early-arvo start. That means you can totally get home at a reasonable time. Snag yourself a ticket HERE.
Mardi Gras Parade
February 28
Duh! You think we’d forget the main event? This year’s Mardi Gras Parade, dubbed Ecstatica!, will take place across Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Moore Park Road, with as many as 200 floats and 12,000 marchers expected to cloak the city in glitz and glitter.
You can grab your pals and head to Oxford Street to watch the parade from the sidelines, but there’s also a bunch of nearby venues hosting viewing parties if you want to watch it on the big screen.
Glitter Club, located in Taylor Square, is Mardi Gras’ official offshoot viewing party, but The Winery in Surry Hills, Bourke Street’s Kinselas and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park each host popular viewing parties on the big night.
Click on each venue for more details, and be sure to catch ABC’s live coverage of the parade if you’d rather chuck on a pair of trackies from the comfort of your own home.
Heaps Gay
February 28
No, Heaps Gay isn’t just what my bully (who is now shockingly gay himself) called me in high school, it’s also one of the season’s buzziest events.
This year, it’s taking place at Manning Bar in Newtown, offering the perfect afterparty option once the parade wraps up. A bunch of DJs and musicians feature on this year’s lineup, and if it’s anything like Heaps Gay’s past events, you’re in for a treat. Find tickets HERE.
Poof Doof Big Gay Block Party
February 28
What would a Mardi Gras itinerary be without a Poof Doof? This year, the beloved event is going all out with a Big Gay Block Party slated for The Ivy on George Street.
Expect tons of drag performances, DJ sets and probably a few shirtless torsos when Poof Doof kicks off from 9pm on February 28 till the wee hours of March 1. Find tickets HERE.
GiRLTHING
February 28
Another hot item on the Mardi calendar is GiRLTHING, your ultimate spot for all things WLW. This year’s edition takes place across three rooms at iconic venue Birdcage in Newtown, with a lineup brimming with lesbian talent. Whack on some rhinestones or fishnets and get yourself there on February 28. Find tickets HERE.
Mardi Gras Laneway
March 1
If your head isn’t too sore from the parade the night before, you can muster up the energy to attend Mardi Gras’ official Laneway event slated for Sunday, March 1.
Boasting a lineup of local and international DJs, the day party will take place, funnily enough, in the laneway between Hill Street and the Beresford Hotel. If you’re a little hungover from last night’s shenanigans, down some Hydralites and pack some Panadol. You got this!
Tickets have sold out, but I’ve managed to score some on Tixel in the past. Find them HERE.
So there you have it, a handy guide to the hottest events on the 2026 Mardi Gras calendar.
There’ll be a bunch of events happening in between these ones — from smaller gigs at your local to some totally above board street parties — but if all else fails, there’s always that one friend’s house party. Or a well-deserved night on your couch. Either way, you’ve earned it!
Lead images: Instagram and City of Sydney
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