The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is set to return from 13 February to 1 March 2026, with organisers announcing a new theme — Ecstatica.
Now in its 48th year, the festival continues to be a space for pride, protest and celebration, with the theme inviting the community to come together and turn individual joy into collective energy.
“Ecstatica is what happens when you find your people, community and family,” said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Interim CEO, Jesse Matheson. “It’s the joy that you can see, hear, touch and celebrate together – it has always been at the heart of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. In 2026, we’re inviting everyone to shape their Parade floats, events, and gatherings around this shared frequency. By tying into the theme, these community creations become part of a bigger story: a living, breathing manifestation of our community’s power, resilience, and joy.”
Co-Chairs Kathy Pavlich and Mits Delisle said the new theme honours the event’s long history. “For almost half a century, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been a place where our communities gather, celebrate, and be seen,” they said. “Ecstatica carries that legacy forward by reminding us that joy is not only a feeling, but also an act of resistance and renewal. We look forward to seeing our communities bring this theme to life through floats, performances, and moments that capture both our history and our future as we march towards the 50th anniversary in 2028!”
The full 2026 program will be announced in the coming weeks, but applications are already open for Fair Day stalls and Parade floats.
The Mardi Gras Parade is set for Saturday 28 February 2026, with organisers expecting around 200 floats and more than 12,000 marchers. Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade will once again be closed to traffic as the city turns into a massive street party and protest.
Fair Day will kick off the festival season on Sunday 15 February 2026 at Victoria Park, with a mix of market stalls, food, performances and family-friendly activities.
Festival details and registration information can be found at mardigras.org.au
