Sydney World Pride

In 2023, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride united to present a truly global LGBTQIA+SB pride festival. As the very first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere it was 17 days of celebration, visibility and sunshine – over a million festival attendees experienced the best in LGBTQIA+SB creativity, and stood together in a powerful call for equality.

The theme for the festival, GATHER, DREAM, AMPLIFY, was developed in partnership with our extraordinary First Nations and LGBTQIA+SB communities. It acknowledged and celebrated the traditional custodians of Australia and represented our commitment to equality and inclusion.

The Festival theme – GATHER, DREAM, AMPLIFY – guided the creation of a Festival that reflected the rainbow strength and creativity of our communities.

The seventeen-day extravaganza saw a raft of Sydney WorldPride signature events, with many right here in the Rainbow Precinct. We hosted our own Darlinghurst Oxtravaganza - fringe festival activities that included drag shows, brunches, cabaret, art, music, poetry, a dedicated Family Zone and of course the Parade with its Oxford St route. Teh Pride Villages made sure our precinct was alive with colours and music and laughter all day and night! The final weekend, which saw Oxford St closed to traffic and turn into a fun zone, was one to remember and one we hope to replicate in 2024!