Courtney Act has been all over everything lately – from eloquently defending herself on TV, to singing live at the World Pride Sydney opening event, she’s the woman who does it all! And now to, in celebration of the 2023 Sydney World Pride, COS is unveiling a limited-edition tote designed by all-round performer, activist, and advocate Courtney Act. 100% of the funds raised will go towards First Nations LGBTQIA+SB (Sistergirl, Brotherboy) organisation Black Rainbow to support positive health and well-being for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. Find your own at COS stores around the country.
Just when you thought this season’s Sydney World Pride and annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration couldn’t get larger, think again! Ava Max has recently announced she will perform in Sydney’s open air knoll that is The Domain, right in the heart of town, as part of the epic line-up at the official closing concert Rainbow Republic presented by Optus at The Domain on Sunday 5 March 2023. The event will be Ava Max’s first public performance in Australia, and her only Australian appearance this summer. And if that’s not enough, G Flip and Keiynan Lonsdale will co-host Rainbow Republic and perform at the seven-hour closing concert at The Domain, as Sydney hands to baton to the WorldPride 2025 host city Washington DC. Ava Max and Kim Petras are appearing exclusively at Rainbow Republic. Sydney WorldPride has started and runs for 17 days. To mark the start of the festival, for one-night only, the Sydney Opera House will be lit up with the Pride Progress Flag tonight as part of the #RainbowCity public art project. Final tickets to Rainbow Republic presented by Optus are available now at SydneyWorldPride.com.
Presented as part of Sydney WorldPride Pride Amplified, the world-renowned floral show Fleurs de Villes PRIDE is coming back with an exclusive Preview Night, and a groovy Floral Disco, alongside the intriguing guided Queer Plants Walk and botanical Archie Rose Spirits Tasting and Garden Walk adventures all coming to life in the central events hub, The Calyx in The Domain park, Sydney. Minus the alcohol, loud music and obscene (-ly lovely) nudity that takes over Oxford Street and Hordern Pavillion when Mardi Gras is in town, this is a way for friends and members of the rainbow community to celebrate with a little more peaceful contemplation. Flowers have always been a way to express one’s feelings. There is a reason why different flowers emit different meanings. If you have been thinking about gifting a bouquet, why not get flowers online from this website. Here’s a run down of what’s on: Fleurs de Villes: PRIDE The famous international floral show Fleurs de Villes is returning to The Calyx at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney between 17 – 26 February for another fresh celebration. Fleurs de Villes: PRIDE is a stunning 10-day exhibition celebrating joy and inclusivity by featuring 15 beautiful floral mannequins paying homage to inspirational members and allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. These stunning masterpieces will be designed and created by talented Sydney florists including Uncle & Ghost Botanics, Rose Moon Flowers and Hayfever flowers to name a few. To get a sneak peek of the profound display guests can attend the exclusive Preview Night on 16 February to meet and greet the florists and have their say on… Read More
In possibly the second-gayest piece of news to come out about the upcoming annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2023 – after the news that Kylie Minogue will smash the after party – The Veronicas will dominate the famous Oxford Street parade! The Veronicas will provide a knockout rendition of ‘Untouched’ supported by 80 members of the American Express Pride+ Colleague Network who will march and celebrate alongside them. This comes after they headlined the afterparty at Hodern Pavillion for the 2023 Sydney Mardi Gras, the sisters will again stir the clubber within of every attendee along Oxford Street in their positions as the official ambassadors of American Express’ With You & Proud community initiative which will see LGBTQIA+ champions from around Australia receive the opportunity to attend a special Sydney WorldPride experience including tickets to sold out events as well as dining and entertainment vouchers. They said, “For Jessie, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for both of us as passionate allies, we’re honoured to bring American Express’ With You &Proud initiative to life – we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible community and share our personal stories of pride together. “Having grown up deeply connected and involved with the LGBTQIA+ community from a young age and creating safe space for all at our shows for 18 years, representing Australia for WorldPride and being part of this incredible initiative will be an absolute personal and career highlight.” See them on the Oxford Street circuit! For more about where to watch the parade, head here
There’s no secret that the Vengaboys are coming and everybody’s jumping this Sydney World Pride 2023! And to celebrate, they’ve partnered with Uber to shuttle an actual Vengabus around town to cart guests from party to party. From February 17 until March 5 the ultimate party bus called Uber Pride Ride will run throughout the festival, and be jam packed with on-board performances from drag icons like Jojo Zaho, Carla from Bankstown, Coco Jumbo, as well as educational talks from Black Rainbow, which advocates for LGBTQI+SB first nations voices. So get your gladrags on and prepare to party, because Uber is bringing the ultimate inner city disco onwheels to Sydney for Pride. Hosted by 90s pop icons the Vengaboys and drag queen royalty, the UberPride Ride is a free hop-on, hop-off bendy bus, helping festival-goers navigate around events easily,safely and with heaps of fun en route.
After the glitter has settled this Sydney World Pride 2023 and the day jobs kick back, your next opportunity to check back out of reality and get your drag on won’t be too hard behind! See more about Sydney World Pride 2023 here. This May along the eastern seaboard of Australia, the Queens will be serving up the ultimate eleganza extravaganza in the LEGENDS Tour has already proved a hit with Aussies and Kiwis, with a number of shows already sold out (Brisbane, Sydney and Perth) and final tickets on sale for Melbourne and Adelaide. Due to unprecedented demand, more dates have been added for Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, with all ages performances also added to the schedule to keep it inclusive. With meet and greets on offer, too the time is now for tickets.
From 17 February – 5 March to celebrate Sydney WorldPride 2023, there are over 40 new parties and events to get your gay on. They’re saying there’s an event to suit everyone with drag brunches, long lunches, dog shows and rooftop parties, plus Merivale’s inaugural Pride Plane experience, so we’ve done some digging and pulled out some favourites, listed below – there are too many options, though to list them all! Rest assured, if you’re used to Sydney’s renowned Mardi Gras celebrations, the oldies will still be back, like Vic on the Pardi Gras (at Vic on the Park Hotel, Marrickville), The Beresford Dog Show and Drag Brunches taking place across The Beresford, Coogee Rooftop, Queen Chow Enmore, ivy Pool Club and The Paddington. DRAG GALA AT TARONGA ZOO This year, as part of WorldPride, the team have launched the inaugural Drag Gala performance, featuring performances from the one and only Karen from Finance alongside several best, iconic and most sought-after drag superstars: KITA MEAN, SPANKIE JACKZON & CARLA FROM BANKSTOWN Highlighting the diverse range of talent, disciplines and backgrounds that the Down Under drag scene offers, the Drag Gala will be a fresh new format, with group acts, duos and solos. The Drag Gala will be hosted by the queen of corporate herself, Karen From Finance, who recently placed as one of the top four finalists in season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, which took to international airways in May 2021. Get tickets here DRAG HAUS WORLD PRIDE 2023 With 15+ Queens in the mix, and 30+ performances, this supersized Drag Haus will be a true showing of drag excellence for… Read More
With a new route that still wind sup out front of the party to end all parties, the Mardi Gras after party at Hordern Pavillion where you’ll see Agnes, Sugababes, Kitty Glitter and plenty more acts, it’s time to start getting excited. On Saturday 25 February 2023, the world-renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade returns home to Oxford Street in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras march. This iconic event unites individuals across the LGBTQIA+ communities to showcase their pride, advocate for equal rights and express their passion. As the centrepiece of the epic Sydney WorldPride Festival, all eyes will be focused on 12,500 marchers as over 200 floats grace Oxford Street for the first time since 2020. Expect to see all of your Parade favourites, with First Nations, 78ers and the legendary rumble of the Dykes on Bikes leading the Parade as well as the quintessentially Australian Lifesavers With Pride and the many colourful, political, satirical and outlandish floats that has made the Parade famous over the last four decades. This year’s Festival theme, “Gather, Dream, Amplify,” comes to life as bigger floats adorn the entirely revamped route. With lighting and firework shows elevating the spectacle of the Parade, from Hyde Park to Moore Park, including a new Parade route milestone Drivers Triangle located by recently-announced Viewing Area Ruby Road. For more about Mardi Gras in Sydney 2023, head to the website and plan your night!
Kinselas has been so many things to so many people and now this month – it’s going gay… er! Right in the heart of Darlinghurst, in the heavily foot-trafficked paving of Taylor’s Square, you’ll get the opportunity to see some LGBTIQA+ friendly performers and music people resident in a space as part of Walk Proud in collaboration with Johnnie Walker; open to all featuring over 40 events including music, art, talks and performances throughout its 3-week residence. The stellar line-up will be headlined by some of the world’s biggest talent across all queer identities, including critically acclaimed non-binary musician G Flip, Queer Folk-Pop artist Alex The Astronaut, Australian Pop Band Cub Sport and AFL legend Sabrina Frederick. The iconic Kinselas will also be sporting a new facade, with a specially designed mural by inclusive Australian Fashion Label Double Rainbouu Founder, Mikey Nolan. The mural, to be unveiled on 17th February, is one of the largest in Sydney’s Rainbow City, designed to represent the many identities that form part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
When you can stay in the centre of Sydney, why not let this season’s annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras party come to you! A stay at the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, literally right on the corner of Oxford Street and the parade’s doling pen on Hyde Park will ensure that – and a great night ahead. With a few options for those who want to hit the celebrations hard and harder, then Pullman has put on a few offers that are sure to help you on your way. Pre-game for Mardi Gras They’re offering the chance to level-up your experience with an exclusive event at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park where the lobby will be transformed into an entertainment precinct to elevate your Mardi Gras experience. Enjoy an evening of vibrant art, entertainment and premium food and drinks all designed to make your Mardi Gras experience fabulous. Your tickets will include a 5-hour premium food and beverage package including Little Creatures Pale Ale, Kylie Minogue Wines, DeBortoli King Valley Prosecco, World Pride-inspired canapes, drag performances by Kara Zmatiq and Vybe, DJ performances by Leow and Ben Fox, Plus live band throughout the night. First-release tickets are available now for $229
