The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival returns from 14 February to 2 March 2025 with the theme FREE TO BE. Drinks and hospitality companies including Absolut, Brookvale Union, Applejack, Squealing Pig and Archie Rose are joining the celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, culture and community. 

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith said: “Each year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brings people from all corners of the globe together for a celebration of community, visibility, and progress. The 2025 festival embodies this spirit, reflecting the resilience, creativity, and unity of our LGBTQIA+ communities. We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this year’s festivities and look forward to continuing to champion the values of inclusivity and equality.”

The City of Sydney has completed work on a new colourful Progress Pride flag and raised intersection at Taylor Square where Forbes and Bourke streets meet outside Qtopia, Sydney’s home of queer history and culture.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO said: “Mardi Gras is one of my favourite times of the year.  Sydney truly sparkles with diversity, inclusion and love proudly on show. We’re delighted to welcome people from around the world to our wonderful city – a place that embraces and celebrates everyone, where you are truly Free to Be.”

Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “Mardi Gras has grown from a grassroots human rights protest to a foundation event in our city’s calendar and one of the most celebrated Pride events in the world.

“Mardi Gras underpins Sydney’s reputation as a welcoming and diverse city. With tens of thousands of people flocking to the event each year, it also makes a significant contribution to the NSW visitor economy.”

Absolut proudly returns to Mardi Gras

Absolut returns as a proud partner of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025 to celebrate and champion the past, present and future of inclusive nightlife in Australia. 

Absolut X is making its mark across the festival with three major events: the Absolut X Stage at Fair Day, Absolut Presents: The Official Fair Day After Party at The Beresford, and the launch of Club Gras Presented by Absolut X at ivy. 

Club Gras Presented by Absolut X will be held at ivy on 26 February. A tribute to the roots of queer club culture, Club Gras will be a celebration of the dancefloors that have long been a sanctuary for the LGBTQIA+ community. Kicking off at 9pm and going late into the night, with sets by BASHKKA, CCL, Jennifer Loveless, Fried Pork Chop and more to be announced. 

At Fair Day on February 16, the Absolut X stage will come to life with sets from Feisty, James Alexandr, L.O.U (VIC) and Joelby – filling the floor with house anthems and queer party favourites all day long.

The celebrations continue well into the night with Absolut Presents: The Official Fair Day After Party at The Beresford, soundtracked by MKY, Colin Gaff, Brad James and more, plus drag shows starring Minnie Cooper, Charisma Bell and Carmen Geddit.

Pernod Ricard Pacific Marketing Director Kristy Rutherford said: “For more than 50 years Absolut has stood alongside the LGBTQIA+ community – championing equal love, freedom of expression and the safe spaces that foster inclusivity. We are proud to be kicking off our sixth consecutive year of partnership with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras bringing the Absolut X platform to life across some of the city’s finest nightlife institutions.”

Squealing Pig expands Pride Label range

As a long-time supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community and ongoing sponsor of the Sydney Mardi Gras, every summer, Squealing Pig switches out the labels on their 750ml bottles of Rosé across the country, with nine limited-edition Pride Labels that feature bespoke cheeky rhymes and stories celebrating each of the Pride communities.

Across summer, one million ‘Pride bottles’ have hit the shelves, expanding across Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Prosecco.

Squealing Pig also created out-of-home (OOH) advertising to promote its “custom Lesbian Pride Label and Mardi Gras sponsorship”.

Archie Rose celebrates five years of sponsorship

As the official gin sponsor of Mardi Gras for the fifth consecutive year, Archie Rose Distilling Co. is proudly bringing its spirit to life through activations around the city – with vibrant celebrations, curated cocktails and experiences at favourite venues.

From high-energy parade parties to dazzling drag brunches, the events will offer guests a chance to celebrate love, pride, and diversity, all with an Archie Rose cocktail in hand.

Highlights include a Parade Party at Paddo Inn, with a curated list of Mardi Gras cocktails featuring Signature Dry Gin from 16 February to 1 March; Sydney’s Highest Bottomless Drag Brunch at Bar 83 and Drag Trivia with Carmen Geddit at The Carrington.

Archie Rose is also activating all Mardi Gras at Annie’s Bar (at the rear of The Carrington) from 18 February to 2 March, where you’ll find a series of Mardi Gras activities, including lively performances featuring cocktails by Archie Rose including Boogie Down with DJ Stephen Ferris & Josh, DJ Maxology and a range of other artists.

A limited-edition Mardi Gras cocktail will be available at select venues across Sydney (Reign at the QVB, Bar 83, Terrace on The Domain, Botanic House, Infinity at Sydney Tower, SkyFeast at Sydney Tower), with $2 from every cocktail sold donated to Safe Space Alliance.

Applejack celebrates over a decade of support

Applejack is proudly celebrates over a decade of active support for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras during this year’s festival.

Its Sydney pubs, restaurants and bars will host events including bottomless brunches hosted by fabulous Queens to parade day parties, Four Pillars cocktail specials and bucket loads of glitter.

The hospitality group also hosted its annual Cocktail Competition with Four Pillars Gin where Applejack bartenders put their skills to the test to create our cocktail menu for Mardi Gras.

Punters can taste their creations throughout February and March at each venue, with $1 of every cocktail sold going to Rainbow Families, a community organisation run by LGBTQ+ families, who provide a support network for parents and carers, their children as well as future parents and carers.

View all Mardi Gras events here.

Drinks industry joins the party for Mardi Gras 2024