G'day, Gay! Dive into Sydney's Spectacular Mardi Gras

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to travel down under, look no further. While there’s really no bad time to visit Sydney (their peak winter month of July sees high temps in the 60s), the go-to time for Queer travelers is fast approaching: late February. That’s when the city’s pride festival, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, takes over the city.

Quick background: Launched in 1978 as a protest march, it quickly grew into a weeks-long celebration that draws hundreds of thousands of folks from around the globe. It’s the largest pride celebration in Oceania, and one of the largest in the world. And unlike most other Northern Hemisphere celebrations, this one takes place in February, meaning the time to book is now.

The agenda: Next year’s celebration will be held February 14 through March 2 and will be centered around the theme “Free to be.” The agenda includes:

• Fair Day: Kick off Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney’s Victoria Park with this massive, free community event featuring live performances, food stalls, and LGBTQ+ organizations.

• Parade: The crown jewel of Mardi Gras, featuring flamboyant floats and over 12,000 participants marching through the streets of Sydney. 2025’s parade will be on March 2.

• Party: Dance the night away at the official afterparty, featuring world-class DJs and performers (tickets sell out fast, so book early!). The full schedule hasn’t been released yet, but last year included the return of a party on the iconic Bondi Beach and the biggest vogue ball in the Southern Hemisphere, Sissy Ball.

And this is to say nothing of all the other sites and sounds to experience in Australia's Emerald City. 

Planning your trip: Planning a trip to Australia from the U.S. is no joke a major undertaking. Flights to Sydney cost anywhere from $800 to $1600 roundtrip, depending on where you flying from (flights from the West Coast are cheaper than flights from the East). A non-stop flight from LAX is 15 hours, so be prepared for the long haul.

• Costs for hotels will spike around Gay Mardi Gras, but expect to pay $130-$300 a night for a 4-Star Hotel like the Hyatt Regency in the city “centre.” However, you can find budget hotels and hostels for as little as $20 per night.

A trip to Sydney’s Gay Mardi Gras will likely cost you between $3k and $4k per person, but trust us—it would be the trip of a lifetime! (Or if you’re saving for 2026, specific dates haven’t been announced but plan on the second half of February.)

This Week’s *~Best Deals~*

We’re always on the hunt for top-tier experiences that welcome all and won’t break the bank—here are this week’s faves ✨ 

• Get some chill in Ibiza: Check out this last-minute, luxe, adults-only trip to Spain. Starting at $766, includes airfare and a 5 night stay at a 4 star resort

• Or, get up to 25% off our favorite gay hotel, the Axel Hotel in Ibiza

• Get 50% off this fancy, Hell’s-Kitchen-adjacent NYC hotel

• How to find the 8 best flight discounts for senior travelers

• Get up to 65% off Six Flags Fright Fest nationwide

• Missed the Northern Lights this week? Chase them down with this $599 trip to Iceland, including flights

• Virgin Voyages deal ending soon: get 70% off your second sailor, plus free balcony upgrades

• Last minute roundtrip flight deals to Ft. Lauderdale starting at $34

• Feel patriotic? Check out these last minute domestic flights starting at $24

• Where a kid can be a kid: Check out these 4 night/5 day flight+hotel packages to Orlando starting at only $244

Our Monthly Giveaway for October!

Refer ONE friend to sign up for GoQueer using the below link and you’ll be entered into our monthly giveaway for October: a free $100 Amazon Gift Card! 

The more people you get to sign up, the more chances you have to win — here are all the details.