Qtopia Sydney 12:00 am
You can celebrate Pride Month in Sydney with this month-long celebration of identity, creativity and inclusion at Qtopia Sydney. Pride Fest is rounding up more than 150 events and over 400 participating artists with a colourful program spanning theatre, cabaret, visual art, music, comedy, drag, literature, burlesque and more.
In Sydney, we have long celebrated LGBTQIA+ pride earlier in the year with the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade during the final weeks of our summer, and this often means that International Pride Month in June can be a little glossed over down here. However, Qtopia Sydney wants to change this.
Now in its second year, Pride Fest is designed to reflect Qtopia’s standing as a world-class cultural institution and a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community. We reckon more rainbow gatherings throughout the year can only be a good thing, especially when queer rights are under attack internationally. (Not to mention, the first ever Sydney Mardi Gras – a radical protest – was held in June, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising.)
Pride Fest is packed with opportunities for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies to connect, celebrate and learn together. In addition to shows and exhibitions, the festival’s program includes a literary salon series in collaboration with The Bookshop Darlinghurst, film nights, live podcast recordings, and workshops.
To get the most out of your queer outing, we recommend booking in for a couple of back-to-back events that perk your interest (perhaps a solo show and a variety show with a bigger line-up, to mix things up). Qtopia’s exhibitions stay open late when there are events in the evening, so you can get in some browse time beforehand, and afterwards, you’re already in Taylor Square, so you might as well kick-on down Oxford Street!
Below, we’ve rounded up some program highlights that might perk your interest.
Top picks for Sydney Pride Fest 2025
Skank Sinatra
Drag-cabaret sensation Skank Sinatra is known for serving up old school glamour with a dirty twist, reinventing jazz classics with electrifying live vocals, jaw-dropping costumes and show-stopping twists. After taking home Best Cabaret at Adelaide Fringe for two years running, this is Sydney’s chance to spend an evening with this powerhouse performer as she unveils her whirlwind journey from the smoky jazz clubs of New York to the flamboyant streets of Sydney, from the underground cabarets of Berlin to the savannas of South Africa. (Saturday, June 14, 8pm. Find tickets & info here.)
A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride
Blending soul-stirring vocals with heartfelt storytelling, this headliner lands in Sydney after winning Best Music at Adelaide Fringe earlier this year. Get ready to sing along to a nostalgic journey through the rich history of queer music, honouring the hit-makers who sparked historic change with their unforgettable anthems – featuring timeless hits from Madonna, Garland, Elton, Dolly, Gaga, Cole, Diana, Benatar, Freddie, and many more. (Saturday, June 7, 2pm. Find tickets & info here.)
Mel and Sam: The Platonic Human Centipede
Musical sketch chaos meets glitter-fuelled co-dependency in this award-winning cabaret from next-gen queer comedy duo, Mel O’Brien and Samantha Andrews. Equal parts hilarious and horrifying, this turbo-charged hour of bizarro characters, synth anthems and absurdist brilliance earned a five-star review from Time Out Melbourne, proclaiming “long may their whip-smart lyrics, spot-on comedic instincts and matching swishy parachute pants reign”. (Wednesday, June 25, 8pm. Find tickets & info here.)
Photograph: Supplied | The Platonic Human Centipede
Brent Thorpe: Daddy, Don’t Drop the Soap!
Brent Thorpe brings back his irrepressible persona, Daddy, for this hilarious, scandalous and moving look back at queer history. Thorpe embraces his role as a queer elder, mixing autobiographical storytelling with the camp and sexy style of the global queer club scene, to spark a conversation about pride, aging, and what it means to live your best life as a queer person. (Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 6, 9.30pm. Find tickets & info here.)
CVNT
This outrageous comedy lands in Sydney after winning multiple awards around the country, including Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe. Expect a wild, unhinged, hilarious, immersive and interactive exploration of everything “CVNTY” led by a giant, sexy CVNT. It's half comedy, half unhinged therapy for the cvnt inside you who desperately wants to be unleashed. (Tuesday, June 10, 9.30pm. Find tickets & info here.)
Hannah Malarski: That’s The Way The Mop Flaps
Award-winning comedian, acclaimed lesbian, and self-described internet pest Hannah Malarski is back with a brand new variety hour. Following three sold-out seasons of her 2024 show Big Dyke Energy, you can expect a fresh hour of original musical comedy, razor-sharp satire and delectable sketch. (Thursday, June 5, 8pm. Find tickets & info here.)
Alayne Dick: Purple is the Gayest Colour
After slaying at the Adelaide Fringe and MICF, this witty New Zealander is bringing her hit stand-up show to Sydney. Join Alayne for a comedy show about growing up queer in rural NZ, reading fanfiction on dial-up internet, being a walking stereotype (a librarian with terrible eyesight who is very hot) and finally, becoming a Bunnings gay. (Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15, 8.30pm. Find tickets & info here.)
A Night with the 78ers
On June 24th, 1978, more than 500 people participated in a protest march that is now known as the First Mardi Gras. What started as a peaceful march, descended into an ugly battle between protestors and police. Join Qtopia Sydney and the 78ers for a special event to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the first Sydney Mardi Gras, featuring a short documentary screening and an evening of drinks and conversation. (Tuesday, June 24, 6pm. Find tickets & info here.)
Qtopia Sydney’s Pride Fest is running throughout the month of June, 2025. Check out the full program at qtopiasydney.com.au.
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