Qtopia Sydney has wrapped its second annual Pride Fest, a month-long festival that delivered over $1 million in estimated economic benefit, supported more than 300 LGBTQIA+ and Allied artists and brought over 5,500 attendees through the doors of the world's largest centre for Queer history and culture.
Held throughout June, Pride Fest 2025 more than doubled its scale from its inaugural year, with 180% year-on-year growth across programming, audiences and participation. With more than 150 performances, workshops, literary events, exhibitions and community collaborations, the festival is cementing itself as a cultural anchor for Sydney's winter calendar while contributing directly to the revitalisation of the historic Oxford Street and greater Rainbow Precinct.
"Pride Fest is part of a long-term strategy to re-energise our city's cultural spine. Oxford Street has always been a symbol of Sydney's Queer community, and with this festival we're supporting the City of Sydney in driving its economic and social recovery," said Greg Fisher, CEO of Qtopia Sydney. "We've proven that investment in LGBTQIA+ stories, spaces and creative communities delivers real returns for artists, audiences, local business and tourism alike."
This year's festival generated more than $170,000 in direct revenue, split across Qtopia Sydney and participating artists, plus $60,000 in in-kind support. Nearby hospitality venues, including Zushi, Beast & Co, Stonewall, Avia, Thainesia and L'Amuse Bouche cross-promoted with Pride Fest 2025 through exclusive menus and drink vouchers.
Pride Fest 2025 was held across Qtopia Sydney's venues, including its headquarters at 301 Forbes Street, the former Darlinghurst Police station, a heritage-listed site activated with support from Create NSW. The festival accounted for more than 50% of all programming in Sydney's official Pride Month, up from 35% in 2024. More than 1,600 volunteer hours helped bring the festival to life.
In addition to spotlighting acclaimed headline acts Skank Sinatra, A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride and The Platonic Human Centipede, the program welcomed diverse voices from the Deaf community, Pasifika creatives, drag kings, Queer families and emerging artists.
"This year's program was a testament to the depth and diversity of Queer creativity. We worked with over 300 artists across 50 productions, from high energy cabaret and comedy to deeply moving storytelling and workshops," said
Carly Fisher, Festival Director. "Pride Fest is about visibility, connection and giving space to the stories that don't always get told. The growth in just one year shows there's a real hunger for this kind of programming and a real value in curating it with intention."
The festival also saw increased engagement from the education sector, largely due to the Pride Fest exclusive curriculum-linked program Honour the Past, Create The Future. Also part of the festival's programming, Qtopia Sydney's Teacher Information Night featured NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar, who reinforced his commitment and belief in Qtopia Sydney's curriculum-linked programs.
Plans for Pride Fest 2025 include expanding across Oxford Street, deepening partnership with local venues and businesses and pitching a new Winter Fair Day. Pride Fest aims to become Sydney's second major LGBTQIA+ cultural event, perfectly aligned with International Pride Month.
For Qtopia Sydney, the success of Pride Fest 2025 is a signal that community-led cultural programming can bring untold creative, cultural and economic benefits to Sydney.
Quotes from artists and community members available upon request.
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Qtopia Sydney, based in Darlinghurst, is the largest centre for LGBTQIA+ history and culture in the world.
