Pride Villages: 9 Days of Free Street Celebrations for Sydney WorldPride
From February 24 to March 5, Sydney’s famous ‘gayborhood’ streets will come alive with street dining, free performances, and celebrations at Sydney WorldPride’s festival hub, Pride Villages.
The Pride Villages and associated street celebrations are free to attend thanks to funding from the New South Wales (NSW) Government. In fact, Crown and Riley Streets will become home to daily stalls, dining, and bars. Crown Street will also host the Travel Proud Stage, featuring performances from local and international talent, including iconic Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, self-love superstars Big Thick Energy, and Australia’s Queen of Cabaret, Trevor Ashley.
“I am so excited to be part of Sydney WorldPride and cannot wait to spread all the happiness that I already feel knowing that soon I will be back Down Under,” said Conchita Wurst.
On March 4 to 5, the final weekend of Sydney WorldPride, Oxford Street, will be transformed into a street party to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. During both days of the all-ages Oxford Street Party, the Oxford Street Stage will feature free performances by Australian talents including Vassy, HANDSOME, Haiku Hands, and Chela.
On the final weekend of Sydney WorldPride, a Community Hub will be open on Oxford Street. Run by community organizations, the hub will be a place for community members to engage and connect with a range of LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said the special safe zone would create hubs of joy, vibrancy, and inclusivity where all were welcome to celebrate the largest Pride festival in the world.
“The NSW Government is proud to support Sydney WorldPride and we welcome everyone to the Pride Villages to take the rainbow-colored party to the streets for nine days of WorldPride,” said Franklin. “Pride Villages will create a vibrant festival atmosphere, giving the 78,000 expected visitors to Sydney free and open spaces to gather, celebrate and enjoy the festival.”
More than 20 local businesses – including much-loved shops and venues the Riley Hotel on Riley Street, the Burdekin and Stonewall on Oxford Street, and High Heels on Crown Street – will extend their footprint onto the street to allow patrons additional space to connect with friends and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Sydney WorldPride’s beverage partners will also have pop-up bars for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
“Pride Villages will be the heart of the Sydney WorldPride, taking place in the spiritual home of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community,” said Kate Wickett, Chief Executive of Sydney WorldPride. “Pride Villages is the realization of a vision we have had from the outset – to bring together the LGBTQIA+ community, Sydneysiders, visitors, businesses, and performers, in an inclusive experience for everyone.”
Pride Villages has been made possible thanks to a $3.5 million grant from the NSW Government. The City of Sydney supported the activation of Pride Villages with funding of $300,000, bringing its total backing of Sydney WorldPride to $1.7 million in financial and value-in-kind support.
“We have been working hard to ensure that the Oxford Street precinct is vibrant, accessible, and active during WorldPride, including funding the Pride Villages program to help activate vacant Oxford Street shopfronts and adding color with street banners, Living Colour floral displays and the wonderful murals on the northern side of Oxford Street,” said Clover Moore, the Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney. “We look forward to Oxford Street and surrounds buzzing with rainbow activity, especially the closure of Oxford Street for a two-day street party to mark the end of WorldPride.”
PRIDE VILLAGES OPERATING HOURS
Free to attend. No ticket is required.
Pride Villages – Crown and Riley Street
Friday, Feb. 24 – 3 pm-10 pm
Sunday, Feb. 26 – 10 am-10 pm
Monday, Feb. 27–Thursday, March 2 – 2 pm-10 pm
Friday, March 3 – 2 pm-11 pm
Saturday, March 4 – 12 pm-1 am
Sunday, March 5 – 10 am-10 pm
*NOTE: Pride Villages will not be open on Saturday, February 25 due to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
Pride Villages – Oxford Street Party
Saturday, March 4 – 12 pm-1 am
Sunday, March 5 – 10 am-10 pm
