Trans and gender-diverse artists, performers and communities will be spotlighted by Mardi Gras during the 2026 season.
With the 2026 Mardi Gras season just weeks away, the organisation has shared more details about Hot Trans Mardi Gras, first teased at the season launch.
“Hot Trans Mardi Gras is a bold and necessary program that centres trans and gender-diverse people at a moment when their lives, rights and identities are being openly questioned in public debate and policy,” said Mardi Gras CEO Jesse Matheson.
Matheson said the program reflects the depth, diversity and resilience of the trans community, as well as Mardi Gras’ ongoing commitment to them.
“This program is about more than performance — it’s about power, safety, visibility and pride,” he said.
Leading the program is fan-favourite Sissy Ball, which returns this year at a new Inner West venue.
Presented by Ballroom Australia in collaboration with Inner West Council, Sissy Ball “brings sweat, spectacle and high-stakes ballroom energy.”
Inner West Councillor Jess D’Arienzo said bringing the Ball to the Inner West reflects the area’s long-standing role as a home for LGBTQIA+ communities and culture.
“Bringing the Sissy Ball to Marrickville is about recognising that legacy, celebrating our diverse communities, and making sure Mardi Gras truly reflects the whole city,” she said.
“We’re proud to support an event that champions self-expression, inclusion and joy.”
Joining Sissy Ball as a marquee event is Black Cherry, produced by Mother Kianna Louboutin Oricci, who told Gay Sydney Daily the event centres on redemption.
“It’s all about redemption and bringing back the milestones we’ve missed as trans people, so we can relive them in ways that empower us today,” she said.
Oricci said Black Cherry was designed to allow the trans community to see one another living their best lives.
“It’s a rare chance to see trans people of different ages and cultural expressions in one place. It surpasses being just a party — it’s an intentional act of liberation.”
A long-time ballroom leader, Oricci has curated events specifically for the BIPOC trans community.
Black Cherry will take over the National Art School courtyard and the historic Cell Block Theatre, featuring dozens of performances from Ballroom Australia, Basjia, Fetu Taku and Lay Juice-Couture.
She said support from Mardi Gras had helped elevate the event even further.
“They’ve always given me full freedom to fight for what my community needs and to empower the right people,” she said.
“As a producer, I don’t always know the full scope of what’s possible, but they’ve helped me amplify my vision and pushed it even further.”
Her comments come amid accusations of transphobia directed at the Mardi Gras Board, following its decision not to act on a resolution passed at last year’s AGM relating to trans rights.
But Oricci said in her experience Mardi Gras has supported her vision and she hoped the community would too.
“I think we are all fighting for the same thing, I believe we have different ways to get to the same destination, and I think every way to get there is valid and is important, and I would love for people to be with us on this boat. for our freedom.”
Beyond the two signature events, the Hot Trans Mardi Gras program includes community-produced events such as Queens of Colour, Sock Drawer Heroes & Friends Laneway Market, Summer Spandex and Drag for Good.
Events created by and for trans and gender-diverse communities, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations communities, are also included in the Mardi Gras+ program at no cost.
