Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has launched its official program for Mardi Gras 2027, the Hyperbloom Festival.
The theme for the 49th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is Hyperbloom, which CEO Jesse Matheson described as bold and unapologetic.
“It’s the explosion of colour, creativity, love and defiance that has filled Sydney streets for nearly 50 years,” he said.
Sydney Independent MP Alex Greenwich said the festival came at a significant time for the LGBTQ community.
“We are fast approaching the 50-year anniversary of 1978, the first Mardi Gras parade that was met with police violence,” he said.
“We also are approaching the 10-year anniversary of the marriage equality yes vote, and both of these significant events showed the importance of our community working together, the importance of people power, and our community’s strength in fighting for fairness and equality.”
Minister for Arts John Graham said his government was proud to support the festival and that it was an important symbol for the city.
“It’s such a symbol of what Sydney is like as a city: welcoming, diverse, tolerant, a beautiful city and this event is really at the heart of that character.”
Launching the program, Matheson told the assembled press that this year’s festival would be its biggest yet, running for 24 days from 12 February to 7 March.
“That’s a whole extra week of Mardi Gras to celebrate, although we’ve also tried to leave you a few days to recover,” he said.
Some of the wind was taken out of the launch’s sails, however, as one of the big announcements related to the 2027 after-party.
As revealed late last night by Gay Sydney News, and confirmed this morning, the after-party will now be held in ‘The Tunnels’ at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park.
It’s the second time in two years that the after-party has been moved, as the cancelled 2026 party was set to take place at the EQ Showring, where it was meant to run from 8:30pm until 3am across three stages.
Its cancellation was due to rising costs and feedback from the community that it was no longer fit for purpose.
“At times, it has cost more to deliver than the Parade and Fair Day, while also being our most expensive ticketed event for the community,” Matheson said at the time.
Matheson also said at the time that the planned headliner would have been a big name, close to the calibre of Cher, with Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato the rumoured names.
“The Mardi Gras party, for generations, has been an event where friendships were formed, people found their community, and unforgettable memories were made. I know how much you missed it last year, and I missed it too,” Matheson said this morning.
“After months of hard work and determination, I can finally say the words we’ve all been waiting to hear: the Mardi Gras party is back.”
The party will take over the tunnels underneath Allianz Stadium from 10pm until 6am.
Mardi Gras will partner with Kicks Entertainment and Bizarro to bring the “reimagined” party to life.
Kicks Entertainment is the brand behind Spilt Milk, while Bizarro most recently brought Mode Festival to life.
“Think pulsating dance floors, spectacular production, world-class DJs, incredible performances, and thousands of people coming together for one unforgettable night,” said Matheson.
What wasn’t announced, however, was who would headline the evening, with the full line-up due on Tuesday 10 November.
Matheson did reveal headliners for some of the other big events, including Rogue Traders at Fair Day and Clementine Douglas, the voice behind Dom Dolla’s Miracle Maker, at Laneway.
A host of other events will also return, including the Mardi Gras Gala and Sissy Ball, while Hot Trends will be back with an all trans and gender diverse line-up.
There will also be new events, including the free Rainbow Road Street Fair, as previously reported by GSD, and Forever Fierce at Marrickville Town Hall.
“Inspired by our recent visit to WorldPride Amsterdam, it (Forever Fierce) will be a celebration of those who paved the way, and a reminder that pride belongs to every generation,” said Matheson.
Tickets will go on sale to members on Monday 9 November, with general tickets and Mardi Gras Party pre-sale tickets available from Thursday 12 November.
“Bring your colour, bring your creativity, bring your courage and most importantly, bring your whole selves,” said Matheson.
“Because this is our moment to show the world all that we are.”
