The 2026 event, its third, has firmly cemented its place as a mainstay in the Australian LGBTQIA+ cultural calendar, delivering a beautiful celebration of community, culture and conversation.
Qtopia Sydney is the largest cultural centre for queer history and culture in the world. It has four different buildings, housed in the heritage-listed Darlinghurst Police Station. It opened in 2024 with 18 exhibitions, as a place to share the stories of the queer community in Australia.
Pride Fest saw record growth in 2026, doubling its programming to 312 events and 250 artists across 33 days, and receiving a 150 per cent rise in audience numbers. . . From 8,000 in 2025 to more than 20,000 in 2026.
“I’m so proud of the work we’ve been able to do at Qtopia Sydney to have made this momental festival possible,” Festival Director Carly Fisher says. “With record-breaking audience numbers, we’re very happy that the community showed up to make this year’s Pride Fest the success that it was.”
“A festival like this only works when the community supports it and we are extremely grateful to our incredible community for truly showing up for queer storytelling, education, commemoration and more than anything, celebration.”
This year’s festival featured drag, comedy, cabaret, book launches, panel discussions, workshops, fitness classes, dance, film, parties and restaurant activations. It also introduced Pride Fest: Intersections, a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity through an intersectional queer lens. . . Pride Fest: New Voices, showcasing works in development, and Fit N’ Proud featuring sport, fitness and dance events.
