The Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras has revealed its first official app – a digital companion for festival-goers and communities. The app, free to download, brings together events, safety features, accessibility tools, and queer and ally business discovery, in one place.
The app will place everything festival-goers need, at their fingertips. Whether it’s planning and booking events, or navigating Parade night. . . Connecting with friends, or discovering LGBTQIA+ and ally-owned businesses across Sydney.
“The Mardi Gras App is more than a festival guide. It’s a tool that helps our communities connect, stay safe and support each other,” Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Interim CEO Jesse Matheson says. “Built with accessibility, privacy and inclusion at its core, it reflects our commitment to building something lasting- a platform that champions safety, access and queer pride well beyond the Parade and parties. Just as importantly, it showcases Oxford Street alongside Sydney’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ neighbourhoods, and is part of how Mardi Gras invests back into our communities by supporting queer and ally businesses, helping local commerce thrive alongside the festival.”
The app will combine practical event information, with tools to support connection and wellbeing. You can explore signature events, navigate the festival, change accessibility settings like text size and high contrast, and check out curated corridor maps for Oxford Street/Darlinghurst, Newtown/King Street, and Surry Hills.
“This app is a permanent home for Mardi Gras and our communities,” Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Co-Chairs Kathy Pavlich and Mits Delisle say. “It’s about safety, inclusion, and visibility every day of the year, while also helping us celebrate together during the festival. From supporting local businesses to ensuring accessibility, it’s a powerful tool for our shared future.”
“Our research made one thing clear: our community doesn’t just want to see Mardi Gras once a year – they want to feel connected every day,” Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras Marketing Consultant Patrick Guerrera adds. “The data showed that to stay relevant, inclusive, and accessible, we needed to meet people where they already are – in the palm of their hands. The Mardi Gras App turns that insight into action: evolving Mardi Gras from a seasonal icon into a trusted belonging platform that brings our celebrations, programs, and partners to life across streets and screens.”
The Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras app is available to download now from the App Store and Google Play. Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras is on from 13 February-1 March 2026.
