Sydney’s famous ‘gaybourhood’ streets to come alive during WorldPride

Sydney WorldPride will see the city’s famous ‘gaybourhood’ streets come alive during nine days of free celebrations from 24th February to 5th March.

Crown and Riley Streets will become home to daily stalls, dining and bars, with Crown Street also hosting the Travel Proud Stage presented by Booking.com, 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.

Conchita Wurst enthused "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."

On 4th to 5th March, 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 American Express Oxford Street Stage will feature free performances by Australian talents including Vassy, HANDSOME, Haiku Hands and Chela.

On the final weekend, a Community Hub will be open on Oxford Street. Run by community organisations, the hub and will be a place for community members to engage and connect with a range of LGBTQIA+ organisations.

During Oxford Street Party, a Community Hub will be open on Oxford Street for the final weekend of the festival. The hub will be run by community organisations and will be a place for community members to engage with issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.

NSW Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin advised “The NSW Government is proud to support Sydney WorldPride and we welcome everyone to the Pride Villages to take the rainbow-coloured party to the streets for nine days of WorldPride.

“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 extending their footprint onto the street to allow patrons additional space to connect with friends and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Sydney WorldPride’s beverage partners including Little Creatures, Johnnie Walker, Absolut, Squealing Pig and Archie Rose will also have pop up bars for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.

Kate Wickett, Chief Executive of Sydney WorldPride advised “Pride Villages will be the heart of the Sydney WorldPride, taking place in the spiritual home of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.

“Pride Villages is the realisation 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.”

Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Clover Moore added “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 colour with street banners, Living Colour floral displays and the wonderful murals on the northern side of Oxford Street.

“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.”

For more information about the dates and times Pride Villages will be operating, visit sydneyworldpride.com/events/pride-villages/.