The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras after-party, a cornerstone of the annual festival, has been cancelled just weeks before the 28 February parade. Chief executive Jesse Matheson announced the decision in an email, citing “significant financial loss” for the past two years and a deficit since 2020.
The event, which typically features major acts such as Kylie Minogue or Dua Lipa, had not released tickets or announced a headliner for its 48th year. Matheson attributed the cancellation to the loss of an unannounced headline act in late January and rising costs, as well as the need to stabilise the organisation amid sponsorship uncertainty.
In 2025, the party generated $1.36m in revenue against $1.5m in costs, leading to a loss of over $143,000. Mardi Gras had outsourced the event for the first time this year to Kicks and Bizarro, subsidiaries of entertainment giant Live Nation, under a five-year agreement signed in 2024. However, capacity constraints following the loss of the Royal Hall of Industries and changing attendee demographics were also cited as factors.
Activist group Pride in Protest criticised the outsourcing, with member Wei Thai-Haynes stating the party had been “ruined” and former board member Miles Carter calling the move “a horrific mistake”. The group has opposed Live Nation’s involvement due to its Israel affiliate’s support for the IDF in October 2023.
The cancellation has boosted smaller, community-run after-parties such as Poof Doof and Heaps Gay, which have seen a surge in sales. DJ Dan Murphy, creator of I Remember House, publicly offered his assistance for future events, urging Mardi Gras to engage local promoters instead of international firms.
Matheson emphasised that the traditional party format was “no longer fit for purpose” and aligned with a vision for a more inclusive celebration for the entire LGBTIQA+ community. The decision follows a contentious annual general meeting in November where rival groups Pride in Protest and Protect Mardi Gras clashed over the festival’s direction.
