Your Pride, Your Truth | Newcastle's Biggest Rainbow Celebration Returns
- Liane Morris
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
Joyously bursting into its sixth year, the 2025 Newcastle Pride Festival, from Friday, 3 October to Sunday, 26 October, promises a whole month of an electrifying celebration of love, diversity, and unity. From its glitterdrenched launch at Flamingos Live to a parade 'bigger, bolder, and balloonier,' and their signature free, family-friendly Fair Day, the 2025 festival is a radiant affirmation of this year’s theme of Your Pride, Your Truth.
The festival plays a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting acceptance within the broader community, ensuring that the voices and stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals are heard and celebrated. It aims to create a safer, more inclusive future for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
The vision of the organisation behind the festival is to empower current and future generations to be their authentic selves, feel accepted, find their voice, and be proud of who they are. Founded in 2018 by Lee-Anne McDougall and Ivan Skaines, Newcastle Pride began as a small three-event festival in Foreshore Park that drew 5,000 people to its first Fair Day. The overwhelming response confirmed the need for a dedicated, inclusive space where the LGBTQIA+ community could connect, celebrate, and be visible.
“Newcastle Pride Festival is about more than just celebration, it’s about visibility, solidarity, and making space for every voice in our community,” said President Lee-Anne McDougall.
Newcastle Pride has grown into a major annual festival, attracting over 13,000 people to Fair Day in 2024, and is powered by a passionate volunteer team committed to creating safe, respectful, and empowering spaces for all - especially LGBTQIA+ youth. The event is supported by local businesses and community organisations, including long-term Festival Principal Partner Coles.
“It’s an honour to be part of Newcastle Pride once again,” said a Coles spokesperson.
“We are proud to be recognised as a Platinum Employer at the 2025 AWEI Awards and to stand proudly with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Krys Sutton, Marketing and PR Manager for Newcastle Pride, has seen a dip in sponsorship and funding this year.
“We are a non-profit organisation that relies fully on volunteers, sponsorships and grants,” said Krys.
“We suspect that the US Government's stance on DEI has had some effect, and local businesses are tightening their belts. Regardless, it’s exciting to see continued support from Hunter Water and new partners like the University of Newcastle and Hyphen Health come on board as Fair Day Sponsors.”
Kicking off the festival with a glitterbombed bang, The Leather Lounge storms into Flamingos Live on Friday 3 October for its exclusive Australian premiere. Fresh from wowing Glastonbury, international cabaret sensation Leather Lungs leads a no-holdsbarred night of outrageous drag, powerhouse vocals, filthy comedy, and rule-breaking circus. This is Newcastle Pride’s official 2025 headliner - and it’s set to be utterly unmissable.
Across the first weekend, keep the kids enchanted with Drag Storytime and the Kids Rainbow Disco at Bernie’s Bar on Saturday, 4 October. Hosted by the fabulous Sticky Waffles, Drag Storytime brings books to life with vibrant costumes and captivating storytelling, before the little ones hit the dance floor with sequins, superhero capes, and sparkly sneakers, all encouraged!
This free, safe, and welcoming space celebrates LGBTQIA+ families, allies, and all rainbow-loving kids under 12. And for those without little ones, head to Carrington Bowlo for Drag Music Bingo hosted by Kandii Rhinestone, with DJ Queerio on Sunday, October 5, from 12.30pm to 3pm, where they promise an afternoon of camp chaos and hilarious shenanigans.
The second weekend kicks off with Short ‘N’ Curlies at Event Cinemas Kotara on Friday, 10 October from 6 pm. Featuring short Queer films curated by Queer Screen, the $25 entry includes popcorn and a drink. Next day, Newcastle Pride Parade - Balloon, Bicycle, Walk -encourages everyone to turn the Newcastle foreshore into a sparkling sea of colour, creativity, and community. Round off the second weekend with a chilled-out experience, creating art on Sunday afternoon with a Creative Erotic Pottery Workshop with Wonder Mama.
One of the most meaningful events of the festival, the Pride Youth Formal for youth aged 12 - 17 at Bernie's, is held on Saturday, 18 October, from 3pm. This afternoon of unapologetic queer joy, featuring beats by DJ Queerio, is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to show up, be loud, proud, and absolutely fabulous. On Sunday, October 19, head down to Slingtown Espresso at Islington from 10.30am for Espresso Yourself – a free event designed to foster connection.
The most highly anticipated event of the festival is Fair Day, taking place on Saturday, 25 October, from 11am to 6pm at Gregson Park in Hamilton, with the markets curated by Pride Partner Homegrown Markets.
“This year, we’re introducing a second stage dedicated to DJs, keeping the music and energy flowing all day,” said Krys.
“There’s also Drag It Out, an exciting new drag competition, Coles will be hosting a lively bar, and the Children’s Entertainment Area will be packed with fun and games.”
Headlining this year’s event is the electrifying Jimi the Kween, and guiding the day’s festivities are crowd favourites Ms Danni Issues, Sexy Galaxy, Greg Gould, and Freddie Merkin. Vocal powerhouse performances by Greg Gould, Maeve Grant, and Alanna Sofia will be unforgettable, while families will delight in dancing along with The Quokkas.
Drag fans are in for a feast of fabulous talent. Highlights include the high-energy Rhythm of Love showcase, featuring local stars Gucci and Rhea Listik, alongside special guest appearances from RuPaul royalty Molly Poppinz. Audiences can also look forward to performances by local icons Deirdre Doo, Trixxie Killder, and Kandii Rhinestone, with the always-entertaining Lou Thunderdust and Justinamood bringing the laughs as hosts of the Gay Gaymes.
The dazzling creations from Creative Creatures and breathtaking displays from Three Rings Aerial & Circus will deliver more spectacle throughout the day, and to keep everything buzzing, a stellar DJ lineup is locked in, with sets from DJ Eddie, DJ Gimmi Moore, DJ Lisa Anita, Vandoll, DJ Tiff, and DJ Queerio.
And of course, two much-loved traditions return: the ever-popular Lip Sync Competition, where local talent battles it out in a fun and fiery contest, and the Doggywood Parade, celebrating the city’s most glamorous, camp,and clever four-legged friends.
The festival finale goes out with a glittering bang at POOF DOOF + DYKE DOOF, the ultimate Denim & Diamonds afterparty on Saturday, 25 October at the Hamilton Station Hotel. Featuring high-octane performances from Vybe and Karna Ford (RuPaul’s Drag Race Downunder), Jimi the Kween, Danni Issues, George Dykeal, James Alexandr, Mama de Leche, Mama Medusa, and Nipslip. Legendary POOF DOOF beats will keep the dance floor moving from 7pm until 2am,closing out the 2025 Newcastle Pride Festival in spectacular queer style.
In addition to the events produced by Newcastle Pride, there are also a series of Associate Events, including the University of Newcastle, with a week of inclusive and creative events from 13–17 October, aiming to provide a safe, welcoming space for students and staff to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and connect with the community.
Additional Associate Events include Bernies Pride Night - Pride Monochrome on Saturday 11 October, I Can Tell by Chris McAllister (The Trans Comedian) at Bernies on 17 October, Pulse Climbing on October 17, Exploring Identity - Mixed Media & Collage Work with Emma Clifton for young people aged 16 to 21 on 23 October at The Base, Hockey Pride Rounds at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre in Broadmeadow on 24 October and Out & Running from Glenrock on Sunday 26 October.
Whether you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community or stand proudly as an ally, Newcastle Pride Festival 2025 is a joyful invitation to connect, celebrate, and embrace the glittering spirit of diversity and unity. Head to www.newcastlepride.com.au for full details.
