In a statement this week, CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Jesse Matheson, said the party, which costs approximately $2 million to stage, had been losing money every year since 2020, following the loss of the Royal Hall of Industries as the venue, while the overall festival had suffered “significant financial loss” over the last two years.
“As part of stabilising the organisation, the decision was made to cancel all events except Parade, Fair Day and the Glitter Club viewing area, BlackCherry and a new celebration event for the First Nations community,” wrote Matheson.
“This meant cancelling all other events, including the Mardi Gras PARTY.
“This decision was not taken lightly. Facing an existential threat to the future of Mardi Gras, and with new sponsorship uncertain, it was absolutely the right decision.
“Since then, community producers and cultural institutions have stepped in to bring these events back to life.
“I’m extremely thankful to them and proud to see them thriving and selling out,” said Matheson.
“The Mardi Gras PARTY, however, was always going to be the biggest challenge.”
Matheson says the party has become “far more expensive to deliver, and increasingly difficult to guarantee the kind of high-quality, shared community experience people expect”.
He said alongside the party’s financial performance, capacity issues following the Royal Hall of Industries becoming a Sydney Swans venue, community feedback and the changing demographics of attendees made it “clear that the event in its traditional format was no longer fit for purpose or aligned with our future vision to be a celebration event for our entire LGBTIQA+ community”.
“As CEO, I could not continue to sell expensive tickets to an event I did not believe offered value for our community, honoured the Mardi Gras PARTY’s legacy, or protected the organisation’s financial future,” said Matheson.
He said there was a new vision for the Mardi Gras Party in 2026, however the headline act fell through over Christmas and a replacement could not be secured.
“I have made the difficult decision to pause the Mardi Gras PARTY for 2026,” said Matheson.
“Instead, we will focus on supporting the incredible community-led events taking place across the city on Parade night.
“Many of these producers are facing their own pressures, and I strongly encourage our community to get behind them.
“We’re exploring whether a small-scale celebration at the end of the Parade is possible.
“This has been heartbreaking – but I believe it is the right decision for our community and for the future of Mardi Gras.”
Near the end of his statement, Matheson promised in bold that the “Mardi Gras PARTY will return”.
