A Message from the Mayor about Sydney WorldPride

16 February 2023

On behalf of Waverley Council and the Waverley community, I would like to welcome our Sydney WorldPride 2023 visitors, speakers, performers and artists to Waverley the Rainbow City, our home by the sea.

Sydney WorldPride is a global event that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusion, and advocates for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Waverley Council is proud to be an official Festival and Venue Partner of this event that provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices and stories to be heard, and for people to learn more about the history and challenges facing members of our community.

Events held in Waverley during Sydney WorldPride provide an opportunity for people from across the world to connect with each other and help build an even greater sense of community.

Click here to view our program of events in Waverley during Sydney WorldPride and to book tickets.

Sydney WorldPride includes 19 official major events such as the Bondi Beach Party presented by Optus on Saturday 4 March. Read about special event and road closures here. There are also 320 Pride Amplified events, including events at Bondi Pavilion, and Pride- inspired events at Waverley Library.

Our events include:

Bondi Pavilion

• Fri 10 Feb - Sun 26 Mar - The Air Is Electric; David McDiarmid in America. Read the Australian Queer Archives story here.
• Sat 18 Feb Fambo Queer Arts for Kids and Families
• as part of Pride Amplified
• Sun 19 Feb  Rainbow Shorts - Curated by Flickerfest
• Wed 22 Feb Reuben Kaye – Live and Intimidating as part of Pride Amplified.  Read TimeOut Sydney's story here.
• Wed 1 Mar Paul Capsis – Dry My Tears as part of Pride Amplified. Read The Beast magazine's story here.
• Fri 3 Mar Bondi’s Comedy Extravaganza as part of Pride Amplified

Bondi Beach

• Sat 4 Mar Bondi Beach Party

Waverley Library

• 23 Feb - 20 Mar Gender Euphoria Looks Good On You: An Archival Exhibition of Samuel Luke 
• Tues 28 Feb Drag Makeup Tutorial with Ruby Royale 
• Thurs 2 Mar Drag Trivia with Ruby Royale
• Mon 6 Mar Paint and Sip with Ruby Royale

We are also giving our public spaces a rainbow makeover through our Bondi Bounce Pride Walk. Follow the rainbow-coloured footpath stickers from Bondi Junction to the golden sands of Bondi Beach on a 3.6km vibrant wayfinding journey through Bondi’s history.

Bondi Bounce will connect five temporary parklets that will each be painted a colour of the rainbow for Sydney WorldPride. These parklets are being installed from 22 February and will remain in place for a trial period of six months. They will be placed in key locations off Bondi Road and Campbell Parade and are part of our new Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach Cultural Heritage Walk.

Waverley Council received funding from the NSW Government’s Streets As Shared Spaces Program to deliver this project. During the trial, we will be collecting feedback from the community to determine whether the parklet trial should be extended, or alternatively, if the space should be considered and designed as a permanent landscaped space with seating. Feedback opens on 22 February 2023 at haveyoursay.waverley.nsw.gov.au

And once you arrive at the beach, be sure to check out the three WorldPride Rainbow City murals along the Bondi Beach sea wall. Read the Sydney Morning Herald's story about the Rainbow City project here.

Waverley Council wishes to thank everyone who has contributed to this global festival, and we can’t wait to see you at the best shows in town!

Councillor Paula Masselos

Mayor of Waverley

^{Please note:  Council is upgrading electrical infrastructure in Bondi Park. The contractor has set up the worksite in the car park behind Bondi Pavilion. During construction, three parking spaces near the entrance to Park Drive North will be sectioned off. The site will be demobilised between 23 February and 5 March to avoid disruptions during Sydney WorldPride.}