Music Legend To Perform Biggest Sydney Event Since 2000 Olympics

The full Sydney WorldPride 2023 program of over 300 events was announced today.

It's expected to be the biggest event in Sydney since the 2000 Olympic games. As Nine News reports, WorldPride is tipped to inject "$600 million into the local economy as 500,000 international travellers head Down Under for the 17-day celebration."

Superstar Kelly Rowland leads the announcement; the former Destiny's Child member will headline the Domain Dance Party on 26 February.

The opening concert, Live And Proud, on 24 February will be hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan, while performances include Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX and Jessica Mauboy.

WorldPride's closing concert, Rainbow Republic, on 5 March, features the American group MUNA, who we're begging to bring out Phoebe Bridgers for an extraordinary rendition of their collaborative track, Silk Chiffon; G-Flip, and Peach PRC. 

Peaches, Bec Sandridge and Okenyo feature at Ultra Violet, the premier feminist event for LGBTQIA+ women at Sydney WorldPride.

Chief executive Kate Wickett shared that the two-week monolith festival is inclusive for all. "We want to show the world the beauty that Sydney is, the beauty of our community, the beauty that we have to offer... We want to shine a light on our diverse communities here in Sydney, Australia and all of the region," she said.

Sydney WorldPride will be held in conjunction with next year's Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras, which will celebrate its 45th year. After two years at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Mardi Gras will return to its seminal Oxford Street location. 

Sydney Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger promises a life-changing event in 2023. "We have gone through such a difficult time. We all, at some stage, felt isolated, we were put in a spot where we were locked down, and we had to stick it through, and Mardi Gras was no different," he said. "It is a momentous occasion for us to be back on Oxford Street next year."

Kate Wickett also vows that WorldPride 2023 will highlight the voices of all marginalised people, from First Nations people to the LGBTQIA+ community. "We made a promise in 2019 ... to gather you all, to amplify the voices of those voices that have often been silenced, or diminished, or that have never been heard," she shared. "We made a promise to dream, to dream what's possible for our community, to dream about the positive change that Sydney WorldPride could have for our community."

Check out the entire program here.