Sydney WorldPride 2023, the biggest LGBTQIA+ festival, has taken over Sydney with an estimated 500,000 participants across 300 free and ticketed events, with an expected delivery of $112 million into the visitor economy.

Sydney is the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host WorldPride, which NSW Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said was incredibly excited to welcome people from across the globe to join the ultimate celebration.

“This journey started in October 2019 when Sydney won the rights to host WorldPride 2023. In 2021 the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government signed on as the first major partner, reinforcing its commitment to grow the State’s visitor economy and celebrate its world-renowned LGBQTIA+ community,” Minister Franklin said.

Sydney WorldPride chief executive Kate Wickett said the event would be both a glittering celebration for the global LGBTQIA+ community and a huge opportunity for the city.

“In putting on the largest LGBTQIA+ festival that Australia has ever seen, we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the NSW Government, the NSW Police Force, the emergency services and ACON to make this festival a success. Do it all, see it all, connect with your community and enjoy Sydney,” Wickett said.