What not to miss at SpringOUT 2025: Canberra’s celebration of Pride

Posted on 30 October, 2025

Canberra’s annual LGBTIQA+ Pride Festival is back, and SpringOUT 2025 promises to be the most vibrant celebration yet.

Running throughout November and into early December, this year’s program features more than 40 events spanning arts and culture, sports and wellness, live performances, and after-dark celebrations.

From quiet literary gatherings to high-energy dance parties, SpringOUT 2025 offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for creative connection, community celebration, or simply a great night out.

The festival will even take over Westfield Belconnen’s centre court on 28 November for Canberra’s first-ever Pride-Day Night Shopping experience, marking yet another milestone in the capital’s growing pride movement.

Here are just some of the events you won’t want to miss.

The Main Event

Fair Day 2025

Fair Day remains SpringOUT’s flagship event, and for good reason. This free, outdoor celebration transforms Glebe Park into a vibrant showcase of Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community. Expect non-stop entertainment on the mainstage with performers including Sydney drag sensation Minnie Cooper, local rising star Jett Blyton performing live, and a stellar lineup featuring Qwire, Brendan De La Hay, Andrea Kirwin, and a host of talented DJs and entertainers hosted by Venus Mantrap and Wayne Herbert.

Beyond the mainstage, you’ll find over 60 market stalls celebrating queer Canberra’s diverse artisan and business community, a dedicated Kids’ Entertainment zone with face painting and storytelling, and food stalls showcasing the region’s finest culinary offerings.

The Rainbow Families and Rainbow Sports zones ensure there’s truly something for every age and interest. It’s the perfect way to kick off the festival month.

Saturday 1 November | Glebe Park, Coranderrk Street, Canberra City

Dance & Nightlife

One Night In Heaven 2

The festival finale pays tribute to Heaven Nightclub, Canberra’s iconic gay dance club that ran from 1993 to 2001.

Voted Canberra’s most popular club by Sony Music just six months after opening, Heaven was where you could be yourself (or anyone else) on a dance floor filled with drag performances, live music, burlesque, and the best dance music in the capital.

This reunion brings together Heaven DJs, drag queens and kings, performance art, and two generations of club-goers for a night of 1990s and 2000s dance anthems, psychedelic visuals, and pure nostalgia. If you danced at Heaven back in the day – or wish you had – this is your night.

Saturday 29 November | THE VAULT – Dairy Road, Fyshwick

STUN presents Electric Disco

The festival continues into December with Electric Disco, starring First Nations Fem Queen Tynga Williams (recently featured in Vogue Australia and Australian Fashion Week).

Hosted by Tina Cox and featuring Venus Mantrap, live performance from InkBits, and an incredible DJ lineup, it’s a high-energy celebration to close out SpringOUT 2025 in style.

Friday 5 December | Shadows Nightclub, 21 East Row, Civic

Arts & Culture

Queer Reads

Bibliophiles and literature lovers, this one’s for you. Join MARION, Bookface Gungahlin, and local writers and readers for an informal celebration of queer literature at Queer Reads.

Expect a relaxed evening of book recommendations, literary discussion, and genuine connection.

Thursday 6 November | Book Face, 33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin

IN CONVERSATION with eX De Medici

This is a rare opportunity to spend time with eX de Medici, an artist whose work serves as an unflinching mirror to society’s injustices.

The afternoon includes conversation, audience questions, and afternoon tea – a chance to engage with an artist of remarkable fortitude and vision.

Sunday 9 November | The Shine Dome, Academy Of Science building, Acton

FLESH: Queer Life Drawing

Canberra’s only life drawing space run by and for the queer community offers a unique session featuring two partnered models exploring connection through joint poses.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or have never picked up a pencil, FLESH welcomes all skill levels in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Drawing supplies are provided, and ticket prices are flexible – it’s about connection and creativity above all.

Thursday 20 November | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga Street, Civic 

Wellness & Connection

Queer Breathwork Canberra

Hosted by Joshua Wrest, this gathering creates a safe space for Canberra’s LGBTIQ+ community and allies to process unconscious energies, access higher states of consciousness, and celebrate queer energy through breathwork practice.

It’s a different kind of connection – one that honours the body’s wisdom and the power of community care.

Wednesday 12 November, Youth Coalition of the ACT, 46 Clianthus St, O’Connor

Sports & Active Fun

Varsity Spring Roller Disco

Shake off those winter blues on wheels! The Spring Roller Disco invites you to roll into the season on skates, scooters (non-electric), or unicycles.

Dress in your brightest spring attire and glide across the floor to disco classics and contemporary hits. It’s funky, fun, and exactly the kind of joyful chaos that makes spring feel like a fresh start.

Sunday 2 November | Evelyn Scott School, 2 Bielski St, Denman Prospect

Sport Your Pride Gathering – Friday Night Lights

Part of the three-day Sport Your Pride multi-sport event championing ‘Move, Play, Belong’, this Friday night gathering celebrates LGBTQIA+ sport in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region.

Wear your team shirt loud and proud, enjoy finger food and performances, and connect with players, allies, families, and friends.

Friday, 14 November | National Hockey Centre, Lyneham

Performance & Entertainment

Six Degrees of Separation: Don’t Stop Me Now

Six Degrees serves up another electric night of live music, dance, drag, trivia, and disco—this time inspired by Freddie Mercury’s incredible legacy. Expect stellar local artists, wicked looks, emotionally charged performances, and moustaches for miles.

The pop-rock-disco afterparty will feature anthems from Queen, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Pet Shop Boys, and more. It’s a love letter to one of music’s greatest icons.

Saturday 15 November | Smith’s Alternative, 76 Alinga St, Canberra City

SpringOUT Comedy Gala

From sharp satire to surreal storytelling, the Comedy Gala brings together some of the best queer comedy talent.

The lineup features towering trans icon Holly Hazlewood, RAW Comedy National Finalist Caitlin Maggs, whimsical storyteller Anneli Cole, Felix McCarthy’s off-the-wall observations, Dylan Holmes’ irreverent philosophy, Chris Knight’s jaw-dropping self-deprecation, and 62-year-old Brent Thorpe (aka DADDY) proving that aging disgracefully is an art form.

Expect laughter, joy, and plenty of resilient ridiculousness.

Friday 21 November | Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, Canberra City

SpringOUT: Loud & Proud

This inaugural all-ages live music night features an entirely trans and non-binary lineup, including Stella Eve, Transista Groove, nonbinarycode, Shoeb Ahmad, and Kalokairi.

It’s powerful voices, fresh sounds, and big feels in an accessible, inclusive space. Come as you are and celebrate community through music.

Sunday 23 November | Dissent Cafe and Bar