Taylor Square, Oxford St + Rainbow Precinct
Rainbow Precinct
The Rainbow Precinct in Darlinghurst is the beating heart of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ culture, centred around Oxford Street and recognised worldwide for its history, creativity and nightlife. Born from decades of activism, artistry and performance, this is a place where culture has always come first. Today, the precinct is alive with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafés, alongside independent retailers specialising in queer culture, vintage treasures and streetwear.
During Oxtravaganza, the Rainbow Precinct becomes a playground of colour, sound and celebration where heritage and hedonism meet!
Taylor Square
Taylor Square is where everything converges - a natural gathering point and the energetic centre of the Rainbow Precinct.
Iconic venues like The Oxford Hotel, The Courthouse and Kinselas spill out onto the street, creating perfect vantage points for people-watching as the precinct comes alive. From early evenings through to late nights, Taylor Square buzzes with constant movement.
Add in the Friday night markets and Saturday morning organic markets, and you’ve got fuel for any moment; whether that’s a quick coffee, fresh bread, or a late-night snack between events.
NAS & Qtopia Sydney
Culture runs deep here and these two institutions anchor our precinct’s creative soul.
Qtopia Sydney, housed in the former Darlinghurst Police Station, is Australia’s first queer museum. Its dynamic program of exhibitions, performances and workshops celebrates LGBTQIA+ stories, past and present, with boldness and pride.
Just nearby, the National Art School occupies the historic Darlinghurst Gaol and is internationally renowned for shaping some of Australia’s most influential artists. With year-round exhibitions, workshops and public summer classes, NAS adds a powerful artistic layer to the festival experience.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the spine of the precinct. By day it’s cafés, galleries and retail; by night it transforms into one of Sydney’s most concentrated entertainment strips. More than a dozen pubs, clubs and bars line the street, each offering a distinct vibe and welcoming every kind of crowd.
Iconic venues such as Universal, Stonewall and Kinselas host live shows, DJs and performances that keep the street buzzing well into the night, while spaces like The Burdekin Hotel deliver multi-level energy with music, dance and late-night sessions. For those looking for something different, Brix Distillers and Bitter Phew offer craft spirits, rare rums and world-class beers in a more laid-back setting.
Oxford Street is also the stage for the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade, the climax of the festival and one of the most powerful celebrations of pride anywhere on the planet. Each year, the street transforms into a river of colour, performance and protest, watched by thousands and broadcast to the world.
During Oxtravaganza, Oxford Street becomes a festival in itself as venues’ performances spill beyond the stage, and the street comes alive with music, colour and community, from dusk until early morning.
Everyone needs an Oxford Street story - what will yours be?