This November, SpringOUT Pride Festival returns bigger and brighter than ever, with more than 40 events across Canberra celebrating the city’s vibrant LGBTIQA+ community through art, sport, performance and connection.
The festival, which runs all month, is the ACT’s leading celebration of queer pride and inclusion, uniting people of all ages and backgrounds in a shared expression of visibility and belonging.
For Wayne Herbert, who returns as MC for Fair Day, SpringOUT’s growth since COVID reflects Canberra’s spirit of resilience.
“When somebody said to me this is the biggest SpringOUT since the pandemic, I thought, that’s incredible,” he says. “There’s real energy and pride in the air this year. Seeing the community come together again in full colour feels deeply moving.”
Wayne says Fair Day, held on Saturday 1 November in Glebe Park, is much more than a party. “Fair Day is the heartbeat of the festival. It’s about joy, connection and visibility,” he says. “It reminds every queer Canberrans and allies that they belong.”
This year’s program is a dynamic mix of long-time favourites and brand-new collaborations. Signature events include Sport Your Pride (14–16 November), a three-day multi-sport event encouraging people to “Move, Play, Belong”; the Comedy Gala (21 November), celebrating laughter and resilience; and Loud & Proud (23 November), a new all-ages music event featuring an all-trans and non-binary line-up.
Joining them are Queer Breathwork sessions, Varsity Spring Roller Disco, STUN presents Electric Disco, and the launch of Capital Riot, Canberra’s first LGBTIQA+ ice hockey club.
For Kalokairi Subakti, a performer and SpringOUT committee member, the growth of the festival has been inspiring.
“I’ve learned so much about what goes into a month-long event like this,” they say. “SpringOUT really is about creating space for everyone – young people, older generations, trans and non-binary people, people of colour. It’s about making sure everyone has somewhere to feel seen.”
Ravi Oli, a drag king and performer originally from Singapore, says SpringOUT’s community focus is what makes it stand out.
“I remember going to my first SpringOUT and thinking, this is home,” he says. “It’s that one time of year where everyone comes out of the suburbs and joins together. It’s special because it gives performers like me a voice and celebrates the diversity of our community.”
Ravi says he hopes new audiences take away one message from the festival: that pride is for everyone. “SpringOUT celebrates the fact that we’re all different, but that’s what makes us strong,” he says.
As SpringOUT 2025 approaches, Canberra is once again preparing to shine in every shade, every story, and every celebration of pride.
For the full SpringOUT program, visit springout.com.au, or follow the festival on Instagram (@springoutcbr) and Facebook (SpringOUT Pride Festival – Canberra).
