FESTIVALS

There's lots of Bear runs, festivals and parties around Australasia and the world! Below are the major festivals held by our kindred bear clubs. There's lots more around the world though- a great resource is the My Bear Holiday website. It lists dozens of festivals, parties and events from around the world.

BEAR ESSENTIALS - FEBRUARY - Sydney

Bear Essentials is the Harbour City Bears' annual festival held over Mardi Gras, which has been running since 1995.

Harbour City Bears is Sydney's only community group for bears - hairy gay men - our admirers and friends. We welcome diversity and accept all people regardless of size, hair, age, gender, race or religion. Currently we have over 1200 members making us the largest Bear association in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere! We hold over 150 events each year, all community run and not-for-profit.

NEW ZEALAND BEAR WEEK - FEBRUARY - Auckland

Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience! Bear New Zealand Week 2025 is set to take place from the 5th to 9th of February, promising five days of furry fun, camaraderie, and excitement. As we gear up for the 15th edition of Bear NZ Week, our dedicated team is hard at work planning a week filled with events that you won't want to miss.

WESTERN ROUNDUP - SEPTEMBER - Perth

Western Roundup is Back for 2024!!

And we have moved to the Kings Birthday Long Weekend, 19-22 September!!

LEI-A-BEAR - MAY - Hawaii, USA

Lei-A-Bear Weekend is the new annual 5-day event held by Aloha Bears.

Bears and their admirers visit our island from all over the world. The event features a full schedule of parties, entertainment and activities only available in Honolulu and O'ahu.

The weekend schedule allows for plenty of free time and plenty of time to play well with others.

SOUTHERN HIBEARNATION - JUNE - Melbourne

For over the past 20 years bears from all over Australia, New Zealand and beyond have gathered in Melbourne for a celebration of bear pride – Southern HiBearnation. Each year, we put together a schedule of events for bears and their admirers to enjoy over 7 fun-filled days. With 10+ events on offer across the entire week, there is something for every bear to enjoy – from the big dance parties, to free films in the afternoon, hearty lunches, educational workshops and more.

BEAR PRIDE - AUGUST - Sydney

Harbour City Bears, Sydney's only social group for big hairy LGBTIQA+, their friends and admirers, welcomes likeminded people from all over Australia and overseas. We celebrate our "Beary" ways with a five day program of events from Thursday to Sunday in Darlinghurst & Newtown. It includes a welcome function, Mr Harbour City Bear Competition, and Bear Pit dance party with plenty of time to see the City sights too.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE - OCTOBER - Brisbane

BrisBears welcome bears around Australia, NZ and the world to come and celebrate everything that is "Bear" as we chose the next standard-bearer of Mr Bear Qld. Events include Meet & Greet, Dinner & Show, Barefoot Bowls, Bingo, Polar Bear Pool Party, Under Bear and Recovery.

BEARSCOTSFEST - OCTOBER - Edinburgh, Scotland

BearScotsFest is a 5-day gathering of Bears from across Scotland, the United Kingdom and all over the world. Every year they welcome 1,000 bears for excursions, nights of dancing, entertainment and the Mr BearScots competition.

BEARSTOCK - NOVEMBER - Adelaide

Bearstock is Adelaide's annual celebration of Bear lifestyle and culture, where Bear Men of Adelaide host events for the whole LGBTIQA+ community to celebrate. We endeavour to promote Bear culture and creativity from Adelaide and the world, and promote Adelaide as an international centre thereof.

SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS + Others

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras sparkles with rainbow colours every February and March. Many other cities and tourist destinations around Australia and New Zealand also host their own vibrant LGBTQI festivals. Each of them give you great ways to get in touch with your local LGBTQI community, or opportunities to visit and sample the best the cities have to offer.

https://www.mardigras.org.au/festivals

MIDSUMMA - JANUARY - Melbourne

Midsumma is Melbourne's pride carnival. Vicbears always puts on a range of events!

SpringOUT PRIDE FESTIVAL - OCTOBER - Canberra

Fair Day Pride in the Park is Canberra’s biggest LGBTIQA+ community event and a celebration of Canberra’s wonderful and diverse LGBTIQA+ communities.

Fair Day has launched the SpringOUT Pride Festival each year since SpringOUT’s inauguration in 1999 and is one of the most anticipated events on the LGBTIQA+ calendar. SpringOUT is Canberra’s queer cultural festival which affirms the pride, joy, dignity and identity of Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ communities through events of celebration