Bear Essentials Events

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• Bear Essentials 30: Party Pack

  • Start
    15 Feb 2026
  • End
    1 Mar 2026
  • Location
    Various Venues
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  Party Pack

  If you're visiting Sydney, or just want to party hard during Bear Essentials, we're offering a limited number of party passes that contains the tickets you'll need for the main events.

  The party pass includes a ticket to:

  • Underbear
  • Wet Furr Pool Party
  • Sauna Party

  You'll also get a gift bag with some great Bear Essentials goodies, and a t-shirt!

  This year, we're also making the t-shirt and gift bag available separately, so if you just want the shirt and bag, select that option too!

  Lastly if you just want the t-shirt, you can order it in our store!

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• Bear Essentials 30: Elizabeth Bay House Tour 1

  • When
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    10:15
  • Location
    Elizabeth Bay House, 7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
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  Cruise Back in Time

  A guided tour of the historical Elizabeth Bay House, one of the finest houses built during the 1830s.

  Built by convicts and free artisans, it’s a magnificent example of Australian colonial architecture at the time.

  Work up an appetite exploring the house, its gardens and absorbing the stunning views and salty smells of Sydney harbour, before (optionally) heading for lunch at The Lookout Café in Beare Park.

  Where?	Elizabeth Bay House 7 Onslow Avenue Elizabeth Bay
  When?	Monday 23 February 2026 Meet at 10:15am for 10:30am tour. Optional lunch afterwards.
  How Much?	Free, but registration is required. Lunch at your own expense.

  
  

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• Bear Essentials 30: Elizabeth Bay House Tour 2

  • When
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    11:15
  • Location
    Elizabeth Bay House, 7 Onslow Avenue, Elizabeth Bay
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  Cruise Back in Time

  We've added a second tour! Get in quick before this one sells out too.

  A guided tour of the historical Elizabeth Bay House, one of the finest houses built during the 1830s.

  Built by convicts and free artisans, it’s a magnificent example of Australian colonial architecture at the time.

  Work up an appetite exploring the house, its gardens and absorbing the stunning views and salty smells of Sydney harbour, before (optionally) heading for lunch at The Lookout Café in Beare Park.

  Where?	Elizabeth Bay House 7 Onslow Avenue Elizabeth Bay
  When?	Monday 23 February 2026 Meet at 11:15am for 11:30am tour. Optional lunch afterwards.
  How Much?	Free, but registration is required. $5 for non-HCB members Lunch at your own expense.

  
  

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• Bear Essentials 30: Queer Screen 2: Departures

  • When
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    18:00
  • Location
    Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney

  
  

  Queer Screen: Departures

  Monday 23 February 2026

  Nauti Movie Night

  We've partnered up with Queer Screen to present two special films during the Mardi Gras Film Festival!

  The second film is Departures!

  Inspired by real heartbreak, this darkly funny, emotionally charged comedy-drama is equal parts witty banter and raw authenticity.

  After a recent break-up, Benji has fallen into a self-sabotaging cycle of excess alcohol and empty hook-ups. He first met macho personal trainer Jake at an airport gate when their flight to Amsterdam was delayed, and there was an instant flirty chemistry. But their romance – for lack of a better word – was limited to scheduled weekend trips to Europe so closeted Jake could avoid being seen with Benji, let alone admit he had feelings beyond sinking pints and drunken shags. But even though he knows Jake was too closed off to change, can Benji really move on?

  Messy and unfiltered, Departures effortlessly dissects the complex power dynamics and toxic behaviour that underpin a doomed relationship. Drawing comparisons to Shirley Valentine and Trainspotting, this fast paced film finds humour, love and even hope in life’s darkest moments.

  Where?	Event Cinemas 505/525 George Street Sydney
  When?	Monday 23 February 2026 from 6pm
  How Much?	$25 - purchase your tickets through Queer Screen

  Click here to get tickets

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• Bear Essentials 30: Trivia

  • When
    24 Feb 2026
  •  
    19:00 - 22:00
  • Location
    Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross
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  Are you Smarter than Seamen?

  Hoist your sails and show your tails! Test your wits at Trivia night with our own Capt’n Pugwash Gary as he navigates us through the straits of ABBA, leather and bears.

  Strap into your harnesses, alert Roger the cabin boy and prepare to strut your knowledge on pop culture, current affairs, gay culture, disco classics and nautical nonsense that will shiver your timbers as Gary drops his anchor with Master Bates.

  Where?	Kings Cross Hotel 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross
  When?	Tuesday 24 February 2026 7pm to late
  How Much?	Free, but registration required

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• Bear Essentials 30: Underbear XXX

  • Start
    25 Feb 2026
  •  
    20:00
  • End
    26 Feb 2026
  •  
    03:00
  • Location
    Aura Nightclub and Sauna X 16 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst
  • Spaces left
    413

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  All Hands on Deck!

  Hit the deck bears in your most seaworthy underdaks, strip down to your reliable tightie-whities, kinky jockstraps or even a whole union suit. Every able seaman is ordered to one of Aura’s two decks to dance the night away and show off their prized booty over both Aura’s dance floors. Each floor will cater to different music choices, though a sea shanty will be hard to find.

  When you need a break from shaking your booty, head down to the lower decks of Sauna X where you can explore where bears and seamen meet. Here you can work up a different kind of sweat while getting to know your dance partners better than a dance floor allows.

  As always, both cloaking and entry to the sauna is included in your ticket price! No extra charges.

  Where?	Aura Nightclub and Sauna X 16 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst
  When?	Wednesday 25 February 2026 8pm to 3am
  How Much?	$65 for members $65 for kindred members $70 for non-members $75 on the door (if not sold out)

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• Bear Essentials 30: Wet Furr

  • When
    26 Feb 2026
  •  
    18:00 - 21:00
  • Location
    Cook + Phillip Park Pool 4 College St, Sydney
  • Spaces left
    89

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  Walk the Plank!

  Wash that man right outta your hair, before you walk the plank into the wave pool at the Cook + Phillip Park Pool. Seaman Stayns is not invited.

  That’s right, we’re celebrating Wet Furr again, but this year it’s on a Thursday. There will be plenty of pool toys to keep you afloat, so you won’t get a sandy bottom.

  There’ll also be some tasty treats and cold refreshments in the pool courtyard to give you the strength to look at all the hidden treasures.

  And our DJ will be pumping out tunes to keep everyone from Captain Peg Leg to Roger the Cabin Boy happy.

  There are a limited number of lockers, so bring a bag/backpack to store your cargo, your best budgie smugglers, and a towel. Parrot and eye patch optional.

  Get your tickets early, as this event sells out.

  Where?	Cook + Phillip Park Pool 4 College St, Sydney
  When?	Thursday 26 February 2026 6pm to 9pm
  How Much?	$30 for members $30 for kindred members $40 for non-members $50 on the door (if not sold out).

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• Bear Essentials 30: Furry Friday

  • When
    27 Feb 2026
  •  
    19:00
  • Location
    Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross

  Register

  
  

  Nautical, But Nice

  Ahoy again, bears! After making waves last week, we’re keeping the ship steady and the good times rolling with a night that’s Nautical... but Nice!

  Sail back into the Kings Cross Hotel for round two of seafaring fun from the crows nest. As usual we’ve got the entire rooftop bar to ourselves, and since it’s Mardi Gras, we’ve got spillover room on the ground floor too!

  So pull up your rigging, grab your crew, and let’s keep this voyage afloat!

  Where?	Kings Cross Hotel 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross
  When?	Friday 27 February 2026 7pm to late
  How Much?	Free, no registration required

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• Bear Essentials 30: Mardi Gras Parade

  • When
    28 Feb 2026
  •  
    12:00 - 23:00
  • Location
    Hyde Park
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  Harbour City Bears Parade Entry

  Don’t miss the dazzling highlight of Sydney’s Mardi Gras Festival - the iconic Parade!

  On Saturday 28 February, Oxford Street will come alive with a spectacular display of pride and diversity. Our community will be marching proudly, joining over 200 floats in vibrant celebration.

  The Parade kicks off at 7:30 PM, winding its way along Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Anzac Parade. Come be part of this unforgettable night!

  Where?	Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
  When?	Saturday 28 February
  How Much?	$50 for members $50 for kindred members $100 for non-members

  Entries are now closed, but you may join the waitlist so that if there are any drop-outs you may receive a place.

  If you are allocated a spot, you will receive an email with further instructions.
  

  Registered marchers will receive an information pack with all the crucial information closer to the date.

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• Bear Essentials 30: Parade Viewing Party

  • When
    28 Feb 2026
  •  
    17:00
  • Location
    Kings Cross Hotel

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  View from the Crow's Nest

  Not joining the parade?

  Don’t want to battle the crowds but want to still be part of the fun?

  We have the answer.

  Climb up the ships rigging till you reach the crows nest and join our viewing party.

  We are taking over the ground floor and balcony level of the Kings Cross Hotel and you are invited along to watch the parade on the big screens.

  This is a free event that gives you the luxury of all the amenities of the vessel without the need to battle the high seas.

  Where?	Kings Cross Hotel 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross
  When?	Saturday 28 February 2026
  How Much?	Free, no registration required

  
  

  
  

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• Bear Essentials 30: Farewell Bears

  • When
    1 Mar 2026
  •  
    15:00
  • Location
    The Townie

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  Bear Voyage

  Congratulations maties, you've made it to the end of Bear Essentials 2026 and Mardi Gras! If you're not totally shagged out by now, we're having one last hurrah at The Townie in Newtown before Mardi Gras sails away for a year.

  Join us in wishing a bear voyage to those people who’ve travelled here for Bear Essentials 30!

  Harbour City Bears’ regular watering hole on a Sunday, The Town Hall Hotel in Newtown (known as The Townie) is where you can sail to, to wind down after a busy fortnight.

  So come along and visit the 1st deck (Midway Bar) or the Crow's nest (Roof top Cactus Bar). Grab a farewell drink with your fellow seamen, enjoy a last meal and exchange the salty stories of the last two week.

  The Townie is conveniently located directly outside Newtown Train Station.

  Where?	The Town Hall Hotel 326 King Street, Newtown
  When?	Sunday 1 March 2025 4pm until 8pm
  How Much?	Free, no registration required

  
  

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