The Wagga Mardi Gras has graced the city streets for the final time, with the festival’s committee announcing it will no longer continue. Photo: Supplied.
The Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras has graced Baylis Street for the final time, with organisers of the popular LGBTQIA+ festival announcing it will not continue in 2026.
The event first hit a roadblock at the end of 2024 after Coles decided to withdraw funding, and Charles Sturt University substantially scaled back its financial support before the 2025 event.
The announcement was made on the official Wagga Mardi Gras website on Thursday afternoon (15 May), confirming the festival has failed to secure funding or sponsorship following the 2025 event, resulting in the Wagga Mardi Gras being shelved.
“The Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Festival Committee has announced the beloved community event will not return, citing increasing difficulty in securing sponsorship and grant funding as the primary reason for the decision,” the website reads.
“Since the first parade in 2019, Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras has been a vibrant celebration of inclusivity, pride, and community spirit. From local families lining Baylis Street to visitors travelling from across the Riverina and beyond, the festival has created unforgettable memories and left a lasting mark on the cultural fabric of Wagga Wagga.
“While this marks the end of a significant chapter, the committee remains hopeful that the spirit of Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras will continue to inspire future community events and initiatives celebrating inclusion and equality.”
There have been five iterations of the Wagga Mardi Gras festival, including the 2025 event.
Despite the festival dissolving, many, including festival founder Holly Conroy, praised the Wagga community for embracing the festival and taking a step toward welcoming diversity in the region.
In a statement made by Ms Conroy, she thanked previous sponsors and the Wagga community.
“We’d like to thank our biggest supporters, Charles Sturt University, Tilly’s, and Wagga Wagga City Council, for all their support over the lifetime of the event, in addition to all our sponsors and supporters,” Ms Conroy said.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, and we hope the next generation will step up to build on the legacy we’ve created.
“Thank you to the people of Wagga Wagga for opening your hearts to the rainbow community; we hope your hearts will always stay open and you continue to embrace diversity in all its forms.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
