After nearly a decade of sold-out events in London, the UK’s leading pop and queer culture festival, Mighty Hoopla, will make its international debut on Australian shores next year. The festival, known for celebrating freedom, inclusivity, and queer joy, will transform Bondi Beach on Saturday, 21 February 2026, marking its first expansion beyond British borders.
London’s beloved queer festival Mighty Hoopla makes its international leap to Bondi Beach in 2026, bringing its celebration of inclusivity down under.
Pop sensation Kesha has been confirmed as the headline act, following her triumphant performance at the London event earlier in 2025. Festival attendees can expect to hear chart-topping hits including “Tik Tok,” “We R Who We R,” and “Joyride” when she takes the stage at the iconic Sydney beach location.
The full lineup promises a robust mix of pop icons, drag performers, DJs, and queer party collectives drawn from both the UK and Australia. Festival co-founder Jamie Tagg has expressed great excitement about bringing the beloved event to Australia for the first time.
Mighty Hoopla’s founder, Glyn Fussell, cited a personal connection to Australia, describing it as his “second home” and crediting the country for playing a significant role in his queer identity development. The festival aims to bring what Fussell characterized as “joy, chaos, and the campest day” of celebration to Sydney’s vibrant LGBTQI community.
Tickets for the event will become available to the general public on 23 October 2025, with presales beginning one day earlier. General admission prices start at AUD $169.90 plus booking fees, while VIP passes will cost approximately AUD $299.90 plus fees.
The organizers have also announced discounted tickets at AUD $99.90 plus fees for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and eligible concession holders. Performers will have opportunities to expand their artistic development through this international platform while connecting with new audiences.
Since its 2016 launch in South London, Mighty Hoopla has established itself as the UK’s “most inclusive festival,” featuring past performances by artists like Nelly Furtado, Sugababes, and TLC. The festival has built a strong reputation on the international pop circuit for nearly a decade before making this Australian expansion.
The selection of Bondi Beach as the festival’s Australian home reinforces its themes of freedom and joy while providing accessible metropolitan location for attendees. The expansion represents a significant cross-cultural bridge between UK and Australian queer and pop culture communities. Artists performing at the festival stand to benefit from multiple revenue streams, including merchandise sales and potential licensing opportunities for their music.
