LGBT* Weddings, Events & Travel brings together my published writing on inclusive weddings, Pride and community events, travel, destinations and celebrations. From national event guides and wedding planning to regional Pride festivals and inclusive destination experiences, this collection explores the people, places and stories shaping diverse celebrations and travel.
Some were originally published through Weekend Notes, Substack and under the Zahra Sahara writing handle.
Latest from LGBT Weddings + Events
Global Pride Calendar 2026: Month-by-Month LGBTQ+ Events Around the World
From major Pride festivals and parades to regional celebrations and cultural events, this global calendar highlights LGBTQ+ events taking place around the world throughout 2026. Designed for travellers, couples and Pride communities, it offers inspiration for planning international trips around some of the year’s biggest celebrations.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/global-pride-calendar-2026-monthbymonth-lgbtq-events-around-the-world/
Shaping the Future of LGBTQ+ Travel: Inclusive Tourism, Safety and Belonging
LGBTQ+ travel is increasingly shaped by more than destinations alone, with safety, inclusion, representation and belonging influencing where people choose to visit. This feature explores the evolving inclusive-tourism landscape and why genuinely welcoming travel experiences matter to LGBTQ+ travellers, couples and communities.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/shaping-the-future-of-lgbtqplus-travel-inclusive-tourism-safety-and-belonging/
What’s On LGBTIQA+ Australia: September 2026 – Weddings, Events, Pride & Travel
September brings Pride festivals, ballroom culture, Bi Visibility celebrations, wedding expos and community events across Australia. This national guide brings together confirmed LGBT* events, inclusive wedding-planning ideas and destination inspiration for couples, travellers, friends, families and allies throughout September 2026.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/whats-on-lgbtiqa-australia-september-2026-weddings-events-pride-travel/
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Pride, Festivals & Community Events
Feast Festival 2025
Adelaide’s annual Feast Festival celebrates LGBT* arts, culture, community and creativity through performances, parties, visual arts, cabaret, theatre and social events. The festival brings together local and visiting artists while creating spaces for connection, visibility and celebration across South Australia.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/feast-festival-2025/
Tropical Fruits: Space Cadets New Year’s Eve Festival
2024 – 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Tropical Fruits, the long-running Northern Rivers LGBT* community organisation known for spectacular parties, creative themes and welcoming festival experiences. Space Cadets combines music, performance, costumes and community celebration for a colourful New Year event in regional New South Wales.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/tropical-fruits-space-cadets-new-years-eve-festival/
Southern Pride March and Family Fun Day Celebration
Southern Pride brings community members, families, friends and allies together for a colourful celebration of LGBT* visibility and inclusion. Combining a Pride march with a relaxed family fun day, the event creates an accessible community space for connection, entertainment and celebration.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/southern-pride-march-and-family-fun-day-celebration/
Rainbow Festival 2026
Rainbow Festival 2026 brings LGBT* communities and allies together through entertainment, creativity, connection and Pride. The event offers an inclusive celebration where people can gather, support community visibility and enjoy a diverse program of activities and performances.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/rainbow-festival-2026/
Victoria’s 2026 Melbourne & Regional Pride Festivals: LGBTQIA+ Events Guide
From Melbourne’s major Pride celebrations to regional festivals across Victoria, this guide brings together LGBT* events taking place throughout 2026. Explore Pride festivals, community gatherings, arts and cultural events while discovering celebrations beyond Melbourne’s best-known queer precincts.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/victorias-2026-melbourne-regional-pride-festivals-lgbtqia-events-guide/
Victoria Pride Events 2026: The Biggest LGBTQIA+ Events Across Victoria
Victoria’s LGBT* events calendar extends well beyond one festival season, with Pride celebrations, arts events, regional gatherings and community experiences taking place across the state. This guide highlights some of Victoria’s biggest and most interesting LGBT* events for 2026.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/victoria-pride-events-2026-the-biggest-lgbtqia-events-across-victoria/
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival 2026
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras transforms the city with weeks of Pride, performance, parties, community events and cultural celebrations. From major headline events to smaller community experiences, the 2026 festival showcases Sydney’s LGBT* culture while welcoming visitors from across Australia and around the world.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/sydney-gay-and-lesbian-mardi-gras-festival-2026-323478/
Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day 2026
Fair Day is one of Sydney Mardi Gras’ most loved community events, bringing thousands of people together for a relaxed day of entertainment, food, stalls, performances and Pride. It offers a welcoming festival atmosphere for LGBT* communities, families, friends and allies.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/sydney-mardi-gras-fair-day-2026/
Mardi Gras 2026: LGBTQIA+ Sport, Celebrations and Inclusive Events Across Sydney
Sydney’s Mardi Gras season extends beyond parties and parades, with sport, community activities and inclusive events happening across the city. This guide explores additional ways locals and visitors can participate in Sydney’s LGBT* celebrations during Mardi Gras 2026.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/mardi-gras-2026-lgbtqia-sport-celebrations-and-inclusive-events-across-sydney/
Mary’s Poppin 10th Birthday Bash – Adelaide
Adelaide’s iconic queer venue Mary’s Poppin celebrates ten years with a birthday bash, bringing together drag, music, nightlife and the energetic atmosphere that has made it a favourite part of the city’s LGBT* entertainment scene.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/marys-poppin-10th-birthday-bash-adelaide/
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Weddings, Venues & Celebrations
Rosado Weddings & Functions – Barossa Valley
Set among the landscapes of South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Rosado offers a regional setting for weddings, functions and special celebrations. The venue combines destination appeal with flexible event spaces, making it an option for couples looking beyond traditional city wedding locations.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/rosado-weddings-functions-barossa-valley/
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LGBT* Travel, Destinations & Places
The Bank Hotel – Newtown
Located in the heart of Newtown, The Bank Hotel is part of one of Sydney’s most diverse and LGBT*-friendly neighbourhoods. Combining dining, drinks, nightlife and an inner-west location close to King Street, it offers an easy meeting place for locals and visitors exploring Sydney’s alternative cultural scene.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/the-bank-hotel-newtown/
Qtopia Sydney
Qtopia Sydney is Australia’s dedicated centre for queer history and culture, preserving and sharing stories from the LGBT* community through exhibitions, education and public programming. Located in Darlinghurst, it offers visitors an opportunity to explore the people, activism and experiences that have shaped queer Australia.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/qtopia-sydney/
Australia Ranks 2nd Safest Country in the World for 2026 Travel
Australia’s strong international safety ranking provides another perspective for travellers considering where to visit in 2026. This feature explores the findings of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s global safety research and what Australia’s ranking may mean for domestic and international travellers.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/australia-ranks-2nd-safest-country-in-the-world-for-2026-travel-berkshire-hathaway-global-safety-report/
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LGBT* Arts, Culture, History & Entertainment
Bob Downe: Choose Bob
40 Ridiculous Years
Thebarton Theatre
Australian entertainment icon Bob Downe celebrates four decades of comedy, music and wonderfully over-the-top performance with Choose Bob. The anniversary show brings the much-loved character back to the stage for an evening of nostalgia, camp humour and theatrical entertainment.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/bob-downe-choose-bob-40-ridiculous-years-at-thebarton-theatre/
Australian Open
Theatre Works
Presented at Melbourne’s Theatre Works, Australian Open explores identity, relationships and contemporary Australian life through queer storytelling and performance. The production adds another dimension to Melbourne’s diverse independent theatre scene while bringing LGBT* stories to the stage.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/australian-open-at-theatre-works/
Australia Ranks 2nd Safest Country in the World for 2026 Travel
Australia’s strong international safety ranking provides another perspective for travellers considering where to visit in 2026. This feature explores the findings of Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s global safety research and what Australia’s ranking may mean for domestic and international travellers.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/australia-ranks-2nd-safest-country-in-the-world-for-2026-travel-berkshire-hathaway-global-safety-report/
Perfect Arrangement
New Theatre
Set against the pressures of mid-century America, Perfect Arrangement explores secrecy, identity, relationships and the consequences of living in a society where LGBT* people were forced to hide important parts of their lives. New Theatre’s production combines social history with sharp comedy and compelling character drama.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/perfect-arrangement-new-theatre/
Oxford Street’s Iconic LGBTQIA+ Venues Move Toward Heritage Protection
Sydney’s Oxford Street has played a defining role in Australia’s LGBT* history, nightlife and community identity. This article explores moves to recognise and protect the cultural significance of iconic queer venues and the importance of preserving the stories embedded within Sydney’s famous rainbow precinct.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/oxford-streets-iconic-lgbtqia-venues-move-toward-heritage-protection/
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LGBT* Business and Community
Intrinsic Mind Holistic Health and Wellness
Intrinsic Mind Holistic Health and Wellness is an inclusive wellbeing business owned by a married lesbian couple, offering a supportive space focused on holistic health, relaxation and personal wellbeing. The business reflects the importance of visible LGBT* ownership and inclusive service environments within the broader community.
Read More → weekendnotes.com/intrinsic-mind-holistic-health-and-wellness/