The theme for this year’s Pride Festival is pretty straightforward: celebrating 10 years of Albany Pride Festival!

Although Albany Pride itself has existed since way back in 2011, our first Pride Festival here in the Albany/Kinjarling region took place way back in 2016. Ten years later, and for our tenth festival, it felt only right that this be a cause for celebration, and to commemorate all the triumphs (and tribulations!) that have lead us to being one of the most well-renowned and supported regional Pride Festivals in Australia.

“Ten years is a massive achievement, particularly for a regional Pride Festival,” says Millie Reid, the Pride Festival Coordinator, “It just felt right to celebrate that, and the Decade of Pride exhibition at the Town Hall gave us a reason to look back through our archives and past festivals to see the amazing journey we’ve all been on together alongside our local LGBTIQA+ community, the incredible talent we’ve got to work with, and of course, all of the people who have travelled from elsewhere to be part of the festival through the years, many of whom do it every single year.

“We’re all incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but what really stands out for me when looking back are the friendships, bonds, and connections that have been formed throughout the Pride Festivals that might not have existed otherwise. One of the most repeated bits of feedback we get year after year is about the strong sense of community that exists here, and how warm and welcoming they are.

“Those connections and friendships are so important – especially during times of political and social uncertainty.”

Over the past ten years, Albany Pride Festival has managed to bring a wide variety of performers and events to Albany/Kinjarling. Albany Pride Festival 2026 is no different – once again combing community events, parties, art, and sport into the lineup.

Alongside Festival favourites and staples such as Drag Bingo and the Fair Day in the Town Square, Albany Pride Festival will also bring a special double-exhibition to Albany Town Hall, featuring both the work of local artist, James BL Hollands, and his curated celebration of ten years of Albany Pride Festival, featuring artwork from the local community as well as items from our archives.

“It’s really surreal to look back at past festivals and see all the things we’ve put on and done over the years,” says Tiger Bird, Albany Pride’s media coordinator and designer for Albany Pride Festival, ”Especially when I think back to my teenage years growing up here – I never thought then that such a thing would exist, let alone that I’d have the immense pleasure of being part of making it happen!

“Of course, planning the Festival each year and making it happen is a lot of hard work, and each year by the end of it we’re all exhausted, but what also has stood out for me looking back is just how much fun we’ve had too, those amazing moments of celebration and achievement, and the lifelong friendships that come along with it.”

Albany Pride Festival will also bring the rainbows to the Rainbow Coast with a bright, colourful aesthetic: “Technicolour gems, (eco-friendly) glitter, and sparkle – that’s the design this year. It’s very Pride, it’s very us, it’s very 10 Years of Albany Pride Festival!”

Albany Pride Festival 2026 runs from the 19th February to the 3rd March, 2026. Tickets on sale now!

As always, Albany Pride Festival would like to thank all of our sponsors for Pride 2026. Albany Pride Festival 2026 is also a proud part of the Albany 2026 lineup.