Always Proud Exhibition
17 February - 5 March
Box Office Lounge and Bennelong Passage
To celebrate Sydney Opera House's rich LGBTIQ+ history, the Box Office Lounge and Bennelong Passage are being transformed into an immersive exhibition that honours and celebrates the stories and contributions of local and international LGBTIQ+ luminaries.
Built on Tubowgule, a Gadigal meeting place for millennia, the Sydney Opera House has provided a stage for the conversations that matter. While the politicians argued among themselves about family values, we set to work creating the world we wanted to see, confident in the power of culture to bring us together. From those very first days, we put queer stories centre stage. Every voice was welcome and every voice was heard. From Les Girls to Bob Downe, Margaret Cho to Hannah Gadsby, Club Kooky to Club Swizzle, here was a platform for belonging and acceptance and community.
In 2018, the first Opera House Mardi Gras float was launched in the festival’s 40th anniversary parade, a nod to our enduring connection with the LGBTIQ+ communities of Sydney. We’re deepening this connection every day, the doors forever open to our extended rainbow family of artists, audiences, visitors and staff.
COVID-19 safety information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We encourage you to wear a mask in indoor settings or when physical distancing can’t be maintained, and please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
This is a free event Running from 17 Feb - 5 March
Open daily for general public access
This exhibition is wheelchair accessible
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
This exhibition is recommended for all ages
Always Proud is a family friendly exhibition for all ages to enjoy
Inspiring positive change
For fifty years, the Opera House has been providing a stage for diverse voices, creating space for conversations that matter and opening up the Opera House to more of the community.
As a meeting place for inspiration, pride and the endless pursuit of extraordinary, we are helping to build the world we wanted to see, confident in the power of culture to bring us together.
Our diversity, inclusion and belonging vision is that the Sydney Opera House – who we are and everything we do – reflects and respects the diversity of the community. As we celebrate with activities that represent our city at its best – diverse, equal, inclusive, joyous – we are taking actions for Gender Equality (Goal 5) and Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10) as part of our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) to build a more equitable, sustainable and fairer future.
Pride over the years
Pride over the years
Click to see images
Are you a COVID Safe business?
Yes. The Opera House is registered as a COVID Safe business with the NSW Government.
What safety and hygiene measures are in place?
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. Our COVID-19 health and safety information is available on the Plan your visit page.
Do I need to be vaccinated to visit the Sydney Opera House?
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Am I required to wear a mask?
Face masks are strongly recommended for all patrons while inside our theatres and foyers, including during a performance and on a tour. Please bring your own mask.
Do I need to book in advance?
No, this is a free event and you can openly walk through the exhibition without booking in advance.
What are the transport options to the Opera House?
You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a 6 minute walk to the Opera House. If you’re getting dropped off in a car, head to the roundabout at the bottom of Macquarie Street where staff will direct you to a safe place to pull over.
Driving? Park in Wilson’s Car Park, you’re just minutes to your tour meeting point. Need a bit more info? Click here
What should I wear?
So long as you’re wearing shoes and a shirt, whatever you like. We’re pretty informal here at the Opera House. There’s no real dress code for tours, so you’ll fit right in with casual attire.
Will the building works at the Opera House affect the tour?
You'll notice that Sydney Opera House has building works underway around the precinct. These works will not impact your visit, it's business as usual!
Do ensure that you arrive at the Sydney Opera House at least 15 minutes before your tour to allow sufficient time to cloak any bags and personal belongings.
For more information head to the Renewal pages.
Where is the exhibition located?
The Box Office Lounge is located on level 1 of the Opera House and Bennelong Passage is located near the top of the escalators beneath the Monumental Steps. Both locations will be showcasing the exhibition.
Celebrate WorldPride
Mo’Ju & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: Sydney WorldPride 2023
21 Feb 2023
Award-winning artist Mo’Ju joins forces with the Sydney Symphony in a special Sydney WorldPride 2023 event.
Pride Tour
24 Feb 2023
Join us for a bespoke Archie Rose cocktail and a fabulous trip down memory lane looking at the iconic LGBTIQ+ peformance and moments from the past 50 years.
Opera Up Late
18 Feb 2023 - 23 Feb 2023
Celebrate Sydney WorldPride with a night of queer romance, drag and the world’s favourite opera music.
