The Harbour City Bears, Sydney’s only social group for hairy gay men, admirers and friends, is excited to announce the return of the Bear Essentials for the 2025 Mardi Gras season!
This highly anticipated annual event is now in its 29th year! Set to take place from 16 February to 2 March, Bear Essentials brings together members of the bear community and LGBTQIA+ allies from across Australia and around the world for an unforgettable fortnight of fun, friendship, and celebration.
Bear Essentials 29 Key highlights of the Bear Essentials 2025 include:
• Fair Day Stall – A Mardi Gras favourite
• Fair Day After Party – The bears take over the Townie in Newtown
• Beach Days – With trips to both Little Congwong and Obelisk beaches
• Bearaoke – A friendly singalong with all your bear mates!
• Sauna Party – The bears take over Sauna X for sexy fun
• Bear Walk – See the tourist sights of Sydney with your bear guides
• Furry Fridays – Harbour City Bears regular Friday meetup, at the Oxford Hotel
• Harbour Cruise – Lunch on the harbour, with a stop at Obelisk Beach
• Hump Day – The middle event, at Harbour City Bears regular Sunday meetup at
the Townie
• Underbear XXX – Harbour City Bears steamy underwear party at Arq and Sauna X
• Games Night – A fun evening at the Alexandria Entertainment Precinct
• Wet Furr Pool Party – An unmissable body-positive pool-party at Cook & Phillip
Pool
• Mardi Gras Parade Entry – All the fun and fur you’ve come to expect
• Parade After Party – A special party for Harbour City Bears members and their
friends
• Farewell Bears – Closing out the festival at the Townie, to relax and recover with
your friends.
“We’re excited to bring Bear Essentials back for another year,” said Scott Ridley, President of the Harbour City Bears. “This festival is all about celebrating the diversity and strength of our community, from the unique personalities of each bear to the allies who support us. We’re taking it back to its roots, with fun for the whole bear community, rather than pandering to corporate sponsors.”
The festival is open to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, with special emphasis on celebrating the body-positive, inclusive, and joyful spirit of the bear subculture. Whether you are a local or visiting from abroad, Bear Essentials 29 promises to be an unmissable event for anyone who loves to embrace life, love, and pride.
Tickets went on sale to Harbour City Bears members on 15 December 2024, and to members of other bear clubs, as well as non-members on 20 December 2024.
For tickets, event details, and more information, please visit bearessentials.com.au
About Harbour City Bears Harbour City Bears is Sydney’s only community group for bears – hairy gay men – our admirers and friends. We hold over 140 events each year – with weekly socials, quarterly dance parties, regular dinners and other outings through the year culminating in our two annual festivals, Bear Essentials & Bear Pride. Currently we have over 1200 members making us the largest Bear association in the Southern Hemisphere, and possibly the largest in the world!
The proceeds from our events and fundraising are all invested back into the club or donated to the community charities that we support. In 2024/25 we are supporting Northcott.
Book Online Visit Website
