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<\/a><\/p>\nOrganiser:\u00a0Harbour City Bears Bear Pride \u2014 Sydney, NSW<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Harbour City Bears Southern HiBEARnation \u2014 Melbourne, VIC<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0VicBears Northern Exposure \u2014 Brisbane, QLD<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0BrisBears Western Roundup \u2014 Perth, WA<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Bears Perth Bearstock \u2014 Adelaide, SA<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Bear Men of Adelaide \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff New Zealand<\/p>\n Bear New Zealand Week \u2014 Auckland<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Bear New Zealand Big Bear Weekend \u2014 Christchurch<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Bears Christchurch \ud83c\udf0f Asia<\/p>\n Bangkok Songkran Bear Week \u2014 Bangkok, Thailand<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Multiple organisers including gCircuit Mr Bear Singapore \u2014 Singapore<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Bearism (event and party organiser for Singapore\u2019s LGBTQ+ bear community) Rainbow Bear Pool Party \u2014 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n Organiser:\u00a0Buff Tokyo (linktr.ee\/bufftyo)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Late February\/early March (during Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras season; running since 1995)
What to expect:\u00a0Sydney\u2019s premier bear festival. Events include the iconic UnderBear underwear night, movie screenings, a Bear Picnic, beach outings at Sydney\u2019s gay nude beach, dance parties, and community gatherings \u2014 all themed around that year\u2019s creative concept (2026 theme:\u00a0Cruising). With over 1,300 members, Harbour City Bears is the largest bear association in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hyperlink: https:\/\/bearessentials.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0August (cooler months; five days Thursday\u2013Sunday in Darlinghurst & Newtown)
What to expect:\u00a0A week-long celebration with a welcome function, the Mr Harbour City Bear Competition, the Bear Pit dance party, and plenty of time to explore the city. One of Australia\u2019s most popular gay bear festivals, drawing visitors from around the world.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0June (2026 dates: June 6\u201314)
What to expect:\u00a0Officially the largest standalone bear week in the Southern Hemisphere, this 7+ day festival features 10+ events including big dance parties, casual barbecues, free afternoon film screenings, hearty lunches, educational workshops, and the prestigious\u00a0Mr Australasia Bear Competition. Bears from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond attend.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0October (typically the last 10 days of October)
What to expect:\u00a0Brisbane\u2019s celebration of bear culture and community. Events include a Meet & Greet, Dinner & Show, Barefoot Bowls, Bingo, the\u00a0Polar Bear Pool Party, the Underbear underwear party, and a farewell afternoon at The Brunswick with live entertainment and guest DJs. The flagship event is the\u00a0Mr Bear Queensland Competition, with the winner going on to represent at Southern HiBEARnation.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0September (King\u2019s Birthday long weekend \u2014 next edition September 2026)
What to expect:\u00a0A five-day celebration featuring Burgers & Trivia Night, the Growl UnderBear underwear-only dance party, and the\u00a0Mr Bear Perth Competition\u00a0\u2014 a three-round contest where the winner represents Bears Perth at the Mr Australasia Bear Competition in Melbourne. Open to the wider queer community and proudly inclusive of all genders for some events.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0November (held during the Adelaide Feast Festival, SA\u2019s LGBTIQ+ cultural festival)
What to expect:\u00a0A week-long festival celebrating bear lifestyle and culture through art, theatre, music, and spoken word. Bears from around Australia converge on South Australia to make new friends and enjoy the city. Unique in the calendar for its strong arts and culture focus.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Early February (coincides with Auckland Pride; 2026 dates: February 5\u20138)
What to expect:\u00a0Now in its 15th+ edition, the week kicks off with the\u00a0Mr New Zealand Bear Competition, followed by the signature\u00a0Tri-Nations annual party, a beach party, the Wet Fur Party (a sauna event), and a farewell brunch. It draws bears from across New Zealand and internationally.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Annual (specific dates vary)
What to expect:\u00a0Bears Christchurch hosts regular monthly events plus this annual flagship weekend gathering for the South Island bear community.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0April (coincides with Thailand\u2019s Songkran (Thai New Year) Festival)
What to expect:\u00a0One of Asia\u2019s largest bear events. Highlights include electrifying parties with international DJs, the iconic\u00a0Big Oasis Bear Pool Party, the\u00a0Mr Bear International Competition, foam parties, club nights, Songkran water fights, and gogobear performances. The blend of Thai cultural festivities with bear celebration makes it uniquely vibrant.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0November\/December annually (2025 edition held November 29, 2025)
What to expect:\u00a0Singapore\u2019s biggest celebration of bear culture. The night features the\u00a0Mr Bear Singapore Competition\u00a0with bold performances and rounds of competition, a pool party, live entertainment, gogos, lucky draws, voting for contestants, and an afterparty. Presented as \u201cfor Bears, by Bears, with Bears.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Periodic throughout the year (editions held in summer\/autumn)
What to expect:\u00a0Tokyo\u2019s bear community gathers for this inclusive poolside party featuring music, dancing, fun activities, and a welcoming atmosphere. The event has grown as part of Tokyo\u2019s bear scene, centred around the Shinjuku Nichome LGBTQ+ district<\/p>\n