Big Gay Out

Curating joy, unity and authenticity with a rainbow-soaked, curiosity-driven extravaganza

Client:

The Burnett Foundation

The brief

The Big Gay Out is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s Pride Month, anchored by the iconic Big Gay Out festival. We were asked to elevate the experience with dynamic activations, seamless event management, and heartfelt community connections.

Our curious spark

How do you take an established event and make it even more meaningful (and to do so year on year)? We embraced the spirit of curiosity — quite fittingly, given the event — to conceptualise immersive, joy-filled experiences that didn’t just entertain, but also educated and connected the LGBTQIA+ community in an authentic and memorable way.
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Why this celebration matters

The Big Gay Out is much more than a festival — it’s a symbol of love, pride, and inclusivity. With over 15,000 attendees, the event is a platform for the rainbow community to come together and celebrate their identity. Our challenge was to ensure every element of this year’s festival — from partner activations to the parade —  reflected the wonderful joy and authenticity of this community.

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Activating curiosity and creativity

Transform the festival into a playground of interactive experiences - engaging attendees while amplifying corporate partners’ support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

For the fourth consecutive year, we brought the Big Gay Out festival to life — handling everything from logistics to partner activations. Key highlights included:

An inclusive space offering free sodas, epic prizes, and a guest appearance by comedian Karen O’Leary.

Big Gay Dance Party featuring performances from RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Anita Wig’lit and Rita Menu alongside DJs and drag acts.

We designed and executed the Burnett Foundation’s float — complete with a photobooth that displayed attendees’ beaming faces on the parade’s big screen.
A line of colourful shapes

Our curious crew at work

Every element of the Big Gay Out was crafted to embody and embrace joy, unity, and authenticity. By collaborating with corporate partners who genuinely supported the rainbow community, we ensured the event resonated with attendees and amplified its message of inclusivity.

Proof that curiosity pays off

Record-breaking attendance

Over 15,000 guests celebrated at the Big Gay Out.

Engaged partners

Collaborations with brands like Durex, ANZ, and Southern Cross brought meaningful activations to life.

Community Impact

The event fostered a sense of belonging and pride, creating unforgettable moments for attendees.

Lessons in curiosity

This campaign demonstrated the power of creating authentic, inclusive experiences. By asking, “How can we amplify joy and unity for the LGBTQIA+ community?” we created an event that celebrated & applauded individuality while also strengthening community bonds.

See all our work

See all our work

See all our work

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Curious? Us too.

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