Running from November 27 to December 1, the Poz Vibe Tribe & GCN World AIDS Day Festival 2025 is set to make history. As the first of its kind, this powerful, five-day programme is a vibrant blend of remembrance, bold celebration, and vital HIV awareness. The festival is built not just on raising awareness, but on celebrating the resilience and commitment of the community, with proceeds going to support GCN, Ireland’s national free LGBTQ+ media.

Thursday, November 27

Friends Remembering Friends
Saint Andrews Centre | 12pm
The World AIDS Day Festival kicks off with a remembrance event hosted by the Quilts Group at Saint Andrews Centre in Rialto, Dublin 8. Starting at 12pm, Friends Remembering Friends provides a poignant space to honour the lives of friends, family, and community members we have lost. The event is free and will also coincide with a special episode of the Poz Vibe Podcast with Catherine, Phyllis and Terri – the amazing women behind the Quilts Group. 

U=U t-shirt launch at The Grá
The Grá | 7pm to 9pm
Queer-owned apparel shop The Grá is launching a brand new t-shirt in collaboration with the Poz Vibe Tribe and Irish drag artist Lavender. The new t-shirt will sport the messaging U=U, standing for ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’, a global campaign that raises awareness about how someone with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to a sexual partner. The launch will be hosted by the Poz Vibe Tribe and Lavender herself, with DJ Manwelli making a special appearance to treat attendees to some queer bangers.

Friday, November 28

Strike a Poz
The George | 7pm to 9pm
Hosted by HIVIP Regina George, Strike a Poz is a special photoshoot in one of Dublin’s most iconic queer venues, The George. Club-goers are invited to take the stage for a live photoshoot, capturing moments of confidence and celebration, as well as the coveted cover of the December issue of GCN. Photographer extraordinaire Babs Daly will be shooting live, giving everyone an exciting behind-the-scenes look at how a GCN cover photoshoot comes together. Music will be provided by the amazing DJ Karen. Plus, the wonderful team at The Grá will also be at the venue, ready to provide t-shirts for those who’d like to don the powerful U=U messaging for the photoshoot.

Poz Vibe Tribe pop-up at Tropical Popical
Tropical Popical, South William Street | 3pm to 5pm
One of Dublin’s most beloved nail salons, Tropical Popical, will host a pop-up HIV Awareness Hub, providing a welcoming – and fabulous! – space for HIV testing. As you eye up a fresh set of nails, take a moment to know your status and learn more about HIV at this event geared towards women.

Saturday, November 29

P.Shirts pop up at Queer Hawk
Queer Hawk, Liffey Street | 2pm to 6pm
Featuring a very special market run by the wonderful duo behind P.Shirts, Ciaran and Luis, this HIV Awareness Hub aims to fight stigma and uplift the community of people living with HIV in Ireland. Taking over the Queer Hawk location in Liffey Street, this event will include refreshments and, of course, positive vibes.

99 Red Balloons
Pennylane | 9pm
A one-of-a-kind night to dive deep into the queer pop of the 80s and 90s, 99 Red Balloons is a World AIDS Day event featuring none other than Queen of Ireland and HIVIP Panti Bliss and legendary DJ Dizzy. Join them at iconic Dublin bar Pennylane to dance together to the music of those years.

HIVIP Charity Kase at Mother
Lost Lane | 11pm
Mother and Poz Vibe Tribe are teaming up for a spectacular celebration of all the Poz People in our community, with a very special guest. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star and HIVIP Charity Kase will be on the decks, ready to have revellers dance HIV stigma away. Doors open at 11pm, with regular Mother admission at the door.

Sunday, November 30

Bingo with Shirley Temple Bar & friends feat. HIVIP Tailor Maid Colby
The George | 8.30pm
On the Sunday of our World AIDS Day Festival, the beloved Sunday night Bingo at The George, hosted by the incredible Shirley Temple Bar with mother of Poz Vibe Tribe, Veda, will feature a very special HIVIP guest: Belfast drag queen Tailor Maid Colby. Get ready to play the game and win big, all while raising awareness and fighting back against stigma.

Monday, December 1

Out of Shadows – A World AIDS Day film premiere
MacNeill Theatre, Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin | 7pm 
On World AIDS Day, Poz Vibe Tribe and GCN, in partnership with Trinity’s LGBT+ Staff Network, present the premiere of Out of Shadows, a poignant short film by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Pradeep Mahadeshwar. This powerful short documentary spotlights the experiences of immigrants living with HIV in Ireland, bringing important, underrepresented stories to the forefront. The event will be opened by a special set by DJ Manwelli. Following the screening, a panel discussion will be chaired by Poz Vibe hosts and HIV activists Robbie Lawlor and Veda, who will lead a conversation with the film’s actors and director, Pradeep Mahadeshwar. To mark the occasion, Trinity College will also light the front of its historic buildings red in a powerful display of solidarity and support. This is a ticketed event, with proceeds going to support GCN. Grab your tickets here.

Out of Shadows Afterparty
Street 66 | 9pm
After the film screening, participants are invited to head to iconic Dublin bar Street 66 for some drinks and to chat about the film, with special themed cocktails on arrival for movie goers. And, for those who can’t resist the call of music, DJ Manwelli will have people dancing their hearts out at the venue.

This event is made possible by our kind sponsors Man2Man and the Boiler House. A big thank you also goes to our supporters: Gay Health Network, Dublin Pride, Mother, Outhouse, Pantibar, Pennylane, P.Shirts, Queer Hawk, Queer Spectrum Film Festival, Saint Andrew’s, Street 66, The George, Trinity College and Tropical Popical.