Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Parade, Sydney
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
This year, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras will be incorporated into Sydney WorldPride 2023 – aka the largest LGBTIQIA+ event globally. Running from 17 February to 5 March, an exciting blockbuster program of more than 300 events will take place over 17 glorious summer days.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in 2019 - Credit: Jeffrey Feng
Mardi Gras Parade
In 2023, the Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford Street on 25 February, after two years at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The parade is the biggest event of the festival, featuring 12,500 marchers and over 200 floats.
There are free viewing areas all along Oxford Street, as well as premium viewing spaces and accessible viewing ticketed areas to view the spectacle from Hyde Park to Moore Park
Mardi Gras events
There are plenty of other events to enjoy across the city throughout the festival, including performing arts, comedy, films and talks.
Live and Proud is the Sydney WorldPride 2023 Opening Concert, held at The Domain on 24 February. Hosted by Casey Donovan and Courtney Act, the concert will feature some of Australia’s top singers and musicians and will kick off the festival.
Over 50,000 participants will take part in a Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 5 March. It will be the largest pride march to ever be held in Australia.
Bentstix Hockey Club, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2019, Sydney - Credit: Jeffrey Feng
The Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival will be celebrating its 30th year, running from 15 February to 2 March.
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert will take place at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on 2 March, featuring a rainbow explosion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait LGBTQIA+ artistry.
The festival will close with a huge party on Bondi Beach on 4 March.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, Sydney - Credit: Jeffrey Feng
Other key events include:
- WorldPride Arts: 17 February - 5 March
WorldPride Arts will feature over 60 individual experiences from theatre to contemporary art, dance, choirs, cabaret and literature.
The Station Newcastle will host an outdoor long table dinner like no other.
This is community sport on a rainbow scale, with over 20 different codes all holding free or low-cost games to participate in or watch.
This pool party held in the heart of the city at Ivy pool bar will get your heart pumping. With two featured dance spaces, a scorching DJ line-up plus Ibiza-style vocals and performances, this is one hot wrap up to summer you won’t want to miss.
The stunningly converted train sheds of Carriageworks will come alive with six nights of First Nations creativity.
Domain Dance Party will be the biggest LGBTQIA+ circuit event Australia has ever seen.
The largest LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Conference ever held in Asia-Pacific region at the ICC Sydney.
Throw on your best frock and feast your eyes on the campest event of the Festival, Kaftana Pool Party at the Ivy Pool Club
Off the back of three sold-out years, Laugh Out Proud is one of the most sought-after tickets of the festival calendar at the Enmore Theatre.
Witness the regal, the ravishing and the revolutionary battle it out at Sissy Ball. All will be unveiled as legendary houses from across the globe compete in Australia’s biggest vogue ball at Sydney Town Hall.
For a comprehensive list of all events, check out the
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Sydney's Oxford Street
Celebrate diversity with Mardi Gras
Montaigne
Hamish MacDonald
Nakkiah Lui
Simon Dunn
Benjamin Law
Mardi Gras 2019 parade highlights
Mardi Gras 2019 parade highlights
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Travel inspiration
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras FAQs
Where is Mardi Gras in Sydney?
Where is Mardi Gras in Sydney?
In 2023, Mardi Gras and SydneyWorldPride events are taking place all across the city, from Mardi Gras Fair Day in Victoria Park to the Opening Concert in the Domain. For more information, see a list of events here.
Meanwhile, the world-renowned Parade is returning to Oxford Street for the first time since 2020 in celebration of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ 45th anniversary.
What is the purpose of Mardi Gras?
What is the purpose of Mardi Gras?
Australia’s largest celebration of its diverse LGBTQIA+ communities, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brings a burst of colour and creativity to the city each year and represents equality. Above all, it’s a festival about love and diversity.
Is Sydney Mardi Gras free?
Is Sydney Mardi Gras free?
There are many events happening as part of Mardis Gras and Sydney WorldPride in 2023, and ticket prices may apply. For more information, see a list of events here.
The Parade can be watched from the free viewing areas on the street or in premium viewing spaces, which are ticketed.