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Updated June 12, 2024

Dates for the next event to be announced. Expired - February 16 - March 3, 2024

Fly south for the start of summer for The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and start the new year out right for Pride Weekend Sydney!

Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia

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The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, affectionately known as Mardi Gras, is a jubilant festival of LGBTQ+ pride, diversity, and empowerment that takes place annually in the dazzling city of Sydney, Australia. Dazzling costumes, flamboyant floats, and delightful music, all converging on the streets, creating a sensory explosion of joy and acceptance. It's like Willy Wonka's factory, but instead of chocolate, it's a bubbling cauldron of queerness!

History

Now, let's rewind the clock a bit and explore the origins of this exuberant celebration. It all started in the late 1970s when a group of brave souls, fueled by a fervent desire for equality and visibility, decided to organize a protest march to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York City. Little did they know that this act of defiance would lay the foundation for one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ events on the planet!

Fast forward to the present day, and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has evolved into a mammoth event spanning several weeks, brimming with a cornucopia of captivating activities with super special Pride Weekend Sydney!

Event Details

The festivities kick off with the famous Fair Day, a vibrant outdoor fair held in Victoria Park, where rainbow-clad revelers bask in the sun, revel in live performances, and explore a rainbow marketplace offering everything from mouth-watering food to unique LGBTQ+ merchandise.

But that's just the appetizer, my friends. The main course is the legendary Mardi Gras Parade, a dazzling procession of extravagant floats, eccentric costumes, and awe-inspiring choreography that snakes its way through the heart of Sydney. Imagine the Rio Carnival meeting Studio 54 on a glitter-coated dance floor – that's the level of fabulousness we're talking about here! If you are looking for hot spots around Sydney, check out these - The Bearded Tit, The Oxford, The Imperial Erskineville, Stonewall Hotel, ARQ, The Colombian Hotel, and Palms on Oxford. For you adventure seekers, the gay saunas are Aarows (also a cruise club), Sydney Sauna, and 357.

As the sun sets and the neon lights flicker to life, the parade transforms the city streets into a pulsating wonderland of pulsing beats and radiant energy. Thousands upon thousands of spectators line the sidewalks, cheering with delight as the parade illuminates the night with its treasure trove of colors. It's a visual feast for the eyes, a euphoric explosion of creativity, and a testament to the power of unity and self-expression. If you are looking for places to stay in town check out Airbnb spots or these hotels near the festivities - Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar, Meriton Suites World Tower, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, and Rydges Sydney Central.

Purpose

Mardi Gras isn't just about the glitz and glamour; it's a celebration with a purpose. Throughout its storied history, Mardi Gras has played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, inspiring social change, and challenging societal norms. It has given a platform to marginalized voices, highlighting the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, while simultaneously showcasing the beauty, resilience, and triumphs of its members.

Over the years, Mardi Gras has grown to encompass a diverse range of events, including thought-provoking panel discussions, captivating theater performances, mesmerizing art exhibitions, and toe-tapping dance parties that shake the city's foundations. It's a melting pot of cultures, ages, and identities, where everyone is welcome to embrace their true selves, dance with abandon, and share in the collective spirit of love and acceptance. So get ready to celebrate all your fabulousness with the LGBTQ+ community in Sydney.

Celebration - February 16 - March 3

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is the largest LGBTQ+ event of the year and festivities are over 3 weeks long and will be hosted around various parts of Sydney. The main areas of Sydney that will host many of the events will be - Darlinghurst (where many of the LGBTQ+ venues are located), Newtown, Surry Hills and Potts Point. The first Sunday of Mardi Gras will be Fair Day in Victoria Park, with over 80,000 people for a free, fun-filled celebration of yummy food, rides, market stalls, comedy performances, and live music to kick those heels up to. Weeks following there will be late dance night parties, pool events to lounge about, social gatherings, block parties and the massive Pride Parade on Oxford Street! Join in on all the fun and celebrate all the colors of the rainbow in Sydney with your fellow LGBTQ+ party-goers!

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Various
Sydney, New South Wales
Australia

reception@mardigrasarts.org.au

Local number
02 9383 0900
Dialing from abroad
+61 2 9383 0900


Crowd

  • 18+
  • Asexual
  • Bears
  • Bisexual
  • Drag
  • Gay
  • Intersex
  • Karaoke
  • Lesbian
  • Queer
  • Transgender

Music

  • Dance
  • DJ
  • EDM
  • Electropop
  • Hip Hop
  • House
  • Pop
  • R&B
  • Techno
  • Top 40

Dates & Hours

Dates for the next event to be announced. Expired - February 16 - March 3, 2024

Friday
February 16
 
 
Saturday
February 17
 
 
Sunday
February 18
 
 
Monday
February 19
 
 
Tuesday
February 20
 
 
Wednesday
February 21
 
 
Thursday
February 22
 
 

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