It’s that time of year again—get ready to paint the town rainbow in celebration of our LGBTQIA+ brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings because Mardi Gras Sydney 2022 is almost upon us!
For those who don’t know, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is an annual celebration held in Sydney that spans a little over two weeks. During this time, expect the most fabulous activities and festivities leading up to the epic grand finale: the Mardi Gras Parade!
If you’re keen to join the biggest and most colourful celebration in town, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the lowdown on everything related to Mardi Gras Sydney—from dates, venues, and events—for your hassle-free experience:
1. What is Mardi Gras?
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade has been held since 1978. Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagram
Mardi Gras Sydney, also known as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, is an annual celebration for and by the LGBTQIA+ community. It celebrates diversity, love, unity, and equality with a splash of colours all over the city!
The festival spans a couple of weeks, with various events to look forward to throughout. It usually kicks off with Fair Day, which involves parties, picnics, and live music. The grand finale is the Mardi Gras Parade, which has all the sparkle and pizzazz befitting one of the largest festivals in the world!
This year, the festival adapts the theme UNITED WE SHINE to show that the LGBTQIA+ community and allies shine brighter when banded together.
2. Where is Mardi Gras in Sydney?
With events usually attended by up to 80,000 people, Mardi Gras Sydney is one of the largest festivals in the world! Image credits @annmariecalilhanna on Instagram
The entire Mardi Gras Sydney celebration has numerous events held in various locations throughout the city. The two main events, namely Fair Day and the Mardi Gras Parade, will be held at Victoria Park and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), respectively.
Organisers have agreed that SCG is the best location that will allow the Parade to carry on safely despite the COVID status in March. The lovely people behind Mardi Gras prioritize the health and safety of everyone, as the events bring people from all over Australia and the world.
3. What date is Mardi Gras in 2022?
See rainbows galore during all festivities! Image credits @annmariecalilhanna on Instagram
Mardi Gras Sydney will officially start on the 18th of February (Friday), but there will be events held as early as the 17th. The Parade will be held on the 5th of March (Sunday), while the entire festival will culminate on the 6th of March (Monday).
4. What do you do at Mardi Gras Sydney?
Aside from the two main events, a good deal of them throughout the festival celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. There’s something for everybody: art lovers, history buffs, foodies, and more! Here are the phenomenal events you can’t miss:
- Living History Walk
Date | 17th February |
|---|---|
Location | Victoria Park |
Cost | Free |
Brush up on your queer history on the Living History Walk. Led by a distinguished queer historian and author, explore Kings Cross and Darlinghurst and discover their queer history from the 1920s to the 1970s.
- The Glittering Mile
You can also expect retail offerings, history talks and walks, art exhibitions, and more exciting activities during the Glittering Mile! Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagram
Date | 17th February - 6th March |
Location | Kings Cross |
Cost | Free |
Experience the party that started it all: The Glittering Mile! In 1978, this party turned into a protest on Darlinghurst Road, and we can trace the history of Mardi Gras to that moment. Now, we celebrate it with all the glitz and glam at the Cross with cabaret shows, alfresco dining, and cocktail dens.
- Progress Pride Flag Raising - 18th February
Date | 18th February |
Location | Sydney Town Hall |
Cost | Free |
What’s a Pride Festival without a pride flag? The Progress Pride flag raising marks the Mardi Gras Festival season. The flag will fly in Sydney Town Hall, one of the city's most iconic buildings, as a symbol of this year’s theme: UNITED WE SHINE.
- Fair Day - 20th February
he people behind Mardi Gras have been working with NSW Health so everyone can join Fair Day as safely as possible! Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagram
Date | 20th February |
Location | Victoria Park |
Cost | Free |
A marquee event of the whole festival is Fair Day, which was notably absent in 2021 due to the pandemic. However, this year, it’s back with a bang, so expect the usual (partying, picnicking, live music, and more) during the Mardi Gras Sydney Fair Day!
- POPCHOPS Sydney
Date | 25th February |
Location | The Imperial Erskineville |
Cost | AUD 25 |
Dance your heart out on the hippest queer dance party in town: POPCHOPS Sydney! Grab your flashiest bedazzled outfits and enter pop-disco heaven with your LGBTQIA+ brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings.
- Queer Art After Hours - 2nd March
Two superb performers at the steps of the Art Gallery of NSW. Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagra
Date | 2nd March |
Location | Art Gallery of NSW |
Cost | Free |
Queer Art After Hours is finally back after two years! This special event in Mardi Gras Sydney showcases the best immersive art experiences, music, and performances from talented LGBTQIA+ artists.
- The Future of Queering in Architecture
Date | 3rd March |
Location | Online |
Cost | Free |
The Future of Queering in Architecture is an event you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Learn from The Gender Equity Transformation team (GET) of the Australian Institute of Architects on this one-of-a-kind panel that talks about contemporary design methods and their spatial implications
- 2022 Picnic
Picnic celebrates the community and gives everyone a chance to support local businesses! Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagram
Date | 4th-6th March |
Location | Surry Hills |
Cost | Free |
Picnic is also an annual Mardi Gras Sydney staple. The 2022 Picnic will be all about local businesses, great food, drinks, and entertainment the community enjoys. You can either get food from participating merchants at the venue or grab takeaway so you and your friends can picnic at a local park.
- 2022 Live at the Mill
Date | 5th March |
Location | The Mill, Dapto Leagues Club |
Cost | Free |
2022 Live at the Mill is a live screening party at the Mill—a well-loved local dining destination in Dapto. There might also be pubs and bars that will offer free live screenings, so make sure to watch out for them, too!
Want to know what else you can do in Sydney at night? Check out our top picks:
- Mardi Gras Parade
The Mardi Gras Parade is an epic culmination of all the glitz and glam mixed with activism. Image credits @sydneymardigras on Instagram
Date | 5th March |
Location | Sydney Cricket Grounds |
Cost | AUD 10 |
The Mardi Gras Sydney Parade is one of the most significant and glamorous events for the LGBTQIA+ community. Watch as thousands upon thousands of marchers prove that when united, we shine! Bring your pride flag and don’t miss out on the most fabulous display of queer creativity through the costumes, glittering floats, and other parade spectacles.
- Sandy Bottoms - Gone Bush
Date | 6th March |
Location | Marrickville Bowling Club |
Cost | Free |
Join Sandy Bottom, beloved Drag Queen Celebrant, and her drag superstar friends and “go bush” together on this not-so-ordinary “camping trip”/ disco party! Enjoy the famous “Poof Bowling” as you tap to the beat of the music and get your bbq meat tray raffle ticket to help raise money for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Planning to explore more of the Emerald City during Mardi Gras Sydney? Here are all of the fun things to do in Sydney for friends, mates, and couples:
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