Mardi Gras is back with a beautiful program

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is back baby. The 2021 program looks a little different, but organisers have still found a way to bring all the joy, colour, sparkle and unity Sydneysiders expect from the annual LGBTQIA+ celebration.

The crowning jewel of the festivities, the 43rd Mardi Gras Parade, won't be taking the usual path down Oxford Street. Instead, a ticketed event at the Sydney Cricket Ground will see a new look, crowd-controlled promenade of queer community groups.

Organisers made the tough decision to call off the beloved Mardi Gras Fair Day, which last year attracted over 80,000 people to Victoria Park for partying, picnicking, stalls and live music. Fair Day is slated to return in February 2022. But there’s plenty more events to take a dip into still. Oxford Street fills with colour for the super-sized two-week Oxtravaganza celebrations, and we spoke to some of Darlinghurst's colourful identities, including a drag queen super hero, about what to expect.

This year’s festival runs from February 19 to March 7 and we’re rounding up our fave picks of the Mardi Gras season below.

If you're coming from out of town, make sure to book yourself into one of the best hotels in Sydney. Need to have an ocean dip and even out that tan inbetween parties? Check out the best gay beaches in Sydney. 

Want to party right now? Head to these judgement-free queer pubs and clubs in Sydney.