Sydney’s sequin stores are rapidly running out of stock, which can mean only one thing: the city’s sparkliest night is just around the corner, The 48th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will take over the city on Saturday, February bringing inclusive joy to Oxford Street and beyond.
Although it's a guaranteed good time to be up close and personal at the parade, you don’t strictly need to be on Oxford Street to get amongst the Mardi magic. The rainbow will be shining all over Sydney, and there are plenty of venues throwing parties where you can watch the ABC’s live parade coverage on a big screen in the evening, and dance away into the small hours with DJs, drag stars and queer performers.
Ready to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride? These are the best parties popping up across the city on the big weekend (you can learn more about the full program over here).
Need somewhere to recover? These are the best cafés in Sydney, and these are our fave yum cha spots in the city.
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As always, Oxford Street superclub Universal will be turing up the volume for a huge parade after party, with tickets available to book in advance and a limited amount available on the night (depending on capacity). There’s loads more inclusive fun happening throughout the week at Universal, see here.
The Heaps Gay Mardi Gras party is an institution. From 9pm on parade day, the University of Sydney's Manning Bar transforms into a colourful mega-venue, with multiple stages and an consistently exceptional line-up. Find out more and score tix over here.
Another Inner West option: Vic On The Pardi Gras is back for 2026 – free-to-attend alfresco fun. Details over here.
The Courthouse Hotel's Taylor Square location puts it firmly in the heart of the action for pre- and post-parade fun. $10 entry will score you access to all the glittery action – you can learn more over here.
This super central, cocktail-fuelled fiesta just off Taylor Square will give you an incredible view of the parade, so it's the one to book if you're in it for the spectacle. Info and tickets over here.
Ace Hotel’s glittering MG program culminates with the return of Mince x Ace Hotel Sydney OpenAir laneway party, which will bring House of Mince’s signature sexy energy to the Ace’s Foy Lane from 3pm until 10pm on Sunday, March 1. Missed out on tix? You can get a taste for free at House of Mince Pride Launch on Friday, Feb 27 – RSVP here.
This family-run Oxford Street fave is throwing a mega 20th anniversary addition of its beloved MG party. Tix here.
The Burdekin's popular 'Dirty Disco' is back for 2026 – six floors of inclusive fun an easy stroll from Oxford Street. You can score tickets here.
Perfectly placed between Oxford Street and Flinders, there are few better spots to settle in for a few hours of pre-parade drinks and snacks. Find out more here.
The Pavlovabar (or “Pavs”) closing party is known as one of the best on the Mardi Gras line-up every year, and for good reason. You’ll find tickets here
This beloved Surry Hills spot is serving up a luxe MG experience on the Saturday and Sunday of the big weekend, with live DJs, drag performances, on-point snacks and free-flowing Margs to keep you fuelled. Info and reservations here.
The Abercrombie’s loved-up Mardi Gras program is in full swing, reaching its peak on parade night with a huge house party taking over the whole venue. Tix over here.
Right on the gateway to Oxford Street, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is in the prime position for a pre-parade party. Tickets to the hotel’s pre-Mardi Gras party will score you front-row parade access, free-flowing drinks, a hot line-up of drag entertainers, roaming snacks and DJs providing a high-energy soundtrack to keep you soaring. Snap up tickets over here.
This Newtown institution is hosting a heap of events over MG season, and will be dialling up the pink on parade night. Learn more over here.
Less party, more recovery palace. Head here for 'Mardi Cha' on the Sunday post-parade, you'll need it. More info and reservations over here.
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