Mardi Gras Theme Party Celebration & Decoration

We’re delighted to welcome people from around the world to our wonderful city – a place that embraces and celebrates everyone, where you are truly Free to Be." The history and reality of #nocopsatpride Late on Monday night, NSW Police were uninvited from marching in this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. ‘They said we couldn’t name a football tournament after a gay, black man with AIDS'. It was one of the most successful events ever Despite homophobia, cultural taboos and misinformation, when beloved gay uncle Rossy Smith died of AIDS, it changed First Nations health forever. The two-week Mardi Gras festival takes over Sydney from February 16 to March 3 with events including the popular Bondi Beach Party, Fair Day, Sissy Ball, pool parties and more. For one night only,  join us for an unforgettable event where diversity takes the spotlight, and the transformative power of drag brings people together in a celebration of uniqueness and talent.
Nearly 100 proud LGBTIQ Western students, staff and their straight Allies marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on 4 March 2017. Our academic superheros were accompanied by family, friends and the Pro Vice-Chancellor Kevin Bell and his wife Diane Bell, who mardi gras party outfits joined the lead marchers on their celebratory walk up Oxford Street. At Western Sydney University each of us contribute our own individuality to this intricate fabric of university life. Our float was an example that all of us together make our University what it is.

With Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stamped on our national identity and Drag Race sashaying across screens there’s no doubt Drag has sunk its six-inch heels into the mainstream. From the high-glam era of Les Girls and Capriccios to the diverse fabulousness many decades later – our nation’s alumni of drag artists have proudly carved a cheeky and quintessentially Aussie path through our cultural playbook. My Drag Story uncorsets seven queens, kings and gender defying royals to reveal what’s beyond the painted façade, including Amelia Airhead, Cindy Pastel, Nana Miss Koori, Sexy Galexy – full lineup to come.
This suit includes a two button suit jacket and a pair of flared trousers and features bright printed images of flowers, hearts and kombi vans scattered all over the place. The imagery on the suit comes in colour schemes of blue, pink, green, yellow and orange. So slip on a pair of show stopping dancing shoes, your own shirt and boogie your way through the dance as you swing your afro from side to side.
It’s hard to explain just how buzzing the city becomes; it’s full to bursting with queer acts telling their stories. With just a few simple touches here and there, you can transform your space into a perky Mardi Gras party venue! No matter what kind of budget you’re working with – adding a touch of spirit can make for an unforgettable experience for both yourself and your guests alike! Make sure to tell us about your favorite decorations in the comments section below. The University will be march in the parade on Saturday March 1. This year’s float will showcase the iconic flame tree, planted in front of the University Quadrangle, which symbolises pride and hope and represents our queer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders who paved the way.

Get ready to add some dazzling shine to your Mardi Gras look on Fair Day, Bondi Beach Party Day, and Parade Day, all thanks to Archie Rose. Kylie Minogue made a brief appearance with an ensemble of dancers clad in white shirts, gold cowboy hats and red scarves. The firstparadein 1978 despite being legal was met with brutal resistance from theNew South WalesPolice Force who used brutality and broke up theparadeand arrested 53 people. The extreme police response to a legal, local minority protest transformed the event into a nationally significant event that started thegay rightslaw reform campaigns.
The 2025 Festival promises to bring unforgettable moments, radiant performances, and vibrant events that honour the past, celebrate the present and inspire a future of inclusivity and acceptance. This year's program offers over 80 events that bring together the diverse elements of Sydney's LGBTQIA+ communities. While navigating Australia's evolving live events landscape, the 2025 Festival stands as a testament to the power of creativity and resilience. With a line-up that is as rich and varied as ever, the focus is on creating meaningful experiences for all festival-goers. The 2025 theme, FREE TO BE, honours the decades-long fight for equality while celebrating the individuality and collective strength of our vibrant community. It's a call to embrace who we are and continue the work that remains to ensure freedom for all.

The group danced their way up the street in the traditional English folk style, to the beat of a drum carrying the anti-police message "ACAB". The Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras features a range of new and major events in 2024, including. As a global city, the City of Sydney is proud to support Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and showcase its diversity to the world. First recognising Mardi Gras as a major festival in 2008, the City of Sydney provided $120,000 in sponsorship in recognition of its significance as a hallmark event and positive impact on the NSW economy.
The Mardi Gras Party is set to be another unforgettable night, headlined by Grammy award winning DJ, producer and fashion icon Honey Dijon and UK musician, DJ and songwriter Romy. In an exclusive Sydney appearance, Romy will perform live, bringing her unique sound and energy to the iconic event. Expect an eight-hour explosion of music across six venues, celebrating the rich diversity of our global community through a night of pure, unadulterated joy. Although the research is limited, it indicates that more than 60% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced domestic, family and intimate partner violence. As with the pool parties, there are several Mardi Gras boat parties to look out for. The main ones are usually organized by Morning Glory and Poof Doof.
Dive into the vibrant Bondi vibes at the Paradiso Pool Party, a sun-drenched gathering at the iconic ivy Pool Bar. This global event features a spectacular line-up of DJs and performers, including Beth Yen, Enn, DJ Dolly Llama, Haylee Maree, DJ Sveta, Axl Rod, Rocky Stallone, Keep Cup, Les Beaux La Fierce, Simonne Cooper, and Bede Nash. Gather the crew for a cocktail by the cabana and welcome the second week of the Festival with open arms and dancing feet. Hot Trans Summer, a ground-breaking addition to the Sydney Mardi Gras calendar, is a unique celebration curated by and for the trans and gender diverse community. Bondi Beach Party, the biggest party of the 2024 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, is poised to electrify the iconic sands of Bondi Beach. This Festival favourite, hosting 15,000 revellers, is not just a party but a showcase of exclusive Australian performances from some of the world’s most renowned international club DJs and pop icons.

The 2025 festival will be filled with unforgettable moments, where the power of love, resilience, and visibility will once again take centre  stage. And ultimately, we want to see an end to family, domestic and sexual violence in our communities. Then head over to the Art Gallery of NSW for an after-hours showcase of colourful queer artistry on 2 March. You’ll be able to catch some seriously talented performance artists, plus installations, stories, live tunes, and gallery tours—all centred around this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras theme, ‘United We Shine’.