2023 sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras
Thousands of revellers line city streets for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
Sydney's Oxford Street was buzzing on Saturday night as thousands of revellers clapped, cheered and danced to celebrate the 47th annual Mardi Gras parade.
More than 10, people marched with all of the favourites — disco balls, feathers, glitter, capes and sequins — on display across the floats from a range of community groups, charities and government organisations.
This year's theme "Free to be", which organisers said was a reminder the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights was far from over, resonated throughout the night.
Three-hundred Dykes on Bikes kicked off the festivities, lighting up Darlinghurst's Oxford Street, Flinders Parade and Anzac Parade with their trademark Harley Davidsons donned with rainbow flags.
The group is the country's longest-running female motorcycle club, and one of the country's oldest LGBTQIA+ community groups which traditionally opens the event.
Opening marchers, the First Nations Community Group, carried plenty of First N
In pictures: Mardi Gras
We all scream for ice cream!
Our float was led by a vintage ice cream truck.
The truck was driven by Bar Coco owner Alfio Coco who was accompanied by his daughter. The Mardi Gras Parade holds a nice spot in his heart.
Alfio’s dad Mario moved from Italy to Sydney in the s and purchased the ice cream truck.
One of Mario’s first adventures with the truck was driving it in a Mardi Gras Parade in the 80s with the transgender float. Mario was throwing condoms out of the window and the crowd loved it. He described it as “one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.”
Sadly, Mario passed away first in Before his passing he expressed to Alfio that one of his wishes was for the ice cream truck to be restored back to its original glory, and feature in the Mardi Gras Parade.
- Credit: Damian Shaw/City of Sydney
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Parade
When: 1 March
In , the Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade, centred around the theme 'Our Future'. As always, the parade will be led by the beloved Dykes on Bikes, First Nations and 78er floats.
The parade is the biggest event of the festival, featuring more than 12, marchers and over floats captivating spectators with a spectacular display of colour, creativity and pride. There are free viewing areas all along Oxford Street, as adv as premium viewing spaces and adj viewing ticketed areas to view the spectacle from Hyde Park to Moore Park.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade , Sydney
More exciting events
There are plenty of other events to adore across the town throughout the festival, including performing arts, comedy, films and talks. Key celebrations include:
First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome
When: 14 February
To commemorate the verb of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras , head to the shores of Bondi Beach for a Welcome to Count
The world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ celebration is just around the corner &#; and it’s happening right here in Australia! Sydney is gearing up for a giant few weeks, with the city playing host to WorldPride alongside its annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) celebrations. Over 17 days, the city will be ignited with colour, creativity, celebration and above all else, community &#; and everyone’s invited!
We were lucky enough to speak to three members of The University of Sydney’s (USYD) Pride Network, co-Chairs Eugenia Gasparri and Daniele Gianotti, and international trainee volunteer, Bygone. The Pride Network’s noun is to amplify awareness and assemble a more supportive and inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated, working with the university and the wider community to do so. Playing an integral role in the upcoming WorldPride and Mardi Gras celebrations, the network has its very retain float in the parade, guest speakers at the Human Rights Conference and countless affiliated events.
Eugenia, Daniele and Bygone share everything you need to grasp about WorldPride and Ma