Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, SydneyCredit: Jeffrey Feng
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade along Oxford Street in Darlinghurst.
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Drawing thousands of LGBTQI visitors to Sydney each year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival is a queer celebration like no other. Across three weeks, rainbow flags fly throughout the city as LGBTQI folk and their friends bounce between cultural performances, social gatherings, dance parties and more. It all leads up to Parade Day, when parts of central Sydney become a giant pedestrian zone and upwards of half a million people join in the fun. Here’s how to make the most of Mardi Gras.
Highlights:
- Soaking up the buzz in the city’s queer neighbourhoods
- Partying at Mardi Gras-themed club nights
- Being there on the night for the legendary Mardi Gras parade
The basics
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival officially kicks off in mid-February and concludes with Parade Day on the first Saturday in March. However, some unofficial Mardi Gras events, such as themed dance parties at LGBTQI venues, take place before or after the festival proper.
Two of the biggest festival events, the parade and Fair Day, are free to attend, but most of the program is ticketed, including the epic post-parade Mardi Gras Party (see below). Festival tickets often sell out weeks or months in advance, so keep an eye out for Mardi Gras program details, which are usually released in November.
If you’re attending the festival from interstate or overseas, consider basing yourself in one of Sydney’s rainbow neighbourhoods, such as Surry Hills or Darlinghurst. These suburbs on the fringe of the city centre feel particularly festive during Mardi Gras season and are often the scene of impromptu LGBTQI gatherings. In Surry Hills, book into Adina Apartment Hotel for generously sized rooms, or check in to a boutique hotel like the disco-themed 57 Hotel or the pet-friendly Little Albion. And for views of the buzzy Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street, which usually hosts the Mardi Gras parade, go all-out and secure a room at the five-star Pullman Sydney Hyde Park.
The festival program
Whatever your interests, you’ll find something appealing on the Mardi Gras festival program, which ranges from big-budget theatre and dance performances to panel conversations about issues affecting LGBTQI Australians. Some of the most engaging events take place on the fringes of the festival in emerging queer neighbourhoods such as Marrickville in the Inner West.
Everyone is welcome to attend Mardi Gras Fair Day, including rainbow parents with kids and non-LGBTQI folk. The all-day event usually takes place in picturesque Victoria Park, bordering Sydney University in Broadway, and combines live entertainment, market stalls, discussion panels and plenty of promenading. From mid-afternoon onwards, the crowd begins to migrate from the park along City Road to the Inner West hub of Newtown, where the celebrations continue at queer-friendly venues on King Street.
Another annual highlight is the Mardi Gras Film Festival by Queer Screen, which in recent years has gained a reputation as one of the most significant LGBTQI cinema events in the world, showcasing scores of features, documentaries and short films each season.
Coca-Cola Sign, Kings Cross Credit: Destination NSW
The Coca-Cola sign also known as 'The Coke Sign' lit up for the Mardi Gras weekend in Kings Cross, Sydney.
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Coca-Cola Sign, Kings Cross Credit: Destination NSW
The Coca-Cola sign also known as 'The Coke Sign' lit up for the Mardi Gras weekend in Kings Cross, Sydney.
The parade
The Mardi Gras parade usually makes its way up Oxford Street to Taylor Square before turning onto Flinders Street and heading towards Moore Park, where the official after-party is held. While the atmosphere on Oxford Street is fantastic, the strip can become crowded and visibility can be limited. If you’d rather have more space, consider a vantage point along Flinders Street.
Another option for viewing the parade is to purchase a VIP ticket for the seating area at Taylor Square. This is the spot where the floats pause to be filmed by television crews — it’s unbeatable if you want to take in all the colour and detail. Alternatively, check the websites of Oxford Street venues such at The Oxford Hotel and The Colombian Hotel, which hold ticketed events on Parade Day.
It can be difficult to gain access to venues and shops along the route while the parade is underway, so brings essentials such as water with you.
The after-party
Afterwards, many revellers continue on to the Mardi Gras Party, which is usually held at a concert hall in Moore Park. This ticketed event is the largest dance party on Sydney’s LGBTQI calendar and usually features a performance from an iconic pop star, such as Cher or Kylie Minogue. To reach Moore Park after the parade, you’ll probably need to walk: some roads are temporarily closed for the parade and taxis and share rides can be hard to find. But it’s a pleasant stroll and a great opportunity to strike up conversations with friendly locals.
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Oxford Art Factory, DarlinghurstCredit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying live music at the Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst.
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There’s nothing like the thrill, buzz and energy of a live music gig, and Sydney has plenty of performance spaces that have played host to some of the world’s biggest acts as well as local up-and-comers. From intimate venues to big stages, in the city centre and on the city’s fringe, here are nine spots to get a fix of live entertainment.
Enmore Theatre, Enmore
The longest-running live music venue in New South Wales, the Enmore Theatre has been drawing crowds for over a century. Despite having a capacity of just 2,500, the venue’s storied history and standing within the industry means legends across generations – including Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Oasis – have performed on this stage. The strip of pubs, bars and restaurants (ranked 17th coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out) comes alive when a gig at The Enmore is on – some pre-gig Enmore Road favourites to check out include Earl’s Juke Joint, Cairo Takeaway and Little Lagos.
Enmore Theatre, Enmore Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons arriving at the Enmore Theatre, Enmore.
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Enmore Theatre, Enmore Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons arriving at the Enmore Theatre, Enmore.
The Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale
No Sydney venue inspires memories of thriving dance and sweaty late nights better than The Lansdowne Hotel. The Chippendale pub, in Sydney’s inner city, has been hosting rock, punk and indie gigs for decades and continues to platform local up-and-coming acts as well as a late-night party vibe. Combine that with a menu of sangas, burgers and fried chicken plus local beers and natural wine, and you have a legendary student haunt – charmingly grungy and welcoming to all.
Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Landsdowne Hotel, Chippendale.
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Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Landsdowne Hotel, Chippendale.
Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
Inspired by Andy Warhol’s famed Factory in New York, the Oxford Art Factory, in Darlinghurst on the fringe of the city centre, has been bringing live music and art to Sydney for more than a decade. The two stages, supporting just over 600 in total, have hosted some of the biggest names in music – Lady Gaga played her first ever Australian show here in 2008 when the space was barely a year old. This tiny venue allows performers to interact with the audience, giving the crowd an intimate connection to the artists and each other. As it’s located on Sydney’s famed Oxford Street, there are plenty of spots for a feed and a drink beforehand including Bitter Phew, Big Poppa’s and Chaco Ramen.
Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying live music at the Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst.
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Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying live music at the Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst.
Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
Originally built in the 1920s as extra space for the Sydney Royal Easter Show and an exhibition hall for the wonders of new technology, Hordern Pavilion became Sydney’s home of international rock concerts in the 1970s. The historic venue has hosted countless huge-name acts, including Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Queen, Billy Joel and AC/DC. In the 1990s, it introduced bands like Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Public Enemy and Green Day to local audiences. But despite those huge names, it still has an intimate feel, giving you a rare chance to connect with your favourite acts outside a giant stadium. Before the show, grab a nearby burger at Mary’s Entertainment Quarter or a traditional Italian feast at Cipri’s Italian.
The Metro Theatre, Sydney CBD
Every local live music hunter has spent at least one epic night pressed against the barriers of the mosh pit at The Metro. Since the 1990s, the inner-city venue has been the place for high-energy gigs from the likes of The Prodigy and Foo Fighters, as well as respected indie acts including Jeff Buckley, Lorde and Aphex Twin. Smaller shows are also held in The Lair, a secondary space that holds just a few hundred people on the dance floor. Pre-party eating options are endless with Chinatown, Thaitown and Darling Square just a stone’s throw away.
HONEY, Darling Square Credit: HONEY
HONEY has officially launched in Sydney’s Darling Square precinct. Inspired by the nightlife of Seoul, HONEY is serving up the very best in Korean cuisine, with Pocha-style shareable dishes, Korean Fried Chicken with cold beer, soju and Korean-style cocktails.
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HONEY, Darling Square Credit: HONEY
HONEY has officially launched in Sydney’s Darling Square precinct. Inspired by the nightlife of Seoul, HONEY is serving up the very best in Korean cuisine, with Pocha-style shareable dishes, Korean Fried Chicken with cold beer, soju and Korean-style cocktails.
Mary’s Underground, Sydney CBD
Mary’s Underground rose from the ashes of Sydney most iconic jazz bar, The Basement. Like the original and aptly named subterranean bar, Mary’s Underground has the feel of an old school, alternative live music venue – dimly lit, full of characters and playing a little bit of everything. But unlike The Basement, which was famous for jazz and funk, you can get anything from R&B to punk. It’s only open for events but that doesn’t mean it’s ticket only, check the line up for both big ticket shows and free events. If you need a feed, they serve the same burgers they’ve made their name with back when Mary’s Newtown opened in 2013.
Phoenix Central Park, Chippendale
Of all Sydney’s alternative, cutting-edge music venues, Phoenix is by far the most exclusive. Every show, often experimental artists at the forefront of their genre, takes place at the base of an architecturally unique, winding staircase. The audience either stands at on the staircase, peering over the performer, or sits in a circle literally a metre or two from the stage. To get one of the prized free tickets, you have to go into a ballot. Before you head in, check out the street food, small bars and fine diners around Chippendale.
Spice Alley, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Couple walking through Spice Alley, Chippendale.
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Spice Alley, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Couple walking through Spice Alley, Chippendale.
Marrickville Bowling Club, Marrickville
You could be forgiven for thinking the Marrickville Bowling Club is just another great Australian community bowlo: it’s humble, welcoming and provides cheap drinks to locals. But at night the club transforms into one of the most energetic venues in Sydney. The stage welcomes both up-and-coming Sydney artists looking to launch the next great album and DJs looking to set the dance floor alight.
Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill
This new, state-of-the-art theatre is an architectural wonder befitting its epic name. The Cox Architecture design is like the bow of a futuristic ship rising out of the ground. The 2,000-seat theatre has provided a stage for everything from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to Keith Urban. In between acts it has hosted the live portion of Australia’s Got Talent and other big shows. Options to eat include Pizzaperta Manfredi – from one of Australia’s most influential Italian chefs, Stefano Manfredi – and the nearby Filipino hub on Rooty Hill Road.
Before a Performance, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Heading to a performance at Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Sydney. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
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Before a Performance, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Heading to a performance at Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Sydney. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.