Sydney Mardi Gras 2026 Guide: Parade, Events & Hotels

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is the biggest event on the calendar for the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia. I’ve put together this visitor’s guide to help you have a great time during this fabulous festival. My best advice is to start planning now. The city gets seriously busy during the entire festival period, so it’s best to be organised.

Updated: 30 January 2026

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Sydney likes its big events and the Sydney Gay, and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of our biggest and most colourful. In this post, I have gathered tips from friends, both local and those who visited primarily for the event to help make sure you get all the best advice to help you plan your visit. If you still have questions after reading this head over to our friendly Facebook community and we will try to help.

2026 Mardi Gras Dates

The 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival runs from 13 February to 1 March 2026 under the theme ECSTATICA. While the parade on Saturday 28 February 2026 is the main event, there’s a program of over 80 events across 20 days with plenty of highlights including Fair Day, pool parties, film screenings and performances.

ECSTATICA celebrates euphoria as resistance—the idea that joy is powerful, political and unstoppable. The festival celebrates connection in all its forms, from streets to screens, from protest to party.

The Mardi Gras Parade is the finale of the program. Over 300,000 people line the 1.7km parade route to watch more than 12,000 participants and over 200 floats march, dance and ride their way past. You can either book one of the ticketed areas or join the public at the start or finish points or in the crowd along Oxford Street. If you have mobility issues, you can register for access to one of the accessible viewing areas on Flinders Street.

The Parade begins at 7:30 pm and winds up at about 11:30 pm. If you want any chance of seeing the action from the front of the crowd you need to head to the city in the mid-afternoon.

5 Tips for Enjoying the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade

My friend Andre who is a Mardi Gras veteran has shared his top 5 tips

• Position is everything! Plan to arrive early enough and secure a good spot to see the parade. Keep in mind facilities (toilets, mainly) as you wouldn’t want to walk for blocks when nature calls!
• Check local venues on Oxford St. Some bars and clubs will have drink packages that include access to venue balconies, which will give you an advantage and an excellent overview of all the action!
• Keep hydrated: It’s usually a long afternoon and evening, so keep your fluids up! Water is essential as you don’t want to be dehydrated or get too affected by alcohol.
• Keep an eye on your belongings and friends. The event attracts large crowds, which may allow for opportunistic crime to happen. Carry only the essentials (phone, transport card, cash or bank card, keys) and avoid unnecessary items on you.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes and check the weather forecast.

Best Places to Watch the Mardi Gras in Sydney

The biggest LGBTQIA+ festival in the world takes place in Sydney, and people come from all over the world to participate in and celebrate. So yes, it gets busy, but in the best possible way because everyone is feeling the love.

Here are the best vantage points to see the action.

Getting ready – Pre Parade fun

In the early afternoon, wander up and down Oxford St to start getting into the mood. Then head to the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Street about 4 pm to watch everyone heading into Hyde Park. It’s an excellent vantage point as this is where the floats are setting up.

After you’ve had your fill of drag queens, glitter and costumes (which you never will get sick of), go into Hyde Park as each of the groups puts the final touches to their dance routines before the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.

Glitter Club at Taylor Square

For 2026, Glitter Club is the premium Parade-night experience at Taylor Square. This ticketed event offers a raised viewing platform, dedicated bars, food trucks, private toilets and a five-hour program of DJs and live entertainment.

DJ Dan Murphy and Estée Louder will headline, with special guest performers to be announced. It’s positioned right at the epicentre of the Parade route where the energy peaks. Tickets at mardigras.org.au

Restaurant and Bar Balconies

Most of the restaurants and bars on Oxford Street will be offering parade viewing packages. These are the most popular and sell out quickly.

If you can’t get into a restaurant on Oxford St, you can do what many others do and buy a milk crate and stand on it at the starting point of the celebrations, the corner of College and Oxford Street.

Free Viewing Areas

If you can’t get into a restaurant on Oxford St or don’t want to pay for a ticketed area, you can do what many others do and buy a milk crate and stand on it at the starting point of the celebrations, the corner of College and Oxford Street. The free viewing areas along Oxford Street fill up early, so arrive by mid-afternoon for a good spot.

Accessible Viewing

Accessible viewing areas with inclusive amenities are available on Flinders Street. Registration is required in advance through the Mardi Gras website.

How to Feel Part of the Mardi Gras Action

Crystal from Castaway with Crystal shares her advice for enjoying the parade.

“I have been to Mardi Gras about seven times, and it’s one of my favourite nights of the year! My best suggestion for this exciting celebration of love is to dress up in your craziest outfit to have more fun. If you look like you were in the parade, you will be treated like royalty, with people wanting your photo and complimenting you as you strut the streets. I particularly like matching my outfits with my friends, so we look like a team. One year we all went as insects, another like an animal print girl-band.

When the parade is over the streets are opened up to pedestrians for a short time, and this is always my fave. We run around in the middle of the roads taking loads of photos and just generally having fun!”

Other Key Events of the Festival

Fair Day

Sydney’s biggest LGBTQIA+ community celebration returns to Victoria Park on Sunday 15 February 2026. This free, all-ages event kicks off the festival with over 200 stalls, live entertainment and community celebrations.

Also performing: dance music icon Zoe Badwi, DJ James Alexandr with Nada Leigh, Kath Ebbs bringing queer country and line dancing, and IVANA making her Mardi Gras debut with euro-dance hits.

Fair Day favourites return including:

• Across the ParkThe day begins at the First Nations Circle with a Smoking Ceremony and performances by the Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers, honouring Country.
• Doggywood – The country’s most adored canine pageant
• Trans Camp – Proudly trans-run community zone (second year)
• Karaoke Cave: Disco Divas – Hosted by Vybe
• Drag King Games – Watch competitors battle with muscle, mischief and mayhem
• Queer Fashion Runway – 10 local designers in a 50-minute show

When: Sunday 15 February 2026
Where: Victoria Park, Parramatta Rd, Broadway
Cost: Free, all ages welcome

Opening Night: Progress Pride Flag Raising & Ultra Violet

The festival officially begins on Friday 13 February with the Progress Pride Flag Raising at Sydney Town Hall, where the Progress Pride Flag flies high as a bright signal that the festival has begun.

When: Friday 13 February
Where: City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney

Black Cherry makes its Mardi Gras debut as a trans-diverse night rooted in redemption, transformation and rebirth. Produced by Mother Kianna Louboutin Oricci, the event draws on milestones trans people were denied, creating space to reclaim what was missed and live fully in the present.

Taking over the National Art School courtyard and the historic Cell Block Theatre, Black Cherry unfolds as an immersive experience with performances by Ballroom Australia, Basjia, Fetu Taku and Lay Juicy-Couture, alongside DJ sets from Neesha Alexander (QLD), Stevzar (VIC) and Soju Gang (VIC).

When: Friday 14 February
Where: National Art School, Darlinghurst

Kaftana Pool Party

Kaftana returns to the rooftop of the Ivy complex on Wednesday 18 February. Slip into something floaty and frilly for Sydney’s most glamorous midweek escape, where cocktails, kaftans and retro beats collide poolside in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment precinct.

When: Wednesday 18 February
Where: Ivy Pool, George Street, Sydney

Laugh Out Proud

Presented by the Sydney Comedy Festival, Laugh Out Proud takes over the Enmore Theatre on Friday 20 February. This iconic night brings together some of Australia’s sharpest and sassiest comedians for razor-sharp wit, outrageous punchlines and belly laughs. This show has sold out for the last six years.

When: Friday 20 February
Where: Enmore Theatre, Enmore

Paradiso Pool Party

The official Mardi Gras pool party returns to Ivy Pool on Sunday 22 February for a legendary day-to-night celebration under the palms.

When: Sunday 22 February
Where: Ivy Pool, George Street, Sydney

Mardi Gala Ball: Taste the Love

A brand-new dining spectacular presented by Coles Group transforms Merivale’s Ivy Ballrooms into a feast for every sense on Tuesday 24 February. Sydney’s most glamorous dinner party blends couture, cuisine and connection, where indulgence, style and a little mischief meet under the chandeliers. A table stretches across the venue, inviting everyone to take a seat and share in the joy of being together while raising funds for future festivals.

When: Tuesday 24 February
Where: Ivy Ballrooms, Sydney

Queer Art After Hours

Queer Art After Hours returns to the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Tuesday 25 February 2026. Co-produced by the Gallery and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, this free ticketed event activates the gallery with a vibrant program of LGBTQIA+ performance, music and art, providing a powerful platform for diverse queer artists and storytellers to shine.

When: Tuesday 25 February
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, The Domain

Queer Screen’s 33rd Mardi Gras Film Festival

The 33rd Mardi Gras Film Festival runs from 12–26 February 2026 across Sydney venues, presenting outstanding LGBTQIA+ cinema from around the world. The festival showcases 139 films from 38 countries, including 6 world premieres, 5 international premieres and 64 Australian premieres.

Festival Highlights:

• Pillion starring Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies) and Harry Melling (The Queen’s Gambit)
• Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water starring Imogen Poots
• High Art by Lisa Cholodenko, gloriously restored in 4K
• 30th anniversary of Australian classic Love and Other Catastrophes
• 50th anniversary of The Naked Civil Servant starring John Hurt

When: 12–26 February 2026
Where: Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Newtown, and other venues
Tickets: From $12 (community screenings) Details and tickets

Hot Trans Mardi Gras: Sissy Ball

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest vogue ball returns on Thursday 27 February. Led by Ballroom Australia in collaboration with Inner West Council at Marrickville Town Hall, Sissy Ball brings sweat, spectacle and high-stakes ballroom energy as trans and gender-diverse performers take the floor to serve excellence across the many categories. Tens are on the table. Reads are flying. The floor will decide who rises and who gets chopped.

When: Thursday 27 February
Where: Marrickville Town Hall, Marrickville

Let Your Pride Shine – Pullman Sydney Hyde Park

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park hosts its fourth annual pre-parade party, perfectly positioned at the parade’s starting point on College Street. The venue transforms into Pullman Pride Park from 5pm-9pm with four hours of premium entertainment, food and drinks as the Mardi Gras Parade kicks off outside.

Australian icon Paulini headlines alongside MANÚ (RuPaul’s Drag Race Pit Crew), Coco Jumbo from RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, with Sydney’s Dakota Fann’ee as MC. She Beast, Tora Hymen, Baila Muestra Showgirls and DJ Dom Diaz keep the energy high throughout the evening.

Your ticket covers four hours of food and beverages including complimentary cocktail on arrival, free-flowing beer, wine and Chandon Garden Spritz, plus access to 360° video booth and photo opportunities.

When: Saturday 28 February 2026, 5pm-9pm
Where: Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, College Street
Cost: $229-$249
Tickets: pullmansydneyhydepark.com.au

Bars and Pub events

Mardi Cha at The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre

The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre transforms their monthly yum cha into Mardi Cha for Sydney’s biggest celebration. Hosted by Jackie Daniels, this two-day event kicks off on Sunday 1st March from 11am–4pm, serving as the ultimate recovery feast after Mardi Gras night.

Settle in with the specialty “Berocca Breeze” cocktail whilst a vinyl DJ plays from 4pm. The celebration extends into Monday 2nd March with their “Operation: Sickie” campaign—49% off your bill if you extend the long weekend.

When: Sunday 1st March, 11am–4pm (DJ from 4pm) & Monday 2nd March
Where: The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Chippendale
Bookings: Directly on their site

The Bank Hotel

The Bank Hotel in Newtown is at the heart of Mardi Gras season, with a packed program of events. They will be bringing together local entertainers and drag queens for a non-stop celebration.

Enjoy a range of special events including:

Event Highlights:

When: 14-28 February 2026
Where: The Bank Hotel, Newtown
Free Entry: No bookings required, first come, first served.

For another Mardi Gras year running, Kings Cross Hotel transforms into Queens Cross Hotel. Featuring 5 levels of celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, the venue hosts spectacular parties throughout the festival.

Club Afterglow – Mardi Gras Finale Party (Sunday 1 March, from 9pm) – The official “night after the night” with two floors of pop, rave and diva energy. DJs include Benny & the Decks, Kuya Hennessy, 203 Kisses, and more. Drag performers: Mynx Moscato, Ruby Royale, Magnius Opium, Dammit Janet. Ticketed event.

When: February 16th – March 1st
Where: Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross
Bookings: Parade Day Party – free. BARBA Event – booking link here

The Marly

The Marlborough Hotel is celebrating Mardi Gras with a Parade Party on Saturday 28 February. DJs will be spinning the biggest party anthems and dancefloor favourites until late. Whether you’re fresh from the parade or bar-hopping through King Street, this is where the night finds its second wind.

When: Saturday 28 February
Where: The Marlborough Hotel, Newtown
Entry: Free

The Abercrombie

For two weekends, The Abercrombie Hotel will transform into the ultimate Mardi Gras destination, featuring some of Australia’s best queer events.

The Abercrombie Hotel is hosting Heaps Gay x GiRLTHING Fair Day Afterparty on Sunday 15 February. The favourite collab party returns across 3 floors until 3am for a massive Fair Day celebration.

When: Sunday 15 February, 5pm – 3am
Where: Abercrombie Hotel, Chippendale
Tickets: $23.45 via Moshtix

Darlo Bar is turning up the colour and chaos for two fabulous weeks of Mardi Gras celebration, partnering with Aperol for Aperidisco and Brookvale Union for festival-ready drinks.

Event Highlights:

• Trivia (Tuesdays 17 & 24 February, from 7pm) – Kick off each week with trivia, laughter and extra prizes. Free entry, bookings recommended.
• Drag Bingo with Charisma Belle (Wednesdays 18 & 25 February, from 7pm) – The fabulous resident Queen hosts drag bingo with exciting prizes. Free to play, limited spaces, bookings essential.
• Greenpark Returns (Saturday 21 February, from 8pm) – Chill, boogie and grab drinks in one of Darlinghurst’s favourite al fresco spaces. Free entry.
• Parade Party (Saturday 28 February) – Keep the party going after the Mardi Gras Parade. Free entry.
• Recovery (Sunday 1 March, DJs from 3pm) – Ease into Sunday with chilled beats and good drinks for the perfect recovery session.

When: 17 February – 1 March
Where: Darlo Bar, Darlinghurst
Most events: Free entry

Where should you stay to enjoy Mardi Gras?

Ok so now you are armed with some great advice on enjoying the parade I thought I should share my thoughts on the best places to stay for Mardi Gras.

You need to book early to get a good room at a reasonable rate. While writing this in late December, I am finding many of the best options getting close to being booked out. The prices are also going up steeply, so I suggest booking your Mardi Gras accommodation as soon as you know you will be coming.

Hotels at the City End of the Parade Route

Pullman Hyde Park

5-star hotel right on the starting line

The Pullman Hyde Park is one of the official sponsors of this year’s parade and the starting point of the parade route. The staff here go out of the way to make sure everyone feels welcome and enjoys the event. Some rooms have views out over Hyde Park and Oxford Street. It’s also an excellent location for exploring Sydney before or after the event.

Just stick “Mardi Gras” into the search box on the Pullman reviews on Booking.com to see how others felt about staying there during the Parade weekend.

Oaks Hyde Park Plaza

Book a room with a balcony or views of Oxford Street

With a rooftop pool for pre-parade tanning and rooms with balconies and unobstructed views of the parade route, this will book out early.

Rooms have kitchenettes if you fancy self-catering and studio, 1 and two bedrooms are available. Check current prices on Booking.com

Hotels Near the Middle of the Route

Adge Apartments

Funky two-bedroom apartments

These apartments are perfect for two couples or a group of friends to share with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in each. They are nicely furnished with decent linens and nice extras like espresso machines and music docks. Some apartments have balconies with views out of the city.

I found the carpet a little too colourful but other than that this place is an excellent choice and only a few minutes walk from Oxford Street. Check out the photos of the carpet (and the rest of the property) on Booking.com

Adina Crown Street – Surry Hills

A perfect spot for wining and dining

I have stayed at Adina Apartments twice on staycations that involved too much partying to want to figure out how to get home. There are a dozen great restaurants within a 5 min walk, and Oxford street is just at the bottom of the road.

These apartments are 3-star and have everything you need for a longer stay but work perfectly well when you just want to have a great spot to get ready for the parade and an easy trip home afterwards.

At the End of the Route and to the South

Meriton Suites – Waterloo

Foodie hotspot close to the city.

There are lots of Meriton complexes in this part of the city. This one is quite a large complex with 180 plus rooms all featuring full kitchens and close to the end of the route and the party venues.

Hotels for When You Want to Splurge

Crystalbrook Albion – Surry Hills

Surrounded by fantastic small bars and restaurants

This is possibly my favourite small hotel in the city. The service is hard to beat, the rooms are beautifully styled and the attention to detail is impressive. No two rooms are alike and there is a variety of price points.

The communal areas are well-appointed and there are lots of nice little touches in the kitchen space that will impress.

Spicers Potts Point

Minutes walk to trains and buses

These three heritage terraces have been turned into a stylish 16 room hotel in one of the areas prettiest streets. An easy 15-minute walk into the centre of the city and just 2 minutes to Kings Cross Station.

So there you have it, my best tips for enjoying the Sydney Mardi Gras 2026.

If you want some more info on areas to stay in Sydney, you can check out my comprehensive post Choosing where to stay for your Sydney holiday