Despite the ongoing global pandemic, the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade is still going ahead on March 6, although celebrations may look a little different this year.
According to the official website, in order to ensure the safety of Parade participants, spectators and the community at large, the actual parade will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground and SBS will live broadcast the event across Australia.
The actual festival itself runs from Friday, February 19 until Sunday, March 7 and while celebrations will be limited (sadly, Fair Day has been cancelled and The Party, Laneway, Pool Party, Kaftan Party, Sissy Ball, Family Fun Day and Queer Art After Hours have all been postponed), there are many ways that you can get involved by either partying in person or even from the comfort of your own home.
We’ve compiled a list of all the ways to get involved.
Head to the SCG
At the time of publishing, there are still tickets available to be a spectator at the actual event.
With a greater focus on “community”, the Parade will not entail large floats but will be centred instead on “the outlandish pageantry of costumes, puppetry and props that make it such a phenomenon to witness”.
Who Is Performing
British pop superstar Rita Ora is headlining the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade supported by Australian singer Montaigne, Electric Fields and G Flip.
Attend a Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party
Five venues around the country are hosting official viewing parties (sponsored by Absolut Vodka) including Universal Bar & The Oxford Hotel in Sydney, The Court in Perth, Poof Doof at Chasers in Melbourne and the Family in Brisbane.
However, if you’re in Sydney, there are other options available including Bitter Phew Darlinghurst; Burdekin Hotel Darlinghurst; Cafe Freda’s Darlinghurst; The Colombian Hotel Darlinghurst; Darlo Bar Darlinghurst; Home The Venue Sydney; Honkas Potts Point; The Winery Surry Hills; The Shakespeare Hotel Surry Hills; Stonewall Hotel Darlinghurst; Oxford Hotel Darlinghurst; Taylors Rooftop Sydney; Universal Darlinghurst, The Bank Hotel Newtown; The Bearded Tit Redfern, The Imperial Hotel Erskineville, Lansdowne Hotel Glebe; The Oxford Tavern Petersham, Daniel San, Manly, The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel Wickham; Palace Hotel Broken Hill, The Rainbow Underground Woonoona; Rex Tamworth and Forum 6 Cinemas Tamworth and the Cue Bar Wagga Wagga.
Grab an official Absolut Queen Beach Cocktail At Different Venues Around the Country
In New South Wales head to The Beresford, Coogee Pavilion, Vic on the Park, Ivy Pool Club, Queens Hotel, The Paddington, The Establishment, Ms G’s, El Loco Excelsior, Jimmy’s, Royal Bondi, Bar Totti’s, Totti’s, East Village Hotel, Hyde Park Hotel, Butler, Beach Rd, Vessel, Café Del Mar, Bar Cleveland, POY, Lotus Barangaroo, Tokki Surry Hills, Bitter Phew, Beast & Co, Salty’s Bondi, Rice Boi, Tetto Rooftop, Boatshed & Café Le Monde and Bloody Mary’s at Gazebo.
In Queensland, you can grab this refreshing drink at the Island Hotel, Pink Flamingo, Barrio Bar, HOTA, Nobbys Arc, Corbet and Claude, Comuna Cantina Creek St, Samesame, Rumpus Room and the W Hotel.
If you live in Victoria, head to Spice Market, John Curtain Hotel, The Gem, The George, Babylonia Lounge, Storyville, Fitzroy Beer Garden, Naked For Satan, Ink Wink, The Osborne and Freddie Wimpoles.
South Australia will be serving the cocktail at Mary Poppins, Mars Bar, 2KW, Casablabla, Electra Hotel and Stacked Social.
And if you live in Western Australia head to Lucky Chans, Bennys and The Queens.
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