The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a two-week annual celebration of Australia’s LGBT+ community. The event started back in June 1978 when a small group staged an event in Sydney with the intention to promote gay and lesbian culture and to encourage political activism against the discrimination they experienced. The police response to the parade brought media coverage and helped to establish the parade as an annual event.

Today, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of Australia’s most famous and joyous events, attracting over 200,000 visitors (including interstate and international visitors) to Sydney each year to join in the celebrations.

The Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore at Sydney Town Hall is the first official welcoming event of the festival each year. This year the festival starts on the 14th of February until the 1st of March and includes more than 100 events, being the biggest the world-famous parade. The parade will move through Oxford and Flinders Streets on the 29th February. This year, the theme of the events is “What matters?” and brings a reflection of equality, pride and self-expression.

If you are planning to attend the festival, we have a few tips:

1. Take public transport into the city

2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

3. Hotels near the parade are heavily booked

4. Arrive early and try grab a viewing spot before the parade starts

Sources: National Museum Australia; Mardigras.org.au;