WHAT'S ON Here’s your very gay guide to Mardi Gras this year

Oh, you thought the silly season was over, did you? Think again, because gay Christmas is around the corner, and Sydney has officially clocked on for business.

This year’s theme, Ecstatica, is all about collective joy, protest and energy. So you can imagine the number of street parties, cabaret shows and after hours debauchery that’s about to go down.

And while we all count the days down before the 48th Parade next Saturday night, consider this your sign to fill your time with some other very fun, very gay things to do.

Grab the glitter and Google calendar babe, because here are our top picks for Mardi Gras this year.

Mardi Gras Parade

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade officially returns on Saturday 28th this month, marking 48 years since the first march in 1978. Expect more than 200 floats and 12,000 marchers taking over Oxford and Flinders Street. This year’s theme ‘Ecstatica’ promises more glitter, rainbows and feather boas than ever before. It’s a calendar staple and hands down one of the biggest nights of the year.

• WHEN: Saturday 28 February, from 7:30pm
• WHERE: Flinders and Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Heaps Gay Parade Afterparty

With the Official Afterparty having been axed this year (don’t get us started on that), it’s no secret that everyone’s turning to the Heaps Gay Parade Afterparty. Hosted at Manning Bar, expect roaming indoor and outdoor stages keeping the party alive well into the night. Tickets might be sold out, but cross your fingers and you might just find a handy resale one on the market.

• WHEN: Saturday 28 February, from 9pm
• WHERE: Manning Bar, Camperdown
• HOW MUCH: Resale only
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Mardi Gras Film Festival

Arriving just in time for Mardi Gras season in Sydney is none other than the Mardi Gras Film Festival, returning to once again remind us that queer cinema is doing far more interesting things than most mainstream releases. Running annually since 1993, it’s one of Australia’s largest film festivals and now ranks in the top five queer film festivals globally. Highlights on our radar include the QueerDOC Shorts program and Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day by Ivona Juka.

• WHEN: Thursday 12 to Thursday 26 February
• WHERE: Across Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $21
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

The Mighty Hoopla

Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ music festival is officially hitting Bondi Beach this Saturday for eight hours of unadulterated, maximalist bliss. The UK-born music event will see headliners including Delta Goodrem, Becky Hill, Jessica Mauboy, and of course, THE Kesha, take to four stages across the beach. In other words, expect a full Bondi takeover. Tickets still available, consider this your sign.

• WHEN: Saturday 21 February, from 2pm
• WHERE: Bondi Beach
• HOW MUCH: Third release tix are $227
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Queens Cross Takeover at KX Hotel

When it comes to The Cross, everyone knows that the Kings Cross Hotel is the place to be come Mardi Gras season. Why, might you ask? Because from this Thursday till Sunday 1 March, they’re hosting a five-level takeover. There’s plenty of events to choose from, but highlights include Furry Fridays on the 20th and 27th, the Heavenly Bodies party, and of course, FLASH, who are taking over to host the venue’s own parade after party.

• WHEN: From Thursday 19 February to Sunday 1 March
• WHERE: Kings Cross Hotel, Kings Cross
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Vogueing Contest at Opera Bar

This Saturday, Opera Bar is flipping the harbour front into a high-glam Mardi Gras runway. Kicking off at 8:30pm, House of Silky hosts a live voguing contest packed with sharp lines, dramatic dips and zero chill. Think ballroom energy, major serves and a crowd that is 100% coming to be seen.

• WHEN: Saturday 21 February, from 8:30pm
• WHERE: Opera Bar, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Paradiso Pool Party

Paradiso Pool Party returns to the rooftop of ivy Pool Club this weekend as part of Mardi Gras, continuing a 15-year run that shows no signs of slowing down. Expect vocal house, packed dance floors and a sea of swimmers as the sun dips over the CBD. It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and it’s one of the more reliable ways to close out a summer weekend in Sydney.

• WHEN: Sunday 22 February, from 2pm
• WHERE: Jimmy’s Rooftop
• HOW MUCH: SOLD OUT, resale only
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Mardi Gras Laneway

Still upright? Prove it. On the Sunday after the parade, The Beresford and Hill Street transform into the final, glitter-slicked chapter of Mardi Gras. Nadine Coyle leads the charge alongside UK’s Paul Heron and a heavy roster of local favourites. Consider it the city’s last dance before everyone collectively pretends they’re fine on Monday (they’re not).

• WHEN: Sunday 1 March, from 2pm
• WHERE: The Beresford and Hill Street, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: Tickets are $119
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

W Frequency Mardi Gras Edition

W Sydney is handing its dual-level rooftop to Sounds Queer for a Mardi Gras edition of FREQUENCY. Think live sets from BEKS & Dyan Tai, plus DJs Thandi Phoenix, Toby Corton and Danielle St James soundtracking the Darling Harbour skyline. It’s polished, high up and built for people who prefer their Mardi Gras with a view.

• WHEN: Sunday 22 February
• WHERE: 29/30 Rooftop, W Hotel
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $25
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Late Night Vice

Grand Electric is leaning all the way into late-night decadence this Mardi Gras with a new cabaret supper club built for the dangerously curious. Expect cocktails, theatrical chaos and a rotating cast of performers delivering seductive, slightly subversive spectacle under strict no-phones rules. Dress codes are serious, the vibe is secretive and the details intentionally vague. 

• WHEN: Until Sunday March 15
• WHERE: The Grand Electric, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Poof Doof Big Gay Block Party

Poof Doof returns to Ivy for a five-stage Mardi Gras takeover that can only be described as excessive in the best way. Melanie C headlines alongside Bimini, Pangina Heals, Ty Sunderland and a heavy local roster, with every corner of the precinct converted into dancefloor real estate. If you prefer your parade afterparty loud, crowded and operating at full capacity, this is your move.

• WHEN: Saturday 28 February,
• WHERE: Ivy, CBD
• HOW MUCH: SOLD OUT, resale only
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Drag Queens vs Comedians

BrewDog South Eveleigh is attempting to claim queer clubhouse status this Mardi Gras, locking in a full month of bingo, battle royales and big-screen parade viewing. This Friday, Drag Queens vs Comedians will pit razor-sharp queens against equally sharp stand-ups in a live roast battle that promises more shade than diplomacy.

• WHEN: Friday 20 February
• WHERE: BrewDog South Eveleigh
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.