23 ecstatic photos from Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade took place in Australia on Saturday.

Mar 4, 2026 - 19:00

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23 ecstatic photos from Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade took place in Australia on Saturday.

Adopting a theme of ‘Ecstatica’, 10,000 marchers brought queer joy and energy to Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Moore Park Road. There were more than 170 floats, while an estimated 250,000 onlookers lined the route.

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As always, Dykes on Bikes led the two-kilometre procession, followed by First Nations marchers and the 78ers, the original activists who kick-started the whole shebang back in 1978.

Among those to take part were several politicians, including the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Also spotted was former AFL player Mitch Brown, who came out as bisexual last year. He walked with the Sydney Swans.

Awesome to see Mitch Brown with the Sydney Swans as part of their Mardi Gras float tonight! #AFL pic.twitter.com/PTdU5xdJ6O— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 28, 2026

Increased police presence

Jewish group Dayenu previously decided not to march after safety concerns following the recent terror incident at Bondi Beach. However, the group decided to eventually participate, accompanied by a heavy police escort.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Jesse Matheson said in a statement afterward, “The Parade was loud, physical, and unapologetic. From some of the boldest floats Mardi Gras has ever produced to hundreds and thousands of people lining Oxford Street, this was ECSTATICA in full public view.”

Mardi Gras organizers made the difficult decision this year, just three weeks before the event, to cancel the traditional big afterparty. This huge event has previously featured big-name acts such as Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa and Sam Smith.

At the start of February, Matheson said, “Last year, I was appointed CEO and tasked with renewing and re-imagining the festival following two years of significant financial loss.”

It seems the biggest loss-maker was the after-party. It cost around AUS$2 million to host. Sponsorship accounted for a chunk of that. However, a fall in this money meant that the attendees would have had to pay a much-increased ticket price. Instead, organizers decided to cancel the party.

“This decision was not taken lightly. Facing an existential threat to the future of Mardi Gras, and with new sponsorship uncertain, it was absolutely the right decision,” Mr. Matheson said.

Instead of one big arena gathering a number of smaller, community-driven events followed Saturday’s parade, such as the First Nations Mardi Gras After Party: Black Joy.

Many hope the big after-party will return at a future date if adequate sponsorship can be secured.