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Unveiling Sydney’s Spectacular Mardi Gras Parade: A Dazzling Display of Pride and Culture

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Around 10,000 people are marching in the 48th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney tonight.
Thousands more will line the streets of Sydney as the harbour city becomes a sea of colour and bling for the celebration that has become part of Sydney’s culture.

Approximately 170 floats are slated to participate in the parade, featuring the adored actress and comedian Magda Szubanski, who is joining just a day after revealing her remission from stage four cancer.

edition of the LGBTQIA+ festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of revellers to Sydney's Oxford Street precinct for a weeks-long program of parties, performances and community events. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)
Revellers gathered in Hyde Park where the parade will begin. (Getty)
Participants prepare for Magda Szubanski's float.
Participants prepare for Szubanski’s float. (Nine)

The float will showcase around 40 participants, bringing to life six of Szubanski’s iconic characters cherished by Australian television audiences over the years.

Spanning from February 13 to March 1, this year’s festival embraces the theme “Ecstatica.”

Crowds gather on Oxford Street for the 2026 Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.
Crowds gather on Oxford Street for the 2026 Mardi Gras parade. (Sitthixay Ditthavong)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Participant prepares for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade at Hyde Park on February 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. The 48th edition of the LGBTQIA+ festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of revellers to Sydney's Oxford Street precinct for a weeks-long program of parties, performances and community events. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)
Participants in the parade making sure they are all glammed up for the main event. (Getty)

This theme artfully combines the festival’s roots in activism and visibility with an unabashed celebration of joy.

Excited attendees gathered early at various locations around Sydney, including Hyde Park, the starting point of the parade, as well as along Oxford Street in Darlinghurst and Paddington.

Life Without Barriers gathers for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2026 parade in the marshaling area in Hyde Park. Saturday, February 28th, 2026. Photo: Audrey Richardson, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Life Without Barriers gathers for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2026 parade in the marshaling area in Hyde Park. Saturday, February 28th, 2026. Photo: Audrey Richardson, The Sydney Morning Herald. (Audrey Richardson)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Participant poses for a photo before the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on February 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. The 48th edition of the LGBTQIA+ festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of revellers to Sydney's Oxford Street precinct for a weeks-long program of parties, performances and community events. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)
Participant poses for a photo before the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on February 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. The 48th edition of the LGBTQIA+ festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of revellers to Sydney’s Oxford Street precinct for a weeks-long program of parties, performances and community events. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images) (Getty)

Pubs filled early as those taking part showed off their glamourous costumes and outfits for the night.

There was a moment of controversy on the eve of the parade, with activist group Pride in Protest a late exclusion from the parade.

There were several eye-catching costumes and outfits on show in Sydney today.
There were several eye-catching costumes and outfits on show in Sydney today. (Getty)
The theme blends the festival's foundations in protest and visibility with unashamed joy.
The theme blends the festival’s foundations in protest and visibility with unashamed joy. (Getty)

The pro-Palestinian activist group was barred from taking part after allegedly offensive social media posts.

Pride in Protest staged a protest as a result of the decision.

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