Sydney Mardi Gras 2022: Revellers flock to the city to party


Thousands of revellers descended on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the annual Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night in a flurry of colour and glitter. 

Partygoers arrived wearing bright ensembles and quirky costumes adorned with coloured jewels, sequins, and feathers. 

A sold-out crowd of 40,000 spectators watched in excitement as 160 floats with up to 6,500 marchers paraded in support of LGBTQIA+ community.

Thousands of revellers descended on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the annual Mardi Gras parade in a flurry of colour and glitter on Saturday night

Thousands of revellers descended on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the annual Mardi Gras parade in a flurry of colour and glitter on Saturday night

Other revellers left little to the imagination as they posed on Oxford Street as celebrations continued in pubs and clubs

Other revellers left little to the imagination as they posed on Oxford Street as celebrations continued in pubs and clubs

For the second time in its 44-year history the Mardi Gras parade did not go down Oxford Street but was instead held at the SCG with organisers hoping to return to Oxford Street in 2023

For the second time in its 44-year history the Mardi Gras parade did not go down Oxford Street but was instead held at the SCG with organisers hoping to return to Oxford Street in 2023

Reality star Abbie Chatfield and friend Khanh Ong were spotted leaving an apartment in Bondi before joining the crowds of revellers at the Mardi Gras parade

Reality star Abbie Chatfield and friend Khanh Ong were spotted leaving an apartment in Bondi before joining the crowds of revellers at the Mardi Gras parade

Abbie switched her usual blonde locks for a striking brunette wig that trailed down her back and wore an ornate silver bra, a sparkly purple skirt and matching gloves for the occasion

Abbie switched her usual blonde locks for a striking brunette wig that trailed down her back and wore an ornate silver bra, a sparkly purple skirt and matching gloves for the occasion

In other celebrity appearances, Instagram star Imogen Anthony was pictured at the VIP Honey Birdette lingerie Mardi Gras Party in a bright orange wig and silver top and skirt

In other celebrity appearances, Instagram star Imogen Anthony was pictured at the VIP Honey Birdette lingerie Mardi Gras Party in a bright orange wig and silver top and skirt

Imogen struck a pose with a fellow reveller at the VIP Party who wore latex gloves and a studded headpiece

 Imogen struck a pose with a fellow reveller at the VIP Party who wore latex gloves and a studded headpiece

For the second time in its 44-year history, the Mardi Gras parade did not go down Oxford Street but was instead held at the SCG, with organisers hoping to return in 2023.

The 2022 Mardi Gras festival theme is ‘United we shine’, a nationwide call to stand up against hate and inequality.  

The Australian flag flew at half-mast over the stadium’s members stand in tribute to cricket legend Shane Warne, whose death from a sudden heart attack at just 52 shocked Australia earlier that day. 

The iconic event began with a moment of silence for Ukraine as well as those affected by the unravelling flood crisis in NSW and Queensland. 

Spectators were treated to live performances from The Wiggles, Darren Hayes and Vanessa Amorosi as well as appearances from Sydney’s top drag queens.  

One woman wore a very striking mesh top and leather chaps as she enjoyed Mardi Gras celebrations with friends

One woman wore a very striking mesh top and leather chaps as she enjoyed Mardi Gras celebrations with friends

A sold-out crowd of 40,000 spectators watched on in excitement as 160 floats with 6,500 marchers paraded to support LGBTQIA+ communities

Partygoers were seen arriving to the stadium in bright ensembles in all the colours of the rainbow, adorned with sequins, feathers and lots of glitter

Partygoers were seen arriving to the stadium in bright ensembles in all the colours of the rainbow, adorned with sequins, feathers and lots of glitter

Amnesty International took part in the parade alongside other companies like Woolworths, Optus, and Transport for NSW

Amnesty International took part in the parade alongside other companies like Woolworths, Optus, and Transport for NSW

Dykes on Bikes kicked off the parade at the SCG which was attended by a sold-out crowd of 40,000 spectators

Dykes on Bikes kicked off the parade at the SCG which was attended by a sold-out crowd of 40,000 spectators

The crowd was treated to performances from The Wiggles, Darren Hayes and Vanessa Amorosi

The crowd was treated to performances from The Wiggles, Darren Hayes and Vanessa Amorosi

Brightly-dressed attendees waved rainbow flags in the audience as the parade kicked off on Saturday night

Brightly-dressed attendees waved rainbow flags in the audience as the parade kicked off on Saturday night

The annual celebration was moved from the street after organisers last year decided the event had the best chance of going ahead if held at the SCG, as the Covid situation was unpredictable.

But the changes did little to dim the spirts of enthusiastic revellers, who showed their pride with quirky outfits, wild hairstyles and colourful makeup and body paint. 

Support for Ukraine was evident in revellers’ gold and blue outfits, makeup and body glitter while others left little to the imagination with tiny skirts and lingerie.

Reality TV star Abbie Chatfield and friend Khanh Ong were spotted leaving an apartment in Bondi before joining the crowds of revellers at the Mardi Gras parade. 

Abbie switched her usual blonde locks for a striking brunette wig that trailed down her back and wore an ornate silver bra, a sparkly purple skirt and matching gloves for the occasion. 

Enthusiastic revellers showed their pride with quirky ensembles, wild hairstyles and colourful makeup and body paint

Enthusiastic revellers showed their pride with quirky ensembles, wild hairstyles and colourful makeup and body paint

Excited participants appeared to be having a ball in white ruffled skirts complete with angel wings

 Excited participants appeared to be having a ball in white ruffled skirts complete with angel wings

Two revellers decided to match in hot pink bowties and sequinned shorts

Two revellers decided to match in hot pink bowties and sequinned shorts 

Others showed their support by wearing rainbow skirts and painting their faces with glitter

Others showed their support by wearing rainbow skirts and painting their faces with glitter

One man twirled his gold cape as he paraded around the stadium to a packed-out crowd of 40,000 spectators

One man twirled his gold cape as he paraded around the stadium to a packed-out crowd of 40,000 spectators

Police allowed a member of the Dykes on Bikes to mount a police motorcycle ahead of the highly-anticipated parade

Police allowed a member of the Dykes on Bikes to mount a police motorcycle ahead of the highly-anticipated parade

Partygoers were seen taking a break from the festivities before the parade kicked off at the SCG on Saturday

Partygoers were seen taking a break from the festivities before the parade kicked off at the SCG on Saturday

Groups of partygoers showed their support for the LGBTQIA+ communities on Saturday night

Groups of partygoers showed their support for the LGBTQIA+ communities on Saturday night

The parade draws thousands every year with partygoers continuing their celebrations well in the early hours across the city

The parade draws thousands every year with partygoers continuing their celebrations well in the early hours across the city

One woman stuck out her tongue as she posed for a photo in her Mardi Gras inspired outfit

One woman stuck out her tongue as she posed for a photo in her Mardi Gras inspired outfit

The pair appeared to be in high spirits as they strode through Bondi, holding hands and laughing in anticipation of the annual event. 

Spotted among the crowd was former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian seated alongside Olympic legend Ian Thorpe.  

Both Berejiklian and Thorpe sported low key outfits, ditching the sparkles in favour of a monochrome look. 

In other celebrity appearances, Instagram star Imogen Anthony was seen at the VIP Honey Birdette lingerie Mardi Gras Party in a bright orange wig and silver top and skirt.  

‘This year’s Mardi Gras Parade proved why it’s such an important event,’ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger said. 

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Olympic legend Ian Thorpe were spotted at the SCG event on Saturday (pictured)

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Olympic legend Ian Thorpe were spotted at the SCG event on Saturday (pictured)

One reveller towered in high stiletto heels which were paired with a matching top and miniskirt

One reveller towered in high stiletto heels which were paired with a matching top and miniskirt 

Excited revellers made their way into pubs and clubs to continue Mardi Gras celebrations

Excited revellers made their way into pubs and clubs to continue Mardi Gras celebrations

NSW Police were seen keeping a close eye on revellers who flocked to the city on Saturday night to support LGBTQIA+ communities

NSW Police were seen keeping a close eye on revellers who flocked to the city on Saturday night to support LGBTQIA+ communities

The 2022 Mardi Gras festival theme is 'United we shine', a nationwide call to stand up against hate and inequality

The 2022 Mardi Gras festival theme is ‘United we shine’, a nationwide call to stand up against hate and inequality 

'This year's Mardi Gras Parade proved why it's such an important event,' said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger

‘This year’s Mardi Gras Parade proved why it’s such an important event,’ said Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger

‘The parade gives LGBTQIA+ people a global platform to celebrate the community, but to also draw attention to really important issues.

‘If the last few months have shown us anything, it’s that there is still a long way to go before equality is achieved. 

‘Our trans kids are still under continued attack, there are LGBTQIA+ people in Ukraine fighting for their freedoms, there are still countries around the world where LGBTQIA+ people are being killed because they are different.’

Mr Kruger said the event returned to the SCG for a second time due to safety concerns around having 250,000 people on the street. 

‘But we’re looking forward to returning to our spiritual home on Oxford Street next year,’ he said. 

Two revellers waved rainbow fans and flags as they strutted down Oxford Street to join in on celebrations

Two revellers waved rainbow fans and flags as they strutted down Oxford Street to join in on celebrations

A hot pink trio stopped to pose for a photo as they enjoyed the night's festivities

A hot pink trio stopped to pose for a photo as they enjoyed the night’s festivities 

Organisers hope the parade can return to its 'spiritual home' on Oxford Street in 2023

Organisers hope the parade can return to its ‘spiritual home’ on Oxford Street in 2023

Performers were seen strutting their stuff in elaborate costumes complete with exquisite headpieces

Performers were seen strutting their stuff in elaborate costumes complete with exquisite headpieces

Excitable revellers made their way down Oxford Street to continue celebrations after the parade

Excitable revellers made their way down Oxford Street to continue celebrations after the parade

Australian singer Casey Donovan addressed the crowds in a stunning pink sequin gown

Australian singer Casey Donovan addressed the crowds in a stunning pink sequin gown

A police officer showed his support by wrapping himself in a rainbow flag and matching face mask

A police officer showed his support by wrapping himself in a rainbow flag and matching face mask

The day was only marred by hundreds of gay rights activists being told to ‘go to hell’ by religious hardliners demonstrating against a Sydney Mardi Gras protest rally ahead of the parade. 

LGBTQIA+ campaigners gathered at Taylor Square on Sydney’s Oxford Street just after midday to protest against the federal government’s religious discrimination bill.

The group also called for the decriminalisation of sex work in all states, an end to mandatory detention, and leave for workers who are transitioning. 

A small opposing group reportedly told protesters they would ‘go to hell’ but were quickly moved on by police, according to the Daily Telegraph. 

Hundreds of protesters have gathered to rally for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ahead of Saturday night's parade (pictured)

Hundreds of protesters have gathered to rally for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ahead of Saturday night’s parade (pictured)

LGBTQIA+ activists gathered at Taylor Square on Sydney's Oxford Street just after midday on Saturday

LGBTQIA+ activists gathered at Taylor Square on Sydney’s Oxford Street just after midday on Saturday 

People rally for LGBTQI Rights at Taylor Square ahead of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade (pictured)

People rally for LGBTQI Rights at Taylor Square ahead of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade (pictured)

Activists rallied against legislative and political attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights (pictured)

Activists rallied against legislative and political attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights (pictured)

‘Last year, I and thousands of others marched down Oxford Street to affirm that Mardi Gras is and always will be a protest,’ Wei Thai-Haynes, one of the protest’s organisers said. 

‘Our fight is not over while the bigots in Parliament continue their disgusting attacks on my community.’

NSW Police said a section of Oxford Street was closed between Taylor Square and Hyde Park due to a planned police operation. 

The group also called for the decriminalisation of sex work in states which require it, an end to mandatory detention and transition leave at workplaces for trans staff (pictured, members of the LGBTQIA+ protest in Oxford Street on Saturday)

The group also called for the decriminalisation of sex work in states which require it, an end to mandatory detention and transition leave at workplaces for trans staff (pictured, members of the LGBTQIA+ protest in Oxford Street on Saturday)

Demonstrators rallied against the federal government's religious discrimination bill on Saturday (pictured)

Demonstrators rallied against the federal government’s religious discrimination bill on Saturday (pictured)

Protesters gathered on Oxford Street ahead of the 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras at the Sydney Cricket Grounds

Protesters gathered on Oxford Street ahead of the 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras at the Sydney Cricket Grounds

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