Sydney WorldPride is one of the biggest events to ever come to our city.
The City of Sydney is proud that so much of this international celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities will happen in our area and we're supporting the event.
Here’s what you need to know before it all kicks off on 17 February.
Free and paid events
No matter your interests or budget, you’re invited to Sydney WorldPride.
There are more than 300 events happening across Greater Sydney from concerts to parties, theatre, exhibitions, sports and family events.
Find the program of official events on the Sydney WorldPride website. For community events see Pride Amplified.
Mardi Gras is coming home to Oxford Street
Just in time for the parade’s 45th anniversary, the world-renowned parade returns to Oxford Street on Saturday 25 February. For the first time since 2020, the beating heart of Sydney’s LGBTIQA+ communities will host 12,500 marchers and more than 200 floats. It's the biggest event of the Sydney WorldPride festival and not to be missed.
If you can’t get there in person, the parade will be broadcast live in fabulous form on the ABC.
Residents can find out about local road closures.
Accessibility is key
Sydney WorldPride is an inclusive event. There’s an accessible viewing area at the Mardi Gras Parade that includes a free shuttle to and from public transport, low sensory zones and flat road-level access. Find out more about accessibility at Sydney WorldPride.
Rainbows everywhere
Our streets will come alive with rainbows as councils, businesses and organisations across the city install rainbow monuments and displays to celebrate the festival.
In our area we’re:
- refreshing the Oxford Street rainbow crossing and path in Prince Alfred Park
- working in partnership with the NSW Government to install a Pride flag on George Street
- beautifying and brightening Oxford Street with living colour floral art displays
- lighting the Taylor Square fountain with a Pride theme.
You’ll find more rainbows from Coogee to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Visit the WorldPride website to find out more about the Rainbow City.
Family-friendly events and activities for teens
Take a picnic and some friends to enjoy Mardi Gras Fair Day at Victoria Park on Broadway, or enjoy a theatre show produced by children from rainbow families.
Or maybe your teen wants to learn to vogue. Our libraries have also gotten on board with Pride Amplified Storytime – free online stories for preschoolers presented by LGBTIQA+ individuals.
- Related content: Check out our article '6 Sydney WorldPride ideas for kids and teens'
Extra public transport services
Leave the car at home if you can and take public transport.
There’ll be major road closures in place and large crowds for the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 25 February and the Pride March on Sunday 5 March. Extra trains and buses will be running.
Plan your journey before you venture out and allow plenty of extra travel time to make the most of the events.
Travel on Sydney’s public transport network is easy with contactless payments available on all transport modes.
And if you have tickets to WorldPride events on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March, your travel on public transport is free. Just show your ticket to transport staff when boarding services.
Pride March over the Sydney Harbour Bridge
On Sunday 5 March, 50,000 people will march in their brightest colours across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the Pride March. The powerful international statement of visibility kicks off at 7am in North Sydney and finishes in Hyde Park and The Domain.
The event is free but ticketed by ballot. If you missed out on tickets you can sign up for the waitlist for a chance to be picked in another draw.
The best way to get there is by public transport with travel included in your ticket, simply show your wristband to staff when boarding services.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed from 4am with other major roads on either side of the harbour impacted too.
Find information on changes to traffic conditions and road closures.
Celebrating First Nations queer culture
Carriageworks in Eveleigh will be the destination for performances by leading national and international First Nations artists.
Free to enter, explore and connect, Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts): The First Nations Gathering Space, will also host a range of ticketed events where audiences can experience the rainbow heart of the oldest surviving culture on the planet.
Shows include Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen, an electric battle of the queens staged over 3 nights, and Klub Village, a dazzling variety show curated by Drag Race Down Under star Kween Kong.
There's also a huge First Nations Gala Concert happening at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 2 March. The general ticket allocation for this event is exhausted, however, tickets are available to purchase by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities under the Sydney WorldPride MobTix program.
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people can access discounted tickets to other events too through this program.
Pride in our villages and streets
Businesses across the city are getting involved celebrating and welcoming LGBTIQA+ communities.
For 10 days from 24 February, parts of Crown and Riley streets will be closed to create pedestrian-only areas. The Pride Villages will become home to daily stalls, performances, dining and a place to connect with friends and family in between WorldPride events.
On weekends, Crown Street will be home to a stage with nightly shows and special extended entertainment.
If you’re a local resident, find out about road closures in Surry Hills.
There will be additional road closures in our area for events
Road closures, special event clearways and changed traffic conditions will be in place during the festival in North Sydney, Sydney City and surrounds.
You can see all the information on the Sydney WorldPride website.
Human rights top the agenda
A central part of Sydney WorldPride is a 3-day human rights conference. It’s open to all: LGBTIQA+ community members and allies, activists and academics, lawyers and law makers, professionals and students.
It will be the largest LGBTIQA+ human rights conference ever to be held in the southern hemisphere and takes place from 1 to 3 March.
Sydney WorldPride 2023 is on from 17 February to 5 March 2023 incorporating Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Access tickets for events at the official SydneyWorldPride site. Find tickets for community events at Pride Amplified.
Published 31 January 2023, updated 14 February 2023
