It’s happening-Mardi Gras is returning in 2022!

The festival is back – Mardi Gras returns in 2022!

The Mardi Gras Festival will be making its grand return next year!

Kicking off on 18 February and culminating in the Parade on 5 March, we are assembling a truly impressive line-up of performances, talks, gatherings and parties. We won’t share all the surprises just yet – but prepare for an exciting season.

Looking towards 2022, the future for our rainbow family is bright. But this doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges for us along the way – of particular concern both at home and abroad are the attacks on our Trans and Gender Diverse communities.

Our theme UNITED WE SHINE signifies that when we band together, we shine brighter. It is a rallying call to stand up against hate and inequality, reminding us that when we rise as a collective, our message of love and inclusion is heard louder.

We only need to look at our history to be empowered by the strength and resilience of LGBTQI+ people – we have the power to create a more equitable society.

It’s time to unite and shine for the 44th Mardi Gras Parade! On Saturday 5 March 2022, our dazzling display of LGBTQI+ pride will descend on the Sydney Cricket Ground once more.

While restrictions are starting to ease, there is still a lot of uncertainty around what restrictions will look like come February and March. The SCG allows us certainty that the Parade will go ahead, no matter what comes. You can read more here.

Tickets to the Parade will go on sale on Monday 15 November, join the waitlist here to receive a reminder once they’re available. The small ticket price helps us cover the cost of operating this event under a COVID Safe Model.

We also want to make the Parade as accessible as possible, so we are setting aside 3,000 free tickets for those feeling the impact of COVID-19. Details will be shared in November.

Parade group applications open at 1pm today. Applications will also open for the Mardi Gras & Google Parade Grants program. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to parade entries that make a meaningful contribution to our communities.

We rely on over 1,800 volunteers to make our world-famous festival and events the success they are year after year. Volunteer opportunities are wide-ranging and vary from event operations to information technology to human resources and logistics. Volunteer applications are open at 1pm today.

Sydney’s most vibrant free LGBTQI+ community event is looking to return to the picturesque Victoria Park on Sunday 20 February 2022 for an all-day rainbow adventure for the whole family. Expressions of interest will open at 1pm today for stallholders.

Many promoters and community groups are using their inspiring optimism and creativity in reimagining events to comply with COVID-19 regulations. Registration for festival events open at 1pm today. We invite you to register your event and be part of our festival celebrations.

Each year, for 44 years, nothing has stopped us from gathering to celebrate together, to call for change and to remember those who came before us.

In 2022, despite the great uncertainty of what next year will look like, we will honour our commitment to continuing the legacy of delivering a Parade for the community.

It is up to all of us to keep safe, healthy and well.