Overview
Sydney's Mardi Gras is one of the city's biggest festivals, and one of the country's most important celebrations of diversity and equality. In 2017, it's taking the party to a whole new level, with more stars, guests and performers than ever before helping to highlight the theme of "Creating Equality".
Mardi Gras kicks off on February 17 and will run until March 5, hosting more than eighty events. For two fun-filled weeks, expect everything from the now iconic Little Black Dress Run to the Papa Party and Queer Art After Hours, plus anything you can think of in between. The festival culminates, of course, in the epic annual parade on Saturday, March 4.
As part of the 2017 lineup, Koori Gras @ 107 makes its Mardi Gras debut. The week-long festival within a festival is a joint effort between Moogahlin Performing Arts and Redfern's 107 Projects, celebrating Australia's First People's part in the LGBTQI community, and telling the stories and the history of members that fit into both groups. Expect an evening of drag, cabaret and DJs, as well as a feed and open mic night on February 25.
Before hitting up the parties that form the backbone in the festival's night life, there'll be plenty of history and culture to soak up. From In Difference, a choreographed story that explores the debate on marriage equality, to the traditional Mardi Gras Film Festival, there's plenty of ways to discover and learn the stories of struggle faced by the community throughout history.
The theme of the 2017 festival, "Creating Equality", is a loud and clear message that resonates with everyone — and continues Mardi Gras' four-decade endeavour to offer a peaceful protest in the form of a celebration of people and culture. "As we continue to push our federal politicians to represent the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Australians — by legislating equality through a free vote in Parliament — celebrations like Mardi Gras are as important as ever," says Sydney Mayor Clover Moore. So, whether you're a member of the LGBTQI community or not, get ready to get dressed up (or undressed, for those attending Extra Dirty) and party for equality.
Mardi Gras 2017 runs from February 17 to March 4. For the full program, and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.