Mardi Gras Is Bringing Back a Heap of Beloved Events As Part of Its Dazzling 2022 Lineup

In March 2022, the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will return to the Sydney Cricket Ground, bringing its pageant of costumes, puppetry and props to the venue for the second year in a row. But it isn't the only beloved part of Mardi Gras that's making a comeback next year — with everything from the annual flag raising, Fair Day and the Paradiso Pool Party to the Sissy Ball and Laugh Out Proud also back on the program.

While the full 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras lineup hasn't yet been announced, the festival has revealed a stack of returning favourites that you can pop in your diary right now. First up: the Progress Pride flag-raising at Sydney Town Hall, which'll kick off the event on Friday, February 18. The flag will then fly all throughout the fest.

With Mardi Gras running through until Sunday, March 6, it'll also welcome back Fair Day at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 20; the Kaftana Pool Party at the ivy Pool on Wednesday, February 23; and Laugh Out Proud at the Enmore Theatre on Friday, February 25. Yes, that means picnics, stalls, music and celebrating LGBTQI+ artists, as well as poolside partying and giggling at Australia's rising queer comedy stars.

Also returning: the Sissy Ball on Saturday, February 26, this time bringing its glam ballroom shindig, house battles, DJs and live tunes to Sydney Town Hall; the Paradiso Pool Party on Monday, February 28, giving the ivy Pool and Changeroom a Mediterranean feel to farewell summer; the parade party across Hordern Pavilion, Max Watts, Watsons and Entertainment Quarter on Saturday, March 5; and the Laneway recovery party the next day, on Sunday, March 6, at The Beresford and Hill Street.

And, both the Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival and Queer Art After Hours are back, too — the former from Thursday, February 17–Thursday, March 3, and the latter at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Wednesday, March 2.

Specifics in terms of exactly who'll be playing and what'll be showing where haven't yet been revealed, so watch this space.

But we already know one thing for sure: 2022 is going to kick into gear in Sydney with quite the dazzling showcase of queer art and culture, all celebrating the theme 'United We Shine'.

The 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will take between Friday, February 18–Sunday, March 6, with pre-sale tickets launching at 11am AEDT on Friday, November 11 and general sales kicking off at 12pm AEDT on Monday, November 15. For more information, head to the Mardi Gras website.

Top images: Anna Kucera.