Sydney Mardi Gras Parade Route: Viewing areas, road closures and more

Looking for the Mardi Gras parade route? You’re in the right place with our ultimate guide to planning your night for the big Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, which starts at 6:30pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The world-famous 47th annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will take over the city’s streets on Saturday, March 1, with the parade route stretched from Museum Station on Oxford Street to Moore Park.

Hundreds of thousands of people turn out for the parade each year, trailing along the iconic Mardi Gras floats in what is one of the world’s biggest celebrations of the pride, strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. This also means you’ll need to be quite nifty when it comes to planning your experience, with numerous ticketed viewing spots to consider as well as Mardi Gras road closures and access at each point along the 2km route.

The parade takes around 30 minutes to complete and the route is about six-metres wide, which is kept consistent from the starting point on Oxford Street to the turn down Flinders Street and Anzac Parade. You’ll be able to take your spot at any point along this route, with the most popular viewing spots being located around the corner or Oxford Street and Flinders Street (that is, Taylor Square).

Sydney Mardi Gras Parade Route & Schedule

As you can see from the map above (click on it if you want a bigger version), the Mardi Gras parade route runs from the corner of Oxford Street and College Street (near Museum Station) through to Flinders Street and then onto Anzac Parade before ending up in the heart of Moore Park.

Although the parade route only takes 30 minutes to complete, official festivities will begin at 6:45pm and end at 11pm. There will be a traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony before the parade starts.

Best Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Areas

There are four main ticketed viewing areas for the ultimate experience during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

Taylor Square Takeover (presented by American Express)

The Taylor Square Takeover is always the most sought-after viewing area for the Mardi Gras parade. This year, organisers are revamping the FKA Diamond Club with its own block party and a surprise new experience, plus bars, food and music all throughout the parade.

Taylor Square Takeover tickets start from $149.

Sideshow (presented by Optus)

Slide into this special pocket of Flinders Street for a premium area that gives you front row tickets to one of the world’s biggest nighttime parades. Hosts will be scattered across the intimate space with floats, bars and private toilets on offer so you have a comfortable and convenient Mardi Gras experience. You can pick from bleacher-style seating or standing during the parade.

Sideshow tickets start from $69.

Club Cindy (presented by Got2b)

For the most casual atmosphere with perfect views of Flinders Street, hit up Club Cindy. The popular option is the most affordable of the Mardi Gras Parade viewing spots, with bars, toilets and food trucks positioned at the Moore Park end of Flinders Street. There will be bars and amenities on site so you can play the parade your way.

Club Cindy tickets start from $59.

Accessible Parade Viewing Area

The only exclusive Mardi Gras parade viewing area that isn’t ticketed is for people with disability to enjoy the parade. Tickets are free with online registration, granting guests access to an unobstructed view with accessible portable toilets and dedicated volunteers and security. There are also charging ports to electric wheelchairs and a quiet room for people with autism.

What is the theme for this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras?

The theme for this year’s festival is “free to be,” nodding to significant strides towards true equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and acting as a global reminder that we are not truly free under we are free to be who we are.

“Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will continue to be here, fighting, celebrating and being fiercely visible for the generations to come,” said Gil Beckwith, CEO of the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

“Our theme is about making a statement to embrace and rejoice in our unique individuality as well as our collective identity. It is about the bravery to rise for each other in the darkest of times and protect the progress we’ve made, using it as a springboard toward the process we deserve.”

The “free to be” spirit will be threaded through everything about the Sydney Mardi Gras this year, from the parade to the epic Mardi Gras Party that happens at Hordern Pavilion. Mind you, it’s a party rumoured to feature surprise appearances from both Kylie Minogue and Troye Sivan.

There will be various other community events on the day so be sure to look out for other “Free to Be” references.

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Mardi Gras Parade road closures: How to get around on the Saturday

The best way to get to the parade is always going to be public transport. There are numerous road closures between the Sydney CBD and Moore Park from 5pm on the big day, so the crowds are going to be thick and hard to navigate. Parking will be a nightmare regardless, so your best bet is the train, tram or Sydney’s fresh-faced Metro system.

These are the major Mardi Gras road closures you should know about. Note that all of this will be in place as temporary road closures between 5pm on Saturday, March 1 and 3am on Sunday, March 2. Some of these road closures will be in place until later in the day on Sunday.

• Eastern Distributor off ramp Randwick Exit to Anzac Parade
• Eastern Distributor on ramp access from Moore Park Road
• Patterson Lane between Bourke and Flinders Street (from 6am Friday February 28 to 3pm Sunday March 2)
• Clare Street, between Short Street and Marys Place
• Flood Place between Albion Street and Marys Place
• Hill Street, between Bourke and Flinders Streets
• Marys Place between Bourke and Clare Streets
• Short Place between Hill and Short Streets
• Short Street between Bourke and Flinders Street westbound only
• Stanley Street between College Street and College Lane
• College Lane between Stanley and Francis Streets
• College Street between William and Oxford Streets
• Commonwealth Street between Wentworth Avenue and Lyons Lane
• Foy Lane between Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets
• Francis Lane from College Lane
• Francis Street between College and Yurong Streets
• Goulburn Street between Elizabeth Street and Wentworth Avenue
• Lyons Lane between Wentworth Avenue and Commonwealth Street
• Stanley Street between College and Yurong Streets
• Wentworth Avenue between Goulburn and Liverpool Streets
• Wentworth Avenue between Elizabeth and Goulburn Streets (northbound)

These are the main road closures which would effect people in and around the CBD. For a full list of Mardi Gras road closures head on over to the City of Sydney website.

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Parade Day Essentials

Planning ahead is key to making the most of your Mardi Gras parade experience. Here are some essential tips to ensure you have a fantastic day:

1. Plan Ahead: Familiarize yourself with the Mardi Gras Parade Map and Parade Pedestrian Map to choose the best viewing location and plan your route. Knowing where you want to be will save you time and stress on the day.
2. Transportation: With major roads like Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Moore Park closed, public transport is your best bet. Make sure to top up your Opal card before you travel to avoid long queues.
3. Road Closures: Be aware of the extensive road closures along the parade route. This includes key areas such as Oxford Street, Flinders Street, and Moore Park, so plan your journey accordingly.
4. Viewing Areas: Choose a viewing area that suits your needs. The accessible viewing area on Flinders Street between Patterson Lane and Linden Lane is a great option for those requiring additional support.
5. Food and Drink: Stay hydrated and energized by bringing water and snacks. While there will be food vendors, having your own supplies can be a lifesaver in the crowds.
6. Sun Protection: Don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. The Australian sun can be harsh, and you’ll want to protect yourself while enjoying the festivities.
7. Phone Charging: Keep your phone charged throughout the day by bringing a portable charger. You’ll want to capture all the memorable moments and stay connected with friends.
8. Meeting Point: Designate a meeting point with your friends and family in case you get separated. With so many people around, it’s easy to lose track of each other.

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