Sydney Mardi Gras Parade: Anthony Albanese shares hope for surprise appearance from Kylie Minogue

While revellers lit up Sydney’s Oxford St for the 47th Mardi Gras parade, all eyes were peeled for a surprise appearance from Kylie Minogue. See all the pics here.

Revellers have filled Sydney’s Oxford St for the 47th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday night, however all eyes will be peeled for a surprise appearance from pop princess Kylie Minogue.

Marching for the second time as prime minister, Anthony Albanese joined the rest of parade attendees eager for Mingoue to join the festivities, electing a song from the Aussie icon as a must have for his “queer party playlist”.

The Prime Minister marched with alongside the Rainbow Labor float alongside Sydney MP and Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek.

“She’s playing out at Homebush, there’s got to be some chance she’ll turn up here later on,” he told the ABC.

Although the Padam Padam singer is playing at Qudos Bank Area at Sydney Olympic Park, fans are hoping she’ll appear at the official Mardi Gras After Party at Horden Pavillion alongside fellow Aussie Troye Sivan.

Perhaps in lieu of an appearance, Minogue shared a message with her fans, streaming into the live ABC broadcast from her show.

“Hi Mardi Gras. It’s me Kylie I’m on stage with my friends,” she said.

“We wanted to send you a message of love and here it is. All of us on the count of three... One, two, three... Happy Mardi Gras!”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held out hope for a surprise appearance from the pop princess. Picture: ABC

Mr Albanese, who was the first sitting prime minister to march in the Mardi Gras parade in 2023, said rights for Australia’s LGBTQI+ community had “come a long way” however there was “still further to go”.

“I’ve been doing this (coming to Mardi Gras) for many decades now, just about every year since about 1984, so for 40 years,” he said.

“But it’s fun. It’s a celebration, and it shows a commitment to respect people for who they are.”

As is tradition, the parade was led by Dykes on Bikes, LGBTQIA+SB First Nations communities and the 78ers, the name given to the activists who marched in the first Mardi Gras parade in 1978.

Dykes on Bikes opened the Saturday’s 47th parade, as per tradition. Picture: NewsWire/ Ben Symons

This year’s Mardi Gras theme was: Free to Be. Picture: NewsWire/ Ben Symons

Oxford St was filled with people hoping to get a glimpse of the parade. Picture: NewsWire/ Ben Symons

More than 200 floats are expected to take part. Picture: NewsWire/ Ben Symons

About 11,000 people across more than 200 floats made their way from the northern end of Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, down Flinders St, before finishing at Anzac Parade, Moore Park at about 11pm. This year’s theme was: Free to Be.

“Our theme is about making a statement to embrace and rejoice in our unique individuality as well as our collective identity,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras chief executive Gil Beckwith said.

“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 progress we deserve.”

Sydneysiders get ready for the Mardi Gras parade. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Bec George from Architecture with Pride gears up for the 47th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Fellow revellers from the float, Childless Cat Ladies donned on matching robes. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Fruits from Brazil will also be marching in the parade. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Colours of our Community will be one of more than 200 groups marching on Saturday. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Jen from Newcastle Pride at Sydney Opera House staff float. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Drag King Magnus Opium gearing up for the parade. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Kimberly Yvette, Guy Fenton, Kaela Macinnes from Oz Queer Hags. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

Sydney’s Oxford St ahead of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: NewsWire/ Tim Pascoe

Authorities have also warned motorists to avoid streets near the parade, with road closures on parts of Flinders St, Oxford St, South Dowling St and Moore Park Rd between 5pm to 2am.

From 9pm to 11.30pm sections of Elizabeth St and Castlereagh St may also be closed to allow pedestrians to leave the CBD.

While motorists will be able to access Cleveland St and William St, NSW’s Transport Management Centre has urged people to allow considerable travel time.

Extra trains and light rail services will continue until 2am, with NightRide buses and rail replacement buses set to take over into the early morning.

However, Museum train station in the CBD will be closed between 5pm to 4am due to the large crowds.

Originally published as Sydney Mardi Gras Parade: Anthony Albanese shares hope for surprise appearance from Kylie Minogue