Everything you need to know for the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras

Tens of thousands of spectators will flock to Oxford Street on Saturday night to catch a glimpse of the more than 200 floats taking part in the 47th annual Mardi Gras Parade.

With festivities kicking off at 7pm, here is all you need to know to navigate Sydney’s night of nights.

Hundreds of floats will travel up Oxford Street, celebrating the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.Credit:

When is the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras?

The festival is being held from February 14 to March 2, with this year’s theme, “free to be”, inspiring events, floats and revellers throughout the fortnight.

The highlight of Mardi Gras, as always, will be the annual parade that lights up Oxford Street and the surrounding area on Saturday evening.

What time does the parade start?

The parade will officially begin at 7pm and wrap up at 11pm. However, festivities surrounding the event will result in road closures and public transport changes throughout the afternoon and into early Sunday morning.

What are the Sydney street closures?

Roads around the CBD will be closed between 3.30pm on Saturday and 2am on Sunday, with staggered closures throughout the affected period. Transport for NSW has urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in the CBD, and urged visitors to take public transport.

Mardi Gras road closures

• From 3.30pm to 1am: sections of College St, Wentworth Ave, Goulburn St and surrounding local streets.
• From 4pm to 2am: Flinders St northbound lanes from Moore Park Rd to Oxford St and sections of Bourke St, Albion St, Campbell St and surrounding local streets in Surry Hills as well as local streets in Darlinghurst including Forbes St and Foley St.
• From 5pm to 1am: In Surry Hills/CBD South, closures will be in place on Liverpool St westbound from College St to Elizabeth St, and sections of Nithsdale St, Clarke St and Commonwealth St in Surry Hills. The following roads in Surry Hills will also close but have managed access for residents, including Reservoir St, Commonwealth St, Riley St, Campbell St and surrounding streets.
• From 5pm to 2am: Oxford St between College St and Darlinghurst Rd, Flinders St southbound from Oxford St to Moore Park Rd, Crown St between Albion St and Burton St, sections of South Dowling between Oxford St and Fitzroy St, and Anzac Pde between Moore Park Rd and Lang Rd, including the Eastern Distributor Randwick exit. Other roads in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst adjoining Oxford St and Flinders St will also be closed.
  • Anzac Pde and Oxford St detours: From 5pm all citybound traffic on Anzac Pde will be diverted via Cleveland St or Lang Rd, and all citybound traffic on Oxford St will be diverted via Darlinghurst Rd.
  • Eastern Distributor closures: Eastern Distributor (ED) Anzac Pde Randwick exit will be closed from 5pm, and there will be no access to the ED northbound from Anzac Pde. Entry to the ED maintained until 6.30pm via Moore Park Rd. After 6.30pm, access the ED via South Dowling St. The ED Moore Park Rd Bondi exit remains open at all times.
• From 6.30pm to 1am: Moore Park Rd westbound from Oatley Rd to South Dowling St, including Eastern Distributor entry ramp, Greens Rd, Driver Ave and nearby streets. 

A full breakdown of road closures, public transport options and accessibility services can be found on the website of Transport for NSW.

What public transport can I take?

For the most part, public transport will be running late and with increased services to meet demand.

Trains will run with additional services, but Transport for NSW has asked those planning a late night to prepare other options, as services will not run all night. The best stations for accessing the northern side of the route are Town Hall, St James, Martin Place and Kings Cross. For the southern side, Central Station will be the best option. Museum Station will be closed from 5pm on Saturday.

Buses will run on weekend schedules, with additional services. Route diversions will begin at 3pm on Saturday to navigate road closures for buses travelling between the CBD and eastern suburbs.

Revellers should plan their transport so they do not need to cross Oxford Street.Credit: Jessica Hromas

Light rail services on the L1 Dulwich Hill, L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford lines will be extended until 2am.

Ferries will also be running; however, they are expected to reach capacity early, and Transport for NSW recommends that travellers have a back-up plan or an alternative transport option.

Metro services will run every eight to 10 minutes throughout the night, with services extended until 2am. Services will not run between Sydenham and Central due to planned track work.

How can I watch the parade?

Tens of thousands of people will line Oxford and Flinders streets to watch the parade, but if you’d rather follow from home, The Sydney Morning Herald will be running live coverage of the event throughout the night, with journalists and photographers on the ground. You can also tune in to the ABC to watch the parade on television, or ABC iview to watch online.

Do I need tickets?

The parade is not a ticketed event, though some sections of the route are reserved for ticket holders, including the Taylor Square Takeover.

Many visitors arrive early to get a prime spot along the route. It is advisable to plan your transport to the parade so that you don’t have to cross Oxford Street to get to the side of the road you hope to watch from.

What other events are on?

With the festival ending on Sunday, there are only a few other opportunities to get into the spirit.

Tickets for the Mardi Gras Party after the parade at the Entertainment Quarter are still available. The event will feature international musicians and DJs, keeping the party going until 6am. There are also rumours of performances by Australian pop icons Kylie Minogue – who is playing Qudos Bank Arena that night – and Troye Sivan.

Kylie Minogue was a surprise guest at the 2019 Mardi Gras.Credit: James Brickwood

Laneway, a party at Surry Hills venue The Beresford and adjoining Hill Street on Sunday, will be the final major event of the season. Tickets for this event have sold out.

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