Mardi Gras 2021 and COVID-19

Planning a large-scale event during a global pandemic is no small feat. When we were looking into options for the Parade, the health and safety of our community was always top priority, as well as how we could adopt COVID-safe protocols that are in line with Federal and State government directives.

Logistically, a Parade staged along Oxford Street this year would be very difficult to ensure strict social distancing measures and contract tracing without a complete overall of the Parade footprint.

No, the Parade has only moved to the SCG due to current health guidelines that are a result of the global pandemic.

We look forward to the day when hundreds of thousands people can gather on Oxford Street once more, but COVID-19 has changed the way we do things in all aspects of our lives and the Parade is not exempt from this. We feel incredibly lucky to be able to give the community the opportunity to share their pride with the world, especially during this new world we’re all living in.

Tickets are on sale via Ticketek here.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not purchase tickets from any other ticket reseller sites such as Viagogo, eBay or Gumtree, as tickets there cannot be 100% verified as genuine and not copies!

Although there is a small price for general admission tickets to help cover the costs of operating a COVID-Safe event, Mardi Gras wants to make the Parade as accessible as possible, especially for those who have been adversely affected by the ongoing pandemic.

With this in mind, 2,000 free tickets have been set aside for those in the community who are feeling the financial impact of COVID-19.

Who is the Hardship Ballot for?

The Hardship Ballot has been set up to support those in our community who are experiencing financial strain and cannot afford a ticket to Parade. We ask that you only apply for the ballot if you are experiencing financial hardship so you don’t take the opportunity away from someone who truly needs the support.

What do recipients of the Hardship Ballot receive?

If your application is successful you will receive TWO complimentary tickets for you and a friend to attend and watch the Parade live from the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 6 March 2021.

How can I apply for the Hardship Ballot?
Applying is simple. Just fill out an application HERE

When will I be notified if my application has been successful?
Successful recipients of the hardship ballot will be notified during the week starting 4 January 2020.

I’m not experiencing financial hardship but I want to watch the Parade. What are my options?
Tickets to watch the Parade live from the Sydney Cricket Ground are still available for purchase HERE. Prices are: Adults $20, Group bookings of four $50, Children under 15 or concession $15.

Parade partner SBS will broadcast the entire event on Saturday 6 March 2021, so revellers from across Australia can tune-in to be a part of the celebrations from home.

No. The Parade will not be ticketed nor will there be a cost to attend beyond 2021. This ticketing change is a once-off and is a respond to Covid-19. 

A group booking can be made via Ticketek and you can book a maximum of 10 tickets in one transaction. Should you wish to book more than 10 tickets, you will need to make multiple transactions. 

At this time, you are unable to allocate a seat to your ticket but you can select the bay you would like to sit in.  

When you arrive at the Sydney Cricket Ground, please proceed to your allocated bay where you will be directed to a seat. To ensure we are complying with physical distancing guidelines, you will be asked to leave a seat empty between your booking and the booking next to you. 

With a greater focus on community, our 2021 Parade will move away from large floats, centring instead on the outlandish pageantry of costumes, puppetry and props that make it such a phenomenon to witness.

The Parade will look different to how it has in the past, but the spirit of celebration and protest will remain strong. We will still have around the same number of community groups marching in the parade that we normally would, however the number of marchers per group will be capped at 40 to fit in with health guidelines.

We are dedicated to making our Parade accessible for all visitors. Read more about Accessibility at the 2021 Mardi Gras Parade here.

While Australia is doing exceedingly well, it goes without saying that COVID-19 will remain a concern into 2021. 

As an organisation, our first priority is always to ensure everyone who attends one of our events remains safe and healthy. We’re working closely with NSW Health to monitor the situation and will keep you updated if plans change. 

Absolutely! It takes an army to host an event like Mardi Gras, and we would love all the help we can get. 

Applications for volunteer opportunities are open here. 

Parade applications will open on Monday 9 November 2020. All applications are assessed by an independent committee and approved based on how their application meets the criteria.

Mardi Gras will roll out a range of health and safety initiatives at the Parade in line with local health guidelines, including:

Crowd Management & Social distancing

Onsite Services and Medical Checks

Education

We are working with NSW Health on a number of different COVID-safe plans to stage additional events, like Fair Day and the Party, in 2021. 

Updates on the progress of this planning will be provided in the coming weeks when we have more of an idea of what is going to be possible.