Tiny leather skirts, tutus and PLENTY of skin: Thousands of revellers flock to the Sydney Cricket Ground for Mardi Gras celebrations like NEVER seen before

• Thousands of revellers have flocked to Sydney Cricket Ground for Mardi Gras celebrations on Saturday night
• Sydney’s queer community kicked off the gay pride day with a demonstration down Oxford Street 
• New South Wales Health granted its first gathering exemption for the protest, which activists called a ‘win’
• The annual parade was cancelled because of Covid and is being replaced by a smaller one at the SCG 

Thousands of revellers have donned their best and brightest outfits as they flocked to the Sydney Cricket Ground for a Mardi Gras like never before. 

For the first time in its 43-year history the Mardi Gras parade will not go down Oxford Street but will instead be held at the SCG on Saturday evening, with international superstar Rita Ora as the headline act.

The annual celebration was forced to adapt its event because of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings. 

But the changes did little to dim the spirts of thousands of revellers, who showed their pride with colourful ensembles, wild hairstyles and endless amounts of glitter.  

Attendees celebrated the historic event by dressing in style, sharing kisses with loved ones and waving rainbow flags, pompoms and ribbons.

Parade-goers represented the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community in their costumes, which ranged from flowery pink bodysuits and low-cut leather vests to golden saris and flamboyant white feathers.  

Headline act British singer and global superstar Rita Ora gets ready to perform for the cheerful crowds at Mardi Gras

Singer and I’m a Celebrity star Jack Vidgen, who identifies as gay, smiled broadly as he greeted fans during the parade

Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt points his fingers and does the twist in support of the gay community on Saturday night

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (left), Labor Senator Kristina Keneally (centre) and Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek (right) wave as they pass through crowds

Actor Christian Wilkins sways his golden locks around and smiles as he bares his torso in a sparkly bralette and silver harem pants 

The Gruen Transfer star and ad man Todd Sampson dressed down in a simple black tee while watching the Mardi Gras this year

Some people in the parade continued to protest, with one dressing up as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian trapped in a cage, wearing giant pearls and clutching the throat of a koala

Army members show off their marching skills as they walk across the green in their crisp-pressed and shapely uniforms 

A gentleman appears to have done the weekly grocery shop before attending the parade, as he wears a short pink skirt, tiny wings and clear stilettos

Pretty in pink! Attendees snap a selfie as they enjoy the Mardi Gras 2021 celebrations at the Sydney Cricket Ground 

This happy reveller enjoys a drink while watching the parade, dressed in glittery gold accessories and a see-through black top 

A reveller in fishnet stockings and practical shoes puckers her lips for the the camera

An octopus floats above a procession of blue and orange people celebrating as they dance across the green grass of the Sydney Cricket Ground

Feathers galore as red hot dancers entertain admiring fans in flattering ensembles all the while rocking sky-high white heels   

A pink Queen feigns flattery as admirers cheer her on as she sports a full-on fuschia gown and parades across the SCG

Former US President Donald Trump makes a surprising visit to this years Mardi Gras, wearing a ‘loser’ sashay and what appears to be a giant nappy 

Thousands of revellers have flocked to Sydney Cricket Ground for a Mardi Gras parade like never before. Two women embrace for a sweet kiss

This partier bared all during the Dykes on Bike portion of the parade, showing off a tiger tattoo and making sure no one missed their spunky rainbow tie

Dressed in a smorgasbord of colourful feathers, jewels and silks, this Queen gives fans a very glittery, rainbow royal wave as she passes

This rider ballooned with pride as she paraded through the Sydney Cricket Ground in a low-cut vest on her bike covered in rainbows 

Dykes on Bikes led the parade, zooming past cheering crowds rocking dark glasses, spiky hair and leather. Lots and lots of leather

The parade celebrates queer people from different backgrounds including First Nations, Pacific Islander and other Indigenous communities

Māori queers celebrate their identity with shirts saying ‘Haka for Life’ and traditional tattoos, outfits and dances during the parade 

Transgender rights activists wear the traditional trans flag colours of blue, white and pink to celebrate during this years Mardi Gras

Two people pose for the camera in itty bitty bikini tops and glitter as they head to the SCG to celebrate Sydney queerdom

ANZ Bank staff wave to the cameras in shiny baby blue get-ups and silvery wigs, while brandishing their companies logo as they walk by

A colourful attendee at the parade reflects while wearing bright pink floral prints, gorgeous flowery body art and celebratory glitter

Even the men, women and others in blue were in on the fun on Saturday night, expressing support for queer members of the force and community

Organisers said the 2021 parade will move away from the traditional large floats, which moved down the street, and will instead focus on costumes, puppetry and props.

With the theme Rise, there will be 5000 in the parade from more than 100 LGBTQI community groups.

The SCG’s COVID-safe plan will be enforced and Mardi Gras organisers have encouraged revellers at the stadium to wear masks, even if not mandatory. 

The 2021 parade begun with a welcome to country curated by Ben Graetz and a rousing performance from Electric Fields which pumped up the crowd who are ready for a night of partying and pride despite coronavirus restrictions. 

As is tradition, Dykes of Bikes were the first out of the gate, revving up the crowd as they zoomed around in leather with the First Nations and 78ers floats close behind.  

Queer South Asians celebrate the intersection of their LGBTQIA+ identity and their cultural heritage in striking blue and yellow outfits

The City of Sydney shows its support for the parade with love heart signs, winged angelic costumes and bubblegum pink wigs

Butterfly-winged babes stand up to watch the paraders floating by, waving rainbow ribbons to celebrate the day of pride

Sistergirls dressed in black march across the grass carrying a sign that is reflecting the Mardi Gras theme for 2021, which is Rise

Stands are full of partygoers watching the floats passby in this years unusual Mardi Gras, where the parade has been moved to the SCG because of Covid restrictions

This year is especially unique as the usual roaming floats have been replaced with seated celebrations because of the Covid pandemic

The day begun with a protest on Oxford Street, as New South Wales made its first exemption to gathering restrictions for the demonstration. 

‘This is a massive win for not only the right to protest but for the queer community to say that the fight against transphobia and homophobia cannot wait,’ activist group Pride in Protest said in a statement. 

The regular annual Mardi Gras parade – which regularly draw over 10,000 participants and public crowds of at least 250,000 people was cancelled due to Covid concerns – and instead 30,000 people will gather for a ticketed event at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

All participants were subject to Covid guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing, while dance floors around Sydney remain closed and non-official private parties around Sydney are limited to a maximum of 50 people. 

The march began on Saturday afternoon ahead of the official Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, which was moved to the Sydney Cricket Ground due to Covid-19 regulations.

Revelling protesters assembled at Taylor Square and set off raising awareness about a range of issues including women’s rights, gay and lesbian rights, the Religious Discrimination Bill, transgender rights, black deaths in custody and police brutality.

The green light from NSW Health meant a court showdown between activists and the police, who wanted the rally stopped, was called off at the last minute.

Pride in Protest approached Health Minister Brad Hazzard for an exemption to the 500-person limit on public gatherings on Thursday afternoon.

This pair shared an intimate kiss within the grounds, as the parade was started by a Welcome to Country and then rousing performances by musicians including Electric Fields

Three glamorous Mardi Gras attendees prove more is more as they show off in flamboyant feathers and gorgeous glittery outfits

Some joyous women celebrate under a rainbow flag and decorated with glitter as celebrations for Mardi Gras 2021 begin in Sydney 

Sydney LGBTQI rights protesters kicked off the 2021 Mardi Gras celebrations with technicolour demonstrations along Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon

Revelling protesters assembled at Taylor Square and set off raising awareness about issues including women’s rights, gay and lesbian rights, the Religious Discrimination Bill, transgender rights, black deaths in custody and police brutality

A marcher pairs a Covid safe mask with a glamorous jewelled tiara, chunky black necklace and a singlet with a big, furry leather bear  

New South Wales Health granted organisers an exemption from gathering restrictions, the first such exemption granted in NSW, with organisers trumpeting the decision as a victory for protest rights 

This Mardi Gras reveller dressed down to dress up for this year’s celebrations, sporting a transparent bodysuit and sky high stilettos

Many people turned up to protest in the lead up to the Mardi Gras Parade in 2021, demonstrating against various topics while displaying their pride for the queer community 

‘This is a massive win for not only the right to protest but for the queer community to say that the fight against transphobia and homophobia cannot wait,’ activist group Pride in Protest said in a statement 

A protester wearing bold red suspenders and brandishing a rainbow flag proudly, raises a fist during the march on Oxford Street

A gathering exemption for an Invasion Day rally in Sydney was refused earlier this year, but pride marchers showed their support for Indigenous rights during the protest on Saturday

These wild and proud marchers stripped down to enjoy the sun as they sit down during Mardi Gras celebrations on March 6 

Mr Hazzard had previously refused an exemption for an Invasion Day rally in Sydney in January.

NSW MPs including Labor’s Jo Haylen and the Greens’ Jenny Leong wrote to Mr Hazzard over the pride rally, as did members of the ’78ers protest group, who started the Mardi Gras movement amid police violence.

Mr Hazzard agreed to the exemption on Friday morning after the group agreed to enhanced contact tracing processes. It has been 47 days since NSW recorded a locally-acquired coronavirus case.

But police have vowed to turn up in large numbers on Saturday, with officers to be deployed across Oxford Street, Hyde Park and Moore Park.

These revellers know a pride parade is not complete without cowboy hats, bumbag, skin tight rainbow leggings, nipple tassels and lots of bubbles

The Mardi Gras protests began with a gathering and speeches at Sydney’s Taylor Square, with some advocating 

‘Trump-ette marching gurls’ Kevin Hardy (left) and Dejay Toborek (right) pose for a photo in front of a familiar-looking prop

A protester celebrates Mardi Gras on Saturday while wearing a colourful necklace that ends in an eight legged pride friend

Protesters marched against indefinite detention and Aboriginal deaths in custody 

People dress up for Oxford Street celebrations, wearing clown-esque makeup and costumes, denim, leather and even an all-white ensemble complete with a very responsible mask and gloves 

Pride in Protest spokesperson Toby Walmsley said the police’s plans were ‘onerous and unnecessary’.

‘Hopefully the police won’t get in our way tomorrow,’ Pride in Protest’s Evan Gray also said on Friday.

Meanwhile, the head of Sydney Mardi Gras defended the social justice credentials of the main event.

‘We’ve given every single float a 45-second dedicated spot on our broadcast to get their message across … it’s not just about walking around in fancy costumes, it’s a social justice event,’ Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger told reporters.

Better than bin chickens: even though there is no official parade, 2021 Mardi Gras outfits have not disappointed

Marches holding a transgender rights flag

Revellers fan themselves as they walk through the heat 

Sydney personality Danny Lim shows his support for the pride parade with his signs calling for respect and smiles for love

Members of the Greens Party joined the protest with rainbow coloured signs, bodysuits, masks and scarves  

The Leichhardt Uniting Church shows support for transgender rights with a sign saying ‘We are all created lovingly & wonderfully, trans rights are human rights’

Mardi Gras protesters celebrated in style, matching their colourful hair, glamorous earrings, glitter, bold eyeshadow with Covid safe masks 

Mr Kruger also said revellers should consider attending ticketed events and after parties or host gatherings of up to 50 people at home.

About 10,000 people are expected at the Mardi Gras parade at the SCG.

Ms Leong warned the government that if they thought the mobilisation around LGBTQI issues was big, ‘they have seen nothing’ compared to the women’s March For Justice planned for March 15.

Amnesty International campaigner Joel Mackay called on the NSW government to review the gathering cap to enable protests.

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