Thousands of Mardi Gras revelers have finally made their way home after celebrating late Sunday morning at the largest party in the southern hemisphere.
SydneyOxford Street was awash in glitter as more than 300,000 revelers celebrated the crown jewel of Australia’s first WorldPride program on Saturday evening.
But the real fun was at the official Mardi Gras after-party, which spanned the Hordern Pavilion, Liberty Hall, Watson’s and the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney’s East and featured all-night programming at the Forecourt, Peter Finch Lawn and The Courts .
The official Mardi Gras after-party was described as an “adult playground of music and performance” and a place where “fun awaits you and more than 10,000 of your friends new and old at the largest and longest-running LGBTQIA+ party in the South. hemisphere. ‘.
The nightly extravaganza featured a program filled with DJs and performers dancing to every genre of party music, from house to nu-disco, and was headlined by British pop trio Sugababes.
The party ended at 8am with revelers pouring out of the many venues welcomed by a sunny Sunday morning.
Revelers were seen leaving the wild celebrations at the official Mardi Gras Party early Sunday morning
Lingerie, parakeet smugglers and leotards were a common outfit for many in the evening
Two revelers don eccentric outfits after dancing the night away at the official Mardi Gras after party that spanned the Hordern Pavilion, Liberty Hall, Watson’s and the Entertainment Quarter
The audience wore bright colors to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride, while others wore very little
Revelers donned vibrant and eccentric outfits that left little to the imagination as they danced the night away.
The audience wore a variety of bright colors to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride, while others wore very little in keeping with the nature of the festivities.
Lingerie, parakeet smugglers and leotards were a common outfit for many.
NSW police, who marched several officers during the Mardi Gras parade, praised the event, saying that the spectators were generally well behaved, with only four arrests and a few officers suffering minor injuries overnight.
One officer is believed to have suffered a broken nose during an Oxford Street arrest, while a second officer suffered abrasions and a black eye after being attacked while on his way to Moore Park. The investigation continues to identify those responsible.
More than 900 officers attended the event to keep an eye on people during the celebrations.
“The NSW Police are pleased with the behavior of the vast majority of revelers and supporters, with this year’s Mardi Gras parade in perfect weather conditions,” said a police press release.
“Operations Commander Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said, with few exceptions, the crowd was well behaved and the 45th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade passed largely without incident yesterday.”
Police worked with parade organizers as well as government departments and agencies including Destination NSW, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW and City of Sydney.
The event follows a blockbuster WorldPride opening concert at the Domain on Friday night, when Kylie Minogue headlined in a performance that featured a surprise cameo from her sister Dannii.
A shirtless participant wore matching pink shorts and socks to match the vibrant colors of the event
A reveler dressed stylishly in black and wore a cross necklace for Saturday’s Mardi Gras after-party
Two men had outfits that left little to the imagination like many Mardi Gras revelers
A group of shirtless revelers leave the Sydney Mardi Gras after a night of dancing and fun
Two men matched in all red clothes for the night, one wearing hearts on his chest, red pants and shoes, while the other man put on a sparkly red skirt.
NSW Police praised the event, saying spectators were generally well behaved, with only four arrests made over the night
WorldPride continues for another week and ends with a historic march across the Sydney Harbor Bridge
The celebration, themed Gather, Dream, Amplify, featured some Mardi Gras veterans alongside crowd-pleasing newcomers.
Dykes on Bikes and their male counterparts led the charge, delighting parade spectators as they filled the streets with diesel exhaust and strange joy.
Other Mardi Gras hits included Surf Life Saving, which showed off their stuff in parakeet smugglers and beach towels, and DIY Rainbow’s We Love Britney Spears float which blasted Baby One More Time from the rear speakers.
WorldPride continues for another week and ends with a historic march across the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Fifty thousand people dressed in their brightest colors will march across the iconic monument on Sunday morning in a call for global equality.
Called Sydney’s largest event since the 2000 Olympics, WorldPride is expected to host over half a million people at its approximately 300 events.