Transforming into a rainbow city for Sydney WorldPride festival

This is the first time the global event has been held in the southern hemisphere, and it's expected to attract around hundreds of thousands of domestic and international visitors.

A huge program of more than 300 events, including all your Mardi Gras favourites, will take place during the festival from February 17 to March 5, 2023.

There's music, art, theatre, dance parties, dinners, comedy, fairs, literature, sport, pool parties and tickets are selling quick.

Pop princess Kylie Minogue will headline the already sold out Loud and Proud concert on opening night (February 24) at The Domain.

"Think of Christmas Carols in the park, just gayer," Sydney WorldPride CEO Kate Wickett said.

Kylie has been supporting the LGBTQIA+ community for more than 20 years, and securing her to open the festival was an absolute coup, Ms Wickett said.

"She consistently gives back to our community and does so usually for free," she said. "She's been supporting us through hard times and through party times."

Mardi Gras Parade (February 25) will return in a dazzling display to Oxford Street for the first time since 2020, with 2500 marchers and more than 200 floats.

Australia's First Nations history and culture will be celebrated during WorldPride.

Don't miss the First Nations Gathering Space at Carriageworks in Redfern (February 23-28), which includes exhibits, theatre, dining and drag.

There's a Blak and Deadly First Nations Gala Concert at Sydney Opera House (March 2), and Miss First Nation: Supreme Queen on from February 26-28.

Ultra Violet, the premier event for LGBTQIA+ women, will be held on Friday, March 3 at Sydney Town Hall

It celebrates the raw creativity of women, with burlesque, performance art, visual art, cabaret and drag kings backed by some of the most prolific queer talent dishing out house, electro-pop, ballroom, rap/hip-hop and disco.

It's an event that's close to the heart of Ms Wickett.

"Women and lesbians are always an afterthought, if there's anything for us at all. I really wanted to turn that on its head for WorldPride," she said.

Along with the parties, the glitz and glamour comes a human rights conference on March 1-3.It is the largest LGBTQIA+ conference of its kind ever held in Asia-Pacific region.

"What we wanted to do was bring corporates, government, community activists, politicians, sports people and celebrities all under the one roof," she said.

"Our view is that if we want to change the law, lawmakers need to be in the room."

Sydney WorldPride has partnered with Equality Australia to curate the conference, with the guest list to include attendees from the United Nations, European Union ambassadors, politicians, senators from the United States, and activists from across the world.

"This human rights conference is going to have difficult and complex conversations, and we want to temper that with art and culture. So, we have some celebrities, who will be announced shortly, who will also speak at the conference," Ms Wickett said.

Sydney WorldPride will wind up with the not-to-be-missed Pride March and Rainbow Republic on Sunday, March 5.

Sydney Harbour Bridge will close to traffic for the march, to allow 50,000 people to walk across the iconic landmark in a powerful international statement of visibility. This is a free event, with entry via ballot.

"It's a march, it's not a parade. Unlike the Saturday night parade up Oxford Street, there are no floats, there are no corporates, there are no community banners," Ms Wickett said.

"This is about us coming together as a community in what will be a visually stunning, spectacular display of solidarity."

Rainbow Republic is seven hours of live music, DJs and performances at The Domain, in a queer megamix of international and local acts.

Sydney WorldPride's might officially open on February 24 and close on March 5, but events actually kick-off from January 20.

"LGBTQIA+ or not, anyone in our community can go to Sydney WorldPride and see themselves in at least one event," Ms Wickett said.

"It is not just for gay people, it is for everyone."

Find out more and get your tickets at sydneyworldpride.com.

Also, check out this great accommodation, opening concert and Domain dance party deal at book.exploretravel.com.au