Mardi Gras revellers descend on SCG as excitement builds ahead of COVID-safe parade

Tens of thousands of revellers flanked by police, security officers and notices about COVID-safety measures have filed into the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Grey clouds have not dampened the energy of the annual event, which has been moved from Oxford Street to the stadium this year due to the pandemic.

“As long as there’s a queer space for us to celebrate in any form,” drag queen Twiggy Styx said.

Crowds are observing COVID-19 measures and are being filtered into the venue in batches to avoid overcrowding