The NSW Police Force will launch a high-visibility operation to keep the community safe during the 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade this weekend.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to line Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade from Hyde Park to Moore Park to watch more than 150 floats and more than 9,000 participants from the LGBTQIA+ community celebrate on Saturday 28 February 2026.
The high-visibility police operation will involve general duties officers assisted by specialist officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Youth Command, Licensing Police and Mounted Command.
Officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad, who have the capability and training to use long-arms, will be proactively patrolling the event, however there is no specific, active or imminent threat.
Operation Mardi Gras 2026 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said the event was a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate safely.
"Our priority is ensuring that everyone attending the 48th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade can celebrate safely," Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
"Police have been working closely with parade organisers and the LGBTIQA+ community to ensure a fun and safe environment for participants, attendees and the community across the event."
Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said uniformed and plain clothes officers would patrol throughout the CBD and surrounding suburbs, providing a highly visible and mobile policing response.
"With large crowds expected, we encourage people to use public transport, follow directions from authorities and to plan how to get in and out of the city particularly as there will be major road closures," Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
"We want everyone to enjoy the festivities, but we also ask attendees to look out for one another, drink responsibly and know their limit.
"Police will focus on providing a reassuring presence to the community, support crowd movement and target criminal and anti-social behaviour, which undermines the celebratory and respectful spirit of the night."
Corporate Sponsor for Sexuality, Gender Diversity, and Intersex, Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker said Gender Diverse and LGBTQIA+ Liaison Officers (GLLOs) would be working on the night.
"Mardi Gras is one of Sydney's most significant cultural events, and we value our ongoing partnership with LGBTQIA+ communities," Assistant Commissioner McCusker said.
"GLLOs, who are identifiable by their GLLO badge, will be talking to attendees, conducting community engagement and are there to assist if required."
Keep up to date with special event traffic information as well as live traffic reports by visiting www.livetraffic.com, and check the latest timetable and ticketing information for trains, buses, ferries and taxi ranks via www.transportnsw.info
For more information about the 2026 Mardi Gras parade, visit www.mardigras.org.au.
For further information on alcohol-free zones in Sydney visit the City of Sydney website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
