An Australian first.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is going to get a lot bigger in 2023, with the organisation winning its bid to host the international WorldPride spectacular.
The city picked up 60 per cent of the votes at the InterPride annual general meeting, beating Montreal (36 per cent) and Houston (3 per cent). It’ll be the first time WorldPride is held in the Southern Hemisphere or the Asia-Pacific Region. Mardi Gras already manages to rope in up to 1.2 million visitors each year, but the 2023 event is predicted to bring in up to an additional 40 per cent.
The bid to own WorldPride Down Under was supported by community groups, corporate partners and politicians, including federal trade minister Simon Birmingham and New South Wales arts minister Don Harwin.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our federal, state and local governments, corporate and community partners, the extended team at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as well as our global community for helping bring WorldPride to Sydney 2023. This has been a truly collaborative pitch,” said Mardi Gras co-chair Kate Wickett.
The event will coincide with Mardi Gras’ regular program over February and March, so start booking your leave and prepare for the party of a lifetime.
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