The event grew from gay rights parades held annually since 1978, when numerous participants had been arrested by New South Wales Police. The Mardi Gras Parade maintains a political flavour, with many marching groups and floats promoting LGBTQI rights issues or themes.
2 March 2019: Participants 16,500 Parade 2019, 13,626 Party 2019; attendance 500,000 Parade 2019, 80,000 Fair Day 2019.