How to watch the 2020 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
The biggest night on the LGBTQI+ calendar is just around the corner.
The 2020 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade is a festival aimed at celebrating the power and beauty of diversity. This year, the theme is "What Matters", with the annual procession down Oxford Street sure to dazzle and delight viewers from Sydney and all over the world.
Taking place on 29 February, the parade will see 200 mesmerising groups and floats roll past, inviting spectators into a world of all things camp, queer, glitz and glamour. At the same time, the parade remains a vehicle for protest, honouring those who have marched down the street over the last four decades.
If you can't be there to celebrate in person, the next best thing is to watch the parade live. Thankfully, you have multiple options for doing so, whether you choose to watch on TV or live stream the event via the Internet. Check out all the relevant details below.
When does the 2020 Mardi Gras parade start?
The event kicks off at 7:30pm Sydney time. Crowds line the streets for hours in anticipation of the parade, so if you're heading in to see it in person, you might want to get there early to get a good spot for the proceedings.
How to watch the 2020 Mardi Gras parade on TV
The parade will be broadcast live on SBS. Here are the broadcast times across Australia:
- NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT: 7:30pm-10:30pm AEDT
- QLD: 6:30pm-9:30pm AEST
- SA: 7:00pm-10:00pm ACDT
- NT: 6:00pm-9:00pm ACST
- WA: 7:30pm-10:30pm AWST
How to watch the 2020 Mardi Gras parade online
At the same time, the parade will be streamed live on SBS On Demand, so you can watch on your laptop or mobile device, even if you're on the go. Moreover, for the first time ever, SBS On Demand will remove its geo-block for the TV event, so you can tune in from outside Australia as well.
This is excellent news if you're travelling. More than that, it means that members of the LGBTQI+ community and allies from all over the world can join in the fun.
According to SBS, the broadcast will feature the most fabulous floats and costumes in the parade, commentary from Narelda Jacobs and Joel Creasey, as well as on-ground coverage from Patrick Abboud and Zoë Coombs Marr. The coverage should include interviews with celebrity guests including Sam Smith, Dua Lipa and Kesha.
SBS On Demand details
SBS On Demand is completely free to use. All you need to do is create an account or sign in with Facebook or Google.
This will give you access to over 7,000 hours of drama, comedy, sport and news programs available on demand. Highlights include acclaimed shows like Homeland, Dublin Murders and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Image source: Getty Images
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