The countdown is on for Australia's LGBTQI+ night of nights.
Now in its 41st year, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will be held on Saturday 2 March.
Almost 200 floats will make their way along the iconic Oxford Street and beyond, in front of an estimated crowd of 300,000 people.
"Drag queens, Dykes on Bikes, Sydney lifesavers, community heroes and much much more, come together to produce what has become the parade that stops the nation," Mardi Gras material says.
Participants will be coming from around Australia and across the world. Source: AAP
Born from a night of political protest in 1978, the parade has grown into one of the biggest LGBTQI+ parades in the world.
This year's theme is "Fearless".
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the theme aims to inspire members of the LGBTQI+ community to overcome discrimination:
"[The theme] reminds us that there is still more to be done. It draws attention to the audacious bravery of the LGBTIQ community. It encourages us to break down the barriers that still exist."
"Many LGBTIQ people feel lonely and isolated and Mardi Gras gives you the opportunity to reach out for help, to be fearless."
How to watch it live
The parade will start at Sydney's Whitlam Square (corner of Liverpool and Oxford Street) and take a 1.7km route along Oxford Street and Flinders Street, before ending at Moore Park.
Pre-show celebrations are scheduled to start at 7pm. The parade is due to start at 7:30pm and conclude at approximately 11pm.
But attendees are advised to arrive early.
The 2018 parade. Source: Getty
Organisers expect arrivals to begin as early as 11am, with good viewing spots available on Oxford Street until about 4pm.
Later arrivals are advised to head to the southern end of Flinders Street and Moore Park.
Mardi Gras CEO Terese Casu told SBS News on Monday "outside of bringing a smile and a hand to wave at the thousands of marchers as they go by, we would recommend spectators bring along some snacks to enjoy while they watch the parade as well as a hat and sunblock if you're planning on arriving early".
A map of the parade. Source: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
"We also have to be conscious of the impact the event has on the environment so we encourage people to bring a reusable water bottle with them rather than relying on single-use bottles."
How to get there
Mardi Gras organisers are urging spectators to travel by public transport with road closures in place around the city.
NSW Transport material says "plenty of extra trains and buses will run to the city as well as additional late night services to help you get home after the celebrations".
Town Hall, St James and Martin Place stations provide access to the northern side of the parade route at Darlinghurst.
Participants get ready for the 2017 parade. Source: Getty
Central station is best for the southern side of the parade route around Surry Hills and Anzac Parade.
Museum Station will be closed from 5pm on Saturday until 4am on Sunday.
The parade traditionally begins with the Dykes on Bikes convoy. Source: AAP
If you're watching from home
On Saturday, SBS will be live streaming the parade in its entirety via and SBS Australia's and accounts.
Then on Sunday, tune into SBS at 8:30pm for a full replay of the event.
Members of the Tiwi Islands transgender community at Mardi Gras 2017. Source: Getty
News presenter Narelda Jacobs, comedian Joel Creasey, The Feed's Patrick Abboud and local comedian Zoë Coombs Marr will give a rundown on floats, interviewing participants and sharing stories from the parade.
This broadcast will also be streamed live on .
As well as full parade coverage, you can also watch queer cinema with SBS On Demand's , which boasts a wide selection of queer films, documentaries and television shows from Australia and around the world.
Participants make their final preparations before the 2018 parade. Source: AAP
And while you wait for the parade, you can catch up on all things Mardi Gras at
