If the event is sold out, please email parade@differentstrokes.org.au  to add your name to our waiting list.

We invite you to join us on the streets of Sydney to celebrate Mardi Gras 2027!

HYPERBLOOM - ROOM TO BLOOM

Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club will transform the Mardi Gras parade into an underwater world where water, dragon, coral, our iconic Sydney water dragon, collide.

Inspired by the theme and our new home in Leichhardt, our entry celebrates what happens when people are given the space, community and confidence to grow into their fullest selves.

Our new home becomes the starting point of the bloom - a place where our community has put down roots and continues to grow. From this home, a vibrant underwater garden comes alive, with water, coral, dragons, light and our iconic Australian Water Dragon-inspired imagery coming together in a spectacular display of Aqua and movement.

We celebrate Mardi Gras with our sister club, Sydney Zodiacs, whose young members represent the next generation of Dragon Boat paddlers. Together, we show the journey from young people discovering who they are to adults confidently blooming into their fullest selves.

Get Involved!

Want to join the Different Strokes Mardi Gras 2027 community? 

Tickets will be available to Different Strokes members, friends and family and then other dragon boat clubs staring November 2026.

Members can take advantage of our early bird prices for the first 5 days.

Don't want to dance?

Parades are a fantastic way to celebrate, and not everyone has to dance to be a part of the excitement! Walking participants play a crucial role too, offering a different kind of energy and presence. Please let us know in your ticket purchase if you have a preference to be a walking participant.

We are looking for a queen bee for our float. Please indicate in your ticket purchase if you would like to be our queen bee.

Costumes

Most of the costume will be provided as part of your registration fee. Some costume elements may need to be purchased separately (e.g. shorts, shoes). More information will be provided to participants in early 2027. 

Expectations of Participants

1. Dances must be available for six dance rehearsals through January and February. Anyone can do our choreography - it’s about having fun!!

   Saturday 16th January 10pm	First Dance Practice
   Wednesday 20th January 6pm	Second Dance Practice
   Wednesday 27th January 6pm	Third Dance Practice
   Saturday 6th February 10am	Forth Dance Practice
   Wednesday 17th February 6pm	Fifth Dance Practice
   Saturday 27th February 10am	Sixth Dance Practice

2. Attend early afternoon on the day of the parade for makeup and marshalling. 

3. Adhere to the Code of Conduct

4. Make this the most amazing Mardi Gras possible for yourself, for other participants, and for our adoring fans!

Code of Conduct

As our Mardi Gras entry is a representation of Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club, participants must abide by the following Code of Conduct with their registration.

1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.

2. Be fair, considerate and honest in all dealing with others.

3. Be professional in, and accept responsibility for, your actions.

4. Do not use your involvement with Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club to promote your own beliefs, behaviours or practices where these are inconsistent with those of Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club.

5. Refrain from any form of harassment of others.

6. Refrain from any behaviour that may bring Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club into disrepute.

7. Provide a safe environment for the conduct of the activity.

8. Show concern and caution towards others who may be sick or injured.

9. Be a positive role model.

10. Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of conduct.

Mardi Gras Parade Terms and Conditions

 2027 Parade Entrant Terms and Conditions

For more information please contact parade@differentstrokes.org.au 

Ticket Details

Only one ticket per person. Tickets may not be purchased for others. The ticket holder must be a member of Different Strokes or Zodiacs Club until the friends and family release.

77 tickets will be sold.

Exchanges/Refunds

• Tickets may not be resold, only the ticketed individual is able to participate

• Full refunds available until 15th December.

• Any refunded tickets will be offered to anyone on the waiting lists first for Different Strokes members, then other club members, then friends and family

• Re-allocation of tickets after 31 December will be at the discretion of the committee based on ability to learn choreography and any sized costumes

Ticket Release Schedule