Sydney's famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival has been on for a couple of weeks, but the culmination is this weekend.
The famous Mardi Gras Parade will travel from the city along Oxford and Flinders Streets towards Moore Park, with thousands expected to line the route on Saturday, March 2.
However, the event is set to be tinged with sadness and grief, following the alleged murders of couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies by a serving police officer.
READ MORE: Man shot inside office in Sydney's CBD, another arrested
NSW Police were "uninvited'" from marching after Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with the murders of Baird and Davies.
But the request that police not march has now been overturned on the condition officers involved do not wear their uniforms as usual.
Alex Greenwich, the only openly gay male MP in NSW parliament, was among those who called for police to be allowed to march.
The troubled police relationship with Mardi Gras dates back to 1978, when 53 people were arrested and dozens more brutally bashed by officers in an attack on marchers who called for the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Meanwhile, this year's traditional Mardi Gras Fair Day was cancelled after traces of asbestos were found in Victoria Park.
READ MORE: Two-hour interrogation brought cops to bodies of Davies, Baird
Parade locations and tickets
More than 200 floats and around 12,000 marchers will stream down Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade for the 46th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
They'll be led as usual by Dykes on Bikes, the First Nations Community Float and the original marchers - the 78ers.
They participated in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras held on June 24, 1978.
You don't need a ticket to watch the colourful parade from the street.
But if you want to avoid the crowds, there are still tickets available for some viewing areas.
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The parade runs from 7.30pm until 11pm on Saturday.
Last year, Anthony Albanese became the first sitting prime minister to march in the parade.
He's expected to be there again this year.
Parties
The parade is followed by the Mardi Gras Party.
It's at the Hordern Pavilion and other venues at the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park.
Headlining the 10,000 reveller party is American singer Adam Lambert.
Also on the bill are Cece Peniston, Ultra Nate, Patrick Mason, Monki and Moto Blanco.
It runs from 10pm right through until 8am the next morning.
Tickets are still available for $239 plus a booking fee.
Road closures and public transport
Public transport is a must if you're heading to the parade or party.
Major roads will be closed between the Sydney CBD and Moore Park from 3pm.
From 7pm, you won't be able to cross Oxford Street.
If you want to head to the northern side of the route at Darlinghurst, use Town Hall, St James, Martin Place or Kings Cross stations and then walk.
For southern side viewing at Surry Hills or Moore Park, use Central Station.
Museum Station will be closed from 5pm due to large crowds.
For Moore Park viewing, change for light rail services leaving from Central Chalmers Street.
Visit Transport NSW for more details, or the event website
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