Sydney Outfielders · Mardi Gras 2027

Bat, Bath
& Beyond.

Rubber ducks. Big bath energy. One gloriously queer softball community.

Come make a splash with us — on the parade route or behind the scenes.

Buy your tickets Volunteer to build

Spaces are limitedMembers have priority for two weeks

Your parade place

Come make a splash.

Spaces are limited.
Reserved for members for two weeks. General public bookings open 23 November 2026.

Member ticket

$100 AUD

Current members

Member priority bookings are open now.

Includes social members who joined on or before 9 November 2026.

Non-member ticket

$200 AUD

Non-members & new social members

General public bookings open 23 November 2026.

For non-members and social members joining after 9 November 2026. Non-member tickets include social membership for the season.

Your base costume is included: one top, one bottom, a hat and duck shoes. Hero accessories cost extra.

Want to help behind the scenes? There’s no parade fee to volunteer to build.

Withdrawal refunds: only once a suitable replacement has registered and paid, less your uniform cost. Subject to our Registration & Refunds Policy, including its Social Membership and cancellation provisions. Your statutory rights are unaffected.

The 2027 parade announcement

Time to make
a splash.

Meet BAT, BATH & BEYOND: our giant queer bathhouse on wheels.

Watch the announcement, explore the concept, then choose how you want to join the flock.

Announcement video · Press play for sound.

Buy your tickets →Explore the costumes

The theme · HYPERBLOOM

Queer joy.
Overflowing.

BAT, BATH & BEYOND · 2027

Bath bombs bloom. Bubbles multiply. Our community spills out onto the street.

Our proposed entry responds to HYPERBLOOM with an extravagant eruption of queer life from water. A giant illuminated bath, a rubber duck and an oversized tap turn an everyday private ritual into a public celebration of colour, bodies and belonging.

The idea affectionately reclaims the bathhouse’s place in queer culture and opens the curtain to everyone: all genders, all abilities and all kinds of bodies. Camp, playful and a little provocative, it brings the Outfielders’ friendship and community onto the parade route.

Our softball identity runs through it all. Bats become bath brushes, softballs become bath bombs, and team uniforms bloom into duck-inspired costumes, bubbles and foam.

The float · Our rolling queer bathhouse

A giant bath.
A very Outfielders splash.

Front-on bath float concept with a solid narrow bath end above the cab, bare-headed yellow duck in a pink harness and varied walkers carrying oversized inflatable props ahead of the truck — A private ritual becomes a public celebration of queer joy, friendship and belonging. Final float design is subject to engineering and Mardi Gras approvals.

We’re turning a flatbed truck into an oversized queer bathhouse where softball, bubbles and bodies collide.

A giant claw-foot bath anchors the entry, with a rolled rim, glowing bubbles and blue “running water” lighting. Colour washes and drifting bubbles bring the feeling of a bath overflowing into Oxford Street.

Our giant rubber duck and oversized golden tap rise above the bath, while performers bring the bathhouse to life through its open side. BAT, BATH & BEYOND and Sydney Outfielders signage make it unmistakably ours.

Softball, with a bath-time twist.

Bats become bath brushes and loofah sticks. Softballs become bath bombs. Duck-inspired uniforms, oversized inflatable softballs and rubber duckies carry that playful spirit through the dancing flock.

Buy your tickets →

Interested in joining the performers on the float? Let us know when you register. We’ll discuss places and access arrangements with you.

Float-only view with the bath running lengthways along the truck, the golden tap behind the harnessed duck, and happy performers inside the side opening below the rim — An illuminated claw-foot bath, a giant rubber duck and an oversized tap turn our bathhouse into a moving celebration.

Crowd-side view of the long bath with performers dancing inside the side cutout below the rim, while marchers with oversized inflatables lead the truck — The bathhouse opens onto Oxford Street: performers in the bath and a dancing flock bring the whole entry to life.

The soundtrack

A little Dirrty.
A lot of fun.

Our chosen parade song is “Dirrty” by Christina Aguilera.

The choreography will be much less involved than last year: simple arm movements and easy, repeated actions, with adaptations so everyone can take part. Please make time for one choreography session to learn the movements together.

The final parade edit and rehearsal audio will be shared separately from the announcement video.

DirrtyChristina Aguilera · Our chosen parade song

Chosen song

Bubble BeatsOur collection of songs to get the flock in the mood.

Community playlist

Bubble Beats is a playlist of songs we’ve collated for the fun of it. It’s separate from our chosen parade song and rehearsal audio.

Listen to Bubble Beats on Spotify ↗

The costumes · One flock, many ways to belong

Same yellow.
Your kind of fabulous.

Choose the fit and coverage that feel right for you.

Duck-pattern yellow garments, orange trims, plain duck visors and orange socks and feet bring the flock together.

Happy dancing group on Oxford Street mixing supplied base garment options with yellow hero costumes, oversized inflatable softballs and duckies, loofah and toothbrush bats, ahead of the head-on bath float — One joyful flock: yellow uniforms, bath-time characters and softball props bring our community together.

Start with your base outfit.

Choose one top and one bottom in the form. If unsure, choose the two-button softball jersey and base shorts, then discuss the rest with us before we order. All-in-one outfits and workshop harness options are also shown in the clothing guide.

Choose my garments & sizes →

Close-up of the supplied yellow two-button jersey, cropped jersey and tank with yellow shorts and skort, plain duck visors and yellow props — Yellow brings us together. Choose the fit and coverage that feel right for you.

Make it yours

Choose your outfit.

One top and one bottom, or an all-in-one. Same yellow, your choice of fit and coverage. Click a garment to build your base look.

Open the clothing & size guide ↗

A few extra splashes

Hero costumes,
sprinkled among the duckies.

We’re working on a small number of hero costumes to mix through the flock. These costumes will need to be made, and spaces are limited.

Tell us if you’d like to help construct one. An expression of interest doesn’t reserve a hero place. If you’re unsure, choose the base shorts and softball jersey and talk to us about the rest before we order.

Realistic parade concept showing Ducky Dynasty, Shower Cap Chic, Loofa Lovers and Bath Bomb Babes, smiling in their yellow hero costumes — Royal duck capes, shower caps, loofahs and softball bath bombs give our bathhouse its bigger personalities.

Realistic parade concept showing happy Ducky Divas, Towel Couture and The Squirters participants — Ducky Divas, Towel Couture and The Squirters bring a little extra camp. These limited hero looks need to be made; accessories cost extra.

Hero costume · Limited

Ducky Dynasty

Yellow capes over base outfits, orange socks and duck feet.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

Ducky Divas

Duck-inspired feature looks in yellow.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

Shower Cap Chic

Oversized shower caps and matching yellow robes.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

Towel Couture

Yellow towels, draped wraps and headwear.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

Loofa Lovers

Yellow loofah mesh and playful bathtime props.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

Bath Bomb Babes

Yellow bath-bomb softballs with red stitching.

Interested in helping make this →

Hero costume · Limited

The Squirters

Oversized yellow soap dispensers with bold black splash emblems.

Interested in helping make this →

The participation fee includes a base top, bottom, hat and duck shoes. Hero accessories cost extra. Hero designs, fit, accessory prices and availability will be discussed before ordering or construction.

Behind the scenes counts too

You don't have
to parade
to be part of it.

We need makers, organisers and people happy to pitch in.

Help with costumes, props, painting, float building, fundraising, transport or pack-down. Tell us what you enjoy, what support you need and the dates you could help.

Volunteer-only registration has no parade participation fee and doesn't use a parade place.

Volunteer to build

Construction & costume days

Weekends from 9 January through February.

January 2027

Sat 9 JanFloat & costume constructionSun 10 JanFloat & costume construction
Sat 16 JanFloat & costume constructionSun 17 JanFloat & costume construction
Sat 23 JanFloat & costume constructionSun 24 JanFloat & costume construction
Sat 30 JanFloat & costume constructionSun 31 JanFloat & costume construction

February 2027

Sat 6 FebFloat & costume constructionSun 7 FebFloat & costume construction
Sat 13 FebFloat & costume constructionSun 14 FebFloat & costume construction
Sat 20 FebFloat & costume constructionSun 21 FebFloat & costume construction
Sat 27 FebFloat & costume constructionSun 28 FebFloat & costume construction

Making it happen together

Plan for at least two float or costume construction sessions and one choreography session. If you are travelling from out of state, please discuss arrangements with our team. You can also express interest in riding on the float; spaces and access arrangements will be coordinated separately.

What happens next

Now · Register your interestChoose parade participation, volunteering, or both.
November · Shape the planTechnical review, costume options and a realistic volunteer plan.
Build & costume sessions · Weekends from 9 January through FebruaryFloat and costume construction runs every Saturday and Sunday from 9 January 2027 through February. Additional days will be added where necessary; times and locations will follow.
Rehearsals & parade · Details to comeFinal timings, meeting points, access arrangements and pack-down information will follow.

A few things to know.

What if I need to withdraw or request a refund?

If you withdraw, your Mardi Gras entry fee is refundable only once a suitable replacement participant has been confirmed, registered and paid, less the cost of your uniform. If no replacement is found, no voluntary refund is payable. Refunds are subject to the Sydney Outfielders Registration & Refunds Policy and these event terms. Any included Social Membership fee remains subject to the policy’s non-refundable membership terms. This does not limit refunds or other rights required by law, or the policy’s provisions for Association cancellation or material changes.

Send refund requests to the Treasurer at info@sydneyoutfielders.org.au. Read the Registration & Refunds Policy (PDF).

Can I help if I can't attend the parade?

Absolutely. Choose “Help behind the scenes only” and tell us your skills and availability. You won't take a parade place or pay a parade participation fee.

What happens when spaces are filled?

Once spaces are filled, applications join the waitlist without payment. Kickball participants with a team code can still register against their separate reserved allocation. We’ll check the right allocation before asking you to pay.

Who qualifies for the $100 rate?

Current Outfielders members and social members who joined on or before 9 November 2026 pay $100. Non-members and social members joining after 9 November 2026 pay $200. The non-member fee includes social membership. Tell us your category so eligibility can be checked.

Is my costume included?

The participation fee includes one base costume top, one bottom, a hat and duck shoes. Hero costume accessories cost extra; prices will be confirmed with the team before you commit.

Do I have to dance or build the float?

No experience is needed. Choreography is much less involved than last year, with simple arm movements and easy actions. Parade participants should plan for at least two float or costume construction sessions and one choreography session. If you need a different arrangement, discuss it with our team.

When are the build sessions and rehearsals?

Float and costume construction starts on Saturday 9 January 2027, the second weekend of January, and runs every Saturday and Sunday through February. Additional days will be added where necessary. Times, locations and choreography session dates will be shared separately. Choose at least two construction days in the form and outline your choreography availability. Travelling from out of state? Please discuss arrangements with our team.

Bat, Bath
& Beyond.