Last night, Sydney came alive as thousands took to the streets to celebrate the Mardi Gras parade. Drag queens, life guards, firefighters, rugby players and proud “dykes on bikes” rubbed shoulders with international pop stars as the parade made its way down Oxford Street, leaving glitter in its wake.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

This year marked the 42nd anniversary of the parade, which started in 1978 in commemoration of the Stonewall riots in the US.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

This year’s event featured 191 floats, with a focus on themes ranging from climate change to trans rights to The Golden Girls.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Pop sensation Dua Lipa took time to pose with some life guards, and served some truly iconic looks for the event.

She headlined the Mardi Gras after party, along with Sam Smith, Brazilian drag star Pabllo Vittar and KESHA.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Smith also rocked up for the parade, to the strains of the song ‘Tonight’, labeling the event “gay Christmas” in an earlier Instagram story.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Everyone was feeling the love.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

An estimated 12,000 people took part in this year’s event, which drew crowds from around Australia and the world, and saw floats march down Liverpool, Oxford and Flinders Streets.

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Courtney Act was, um, caught in the act. You get it. Mardi Gras humour!

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Here Are Some Of The Most Iconic Photos And Looks From This Year’s Mardi Gras Parade

Organisers said: “We’re feeling the love!! What an incredible night. Thank you to all the amazing people who created floats, and all our fantastic volunteers! We ???? you all so very much! HAPPY MARDI GRAS!”

Image: Getty Images / AAP / James D Morgan / Don Arnold / Paul Braven / James Gourley / Steven Saphore /