source abc.net.au By Sarah Hawke

It's official — Cher will perform at Sydney's 40th Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The 71-year-old pop star and gay icon will headline the Mardis Gras party on Saturday, March 3.

Today's announcement was widely expected, after she star hinted in a tweet late last month to her 3.5 million followers that she was coming.

The all-night after party at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion sold out quickly after that tweet, with tickets going for as much as $250.

More tickets will be released on Monday.

The Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning performer has sold more than 100 million records and last toured Australia in 2005.

Mardi Gras creative director Greg Clarke was excited about the official announcement when speaking to ABC Radio Sydney this morning, promising an amazing show.

"These things do take time and a lot of negotiation, and so it's been a pretty rollercoaster ride over the last couple of months, but we can definitely [say], it's official and Cher is coming," he said.

He said Cher would be a fitting star for the 40th anniversary of the Mardi Gras.

"Mardi Gras has being trying to get Cher to Mardi Gras for so many years," he said.

"They tried about five years ago and couldn't pull it off but we've done it this year."