Key Dates for Mardi Gras 2015
(From the 12th February - 11th March)
Mardi Gras Parade - 7th March 2015.
Sydney provides the worlds best Gay and Lesbian carnival atmosphere - alongside our sunny harbour and beautiful men and women. Below are some key dates to remember when booking accommodation - more events such as pool parties and club nights are released closer to the date, in between the dates listed below. You'll certainly not run out of activities to keep you going.
Remember - to secure your spot - book in advance as events as accommodation sell out fast!
Fair Day - Date TBA
Kicking off the Mardi Gras celebrations, Fair Day is hugely popular and a massive event in the gay and lesbian calendar. With temperatures above 25 degrees, Victoria Park nestled against the west of the city centre, erupts with gay boys and girls, LGBT families and friends, and the curious straight crowd. Drag Shows, dance areas, stalls, concerts, and chill out areas provide a full on day of fun.
If you've not passed out by night time, head over to nearby King St Newtown, the lesbian district, and party on in the array of pubs and clubs lining the strip . Otherwise head into Oxford St afterwards - a 20 minute walk from Victoria Park, where the crowds will be brimming with boys who have partied all day. The pool is open too for those wanting to bare their chest.
Book accommodation near Chippendale, the City, or Surry Hills to be nearby.
Harbour Dance Party - Date TBA
Party in Sydney Botanic Gardens, with thousands of other Gay and Lesbian party goers. With outdoor bars and two stages featuring DJ's from around the world, there is no better outdoor dance party.
Book accommodation in the city or alongside Hyde Park to be close by.
Queer thinking ideas Day - Dates to be Confirmed
Presenting a high calibre and diverse range of academic and literary sessions in a festival atmosphere on a range of gay and lesbian topics.
Book a hotel near the city for this event.
Drag Races - Dates to be Confirmed
One of the most iconic events of the carnival, head down to Bondi Beach to see Drag Kings and Queens battle it out for the best camp afternoon on the beach. This is a free event hosted on the white sand of Bondi Beach.
Book a hotel near Bondi Beach or Bondi Junction for this event.
Mardi Gras Parade - 7th March 2015.
The biggest event on the calendar - every man and his man comes out on Parade night - and every possible vantage point taken early with any kind of view of the parade, Bring milk cartons, stand on trees, find a big man to hold you - because everyones eyes are locked on the 200 floats that rumble up Oxford Street - pumping tunes and partying till the wee hours. 8,500 people participate in the Parade. Few hotels have views of the parade, and book out months in advance. Book along Hyde Park, Oxford Street, the East City, and Surry Hills to be close to the action. The parade begins from around 5pm, but revellers are on the streets hours before (the best of them have been at the pub for days) Mardi Gras Parade is no time to be conservative with what your wearing - the more wild and glittery - the better. Or of confused - just take off a layer!
Mardi Gras Party - Date TBA
Following the parade, hit the Party for an all night LGBT party that tops the end of the celebrations. Held in the Entertainment Quarter towards the end of the parade route, World famous DJ's and diva talent blow the roof off the Entertainment Quarter, Thousands of heaving boys and girls party to circus tricks, DJ's, and anything wild you can think of. This is a clubbers dream night.
Book a hotel near Moore Park, Surry Hills, or Waterloo to be near this venue.