Posted on January 25, 2012 by Fiona Hilliard

We’ve scarcely packed away the tinsel, but in Sydney, they’re already digging

Flamboyant: Sydney Mardi Gras

out the sequins and feather boas in preparation for the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebrations…

Think Sydney’s Mardi Gras and flamboyant, flashy and fun should come to mind. And if that’s what you’re into, then you were born for Sydney Mardi Gras. The aim of the festival is to: “Inspire the world to love each other by celebrating the power and beauty of diversity”.  All this is achieved through parades, partying, music and dancing.

Since 1978 crowds have gathered to celebrate who they are and their individuality. In the early years they were greeted with police and too often, arrest. Now the Sydney Mardi Gras has developed into a vibrant, fun festival open to everyone. Last year more than 70,000 turned up to join in making it one of the biggest carnivals in Australia. During Mardi Gras the city is packed to the rafters so make sure to book into one of the cheap Sydney hotels as early as possible, or if there’s a group of you, try one of the Sydney backpackers instead.

The Parade

Hundreds of thousands of people line Oxford Street, the main drag in the city, for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Mardi Gras Parade. In 2012 it’s on Saturday 3 March from 7:45pm-10pm. It’s a colourful sea of glittering floats followed by a raucous after party that sees in the dawn, and beyond. If you don’t fancy shaking your booty on the sidelines, the next best place to watch from is one of the Oxford Street bar’s balconies. Or, if you fancy splashing the cash at the Mardi Gras get a spot at the Glamstand. You can indulge in fine foods, unique entertainment and glamorous drinks at the nearby bar – it’s the most fabulous way to enjoy the festival.

The Parties

After the parade the party atmosphere gets even more intense. The official party for 2012 is at the Entertainment Quarter. The venue transforms into a ‘Mardigraisland’, featuring RuPaul, D.E. Experience, Sneaky Sound System and Horse Meat Disco among others. All the buildings are taken over by the theme – the Backlot at the Dome becomes a dodgy, abandoned and derelict hall of mirrors, with eclectic and electric performances and music – sounds epic! And there’ll even be a theme park parade going on through the night.

If you prefer your parties with a pool on 27 February the Ivy Pool Bar opens its doors for the biggest pool party of Sydney Mardi Gras. Get your best swimwear attire on – listening to the DJ in the changing rooms while you do – and relax the night away next to the pool with a cocktail.

Drag Races

Bondi Beach is famous for the bronzed beauties that frequent it year round, but on Mardi Gras weekend it’s also the location for Sydney’s drag kings and queens to compete for the celebrated crown. Crowds flock to the free GLBT Mardi Gras Drag Race (Friday 2 March 2012) and the big arena features activities like the Dainty Dune Dash and the Handbag Discus. Make sure you really get in the spirit too though, just draw on a twee moustache or shove some balloons up your top if you don’t want to go all out. I can assure you, you’ll look sillier if you don’t.

 Kick off with Fair Day

Sunday 12 February is Fair Day at Victoria Park Camperdown. Sydney car rental will allow you to turn up with a picnic to sit in the sun, eat your way around the delicacies from the stalls and enjoy the atmosphere. Entertainers fill the stages and crowds gather for the Dulcie’s Dog Show, the Paparazzi Photobooth and the Top Gun ride. Sydney Fair Day is just the start of all the entertainment to come over the next three weeks. Just remember to express your crazy self at the Sydney Mardi Gras, and you’ll fit right in!

Written by Victoria Philpott from the HostelBookers blog – she loves any excuse to dress up in sparkly clothes and drink cocktails.