Sydney Mardi Gras reflects the hugeness of Oz itself. The thee-week long bonanza takes place in a range of locations across the city often mistaken for Australia’s capital, and brings together a great variety of gays.

The festival stretches from 14th February – what a way to see in Valentine’s Day – to 7th March. It incorporates over 80 high camp and diverse events different events, including the Harbour event on 1st March and the parade and party on 7th March. The festival promises performances from famous artists from both Australia and the rest of the world. There are also visual arts on display, a Youth Festival to keep the kids involved, and drama. This year, the Factory Theatre in Marrickville provided the theatricals, whilst the Festival Bar was at the Supper Club.

Sydney’s big gay bonanza is all about glitz and glamour. Performing in 2009 was queen of bitchy comedy and camp icon Joan Rivers, delivering her particular brand of acid-tongued stand up at the Enmore Theatre. Aussie belter Tina Arena performed to delighted gays at the State Theatre, whilst award winning Roberta Flack performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at one of the world’s wonders, the Sydney Opera House.

For some fun in the famed Australian sun, there’s Harbour day, which this year was held at Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens. Dancing, drinking, meeting and greeting all takes place with views of the harbour, the opera house and the exotic botanical gardens; what more do you need to kick off your summer pride season? 

The parade draws 300,000 people every year, and in 2009, the parade’s 30th anniversary, members of the Australian services marched with permission, as well as a number of clergy, who marched to apologise for the exclusion of gays and lesbians in the past. The 2.4km walk stretches from Elizabeth Street, along Oxford street, and ends at Moore Park Road. All of the gay favourites, such as Dykes on Bikes and the usual plethora of dancers, floats and rainbow flags appear at the parade, and this year, blonde heartthrob and Olympic medallist Matthew Mitcham headed up the march.  

Then, if you still have the energy, there’s the party to round it all off in Moore Park. This is no muted affair. This year, Paul Okenfield and the Freemasons were rocked out at the party, as well as a whole host of Australian star DJs and vocalists.