10 festivals to attend in 2012

1. Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Feb 12-Mar 4 
Sydney’s annual celebration of queer pride and culture offers a fabulous programme for punters of all persuasions, and the huge line-up includes exhibitions, talks, food events and gigs to celebrate the city's GLBT community.

2. Sydney Comedy Festival
Apr 24-May 12
The first artist announcement is in, lovers of laffs: Sydney Comedy Festival will welcome the brilliant likes of Time Out Comedy Award winners Ross Noble and Mark Watson, enduring favourites Stephen K Amos, David O’Doherty, Akmal, Jimeoin, Steve Hughes, Henry Rollins and, for the first time ever, UK star Simon Amstell.

3. Semi-Permanent
May 11-12
This insider's guide to design turns 10 this year and has already confirmed David Alan Harvey, Bec Parsons & Bart Celestino, Derek Henderson and Luca Ionescu in their 202 line-up.

4. Sydney Writers' Festival
May 21-25
Australia’s largest literary celebration sees local and international writers and publishers descend on Sydney for a week-long programme of lectures, workshops and forums dedicated to the written word.

5. Vivid
May 25-Jun 11
Vivid will literally set Sydney alight once again with its cutting edge line-up of art, music, ideas and projections on the Opera House sails.

6. Sydney Film Festival
Jun 6-17
Nashen Moodley has just been announced as the new festival director for the city's biggest annual celebration of cinema.  

7. Sydney Design 
August
The people of Sydney will go design crazy for a whole month this year. And with Sydney Design's exhibitions, lectures, tours and workshops we don't blame 'em. 8.

8. Graphic Festival
August
We have no doubt that in its third year, this festival devoted to graphic storytelling, animation and music will be able to trump past guests including Neil Gaimon and Kevin Smith. 

9. Sydney International Food Festival
Oct 1-31 
Top international and Australian chefs will gather again in 2012 for the city's biggest festival of tasty treats. Our tummies are rumbling at the mere thought.

10. Festival of Dangerous Ideas
October
In October, controversial thinkers will once again gather under the white sails for a weekend of pot stirring and feather ruffling.

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