Mardi Gras Sydney

From drag queen Olympic sports on the beach through to the nation's biggest parade, this year's Mardi Gras season boasts more than 100 wonderfully bent events to sink your teeth into. These inside party tips are sure to put the bang into Mardi Gras 2011.

Fair Day
It's like the gay Easter Show, but not in bloody Homebush. Think live performances, chic cuisine, gay-ass shopping, a queer tug-of-war, and a bent dog show and you'll get the picture. Victoria Park, Sun 20 Feb, 10am-8pm.

Harbour '11 and Daywash
It's the engorged daytime party that makes others look flaccid. This year a little Day Wash party action has been added to give Harbour 11 a cool new rinse. Mrs Macquaries Point, Sun 27 Feb, 2-10pm. $139.

Mardi Gras Pool Party
Embrace your body dysmorphia by parading your hard-earned six pack poolside... before realising everyone else has eight. This queer splash-and-pash takes place at the chic ivy pool where the showers are made for two. ivy, Mon 28 Feb, 2pm-12 midnight. $49.

Drag Races
If you've yet to see gargantuan drag queens try to sprint along the beach in heels or take part in handbag discus, then you have no business calling yourself gay. Bondi Beach, Fri 4 Mar, 5pm. FREE 

Mardi Gras Parade
Tits on trucks, dykes on bikes, femmes on floats, Muscle Marys trying to walk while their massive inner thighs rub together... if it's queer, here and used to it, then it will be on parade. Oxford St, Sat 5 Mar, 7.45pm. FREE 

Mardi Gras Party
Once the last piece of glitter hits the street, the party continues at Entertainment Quarter with DJ heroes plus fierce shows by our best drag talent. Entertainment Quarter, Sat 5 Mar, 10pm-8am. FREE 

MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL

The good peeps at Queer Screen present a sensational programme of award-winning international films that will make you laugh, cry and never want to watch straight cinema again. 17 Feb-3 Mar
 

MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL BAR

Held at the Oxford Hotel, this hub of queer entertainment sees cabaret, burlesque, comedy, R&B, drag and just about every other thrilling genre spread across the stage wider than Shazza Stone's legs. 17 Feb-6 Mar
Full event line-up

DON'T EVEN THINK OF MISSING...

Lily Tomlin, Enmore Theatre, Fri 4 Mar, $79
An Evening with Armistead Maupin, Sydney Opera House, Thu 3 Mar, $39-$59
Queer Thinking, Seymour Centre, Sat 19 Feb, $12-$15
TOP, Sydney Tower, 3-4 Mar, $80-$90
Bear Essentials 15, Around Sydney, 20 Feb-6 Mar
Mardi Gras Youth Festival, Around Sydney, 19 Feb-3 Mar
Sport scene, Around Sydney, From 26 Feb

NICE ARTS

Mardi Gras has a reputation for great arts. Check out these corkers.

ACTing Up!, Kings Cross Library, 19 Feb-8 Mar, FREE 
In the Space Between, Cleveland Street Theatre, 18-20 & 25-27 Feb, $25-30
Mardi Gras Gallery, Urban Uprising, 22 Feb-2 Mar
Turns, Seymour Centre, 22 Feb-2 Mar, $60-$70
Working Class Shielas, Cleveland Street Theatre, 1-4 Mar, $24-$28

 LET'S GO OUTSIDE

Like doing it outdoors? Check out our top 3 outdoor parties of the Mardi Gras season.

Beach Party, Bondi Beach, Fri 4 Mar, $35-$45
Toybox, Luna Park, Sun 6 Mar, $149
Harbour '11 and Daywash, Mrs Macquarie's Point, Sun 27 Feb, $109-$139