Sydney Mardi Gras is firmly established as one of the high points of the world-wide Gay calendar. The excitement and anticipation mounts until the Grand Opening Launch which, in 2003, is expected to be on 8th February. Almost the entire following month will be given over to an extravagant festival celebrating Gay and Lesbian culture and encompassing many diverse events designed to entertain, amuse, confront and shock! The Mardi Gras Parade and Party on Saturday March 1st 2003 (the 25th Anniversary) are the climactic end to the Mardi Gras Festival.

Another important date for your calendar should include Sydney 2002 Gay Games VI, Sport and Cultural Festival. These will be held at various venues around Sydney from 25th October until 9th November 2002.

There are many other Gay Festivals and events held during the year in various locations around Australia. Throughout January and February, the Midsumma Festival is held in Melbourne followed by Chill Out - a country festival day on Labour Day weekend in early March at nearby Daylesford. The Queen's Ball is Tasmania's Gay'night of nights' and is staged each June in Hobart. You can catch Brisbane's Pride Festival in June and July and their Sleaze Ball in November. Perth hosts its own Gay Festival - WA Pride - during October and over in Adelaide, you can enjoy the events at the Feast Festival, which takes place in the last week of October and the first two weeks of November.

Your itinerary can be tailor-made around any of the events listed above and we would be pleased to assist you with any more details of the events themselves.Please bear in mind that the Sleaze Ball and the Mardi Gras Party in Sydney are 'Members Only' events and as such Membership is required in order to purchase tickets for them. As demand for tickets always exceeds actual supply, please ask us to organise your tickets well in advance of the event!