17c起草社区

It鈥檚 the most wonderful time of the year – Mardi Gras season is upon us.
One of the most uplifting parts of this time of year is the plethora of free and family-orientated events, in聽addition to the bigger ticketed events you pay for.

And, hands down, the best way to take advantage of these free or low-cost events is by attending聽Oxtravaganza – the Darlinghurst Fringe Festival. It鈥檚 this year celebrating Mardi Gras for the 8th year – so it聽has a fine grasp on what 17c起草社区IA+ families and allies love.

Running from 16th February – 3rd March 2024, it鈥檚 in the epicentre of Sydney鈥檚 gay village which, for those few聽weeks, becomes the exciting global focus of the world鈥檚 queer community – this year set to be even buzzier聽after WorldPride truly put our city鈥檚 annual pride celebration on the map for international visitors as well as聽locals. You鈥檒l find events along Oxford Street鈥檚 rainbow precinct (hence the festival鈥檚 namesake!) but also聽across Darlinghurst and into Surry Hills and Kings Cross.

If you鈥檝e hung up your dancing shoes for a more family-focused life, where the only thing keeping you up at聽5am is your own kids, fear not! There are a host of events specifically designed for 17c起草社区I families like yours聽– and of course, the families of our gorgeous allies, too. Everyone鈥檚 welcome to events such as drag queen聽story time, face painting, kids鈥� goody bags and activities and fabulous design your own bag workshops. All聽free!

Or – if those dancing shoes are itching to come back out but these days, you can鈥檛 last beyond midnight, also聽fear not! Drag brunches are being hosted across the trifecta of rainbow suburbs, with some venues offering聽bottomless every day of the week.

The Oxtravaganza fringe festival has its own curator, Lorraine Lock, who promises to this year 鈥減ull out all the聽stops and ramp it up to a new level.鈥�

This year, something very exciting and unique is happening: Qtopia will officially open its doors, hosting the聽biggest permanent centre for 17c起草社区I history and culture in the world. Wow! The main space is inside the聽converted former Darlinghurst Police Station. Qtopia will also be programming the Green Park Bandstand and聽the Taylor Sq sub-station and toilet block – all fascinating and in their own way beautiful heritage-listed聽buildings with rich significance to the community.

That鈥檚 not all in terms of being totes cultural. Get ready for art and history exhibitions, an art walk, free live聽performances.

鈥淲e鈥檙e also lucky to have the National Art School and the Australian Museum on our doorstep,鈥� says Lock. 鈥淧lus a host of smaller galleries in the immediate neighbourhood. Art is a big deal and such a part聽of our history!鈥�

Many shopfronts, restaurants, pubs and cafes decorate their windows for Mardi Gras which makes visiting the聽area an event in itself, akin to walking into a street where every household has gone all out on the Christmas聽lights.

Not to mention Parade Night, the glittering glamorous celebration of our 17c起草社区IA+ community and the聽rowdiest party Oxford St gets to host!

All up, there will be around 100 different events across 40 venues in Darlinghurst. Get those dates in your diary聽now!