Chinese New Year Twilight Parade

One of Sydney’s favourite events, the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade is the highlight of the New Year festivities.

Bringing a magical beauty to the summer evening, floats, lanterns and dancers weave their way, snake-like, from Sydney Town Hall down to Harbour Street, illuminated by stunning projections on city buildings.

Join us for the pre-parade entertainment, with dancers, acrobats and music. As evening descends, gasp in amazement as the giant snake comes alive, shedding its skin along our streets in a symbol of renewal.

This parade figurehead is drawn from an ancient Chinese story – Lady White Snake – telling of a snake goddess who lived briefly with mortals and was betrayed by her love and imprisoned for her powers, only to escape back to her proper realm.

A powerful creature in Asian and Western cultures, both revered and feared, the snake features in stories throughout history. You’ll see the native American rattle snake, Snakes and Ladders, a witty take on Eve, Cleopatra and other women who tangled with the snake – and plenty of other snakes alive!

There’s fabulous dancing, floats from our local Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities and our visitors from Shenzhen will be treating us to a special parade entries. Don’t miss out on a night to remember as you welcome the Year of the Snake.

WHEN: Sun 17 Feb at 8:00 pm

WHERE: Sydney Town Hall to Chinatown, 483 George Street, Sydney

Entertainment schedule on the night

7 – 8pm

• Pre-parade entertainment
• Dancers & acrobats and all sorts of snake like entertainment

8pm

• Eye Dotting Ceremony – Town Hall

8.15pm

• Parade starts

8pm – 1am

• Sydney’s buildings transform with magical projections illuminating their facades.

Post-parade fireworks

• Join us for a stunning fireworks display at Cockle Bay to scare off the previous year’s bad luck and mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake!

An accessible viewing area for people with mobility support needs is available on Harbour Street outside the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 7.15pm.

The nearest public transport access point is the Paddy’s Markets Light Rail stop.  If you require access to the viewing area, please contact City of Sydney on 9265 9218 or email gmarshall@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Sydney Mardi Gras 2013

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Generations of Love in its 35th year

 Mardi Gras website

An event that has come a long way from its hostility with the law in the 1970's, yet the Sydney Mardi Gras lives on and entertains. In fact the Sydney Mardi Gras will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The theme for the 35th anniversary celebrations for the Sydney Mardi Gras is 'Generations of Love.'

The times have shown how far equality has come, and the actual parade will encompass a celebration for all things gay and lesbian. This is a time for those who are of such kind to dress up and celebrate. The whole party atmosphere is to be relished. Something would not be quite right if you did not go to some after party or nightclub after the parade.

The parade will be held on Saturday the 2nd of March, while the whole Mardi Gras celebration kicks off from the 8th of February 2013. Be ready for a high-voltage party vibe and an up there cultural spectacle. Ode to queer and alternative culture.

Image: Mardi Gras website

Welcome to "Mardigrasland" as they say. The land of Mardi Gras is alive and ready to party. Of course there is the parade, and who knows what creative floats will beckon us this year. The clue is being the 35th milestone, creativity will hit an all time high. Loud music, cool beats, and floats that will make you laugh, clap and relish. Who could not forget the Dykes on Bikes starting their engines to mark the start of each parade come around 8pm. Streamers, party poppers and loud party noises already creep in. Those who end up standing behind the barricades at Sydney's Hyde Park or along Oxford Street don't care. They eat and party with pretty cool views.



Love, pride and change is the theme of Sydney's biggest street party that attracts locals and visitors to Sydney alike to the live event. Glamstand at the Centennial Parklands, and Club Tropicana at Taylor Square are also key highlights to the parade.

The Mardi Gras season in Sydney would not be complete if it wasn't for the glam parties.

Image: Mardi Gras website

The Roller Derby girls make a comeback at the Battle of the Bent Track party on the 16/02/13 at The Standard in Darlinghurst. Cutting edge tunes and out there queer performances reign.

Known as Sydney's summer heaven on a stick, the Royal Botanical Gardens is playing host to Harbour Party 13 in the open space with DJ's and cocktails galore. A tropical party reigns on the 23rd of February.

The Mardi Gras Pool Party with a retro 50's vibe at The Ivy is also back, as well as a Sunset Cruise and other top lane way festivities to bring a "happy Mardi Gras" to our dial. Further details on some of the other top Mardi Gras parties can be found by clicking here.

Furthermore, Mardi Gras fair day will also be on at Victoria Park on the 10th of February, and the Mardi Gras museum on the corner of Oxford and Palmer Streets will also be open from the 29/01/13 to the 03/03/13. As you can see there is more to the 'party' Mardi Gras season that the iconic parade. As Sydney can begin to say to each other..."Happy Mardi Gras."

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Metro Hotels Sydney Properties Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour and Metro Hotel Sydney Central as Featured on Oze Holidays

Serbian Festival Darling Harbour

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A celebration of Serbian culture in Sydney

The inaugural Serbian Festival will be held at Tumbalong Park on the weekend of February 9th and 10th, 2013.

In the heart of Sydney, this free cultural event will mark National Serbian Day (February 15th & 16th, 2013) and will be the first time a major Australian City has held a Serbian cultural event of this scale.

Medija centar BeogradOne of the major festival program highlights of the two day event is the chance to meet internationally celebrated former NBA Star Vlade Divac, who will be happy to pose with fans and festival goers for photographs.

Burek

Lav pivo

 

Sydneysiders will also be able to sample traditional Serbian sweet and savoury delicacies. Meat lovers are sure to love Ćevapi (grilled sausages) and Pljeskavica (meat patty), while pastry lovers can enjoy a slice of Burek or Pita pies. Sweet tooths are sure to love the Krofne (doughnuts) and Palačinke (crepes) on offer as well.

To accompany these local delights, there will be a range of popular Serbian beer and wine labels available, including Jelen pivo, Lav pivo and Rakia (plum brandy).

Serbian kolo

Traditional Serbian folk music, which often features accordions, flutes, horns, trumpets, lutes, drums and cymbals will be showcased at the event. Plus festival goers will have the chance to participate in making the world's longest folkloric line dance (Kolo).

A family friendly event, the Serbian Festival is a celebration of not only Serbian culture, but also our multicultural society.

All are welcome to attend and discover 'the heart of Serbia'.