Asia-Pacific’s largest LGBT festival, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, so its regular two-week schedule has been expanded to four weeks, covering untold parties (the electro-party Mardigrasland looks thrilling) and art events around town from Feb 8-Mar 3. The Sydney leg of the hipster-favorite Laneway Music Festival (Mar 3) also falls during Mardi Gras this year, too. However, the highlight, as always, is the grand parade on Mar 2, which will involve thousands of LBGT and non-LGBT citizens dressed up in outrageous costumes making their way along Oxford and Flinders streets. For more, visit www.mardigras.org.au