Now in its tenth year, Tropical Mardi Gras has become the largest LGBTI pride festival in Northern Australia, with venues across Cairns and North Queensland holding special events from September 30 until October 9.
The festival attracts revellers from all over the country and the world. The annual Splash Pool Party this year features DJ Dan Murphy and drag superstar Vollie La Vont.
Tropical Mardi Gras’ Fair Day, on October 9, will also feature Australia’s first same-sex marriage expo. It will put businesses in touch with same-sex couples considering their options and planning for the day their relationships can be formalised.
A Marriage Equality Forum involving politicians and guest speakers, including representatives from advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality, will also be held as part of Fair Day.
The Love Boat Cruise – Launch Party
Sept 30th – 6pm start, tickets $49
Float away on our boat made for you and your LGBT+ friends. Watch the sun set over the mountains and enjoy party anthems and good time classics on this moonlight cruise of the Great Barrier Reef to launch Tropical Mardi Gras 2016!
The Love Boat After Party
Sept 30th – 9pm start, free tickets
Chill with old friends and new after the boat cruise at Six Degrees Bar at the Cairns Hilton Hotel. Try one of the signature vodka-based cocktails, relax over a snack, or try Six Degrees special Chocolate Fondue with fruits and sweets. Open until Midnight.
Fitzroy Island Day Trip
Oct 1st – from 8am, prices vary
A fun day out on Fitzroy Island – diving, snorkelling, glass bottom boats, kayaking, Nudey Beach, hiking – or just lie on the beach.
Splash! Tropical Pool Party
Oct 2nd – from 2pm, tickets $30
Splash! is back, and hotter than ever! Out! Cairns and Tropical Mardi Gras present an afternoon of wet swimmers and glistening bodies by the pool at our new venue, Hilton Cairns! Join our guest host Vollie LaVont and Special Guest DJ Dan Murphy for a cocktail or two on the pool deck overlooking Trinity Inlet.
Octopussy – Out! Cairns 8th Birthday and Splash! After Party
Oct 2nd – from 9pm
On the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, after the sun has set on the Splash – Out! Cairns Tropical Pool Party 2016, head over to The Casbah Lounge for this official after party. Celebrate 8 years of Out! Cairns and kick-on into the night with an encore performance from Queensland’s finest, Vollie LaVont!
Holding The Man: The Movie
Oct 3rd – from 7pm, tickets $7 at door
A special encore screening of an amazing story: Tim and John fell in love while teenagers at their all-boys high school. John was captain of the football team, Tim an aspiring actor. Gold coin donation to Queensland AIDS Council.
Starry Gaze Cinema: The Queen of Ireland
Oct 5th – from 6pm, tickets $15
The fun begins after sunset at Tropical Mardi Gras’ outdoor cinema experience. Join us under the stars for the 2015 Irish film about Rory O’Neill, better known as Panti, in the lead up to the historic referendum on marriage equality for same-sex couples in Ireland.
Proud Women’s Dance
Oct 7th – from 8pm, tickets $10
An exclusive women’s only event as part of the Tropical Mardi Gras celebrations at Green Ant Cantina (183 Bunda St, Cairns). The Proud Women’s Dance is a night to celebrate with your gal pals over a drink and some fantastic live music.
Tropical Mardi Gras Fair Day
Oct 9th – from 11am, entry $5
The Famous Dog Show, Stalls, Cairns LGBT+ Community Hero Awards, Same-Sex Marriage Expo, Marriage Equality Forum, “This Is How We Party” – An Audio-Visual History, Roo’s Drag Race, Art Exhibition, Wild Barra Fashion, Fabulous Entertainment, and Fierce All-Star Mega Drag.
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