Weekend Picks: Hello Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year, goodbye Mickey and St. Jerome

Around Australia this weekend, Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show ends its magical tour in Canberra, while Darwin sees the indigenous all stars face off with Richmond in a bout of AFL. 

Flix In the Stix is making its way through Dubbo and Orange as St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival finishes its run in Adelaide and Perth.

The world renowned Sydney Mardi Gras returns for three weeks of fabulous fun in 2013 to raise awareness and rights for LGBTQI, and y’know, love. It’s starts part of its arts program today but the party side is kicking off this Sunday with Fair Day.

Chinese New Year is also beginning its three week long celebrations with food, markets, performances, art, entertainment and more. Check out our guide to Chinese New Year Celebrations around the country that we have carefully compiled.  

The Red Hot Summer Tour rolls into Hobart and Launceston with the likes of Jimmy Barnes, Dragon and Chocolate Starfish, while the Whittlesea Country Music Festival entertains north eastern Victoria on Saturday with great crooners, bonus fireworks - and it’s free! 

The St Kilda Festival closes this Sunday, and the Paris Opera Ballet dances out of Sydney with the beautiful Giselle. Finally, Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band begin their Australian tour this Monday in Brisbane. Awesome!  

For our full list of weekend picks tailored to where you are, sign up to the Eventfinder Weekly Newsletter - your local event guide, dropped in your inbox every Thursday morning. To get the best picks for your city or state, pick your home locations in settings.  

- The Eventfinder Team