Not all the festivals are up in Perth at the moment. Fremantle Carnevale kicks off at the weekend, continuing the tradition of festive misrule as famously celebrated in places like Venice and Rio de Janeiro.

The masked and costumed high jinks, theatre, dance, music and mockery of authority will be opened at Kulcha on Friday by the mystery Carnevale King. Other events include a Children's Carnevale, Women's Cabaret Night, Masked Costume Ball at Kulcha on February 18, with music by the Catalan Street Band, electro- gypsy-swing super-group Ensemble Formidable and pirate band Rumskull.

It all ends with the Mardi Gras on the last day of Carnevale, Shrove Tuesday, February 21. Details: fremantlecarnevale.org.