Are you ready for a summer of glitz and glamour? Midsumma Festival is just around the corner, and you can look forward to a stacked program of about 200 events across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Celebrate the LGBTQiA+ community with performances, talks, social events and more. Stay busy with major events like Midsumma Carnival, Midsumma Pride March and Victoria’s Pride Street Party. There will also be heaps of events at venues around town like Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International, State Library Victoria and more. Midsumma Festival will run from January 19 to February 9.
Midsumma Festival
The festival will launch with Midsumma Carnival in Alexandra Gardens. This free, outdoor extravaganza will feature acts across four carnival stages, as well as a dog show, pop-up bars, two food zones, giveaways, stalls and more. The event will start at 11am and run into the evening, ending with a huge dance party. The Carnival will take place on Sunday January 19.
Don’t forget to strut your stuff at Midsumma Pride March, which will return for its 30th anniversary. Celebrate 30 years of progress, and take to the streets of St Kilda in honour of the past and with hope for the future. Flaunt your pride or show your solidarity with loved ones, and make your way down Fitzroy Street. At the end of the march, there will be free entertainment, such as live performances and DJs. It’s all happening from 11am on Sunday February 2.
One week later, on Sunday February 9, head over to Gertrude and Smith Streets for the boisterous Victoria’s Pride Street Party. Expect a showcase of live performances, as well as stalls and food and drink from local businesses. The party will run from 12pm to 9pm.
More events
- NGV – Listen to DJs curated by Midsumma at NGV Friday Nights, then attend a talk about Yayoi Kusama and the counterculture movement.
- State Library Victoria – Check out a queer-themed exhibition, attend a late-night party and bring the kids to Rainbow Storytime.
- Fed Square – Celebrate and honour queer POC elders, attend talks and watch The Wiz on the big screen.
- Arts Centre Melbourne – See the dark new comedy, Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen, produced by the same team behind Fleabag and Baby Reindeer.
This is just scratching the surface of all the wonderful events happening at Midsumma Festival. Explore the full program by checking out their website.