News

Rainbows are popping up everywhere (and we’re not commenting on the weather) which means one thing- Midsumma Festival is back!

Our neighbourhoods are home to some of the best and biggest Midsumma events. From theatre, cabaret and visual arts to parties, community events and, of course, the iconic Pride Parade down St Kilda’s Fitzroy Street, there is something for every colour of the rainbow.

Take a look at all the events and venues getting into the Midsumma spirit below and let your fabulous Pride flag fly!

PARADE DAY EVENTS Parade, pride and party come together for Melbourne's iconic Midsumma Pride March, celebrating solidarity in gender and sexuality diversity, Sunday 4 February 2024.

Find out more about the march here.

Take a look below at all the events taking place on March Day.

THE PEARL PRIZE MEET AND GREET Readings St Kilda is opening its doors to a meet and greet of the fifteen finalists and winner of The Pearl Prize 2024. A writing award where Queer writers have a platform of self-expression through the writing landscape and into publication, The Pearl Prize is presented with Osborne and Fawkner Publishing and supported by Midsumma Festival. 15 finalists have been selected and published in The Pearl Prize 2024.

Find out more | 4 February, Readings, 112 Acland Street, St Kilda.

ST KILDA PRIDE AFTERPARTY AT THE ESPY St Kilda’s iconic Pride March afterparty is back!

Is there a better way to celebrate Pride ’24 than with a party of over-the-top deco, rainbow-inspired cocktails galore and more entertainment than you can shake a glitter covered stick at?!

We proudly present a who’s who of Melbourne’s queer dance community across all three rooms in the venue. PLUS, a special surprise performance on the iconic Espy staircase, keeping the Main bar pumping through till the wee hours. Did we mention it’s free entry?!

Find out more | 4 February, Hotel Esplanade, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda.

SUNDAYLICIOUS - THE SAINT Sundaylicious is taking over The Saint on Pride March day!

After the parade, join the party from 1 pm, with a in incredible line up of DJs and this recently revamped iconic St Kilda venue. of this proud day. This is the ultimate Sundaylicious experience. Don’t miss it!

Find out more | 4 February, Saint Hotel, 54 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

ACLAND’S DRAG DERBY - EMERGING DRAG QUEEN COMPETITION Witness the crowning of Acland’s Drag Star! Hosted by the radiant, exuberant and talented drag queen, Brenda Bressed, watch as these talented contestants sing, dance and strut their stuff, vying for the title and a heap of fabulous prizes. The competition will be followed by a DJ spinning tunes until 5.30 pm so sit back, grab a drink at a local venue and enjoy. Happy hour drinks specials are on offer at Loudmouth and Iddy Biddy, and live entertainment at Village Belle and Jimmy O'Neills.

Find out more | 4 February, 2.30 pm to 4 pm Acland Plaza, St Kilda.

EUPHORIA SOCIAL Euphoria Social is kicking off 2024 by taking over the Prince Bandroom for their Pride Celebration. Join them for a day of love, inclusion and community plus exclusive balcony viewing of the iconic Pride March. This is the best seat in the house to watch the glitz and fabulousness of the Pride March plus DJs, performers and more.

Find out more | 4 February, Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

SUNDAY SIZZLE Celebrate Midsumma Festival’s legendary Pride March with a huge after party on the stunning rooftop at Victoria’s purpose-built home for LGBTIQ+ communities! Enjoy fabulous live shows by Keely Wins and the Heaps Good Dancers, dance to queer anthems by Confide DJs (Simonetti and Jesse DM), grab a refreshing bev (including heaps of alcohol-free options) and get saucy at our sausage sizzle. Free entry and all ages are welcome, but there is limited capacity, so first in best dressed!

Find out more | 4 February, Victorian Pride Centre- Rooftop, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

THE KWEEN Bow down to The Kween, St Kilda's new reigning lady. For the entire month of February, the venue formerly known as The Prince has temporarily rebranded to The Kween in celebration of Victoria’s Pride and its history as one of Melbourne’s earliest LGBTQIA+ friendly venues. As one of her first orders of business, The Kween will tip her crown to the legendary 1970’s Pokey’s Drag Show with weekly Drag Bingo events downstairs at Kween Public Bar. Upstairs, royalists are invited to take in Golden Gaytime happy hour Kween Dining Room Atrium, with a one hour long $6 menu, from 6pm. Offering a refuge for weary heads, Kween Hotel is rolling out the red carpet with dedicated His and His, Hers and Hers and Theirs and Theirs hotel packages.

Find out more | 1 to 29 February, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda

PRIDE MARCH HAPPY HOUR AND DINING DEALS From happy hours and food specials, to live music and drag performances, there's plenty to do before or after Pride March this year. Start your day with coffee and house-made cannoli at Al Naturale cafe . Head to the The Kween front bar around the corner to catch the march from one of best seats in the house, and tunes by DJ Arlen De Silva from 12pm. There's plenty of great viewing spots, drinks specials and dining deals at local venues along Fitzroy street including The Fifth Estate, Freddie Wimpoles, 29th apartment and Ellora. And don't forget to visit the Pride photobooth at Self Love to capture the moment.

Find out more | 4 February, various venues on and around Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

EVENTS AROUND THE CITY Midsumma is obviously a lot more than the Parade and Carnival Days. There are many wonderful types of events to take part in over the festival period.

SERVE IT, SMASH IT, LOVE IT 2024 Have you ever wanted to meet new people in a fun and social sporting environment? Melbourne Smashers is an LGBTIQA+ and allies social badminton club, playing several times per week at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) Albert Park. Join the group for a free introduction session to social badminton - no experience is necessary!

Come along and ... Serve It! Smash It! Love It!

Find out more | 28 January Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, 30 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park.

QUEER CONNECTIONS: CELEBRATING LGBTIQA+ HISTORY IN PORT PHILLIP Originally Melbourne's favourite seaside resort and playground, in the mid-20th century St Kilda transformed from a haven for the wealthy, to a significant place for those marginalised by mainstream society, including those who identify as LGBTIQA+. Over time the area has been the site for a variety of different venues, events and activities that have provided meaning and acceptance for such communities. Come and explore the personalities, trailblazers, entertainers, issues, glamour and humour that exemplify the pride of Port Phillip's LGBTIQA+ community.

Find Out More | 2 February to 26 April Carlisle Street Arts Space, 99a Carlisle Streetm St Kilda.

IAGO Iago is a modern re-visioning of William Shakespeare’s Othello, through the lens of its central relationship. Through contemporary voice, Elizabethan language, dance, stage combat and scenes of physical intimacy, Iago is a 70-minute investigation of male sexuality and manhood that asks the audience to confront their own ideas of masculinity.

Find Out More | 31 January to 4 February Cracked Actors Theatre, Level 1 / 34 Lakside Drive, Albert Park.

REAL FAKE: AI THE WILD FRONTIER Don’t miss this immersive art exhibition and artist talk by Betty Sargeant. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the prevailing medium of our times, one that is set to shape the future of human cultures. An unexplored area of AI is its impact on natural environments. This fascinating in conversation session will ask audiences to question how we relate to global environments in the context of AI technology.

Find out more | 21 January to 11 February Linden New Art Gallery Project Space, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda.

QWEIRD SOCIAL Channeling the unabashed vibes of NY's Club Kids, San Francisco's liberated nights, and Melbourne’s gritty punk heart, Qweird Social stands as an unfiltered beacon for the authentic. Drape yourself in expression or shed it all, and seize the moment in their on-site photo studio, capturing you in all your unrestrained glory. This adults-only affair marries punk’s raw edge with queer’s defiant spirit. And when it comes to attire? Be as clothed or bare as you dare.

Find out more | 3 February, Pandora Nightclub, 127 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne.

TEMPERANCE HALL PRESENTS TWO TRIPLE DANCE BILLS Temperance Hall , the home of contemporary dance in South Melbourne, presents six new dance works by experimental choreographers who disparately and rigorously explore multitudes of 'queer’.

1 to 3 February, explore the works of Mitch Spadaro, =w= and Rachael Wisby | Find out more.

8 to 10 February, discover works from Mara Galagher, Alexander Powers and Valentina Emerald | Find out more.

199 Napier Street, South Melbourne.

VICTORIAN PRIDE CENTRE EVENTS The Victorian Pride Centre is the first purpose-built centre for Australia's LGBTIQ+ communities and home to a wide range of events this Midsumma.

SPILL THE TEA Spill The Tea is an opportunity to connect in a fun, social environment without alcohol. Along with a free afternoon tea, The Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus are bringing a bit of extra sweetness with a selection of songs about love. All ages are welcome and entry is free, but remember to get in early or you might miss out on cake! Delectable gluten-free and vegan options will also be available.

Find out more | 28 January, Victorian Pride Centre – The Forum, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

QUEER LATINX MIGRATING DOWN UNDER This photographic project explores the layers of identity and intersectionality experienced by LGBTIQ+ Latinx people living in Australia. These photographs allow subjects to present themselves and represent their own lives and new reality as migrants. Join curator Jose-Octavio Ortiz and photographer Arun Ernesto Munoz for an in-person conversation on Sunday 28 January at the Pride Centre.

Find out more | 21 January to 11 February, Victorian Pride Centre- Pride Gallery, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

QUEER SOCIAL: HOBBIES & CRAFTS SPEED DATING Hobbies are for life, love is for the weekend. In this unique spin on speed dating, flirt with four hobbies in each session and discover that hobbies really are the best lovers. Explore painting, carving, pottery and more in this event designed to uplift your mental health and ignite your passion for lifelong learning! Connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests.

Find out more | 25 January to 8 February, Victorian Pride centre – The Forum, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

PROUD MARY! Melbourne's favourite quite contrary disco is getting high for Midsumma Festival. Mary! is testing her city limits for a very special Midsumma day party at (simply) the best rooftop in town. Big Hair Energy strongly encouraged. No Ikes. (ps. MARY! can't stand the rain - so in case of non-summery skies there will be a wet weather contingency).

Find out more | 27 January, Victorian Pride Centre – Rooftop, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS; QUEER JOY AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, AND DISPLACED PEOPLES Join The Iceberg Foundation for two panel discussions exploring how and why we should invest in queer joy and mental health, to help us be our favourite selves.

The first discussion will centre on how and why investing in queer joy radically and sustainably improves the mental and emotional health of the LGBTIQA+ community.

The second panel and audience discussion will focus on the importance and timeliness of increasing support for the mental health of LGBTIQA+ refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people’s (RASDP) communities.

Find out more | 27 January, Victorian Pride centre – Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

NO PRIDE IN RACISM LGBTIQA+ community leaders share their thoughts and perspectives on sexualised racism in the community. From fighting stigmatising language on apps and online dating spaces, to responding to microaggressions, and fetishisation of racial identities. This panel will share experiences of queer people of colour, culture, and faith. This event is open to people of all racial and cultural backgrounds.

Find out more | 30 January, Victorian Pride Centre- Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

GAY LIFE DRAWING MELBOURNE Gay Life Drawing returns to the Pride Centre this Midsumma Festival! Gay Life Drawing Melbourne is an inclusive event for adults to partake in self-expression, enjoy a drink and draw live models, in a friendly safe space. Curious beginners with no experience through to experienced artists are all welcome to attend. Hosted by the fabulous Ian James Scott and featuring life models, good times are guaranteed. Basic drawing materials will be provided but feel free to BYO art supplies if preferred.

Find out more | 31 January, Victorian Pride Centre- Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

PRIDE ROOFTOP PARTY PRESENTED BY CHEMIST WAREHOUSE Celebrate the Midsumma season on the iconic Pride Centre Rooftop! Proudly presented by Chemist Warehouse, explore beauty and wellness activations, dance the night away and score some free products.

Find out more | 2 February, Victorian Pride Centre – Rooftop, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

FINDING AND MAKING HOME IN HISTORIES This Midsumma, the Australian Queer Archives invite to visit their reading room at the Victorian Pride Centre. Learn about the Archives, our communities' histories and how they are intertwined. You will also find out about how to contribute to the collection and/or get involved in different ways to help them make and share our histories.

Find out more | 3 February, Victorian Pride Centre – Australian Queer Archive, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

GAY STUFF MARKETS Shop small, shop local, shop queer at the Gay Stuff Markets! Featuring a fabulous line up of vendors, discover specialty goods from a collection of Melbourne’s finest queer and allied artists, creatives and style makers. What's on offer: fashion, accessories, plants, homewares, jewellery, art, crafts, zines, books, handmade goods and more! Come get some Gay Stuff!

Find out more | 3 February, Victorian Pride Centre – The Forum, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

THE PEARL PRIZE The Pearl Prize is presented with Osborne and Fawkner Publishing and supported by Midsumma Festival. A writing award where Queer writers have a platform of self-expression through the writing landscape and into publication. Fifteen finalists have been selected and published in The Pearl Prize 2024. The award will proudly be announced at the Hares and Hyenas bookstore. A queer bloom in the Australian writing landscape. The Pearl Prize is unique to Midsumma Festival as it is the first of its kind in a queer arts and culture festival in Australia.

The publication featuring the works from the fifteen finalists will be available to purchase and to be signed by these talents.

Find out more | 3 February, Victorian Pride Centre - Hayes and Hyenas, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

CREATING RAINBOW FAMILIES Welcoming LGBTIQA+ prospective and expectant rainbow families. Meet rainbow families of all shapes and sizes – including some teenagers! Covering the challenges and joys of parenting, co and step-parenting, being a non-bio parent or donor, surrogacy, parenting post-separation plus lots more.

Find out more | 6 February, Victorian Pride Centre- Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

ST KILDA FILM FESTIVAL PRIDE SHOWCASE As part of the Film Festival’s 40th Anniversary celebrations in 2024, the St Kilda Film Festival is proud to present this fantastic selection of some of the best short films from the last three years of the Festival’s LGBTQIA+ program "Pride Without Prejudice”. With a powerful authenticity of vision, direct gaze, and inspirational vulnerability, this taste of short form cinema will take you on a journey through profound and thought-provoking stories from LGBTQIA+ filmmakers.

Find out more | 7 February, Victorian Pride Centre – Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

AUSLAN INTERPRETED TOUR OF THE PRIDE CENTRE Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities are invited to join the first ever Auslan-interpreted guided tour to learn about the Victorian Pride Centre's award-winning architecture, its resident organisations, bookable spaces, and events calendar while also having an opportunity to explore the Pride Gallery and Hares and Hyenas bookshop. Note that all parts of the tour are accessible by wheelchair.

Find out more | 10 February, Victorian Pride Centre – The Forum, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

PRIDE RIDE Spin class on the Pride Centre Rooftop! Join the team from Bodhi & Ride for a unique spin class that will leave you feeling amazing. With incredible views over St Kilda, it’s time to get on the bike and experience this whole body workout. Please bring your own sweat towel, water and cycle shoes (SPD MTB cleats) or you can ride in your trainers.

Find out more | 10 February Victorian Pride Centre – Rooftop, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

RAINBOW FAMILIES EXTRAVAGANZA! Dancing, dress ups and drag storytime for rainbow families of all different shapes and sizes. Bring your babies, toddlers, and kids for a fabulous afternoon. Quiet outdoor space provided. Dress in your favourite party outfit. See you on the dancefloor!

Find out more | 10 February Victorian Pride Centre – Theatrette, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

TRANS & GENDER DIVERSE CLOTHES SWAP Grab a fabulous new outfit for Victoria's Pride the next day! The Victorian Pride Centre and Ballarat Trans and Gender Diverse Clothes Swap Shop are holding a free clothing swap. This is a great opportunity to connect with other fashionistas and discover all kinds of apparel in a safe, inclusive environment. All items are free! All ages are welcome and bookings are not required.

Find out more , 10 February, Victorian Pride Centre – The Forum, 79/81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda.

GASWORKS ARTS PARK Gasworks Arts Park is a Southside beacon for new art and performance, supporting many queer and emerging artists throughout the year. Take a look at what is happening over Midsumma annd give them a follow to stay up to date on programming throughout the year.

7-QUEENS BY MJ BENTLEY 7-Queens asks the viewer to look at each photograph like a window into another world and write a storyline within their own mind. Each photograph in 7-Queens utilises drag queens to both: express a unique story, and represent a culture currently present within the city of Melbourne, AU. 7-Queens features Rupaul's Drag Race's Aubrey Haive, Deja, Dettol, Jimi The Kween, Sarah Jessica Carpark, and Tilly Capulet.

Find out more | 21 January to 11 February, Gasworks Arts Park – Heritage Walkway, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

QUEER PLAYWRITING AWARD SHOWCASE Witness the first staged readings of brand new queer-focused theatre works, in a unique night of fresh excerpts from the top 4 finalists in the Queer Playwriting Award Showcase. Be the first to experience new work on stage, hear queer issues and voices, engage with new playwriting talent and have your say in the 2024 Award selection.

Find out more | 22 January, Gasworks Arts Park – Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

HEARTBEAT ‘Heartbeat’, by John Knap, explores the delicate terrain of human emotions, focusing on the often-underrepresented realm of men’s inner-feelings. In a society that has historically imposed rigid expectations upon masculinity, this collection of work explores the liberating journey men embark upon when they allow themselves to express their emotions freely.

Find out more | 22 January to 11 February, Gasworks Arts Park – ARB Gallery, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

HOT SUMMER NIGHTS! 'Hot Summer Nights!' is back! A hit of Midsumma Festival 2023, this outrageous adults-only circus cabaret show features a brand new, hand-picked cast of Australia’s top circus performers and hosted by the brilliant, multi award-winning cabaret star Tash York. A non-stop steamy celebration of the cheeky, the awe-inspiring and the downright sexy.

Find out more | 23 January to 3 February, Gasworks Arts Park – Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

MERGING REALITIES ‘Merging Realities’ by Max Wald is a visual journey that invites you to explore the dialogue between portraiture and still life, allowing these two seemingly disparate genres to engage in a profound conversation. The artist skillfully navigates the tension between the perceived order of the natural, and stylized madness of the human condition.

Find out more | 22 January to 11 February Gasworks Arts Park – Foyer Gallery, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

WOMAN OF SALT They said she couldn't, so she did. Step into a world where embracing your fury is the only option. Woman of SALT is the dangerously enticing story of one woman's journey through life, love and drag. From the pages of notebooks, to the stages of Melbourne, Bella Nitrate was born from an obsession with drag and a deep love of everything fabulous. Little did she know what lay ahead was the most important lesson of all.

Find out more | 25 January to 10 February Gasworks Arts Park – Studio Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

ROUGE This is circus for grown-ups. A decadent blend of sensational acrobatics, operatic cabaret and tongue in cheek burlesque. A non-stop celebration of the astonishing, surprising, subversive and the supremely sexy: award-winning Australian circus sensation Rouge brings an outrageous brand of adult circus. Winner Best Circus Adelaide Fringe 2020.

Find out more | 6 to 10 February Gasworks Arts Park Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park.

THEATRE WORKS Located in the heart of St Kilda, Theatre Works is the Southside home of independent theatre. Check out their exciting and provocative Midsumma program below.

ON THE UNCERTAINTY OF SIGNS What if the inbox of a meme page held the keys to the city? Specifically, how people in it loved? That’s precisely what Willing discovered upon opening his DMs to the romantics in his orbit. Joined on stage by a full band, this is a show for anyone who’s navigated the intoxicating contours of love amid the chaos of modern life. A courageously cringe exercise in wholeheartedness as antidote to these apathetic times.

Find out more | 23 to 27 January, Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda

QUEER AS FLUX Transitioning isn’t new – everybody’s always doing it: Drag Queens, babies, ageing parents, Superheroes... even clown fish! Autobiography meets activism in this homage to queer Trans-cestors who paved the way, not-so-queer folks who did their best and the finned and four-legged who depend on us. Fresh from critically-acclaimed seasons at Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Powerhouse and The Blue Room Theatre, Queer as Flux invites Melbourne audiences to spend the night with a grown-up tomboy, their Drag Queen Fairy Godmother and two wise old whales.

Find out more | 30 January to 3 February, Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.

I WANT IT THAT GAY It’s 1998... you’re sitting in front of the telly on Saturday morning watching Video Hits. The Spice Girls pop up on screen, you LOVE the Spice Girls! But soon you’re wondering – do I want to be Sporty Spice or do I want to be with Sporty Spice? I Want it That Gay is a cabaret-comedy that sheds light and humour on the challenges of growing up with starkly heteronormative music, popstars and paradigms.

Find out more | 30 January to 3 February, Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.

TO DIE WILL BE AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE A DIY bedtime thriller. A pirated reproduction of Peter Pan/s (1904-2023). A lawless inventory of regression. Using pulleys, wire, Happy Thoughts™, and wrapped in gold foil emergency blankets the performers repurpose scenes, chapters, and a memory of an island that doesn't exist.

Find out more | 6 to 10 February Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.

THE SOUR GLITCH REFUSAL The Sour Glitch Refusal is a vicarious riddle room with little space for diligence. Wordplay is foreplay, sense is nonsense, clues are costumes, and the escape is in the doing. With players and protagonists, They and Them, you are locked in an 80s corporate workroom. Beige, banal and bereft. The printer is broken, the plants are wilting, the water cooler drips slowly. There are no colleagues in sight. There’s been a murder on the work floor. They (and Them) have one hour to solve the mystery and make an escape.

Find out more | 23 to 27 January ,Theatre Works: Explosive Factory, 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda.

HOME ECONOMICS Real food, real mess and a sickly saturated design underpin our society’s complicated relationship with overindulgence of all kinds in this new staging of acclaimed theatre maker Declan Greene’s ‘Home Economics’. It is a lip-licking critique of where desire meets violence that will leave you starving for more.

Find out more | 30 January to 3 February, Theatre Works: Explosives Factory, 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda.

DESTROYED While struggling to process grief, three weird people Evelyn Jones meets at a bus stop tell her that her enemies will get what they deserve. She becomes so obsessed with their prophecy that it completely and utterly consumes her, leaving nothing behind. A one-act performance of queer femme heartbreak, grief, torture and swathed in blood, based upon the Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Find out more | 6 to 10 February, Theatre Works: Explosives Factory, 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda.

There are so many more events to explore outside of our areas, so be sure to check out the full program on the Midsumma Festival website.

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Midsumma Festival is back for 2024!

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