36th annual Midsumma Festival gets underway in Melbourne

The 36th annual Midsumma Festival is underway in Melbourne offering a three-week LGBTIQA+ art and cultural event showcasing pride, inclusivity and equality for Victoria's diverse rainbow communities.

Midsumma Carnival is a free, all-ages event in the Alexandra Gardens that launches the broader queer summer festival of activities, bringing more than 120,000 visitors to Melbourne's CBD each year.

Midsumma Festival Chief Executive Karen Bryant shared "After a record-breaking festival last year, we are eagerly looking forward to what is shaping up to be the biggest Midsumma yet. It promises to be testament to our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities, arts and culture."

Carnival-goers enjoyed lively musical acts and other performers across four stages and more than 180 stalls, including community and business stalls, food zones and bars.

The festival's major highlights include the annual Pride March in St Kilda on Sunday 4th February and Victoria's Pride Street Party on Smith and Gertrude Streets on the final day of the festival, Sunday 11th February.

The statewide celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, Victoria's Pride, also includes a series of pride activities and events across regional Victoria this summer including Queerthentic Regional LGBTQIA+ Art Prize in Kyneton and Pride Fair Day in Wangaratta.

A long running and proud supporter of the festival, the Victorian Government invested an extra $500,000 to stage the Queer PHOTO Festival in Melbourne's west through the Go West Festivals Fund.

Victorian Minister for Equality Harriet Shing notes "Midsumma Festival is woven into the fabric of our LGBTIQA+ cultural and arts calendar here in Victoria, as well as being an integral part of our broader efforts to achieve equality and celebrate diversity as a strength."