Midsumma Festival underway with over 200 events at 120 venues across Melbourne

Midsumma Festival’s 35th birthday celebrations are underway with three weeks of events planned to showcase the talent of thousands of LGBTIQ+ artists, performers and culture makers.

The Midsumma Carnival is a free, all ages event that brings close to 120,000 visitors to the Melbourne CBD each year – supporting local businesses and filling city streets with colour and pride.

Backed by the Victorian Government, this year’s Midsumma program spans art, circus, cabaret, musicals, comedy, dance, theatre and more.

With over 200 events at 120 venues across Melbourne and regional Victoria, festival goers will enjoy everything from a First Nations Drag Festival in Footscray, to a day of free family entertainment at Gippsland Day Out, and an Orchestra Victoria performance in Bendigo celebrating queer composers.

A program of free interactive public artworks, installations, music and performances will also be delivered across Melbourne’s CBD.

Karen Bryant, Chief Executive, Midsumma Festival enthused “we’re thrilled to be showcasing local and international artists across all art forms and participants that represent diverse intersections of our LGBTIQA+ communities and their stories."

A festival highlight, the annual Midsumma Pride March will take place on Sunday 5th February and the final day of Midsumma Festival will coincide with the free Victoria’s Pride Street Party in Fitzroy and Collingwood on Sunday 12th February.

Victoria’s Pride, a statewide celebration of LGBTIQ+ communities funded by the State Government, also includes pride activities and events across regional Victoria this summer.

Midsumma Festival and Victoria’s Pride Street Party are important events that provide Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ communities important opportunities to connect, while recognising and celebrating their diversity and strength.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos notes “For 35 years Midsumma Festival has showcased the diversity, talent and creativity of our state’s LGBTIQ+ communities, with exciting, inspiring and accessible activities for audiences of all ages.

“We’re so proud to support Midsumma, not just as a highlight of our summer calendar but as an important celebration of LGBTIQ+ pride, inclusivity and equality.”

The Government is a long-running and proud supporter of the festival which runs from Saturday 21st January to Sunday 12th February 2023. For festival details, visit www.midsumma.org.au/