Block out your calendars on Sunday, January 21, because this beloved all-day queer party is back once more to kick off the 22 days of rainbow joy that is Midsumma Festival. No matter whether you’re a family in the mood for a picnic lunch or you’re ready to dance the night away, Midsumma Carnival’s packed line-up really does have something for everyone.
Sashay down to Alexandra Gardens on the bank of the Yarra for a free day of music, performances, entertainment and more than 180 stalls. Stay hydrated at the pop-up bars, satiated at two big food zones, or explore stalls from queer-friendly community groups and businesses selling wares and sometimes giving away free goodies.
A marvellous and multifaceted line-up of LGBTQIA+ artists will grace three stages from 11am, with more than 120,000 fabulous humans expected to traverse the festival grounds throughout the day and night. Midsumma Carnival is designed to be safe and accessible for everyone, with a more family-friendly atmosphere in the daytime. When the sun goes down, the gardens will play host to a dance party until the wee hours (aka 10pm – it is a Sunday, after all).
The line-up is impressively vast, featuring cabaret-comedy I Want It That Gay, performer, songwriter and musician Jess McAvoy, gay Hogwarts comedy Hufflepoof, DJ Gay Dad on the decks and many more performers. Aurelia St. Clair, Charlie Lewin and Jordan Barr from the Popgays podcast will also emcee the main stage.
The famous Dog Show is the perfect opportunity to dress up your pooch and compete for the prize of Ultimate Best Dog. Afterwards, put your skills to the test at Lip Sync Limelight, where audience members can sign up to show off their best moves.
The Carnival kicks off more than 250 events across 150 venues as part of the broader Midsumma Festival and is supported by the City of Melbourne. Visit the Midsumma website to check out the full program.
