Against the odds, the world’s favourite song contest is back on, and to celebrate, you can watch a live broadcast of the Eurovision Grand Finale with a congregation of enthusiastic partygoers and drag queen hosts – if you’re willing to wake up before sunrise, that is.
A free live viewing party for the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will fill the Civic Theatre at Hurstville Entertainment Centre with Euro-centric madness on Sunday, May 23. Doors open at 4.30am for a broadcast live from Rotterdam, starting at 5am and finishing approximately 9am. Sydney drag royalty will be in the building, with Charisma Belle on hosting duties and fellow queens Carmen Geddit and Hannah Conda detouring from Oxford Street to join her at interval for a spectacular Eurovision medley. After all, if there’s anything that drag queens and winning Eurovision entrants have in common, it's elaborate staging, costume reveals, seas of sequins and the odd man in a dress.
Audience members are also encouraged to get in on the glitz and glamour, dress to impress with a Eurovision stage-ready look and you could win the Best Dressed Award. There’s also lucky door prizes and trivia winnings up for grabs. While sadly we will not be seeing our Australian Eurovision darling Montaigne competing in the Grand Final, there will be flags from all the finalist’s countries available for you to wave on your favourite foreign entrants.
Tickets are completely free and include a beverage of your choice – either a glass of sparkling wine, freshly brewed coffee, or a selection of teas. If you’re feeling peckish, Douze Points Packs are on offer for $15 each when you pre-order (or $25 at the venue), including a Dutch-inspired breakfast (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available) and three vouchers for bubbles, coffee or tea.
Flying to the Netherlands might be off the cards this year, but you can get dolled up and join the party with this event, care of Georges River Council. Sing out (pun intended) to your Eurovision loving buddies and set your alarm! Bookings essential, secure your seats here.
