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Festivals & Events
When is Midsumma?
Midsumma Presents – Curated by Midsumma
Where to celebrate the 2026 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and regional Victoria
Whether you're looking to party, indulge in food and drink, play games, catch a dog show, or cheer on the Pride March, there's plenty to do and fun to be had at the 2026 Midsumma Festival.
Melbourne's famed Midsumma event is back for another year with three weeks of sparking rainbow celebrations from Sunday 18 January to Sunday 8 February, 2026. The nation's biggest and brightest queer arts and cultural organisation will run LGBTQIA+ events encompassing local and international artists, performers, events, forums and community events.
Featuring films, theatre, parties, sporting events, live music, and visual arts, RACV is proud to be a Gold Partner with Midsumma for another year to celebrate queer arts and culture.
Tickets may be required for certain events. Please check the event website for most up-to-date information on ticket prices, times and dates.
Midsumma 2026 event details
When is Midsumma?
The Midsumma festival will run from Sunday 18 January to Sunday 8 February, 2025, with a range of events, installations, speakers, performers and events that bring together the country's LGBTQIA+ community.
Here are Midsumma's major events:
- Sunday 18 January 2025: Midsumma Carnival
- Sunday 1 February 2025: Midsumma Pride March
- Sunday 8 February 2025: Victoria's Pride Street Party
Where is Midsumma held?
While primarily held in venues across Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs, including ACMI, Melbourne Museum and the NGV, Midsumma will also be running Victoria's Pride: a range of events and activities in locations around regional Victoria including Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.
How much are Midsumma tickets?
Many events, such as the annual Pride March and Midsumma carnival, are free to attend. Other events are ticketed as listed on the event website.
RACV is a proud Gold Partner of Midsumma and participates in the Pride March.
What to see at the Midsumma Festival this year
Midsumma Carnival
Sunday 18 January 2026, Alexandra Gardens (Melbourne CBD)
The Midsumma Carnival signals the beginning of the three-week Midsumma Festival.
This iconic, family-friendly outdoor celebration attracts more than 120,000 people and entry is free. There are four major carnival stages that will host a variety of LGBTQIA+ acts, including singers, drag artists, DJs and performers.
There will be more than 200 stalls, with pop-up bars, two large food zones, and stalls featuring community groups and businesses. At 6pm, the Carnival transforms into a 16+ dance party across the Main and Picnic stages. Bring your dancing shoes and boogie the night away to major headliners.
Visit the RACV stall to get done up at our glam stations, then pose for selfies in front of a heart-decorated shimmer wall with fun photo props. There'll be a roving magician and temporary 'proud to be me' tattoos too.
Parking can be a challenge at this event, so aim to catch a train to Flinders Street Station and take the short walk from there. If you're using Melbourne's new Metro Tunnel, Town Hall Station takes you to City Square, where you can catch a tram along Swanston Street or walk to Alexandra Gardens.
The Midsumma Pride March
Sunday 1 February 2026, Fitzroy Street (St Kilda)
A signature event of the festival, the Midsumma Pride March celebrates the unity of community with a festive march along Fitzroy Street in St Kilda from 10.30am, ending at Catani Gardens with a major celebration including DJs and live performances.
The march will kick off with the awe-inspiring Dykes on Bikes, followed by the Boon Wurrung Elders, the Rainbow boriginal Float, LGBTQIA+ youth, and many other 'waves' of queer groups.
Look out for the RACV group between the yellow RACV Heritage vehicles!
The Midsumma Pride March involves road closures, so driving to the event isn't recommended unless you're prepared to park some distance away and then catch a tram. Tram 96 to Stop 132 (St Kilda Station), Tram 12 to Stop 143 (Park Street/Fitzroy Street), or any St Kilda Road tram to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction) are the closest stops. Cycling will be one of the easiest ways to get there - but don't forget to park your bike in a safe location and use a quality bike lock to prevent theft.
Victoria's Pride Street Party
Sunday 8 February 2026, Gertrude Street & Smith Street (Fitzroy)
Victoria's Pride (previously Melbourne Pride) is a state-wide tour of LGBTQIA+ events from November to February 2026. Metropolitan, regional and rural areas will all have events.
A celebration of equality, Victoria's Pride culminates into a free day-and night street party in Fitzroy's Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 8 February 2025. With multiple stages and event spaces, there will be performances from local and international musicians and artists.
Midsumma has become one of Melbourne's most popular annual festivals.
Midsumma Presents – Curated by Midsumma
Various dates and locations
As well as the major events listed above, Midsumma has curated a special program with several artists and cultural institutions. Midsumma Hub venues include Chapel off Chapel, Gasworks Arts Park, Meat Market, Spiegel Haus, The Motley Bauhaus, Theatre Works, State Library Victoria, Victorian Pride Centre, and Midsumma Westside.
Full Midsumma Program
Various dates and locations
Midsumma has dozens upon dozens of events to explore. There will be performance events (theatre, musicals, spoken word, dance, comedy, circus, cabaret, and music), visual arts exhibitions, film screenings, talks, tours, workshops, markets, networking events, socials, parties and more.
Browse the full Midsumma program, which you can filter by date, category, venue, accessibility, and identity (e.g. lesbian events or First Nations events).
