Festivals & Events

Where to celebrate the 2023 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and regional Victoria

rainbow LGBTQIA flag Midsumma

Jessica Taylor Yates

Posted January 17, 2023

Whether you’re looking to party, indulge in food and drink, play games, catch a dog show, or cheer on at the Pride March, there’s plenty to do and fun to be had at the 2023 Midsumma Festival. 

Melbourne’s famed Midsumma event is back for another year with 23 days of sparking rainbow celebrations in 2023. The nation’s queer arts and cultural organisation will run queer events encompassing local and international artists, performers, events, forums and community events running from January 21 – February 12, 2023.

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 2023 event details

When is Midsumma?

The Midsumma festival will run from the January 21 until the February 12, with a range of events, installations, speakers, performers and events that ring together the country’s LGBTQIA+ community.  

Where is Midsumma held?

While primarily held in venues across Melbourne city 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 march at Midsumma

RACV are a proud Gold Partner of Midsumma. Image: Supplied. 

 

What to see at the Midsumma Festival this year

Midsumma Carnival

Sunday, January 22, Alexandra Gardens

The Midsumma Carnival signals the beginning of the three week Midsumma Festival. The outdoor celebration featuring over 180 stalls, live music, performances, lip-sync competitions, carnival sporting games, food, retail stalls and entertainment is completely free, and the family-friendly will be held at Alexandra Gardens, as well as the much-loved Dog Show

It turns into a giant party come nightfall, so make sure to bring your dancing shoes.

Parking can be a challenge at this event, so those looking to cycle in can use the free bike valet provided by arevo at the St Kilda Rd end of the park.

The Midsumma Pride March

Sunday, February 5, Fitzroy Street St Kilda

A signature event of the festival, the Midsumma Pride March celebrates ‘solidarity in gender and sexual diversity' with a festive march of more than 8000 participants down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, including Indigenous Elders, bike clubs, rainbow floats, politicians and RACV.

The general public are welcome to join as allies along with the53,000 spectators, where the Pride March ends at Catani Gardens for a major celebration with live music and dance.  

Melbourne Pride – A Road to Pride

Sunday, February 12, Corner Gertrude and Smith Street

An event that commemorates the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria, Melbourne Pride is an iconic street party delivered by Midsumma as initiated by the State Government.

Set in Melbourne’s funky northside (as well as pop-ups in regional Victoria); the event will present circus acts, guest speakers, stalls, activities, art installations,live music, and performances by artists including Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan, punk band Cry Club, and Nigerian-Australia musician and queer advocate Keiynan Lonsdale, it's sure to be a party to remember. 

 

drag queen running a painting class at Midsumma

This year's theme is a celebration of different and intersectional members of the queer community. Image: Supplied. 

 

Midsumma X Ignite Melbourne

Various dates across the Festival

Are you the artistic type? Midsumma X Ignite Melbourne is a series of six productions featuring art and installations fused with music and performance to creative immersive and interactive experiences.

Hosted across multiple venues and dates in Melbourne, each event is designed to evoke and intrigue, taking visitors on a journey through sight and sound. And the best part? They’re all free.

Midsumma Presents – Curated by Midsumma

Various dates across the Festival

As well as the iconic march and Pride festivities, Midsumma has curated an inclusive program of entertainment and art from a range of LGBTQIA+ artists and institutions. The 2023 theme is ‘A Safe( R) Space,’ aiming to provide a platform for diverse and marginalised communities as ‘an artistic exploration of intersectional identity between different facets of Queer communities’.  

Anyone looking to join in on the festivities across the state can browse Midsumma’s vibrant program, encompassing performances like dance, theatre, interactive performance,cabaret, comedy, and theatre; live music from classical to electronic; visual art exhibitions,; films, talks, tours and workshops; digital events, sporting activities; markets and fashion pop-ups; community outreach events for all ages, and of course, plenty of parties to ring in another year of Midsumma.

Victoria’s Pride

Various dates across regional Victoria

This year, a regional program will also be taking place across the state, including a Gippsland pride festival, rainbow ball in Shepparton, Pop Up Pride Bendigo, and the Ballarat Summer Frolic Festival.

 

RACV is a proud Gold Partner of The Midsumma Festival and will be joining the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday, February 5.