Festivals & Events

Where to celebrate the 2024 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and regional Victoria

drag queen at Midsumma

RACV

Posted January 16, 2024

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 2024 Midsumma Festival. 

Melbourne’s famed Midsumma event is back for another year with 22 days of sparking rainbow celebrations from 21 January – 11 February, 2024. 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 2024 event details

When is Midsumma?

The Midsumma festival will run from Sunday 21 January until Sunday 11 February 2024, 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 21 January 2024: Midsumma Carnival
  • Sunday 4 February 2024: Midsumma Pride March
  • Sunday 11 February 2024: Victoria's Pride Street Party.

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 is a proud Gold Partner of Midsumma and participates in the Pride March. Image: Supplied

 

What to see at the Midsumma Festival this year

Midsumma Carnival

Sunday 21 January 2024, Alexandra Gardens (Melbourne CBD)

The Midsumma Carnival signals the beginning of the three-week Midsumma Festival.

This iconic, family-friendly outdoor celebration attracts over 120,000 people and entry is free. There are four major carnival stages that will host a variety of LGBTQIA+ acts like live music, lip-sync competitions, and drag performances. There will also be over 180 stalls: pop-up bars, food trucks, queer-friendly community groups and business stalls, and much more. There's even a Midsumma Carnival Dog Show from 3pm on the Picnic Precinct Stage.

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.

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. Trams along Swanston Street or Flinders Street will also take you past Alexandra Gardens. Alternatively, cycle in using the free journey planner app arevo.

The Midsumma Pride March

Sunday 4 February 2024, 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 down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda from 11am, 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.

The Midsumma Pride March involves road closures, so driving in isn't recommended unless you 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) will be best. Cycling in will be one of the easiest methods.

Victoria's Pride Street Party

Sunday 11 February 2024, Gertrude Street & Smith Street (Fitzroy)

Victoria's Pride (previously Melbourne Pride) is a state-wide tour of LGBTQIA+ events from December 2023 to February 2024. Metropolitan, regional and rural areas will all have events.

A celebration of equality, Victoria's Pride culminates into a free, full-day and -night street party in Fitzroy's Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 11 February 2024. With multiple stages and event spaces, there will be performances from local and international musicians and artists.

Parking will be limited and road closures will affect Tram 86, so aim to cycle in to Napier Street or catch public transport.

 

crowd at Midsumma Carnival

The Midsumma Carnival is a popular event, with over 120,000 attendees. Image: Supplied

 

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. This year's theme is 'A Brave(r) Space', with plenty of brave new contemporary works across various art forms. The theme aims to explore the intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ identities by pushing creative boundaries.

Midsumma Presents also includes Queer PHOTO, which will present gallery exhibitions, large-scale outdoor arts, and an interactive public performance program from 27 January to 24 March 2024.

Full Midsumma Program

Various dates and locations

The full Midsumma program has dozens upon dozens of queer events to explore. To help you traverse the program, here are its main categories:

  • Performance - including theatre, musical, cabaret, circus, comedy, dance, spoken word, interactive performance
  • Music - you can sort the program by pop, electronic, folk, or classical music
  • Visual Arts - exhibitions in art galleries, on public billboards, or as a feature in community buildings
  • Film - attend the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for your queer film fix
  • Community & Culture - markets, networking, fashion, and other events
  • Talks, Tours & Workshops - discussion panels, history walks, participatory workshops and more
  • Parties & Social Events - social get-togethers, daytime parties, nighttime parties, pool parties, and afterparties
  • Sport - community-oriented sporting games and activities
  • Youth - events of interest to young adults and mature kids (generally unaccompanied by parents)
  • Kids & Families - events designed to specifically appeal to kids and families, which allow rainbow families to see themselves represented on stage.

 

RACV is a proud Gold Partner of The Midsumma Festival and will be joining the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 4 February 2024.