NAVIGATION

NAVIGATION

MIFE | ENGAGING | Midsumma Festival | Saturday 21 January–Sunday 12 February 2023

[Edited extract from public address]

Australia's premier queer arts and cultural festival returns in 2023, running between 21 January and 12 February, with Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 5 February.


Midsumma Extravaganza returns | Saturday 21 January 2023

Midsumma Festival 2023 is kicking off with a fabulous evening of divine queer excellence under the stars at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Hosted by queer comedy royalty Joel Creasey and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under favourite Kween Kong, this year’s Extravaganza promises to be the biggest yet.

Midsumma and Australia Post Arts Award Finalists | Tuesday 31 Jan–Sunday 12 Feb 2023

Since 2016, Midsumma Festival and Australia Post have collaborated to present Australia's leading queer visual arts award! The award has quickly established itself as a vital award within the arts industry. 

Midsumma Presents Events

Our Midsumma Presents program returns, with a fresh suite of collaborations between Midsumma Festival and some of VIctoria's most revered cultural institutions. Explore a range of events at ACMI, the NGV, Melbourne Museum, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and many more.

Midsumma X Ignite Melbourne

Midsumma X Ignite Melbourne is a wave of interactive public artworks and installations combined with music, performance, and culture across iconic locations in Melbourne's CBD, in summer '23.

Ignite will intrigue you, and encourage you out of your regular programming as each activation takes you on an immersive and interactive journey. 

The six productions that makeup Midsumma X Ignite Melbourne have been created and curated by quintessential Melbourne Artists, each piece will share with you their expression of A Safe(R) Space and the beautiful intricacies of intersections of a diverse community.

This will be the first time these works have ever been experienced at this scale.

Music to your ears


A Safe(R) Space

A Safe(R) Space, produced by Midsumma, is an artistic exploration of intersectional identity between different facets of Queer communities. The program will uncover a range of work from artists across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and how artists come together to collaborate and create within a resourced environment.

Midsumma Festival Hubs

We are proud to introduce to you our Midsumma Hubs for the 2023 Festival. These Midsumma Hub venues are dedicated to providing you with a diverse showcase of events, across the 23 day festival, to enrich your Midsumma Festival 2023 experience. Never miss a beat, with Midsumma Hubs there is something to see or do every day of the week.

Victoria's Pride Regional Activation Program

Ensuring statewide representation of LGBTQIA+ arts and cultures. Victoria's Pride commissioned community groups, organisations and artists in regional Victoria to facilitate involvement in Victoria's Pride event activities, either in the lead-up to or on the day of the Victoria's Pride one-day street party in Melbourne’s inner north.

Midsumma Pride March | Sunday 5 February 2023

Parade, pride and party come together once a year in Melbourne's iconic march celebrating solidarity in gender and sexuality diversity. A chance to tie up your bootlaces or throw on your heels, and join the spectacular act of unity that is Midsumma Pride March. Whether you join the fanfare by foot or by wheel, with workmates or with family, with friends or with lovers, as ally or as queer, Midsumma Pride March is for you.

Join over 53,000 people to celebrate Midsumma Pride March 2023! Bring your friends, family, and loved ones to celebrate our diversity together in this day-long event as we strut down Fitzroy Street with ferocity, uniqueness, and diversity with the ones we love.

Grab your friends, family, and loved ones to flaunt your pride at Midsumma Pride March this year! Whether you join the parade by foot or wheel, with workmates or with family, with friends or with loved ones, as an ally or as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Midsumma Pride March is the place to celebrate all gender expressions, sexualities, experiences, and personalities with colours, sparkle and style.

March with ferocity, uniqueness, and pride down Fitzroy Street in a kilometre-long parade route to Catani Gardens. The march begins with the roaring motors of the Dykes on Bikes as per tradition. The march itself is led by the Boon Wurrung Elders, Rainbow Aboriginal Float, LGBTQIA+ youth and followed by the Premier of Victoria, Minister for Equality, and the Creative Industries & Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality.

Be greeted at the end of the march with free entertainment, and festivities, including DJs and live performances by the iconic St Kilda beachside.

Marching because we are fierce, fabulous, loved, diverse and proud. Join the Midsumma Pride March to march with those who can, and in solidarity for those who cannot.

Line-Up Announced For Victoria's Pride Street Party | Sunday 12 February 2023

We can't wait for these artists! Keiynan Lonsdale (aka Rainbow Boy), Casey Donovan, Jawbreakers and Alter Boy. Banoffee, Chela, Jaguar Jonze, Cry Club, and The Lost Girls, an sooooo many more to come!

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Midsumma Festival (MIFE)
Address: Ground Level, 77 Southbank Blvd, Southbank VIC 3006
Tel: 03 9296 6600