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Festivals & Events
When is Midsumma?
Midsumma Presents – Curated by Midsumma
Where to celebrate the 2025 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 at the Pride March, there’s plenty to do and fun to be had at the 2025 Midsumma Festival.
Melbourne’s famed Midsumma event is back for another year with 22 days of sparking rainbow celebrations from Sunday 19 January to Sunday 9 February, 2025. 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 2025 event details
When is Midsumma?
The Midsumma festival will run from Sunday 19 January – Sunday 9 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 19 January 2025: Midsumma Carnival
- Sunday 2 February 2025: Midsumma Pride March
- Sunday 9 February 2025: 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 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 19 January 2025, 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 210 stalls, with pop-up bars, two large food zones, and stalls featuring community groups and businesses. Come along and enjoy the activities and entertainment at the RACV stall, including face painting, music, and a Pride affirmation wall. Take part in the Lip Sync Limelight competition or parade your pooch in the Midsumma Carnival Dog Show from 3pm on the Picnic Precinct Stage.
As the night approaches, 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 2 February 2025, Fitzroy Street (St Kilda)
A signature event of the festival, the Midsumma Pride March celebrates the unity of community 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 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.
Victoria's Pride Street Party
Sunday 9 February 2025, Gertrude Street & Smith Street (Fitzroy)
Victoria's Pride (previously Melbourne Pride) is a state-wide tour of LGBTQIA+ events from November to February 2025. 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 9 February 2025. 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 consider cycling to Napier Street or catching public transport.
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. This year's theme is COLLECTIVE IDENTITY(S) – a celebration of the strength of unity found within our differences. The program consists of more than 50 events, including theatre, music, talks, workshops and family-friendly performances from 22 January to 9 February 2025.
Community connections are explored through the Queer Imaginings program, with immersive and interactive experiences for all ages.
Full Midsumma Program
Various dates and locations
The full Midsumma program has dozens upon dozens of 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.
