As 2019 quickly comes to an end – are you still looking for something to do over the New Year festive season? Then the good folks at Tropical Fruits have you covered with Haus of Fruits – Category is Family.
The Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve Festival is a four-day LGBTIQ celebration held at the Lismore Showgrounds in sub-tropical Northern New South Wales, the welcoming heart of the Rainbow Region on the land of the Bundjalung people.
This year Tropical Fruits are focusing on family – whether it be one you are born into or one you have created. The fun, safe & inclusive motto could not have a more perfect theme this year. Heading into 2020 with clear vision beyond these times, we come together to celebrate our families and what they mean to us.
On Sunday 29 December, kick off the Festival and show your pride with the Street Parade through the Lismore CBD – ending at Lismore City Hall with the Opening Soiree – an entree to festival events including three amazing main parties: New Year’s Eve Party, New Year’s Day Pool Party and New Year’s Day Recovery Party.
New Year’s Eve (NYE) will include four featured dance floors where you can show off without shame. Featuring headliners Kitty Glitter and DJ Blacklow (both direct from the USA), Queen of Hearts (Berlin) and DJ Joelby (fresh from the UK). They will keep your swagger up until the wee hours, plus many more of the best DJs Australia has to offer including Sandi Hotrod, Colin Gaff, DJ Ruby in the Dome and many, many more…
The main NYE Party will also feature stylish performances in the new improved Cabaret Space and displayed works of LGBTIQ artists in the Art Exhibition. Then just before the clock strikes 12, Tropical Fruits welcome our own Haus of Fruits Family led by Mother Maude Boate – who will perform a spectacular show with JoJo Marino & Nova Gina to take us through to the midnight countdown and new pyrotechnic spectacular.
In the tradition of Paris Is Burning (the movie), Pose (the TV show) and of course Rupaul’s Drag Race, Tropical Fruits invite you all to gather your family together, form a Haus and decide which category you want to show off for the Fruity world. This is perfect opportunity to strut your stuff on the Haus of Fruits Catwalk and sashay for your life!
On New Year’s Day head to the Lismore Memorial Pool for the Pool Party – wash off the weariness of the night before in preparation of doing it all again… This year FUNHOUSE will be bringing their unique party sound to the pool… made up of the dynamic duo that is Damien Mack & DJ Magnus – they are sure not to disappoint… and taking us home will be our Pool Party resident DJ’s Somerville & Wilson… building our appetite for more…
This year, Tropical Fruits have some surprises in store for you at the Recovery Party. An amazing line up of DJ’s from far and wide to excite your eardrums, with the likes of Scissor Swisters, Rob Davis, Dolly Llama, Joelby… and closing the party is the one and only Sandi Hotrod. Queer Karaoke will be held in the Cabaret Tent, followed by a talent show called Last Gurl Standing with special guest Wanda DParke.
Every year, the NYE Festival is created by a fruity army of over 300 volunteers. Whether you like creating colour schemes or working up a sweat with power tools, the Fruits have the job for you! With great deals on party tickets (and more) in exchange for volunteer shifts, volunteering is one of the best ways to enjoy a Tropical Fruits NYE.
For more information about Tropical Fruits and New Year’s Eve, visit: www.tropicalfruits.org.au for details.
Image: Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve Party – photo by Rohan Shearn
Tropical Fruits NYE Festival 2019 / 2020 key dates and events:
Parade & Opening Soiree: Sunday 29 December (5:00pm – 8:00pm)
New Year’s Eve Party: Tuesday 31 December (8:00pm – 6:00am)
Pool Party: Wednesday 1 January (10:00am – 4:00pm)
Recovery Party: Wednesday 1 January (4:00pm – 1:30am)
Festival Camping: Friday 27 December 2109 – Friday 3 January 2020 (currently sold out)
Festival Volunteers Required: Friday 27 December 2109 – Friday 3 January 2020
Note: *See the website for a full list of more than 20 DJs across all Festival events.