This weekend, the 2025 Midsumma Festival will kick off with the highly anticipated Midsumma Carnival in the Alexandra Gardens on Sunday 19 January.
The annual queer-day-out will launch three weeks of arts and culture with the huge community opening event running from 11.00 am – 9.00 pm beside the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD and celebrating the festival’s 2025 theme of COLLECTIVE IDENTITY(S).
“Midsumma Carnival is a vibrant celebration of unity and diversity, where the spirit of COLLECTIVE IDENTITY(S) comes alive.” Said Karen Bryant, Chief Executive and Creative Director of Midsumma Festival.
“It’s a day to embrace connection, creativity, and the joy of community as we launch three weeks of incredible events that honour the heart and soul of LGBTQIA+ culture.”
Adam Noviello, Hera Björk and Jimi The Kween will headline this iconic full-day outdoor extravaganza with artists including The Huxleys, Ruby Slippers, Cerulean, Jens Radda, Florian Wild, Frock Hudson, DJ Alex Morris, DJ ENN, DJ Gay Dad, DJ Sugar Plump Fairy, DJ Tong Ni, the Women’s Circus and more!
There will be endless things to see, do, and eat along with three stages of entertainment filled with fun. Families are invited to head along for a great day out including free face painting, skate lessons with YMCA, Auslan Storytimes and roving performers.
Dog lovers can visit the Midsumma Carnival Dog Show on the Picnic Stage, hosted by Nic Dorward, with judges Jo Ball and Dave McDermott. Fun prizes include Cutest Bitch, Best Dressed and Best Owner / Dog Combo to name a few! Punters will also have the opportunity to bring their best lip sync game with the Lip Sync Limelight show starting at 5.10 pm on the Picnic Stage.
Carnival will host four bars across the gardens with plenty of opportunities to eat and drink your way across the day including plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available. There really is something for everybody at Carnival with the festival designed for a diverse community.
Midsumma Festival is Australia’s premier LGBTQIA+ Arts Organisation and this year’s celebration will present a jam-packed calendar with about 200 events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community across Naarm/Melbourne and regional Victoria.
“At Midsumma Festival 2025, we invite our communities to ‘come in together’ rather than call people out,” adds Karen. “This is a celebration of arts, diversity, and collective strength, reminding us of the power of shared stories and creative experiences regardless of difference. Together, we can dance with many diverse bodies, sing with many diverse voices, and hold kindly space for us all.”
Whilst Midsumma Carnival will get the party started, Sunday 2 February will see the Midsumma Pride March celebrate a landmark 30 years, testament to three decades of resilience, unity, and collective and ongoing progress.
Closing the festival will be Victoria’s Pride Street Party on Sunday 9 February 2025. The street party will transform the iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct into an all-day, free celebration headlined by Filipino/Australian artist, Chela et Cetera.
Beyond the big community events, audiences are invited to locations from Arts Centre Melbourne to Abbotsford Convent to the State Library of Victoria for a multitude of presentations.
The 2025 Midsumma Carnival takes place at Alexandra Gardens on Sunday 19 January. The Midsumma Festival continues to Sunday 9 February. For more information and full program, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: Midsumma Carnival 2024 – photo by Tom Noble