Midsumma Festival Melbourne 2026

Midsumma is Victoria's premier LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival, running for three weeks each summer (January-February) across Melbourne's inner suburbs. With over 100 events spanning theatre, visual art, comedy, sport, and nightlife, Midsumma is far more than a pride parade — it's a full cultural season.

The festival anchors the southern hemisphere LGBTQ+ summer calendar. Major drawcards include the Midsumma Carnival at Alexandra Gardens, the Midsumma Pride March through St Kilda, and the Midsumma Festival Club nights at venues across Fitzroy, Collingwood and the CBD.

Founded in 1988, Midsumma has grown to attract over 250,000 participants across its three-week run. Its strength is breadth: from queer performance art to gay sports leagues, from leather weekends to family-friendly events, the festival reflects the full spectrum of Melbourne's vibrant LGBTQ+ community.