Australia’s premier LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural experience, Midsumma Festival, has announced its long-awaited 2021 dates, specially returning for the one-time period of 19th April until 5th May, with signature annual Midsumma Pride March taking place on Sunday 23rd May.
“We know that our artists and our communities are struggling, they have missed a lot of connection with each other over the past year. By augmenting a much-needed return to live in-venue events with specially curated streamed online events, we are aiming to maximise access for regional, interstate and vulnerable people in our communities to still be able to experience Midsumma Festival 2021 from the safety of their devices if they can’t make it to the events in-person. We want to bring this celebration of the most exciting queer arts on offer to everyone, regardless of where you are at a time in which it’s never been more important,” Midsumma Festival CEO, Karen Bryant commented.
Bryant said that the Midsumma Festival brings together a diverse mix of LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences, and usually takes place in Melbourne’s summer each year, but 2021 brings a change in timings to ensure the celebrations can continue in a COVID-safe capacity.




“Midsumma Festival is about celebrating diverse communities, in their own voice, and letting new voices move us, challenge us and most importantly entertain us, and this year’s program, which is full of fantastic talent and creativity, is sure to take us all on this journey,” Bryant commented.
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ diverse journeys and communities, Midsumma Festival spotlights an explosion of queer events that centre around hidden and mainstream queer culture, involving leading internationally renowned, national and local Melbourne artists. Featuring an exciting array of spectacular performances, exhibitions, talks and social events, Midsumma Festival’s 2021 program will include events for everyone; from dance classes for older LGBTQIA+ audiences; a new and exhilarating major concert at Sydney Myer Music Bowl, to a full program celebrating queer women in music; and even immersive theatre specifically curated for kids and Rainbow Families, Midsumma will literally take over laneways and event spaces for 17 full days.
Bryant explained that comprising of diverse art forms and genres, Midsumma’s festival program will officially launch on the 18th of March 2021 and will include visual arts, live music, theatre, spoken word, cabaret, film, parties, sport, social events, and public forums. Bryant added that along with live events Midsumma will augment activities by premiering video streamed events alongside live events in venue as part of the 2021 Festival, including the Midsumma Program launch and Midsumma Pride March.
A truly celebrated event, the festival organisers are thrilled it can return again in 2021 with the capacity to be enjoyed by audiences no matter the location, to facilitate additional community connection and celebration Bryant said.

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