We're proud that Port Phillip features prominently in the jam-packed arts and cultural program, from the Midsumma Pride March to the Victorian Pride Centre (VPC) providing a new festival hub.
Everyone is welcome to attend a rainbow flag raising ceremony hosted by our City on the front lawn of the St Kilda Town Hall at 4 pm on Tuesday, 31 January. Rainbow pride flags will then fly at all our town halls until Sunday 6 February.
Our City is again sponsoring and participating in the Pride March on Sunday, 5 February. Come and cheer the marchers as they move in a sea of colour from Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, to Catani Gardens. Enjoy the march and the best of everything that beautiful St Kilda has to offer on a summer Sunday, including fantastic dining and shopping. This year we're expecting a return to the bigger crowds of pre-2021, which saw 7,400 marchers being cheered on by 45,000 supporters from streets and balconies along the march route.
The Midsumma Carnival on Sunday, 22 January at Melbourne's Alexandra Gardens is another drawcard, with attractions including more than 180 stalls. Come along to our stall and chat with Councillors and staff from our employee Pride Network and dress up and get your photo taken at our free photo booth. The day will also feature an array of LGBTQIA+ acts set to grace three carnival stages and a dance party ending the annual extravaganza.
Port Phillip festival venues include a Midsumma celebration of live music, cabaret and spoken word poetry outdoors at Theatre Works, St Kilda, and performances at Gasworks Arts Park.
Forty-seven sessions of 26 different events will be taking place throughout the Victorian Pride Centre's Theatrette, Forum, gallery spaces and gorgeous rooftop in Fitzroy Street. The diverse program features a mix of free and ticketed events that showcase LGBTIQ+ artists and performers, foster social connection, facilitate important conversations and enable active participation in fun and interactive classes and workshops.
Port Phillip Council's longstanding support for Midsumma is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting the LGBTIQ+ community. Our Council Plan's strategic direction of an Inclusive Port Phillip visualises our City as "a place for all members of our community, where people feel supported and comfortable being themselves and expressing their identities".
For the full Midsumma program and to buy tickets, go to: https://www.midsumma.org.au/
