Midsumma Festival 2026: Time & Place
Midsumma Festival is a proud JOY Sponsor.
Midsumma Festival 2026: Time & Place
As the world faces growing division and a retreat from progress, the need to connect through shared humanity has never been more urgent. We are living at a pivotal moment, where community cohesion is under pressure and human rights and social connection are increasingly challenged.
The 2026 Midsumma Festival theme, Time & Place, responds to this moment by centring connection—to land, culture, and each other. It invites reflection on where we are now, shaped by histories of queer resistance and resilience, and asks how we move toward a future where everyone belongs and every voice is valued.
Time speaks to both urgency and history, acknowledging the present moment while honouring the ongoing evolution of queer rights and culture. Place reflects physical and metaphorical spaces of belonging, safety, and identity, and the importance of gathering in person in an increasingly digital world.
Together, Time & Place celebrate intersectional queer identities and imagine a more connected, inclusive future.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Garabari | Sat 30–Sun 31 Jan
A reimagined corroboree blending Wiradjuri song and electronic sound. This participatory dance gathering invites audiences to move together and experience cultural connection through rhythm, storytelling and shared space.
The Placeholder | Tue 27 Jan–Sun 8 Feb
A sharp, funny and deeply human ensemble work exploring friendship, feminism and chosen family in a small town. A moving story about truth, change and courage from playwright Ben MacEllan.
Hot & Heavy | Thu 22-Fri 23 & Thu 23-30 Jan
An immersive performance and dance floor uprising blending sound design, striking visuals, aerial artistry and performance art into a sensory future-world that urges you to get lost, go deep and let go.
Kiki House of Furia Presents: The Fantasy Ball | Sat 24 Jan
Tap in, darling—the first official Midsumma Ball is here. From Harlem to Naarm, Oceania’s houses light up the floor, battling across electrifying categories, all for the Grand Prize on this historic night of Ballroom culture.
Freak Out! The Afterparty | Sat 7 Feb
A wild fusion of dance, circus, burlesque and live acts set to a pumping 90s house soundtrack with bold performances, fierce choreography and nostalgic beats.
Milo Hartill: Black, Fat and F*ggy | Wed 4–Thu 5
Milo Hartill delivers a fierce, funny and soulful new cabaret exploring identity, body, culture and influence. A powerhouse voice, bold storytelling and sharp commentary make Black, Fat and F**gy unmissable
Sunday 23 November, from 6pm – Melbourne Town Hall
Check out the full Midsumma program, with more than 200 events across 22 days, at midsumma.org.au.
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