Charlie and the War Against the Grannies bursts on to the stage in a rampaging musical comedy for children aged 5 and up!

How can we make sure that young LGBTIQA+ people are safe, respected and supported at home? What role do parents, siblings and other family members have to play in preventing family violence? And what needs to shift in our communities and society?

REFERENCE MATERIAL is a new dance work from choreographer, Alisdair Macindoe, exploring the process and history of dance making in the age of narcissism and digital interdependence.

The People of Cabaret present a loud and proud lineup of outstanding artists and performers from the cabaret, burlesque, drag and circus scene

Join artists of the Queerantine in the Flesh exhibition for two special Q&A panel discussion events where they discuss their works and how they operate as queer artists living, working, playing and creating during COVID-19.

Join Nevo, Adolfo, Frances and Jax in conversation on coming-of-age moments in their lives and the LGBTIQA+ community.

The much-loved sex and relationships advice series, Take It From Me, is back – and badder than ever, gleefully tossing up handfuls of laughter, love and stardust.

Join artists of the Queerantine in the Flesh exhibition for two special Q&A panel discussion events where they discuss their works and how they operate as queer artists living, working, playing and creating during COVID-19.

The annual Queer Playwriting Award (previously Playtime Staged Readings), is a collaboration between Gasworks Arts Park and Midsumma Festival, and part of the Midsumma Presents Program. 

Australia’s leading queer visual arts award

Nine young folk wade through the wasteland of the internet to find themselves.

Bring your queer Magic Mike fantasy to life!

Laugh along with your hosts, The Listies. Celebrate our collective differences in an open-air cabaret for kids at the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as part of Live at the Bowl series.

Laugh along with your hosts, The Listies. Celebrate our collective differences in an open-air cabaret for kids at the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as part of Live at the Bowl series.

FANGIRLS follows the uproarious story of Edna, a plucky misfit scholarship girl who believes that she alone can win the heart of the world’s biggest pop star; Harry.

What are the books that shaped you? Come and celebrate the texts that have influenced our lives literally and literarily, alongside the reveal of the jam-packed 2021 Emerging Writers’ Festival program.

South African-New Zealander URZILA CARLSON is a Token African. She’s also a multi award-winning comedian, the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s highest ticket-seller, and a household name across two continents.

Once again marchers will colour Fitzroy St in a parade of solidarity. Midsumma is encouraging audiences to attend/view the march in ONLY TWO ways: at a venue, or watch from home

NEW DATE – Alanis Morissette is bringing her 2020 World Tour celebrating 25 years of “Jagged Little Pill”

SOLD OUT – Alanis Morissette is bringing her 2020 World Tour celebrating 25 years of “Jagged Little Pill”

Returning to Australia in 2020 for The Hits! tour, a 50 year celebration of his stellar career…and this time, with Auslan access.

‘One of the most achingly funny and uplifting evenings I can remember.’ The Telegraph (UK)

‘Incredibly funny, incredibly smart, and most of all, incredibly, incredibly good at what she does. The good gear.’ Pedestrian.tv

A fantastical theatre show for children and families about expressing yourself and feeling connected with others

Slide your best sequins on, babes – those chinos ain’t gonna cut it when The People of Cabaret take over the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Festival Club for one night only!

Charlie and the War Against the Grannies bursts on to the stage in a rampaging musical comedy for children aged 5 and up!

Health professionals are with us when we’re born, and they’re with us when we die. They devote their lives to caring for us, but how do we care for them?

A sure fire, killer stand-up at the top of his game.

‘This book will change history. It’s the first of its kind in Australia. And I hope it won’t be the last. We deserve better representation in literature.’

Return season of Wil’s smash-hit, critically acclaimed opus.

Anarchy, conspiracy, drugs, racism, ableism, disability sex whores, Anti-Vax Karens, cover-up culture, is Peter Dutton an actual potato? Whatever the topic, it’s in our wheelhouse. ?The Wheelhouse: It’s current affairs in high-speed chairs.

Anarchy, conspiracy, drugs, racism, ableism, disability sex whores, Anti-Vax Karens, cover-up culture, is Peter Dutton an actual potato? Whatever the topic, it’s in our wheelhouse. ?The Wheelhouse: It’s current affairs in high-speed chairs.

‘One of the most achingly funny and uplifting evenings I can remember.’ The Telegraph (UK)

Described as an ‘engaging presence’ (Chortle, UK), three-time Deadly Funny National Finalist Cy Fahey has a weirdness and confronting sense of identity to his humour.

A compelling performance celebrating the passion and talent of our Indigenous youth with Spinifex Gum.

Geraldine is proving to everyone, including herself, that life begins at 40.

‘Authentic, hilarious, and uplifting.’ WeekendNotes

Nothing is off limits at a Tommy Little live show – his real-life antics and setbacks are foolish, funny as hell and definitely his own fault.

‘Will have you laughing til it hurts. 4½ stars’ The Age

‘Absurdist stand-up at its subversive best. 4 stars’ Evening Standard (UK)

Due to the worldwide pandemic and awaiting the results of a partnership visa, Welsh comedian Lloyd Langford is stuck in Australia. But don’t worry, he is absolutely jazzed to be here.

Television appearances, awards, world tours – Randy Feltface has led a charmed life.

Taking an in-depth look at recent acquisitions to the NGV Collection.

Chasing her eggs, camino chasing, chasing Keanu Reeves in no particular order, and her Mum’s opinion on the topic of her and men, Diana Nguyen is ready for the chase.

The Installation is textured and approachable, and activates experiences that are both sensory seeking and sensory avoiding.

Australian Impressionism is underlaid by a tapestry of complex personal relationships between the artists and those close to them.

A handy little genre-defying sketch-clown-stand-up-drag multitool, Scout Boxall brings their unique brand of low-fi, prop-heavy absurdity to the stage in their raw first solo hour – Good Egg. And it’s a bloody a cracking time.

Last year everyone told me they needed a laugh, and guess what? I need an audience so this really could work out well for all of us.

Yep, the world is loopy. We should talk about it.

The Di Gribble Argument honours the contribution of an extraordinary powerhouse of Australian public life, providing an indelible addition to the national debate.

Time has been updted to 12.30pm – Join the fun of new discoveries, delightful games to play, songs to sing and stories to enjoy. 

Join us online as we celebrate Ballarat’s wonderful, diverse communities as part of Harmony Fest 2021.

The Urban Forest is a sound installation and performative work that situates the audience in a multi-sensory, experiential world

Imagine a building that grows food. Now imagine millions of buildings that grow food.

A surreal, darkly funny play about a working-class autistic family and their technicolour brain explosions as they struggle to communicate and connect with one another.

LGBTQI+ Elders Dance Club is a social dance event for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex elders and their allies.

The most important human being ever born. The most powerful creature ever to exist. Somewhere in our city, they’re about to hook up.

Following the screening, stick around for a live music and a panel discussion with filmmakers Benjamin Theodore Pederick and Daniel King (Goodmorningbeautiful Films) and the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

FUSE Autumn Opening Night rings in the start of the festival with a musical celebration and coming together underneath the stars in the Darebin Arts Centre Courtyard.

A brand-new participatory workshop that aims to make dance more accessible to the public and to promote the significance of creating a united, strong and inclusive presence for women and the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Taking inspiration from Jean Cocteau’s 1930 play of the same name – Pericope Productions presents a contemporary exploration of telephone conversation.

New date ! “UPLIFTING, INSPIRING, JOYOUS. AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF OPEN-HEARTED GENEROSITY.” (Limelight)

Join Patricia in an evening of conversation that is sure to both stimulate your mind and entertain you.

Vulnerable and powerful, hilarious and heartbreaking, Queerstories celebrates the culture and creativity of the LGBTQI+ community one true story at a time. A national storytelling project directed by Maeve Marsden.

Andy and Terry’s Treehouse has reached an amazing 91 Stories! It’s now more fantastically dangerous than ever, with a deserted desert island, a whirlpool, and a giant spider!

Experimentation, creativity in lockdown, and the many ways women express themselves through the moving image…

The Fig Tree Replanted – A concert of music and storytelling – live and streamed

Walking tour – What does the next generation of art look like?

Melbourne Music Week-Extended has teamed up with Australian youth music organisation The Push and the Australian Music Vault to stage an epic all afternoon event.

What are the screen jobs of the future? If you’re keen on an industry career, join us for our free panel…

Join us for a celebration of the survival of Australia’s First Nations people.

Join us for a celebration of the opening

The NGV Triennial brings contemporary art, design and architecture into dialogue, offering a visually arresting and thought-provoking view of the world at this time.

The NGV Triennial brings contemporary art, design and architecture into dialogue, offering a visually arresting and thought-provoking view of the world at this time.

Join us for our FREE annual Community Christmas Festival

The Music Victoria Awards are back to celebrate another huge year for the Victorian live and recording music industry.

Cancelled

Cancelled – Return season of Wil’s smash-hit, critically acclaimed opus.

Postponed – new data in 2021 TBA

Cancelled

Postponed – See Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad as you’ve never seen them before

CANCELLED

Vidya Rajan and Alistair Baldwin are Nemeses, a newly formed and already dysfunctional comedy duo. The pair had their Melbourne International Comedy Festival show cancelled due to the pandemic, but their toxic and unnecessary creative collaboration stops for no one!

Cancelled

Auslan translation of an instructional art work by Latai Taumoepeau for the Do It program.

Cancelled

In his debut solo hour, Cy puts his unique tongue-in-cheek spin on getting older, online dating and identity politics. No dark stories or personal journeys. Just a mic, punchlines and your laughter!

Cancelled

Cancelled

Known for their sharp power suits and even sharper jokes, The Breast of The Fest showcases Melbourne’s best emerging comedians, plus surprise guest breasts on various nights. 

Charity is kind. Charity is pure. Charity is an absolute Drama Queen.

Grandiloquent: adj. pompous or extravagant in language, style or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress.

Whatchu Talkin’ ‘Bout Wil? is a completely improvised night of stand-up comedy. Ten shows only, every show completely different, made up on the spot with the help of the audience.

‘The funniest hour of the Fringe.’ The Guardian (UK)

Cancelled

Randy returns home to Australia with an hour of stand-up comedy so unflinchingly relevant you’ll feel like you should be taking notes.

Rooted in self-reflection, catharsis and silliness, Doggo is Alice Tovey’s most ambitious work to date.

Come and hear what Tommy’s been up to since you last saw him. You can be sure it will be foolish, funny as hell and probably his own fault.

Cal’s been at this whole life thing for a while now, but she still hasn’t quite nailed it. How can you reach your potential when someone left it on the top shelf?

Cancelled

Bobby is a Drama Queen with no drama background.

Sunday comedy from all flags of the world, starting with the stories of the deadly to the stories of all diverse comedians.

Cancelled

Cancelled

Return season of Wil’s smash-hit, critically acclaimed opus.

Cancelled

The Casey Kids Carnival is a free day of activities for children of all ages. The event will include live performers, rides, interactive games, roving entertainers, face painters, art and crafts and live animals

Mormon Girl is Jess Knight’s hilarious, bizarre and beautiful coming of age story.

Literal comedy for those embracing disability pride and giving the middle finger to ableism.  

Cancelled

Cancelled

Cancelled

Updated to an online interactive workshop. Read more…

AI influences our lives whether we notice it or not. But who designs them, and who decides their influence?

An interactive Discussion – What is Inclusive Design and how does it relate to wellbeing?

We live in a world of hyper-communication. And yet our current communication infrastructure, in particular mobile phones, holds a fascinating paradox.

Our panel will talk self-care, safe spaces and changing the world from the ground up.

Virtual Intimacy explores our relationships with technology and the ways it shapes our connection with others.

Christiana Figueres, the architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement, sees the 2020s as a critical moment of opportunity – the ‘golden decade’ – in the future of our species and our planet. 

TICKETS SOLD OUT

Come and see the fabulous Maureen Andrews as the Divine Bette Midler