Midsumma Festival, running between 17 January and 7 February, announced the 2016 line-up that includes 145 events.
Exhibitions, performing arts, live music, film, social, sporting and community events are all included for the 29th festival.
Australia’s first National Water Polo League Pride Cup will feature as a major event.
Midsumma celebrates diverse gender and sexuality through a range of arts, culture and community events and is one of the world’s top 5 LGBTI festivals. It attracts over 200,000 attendees over three weeks, bringing people from regional Victoria, interstate and internationally.
The 2016 National Water Polo League Pride Cup will be featured as a major event this year, joining Midsumma Pride March, Carnival and T Dance.
The Pride Cup will take over the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 5 February. The Victorian Seals National League men’s and women’s teams will compete against the Brisbane KFC. The night will include a grudge match between Australia’s only LGBTIQ water polo clubs – Melbourne Surge and Sydney Stingers.
This year’s impressive line-up has something for everyone. Festival Chair Aaron Hockly says, “The Midsumma Festival is for everyone who identifies as part or supports the diverse gender and sexuality communities and is a true celebration and showcase of our talent.”
Rowena Allen, Victoria’s first Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, and Patron of the National Water Polo League Pride Cup said, “The water polo Pride cup is a great addition to the line up at the Midsumma Festival that will put a spotlight on ensuring that diverse gender and sexuality communities can participate in all parts of our community including sport.”
More information and tickets can be found here
