Midsumma Pride March

Parade, pride and party come together once a year in Melbourne's iconic march celebrating solidarity in gender and sexuality diversity. A chance to tie up your bootlaces or throw on your heels, and join the spectacular act of unity that is Midsumma Pride March. Whether you join the fanfare by foot or by wheel, with workmates or with family, with friends or with lovers, as ally or as queer, Midsumma Pride March is for you.

Join over 53,000 people to celebrate Midsumma Pride March 2023! Bring your friends, family, and loved ones to celebrate our diversity together in this day-long event as we strut down Fitzroy Street with ferocity, uniqueness, and diversity with the ones we love.

Grab your friends, family, and loved ones to flaunt your pride at Midsumma Pride March this year! Whether you join the parade by foot or wheel, with workmates or with family, with friends or with loved ones, as an ally or as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Midsumma Pride March is the place to celebrate all gender expressions, sexualities, experiences, and personalities with colours, sparkle and style.

March with ferocity, uniqueness, and pride down Fitzroy Street in a kilometre-long parade route to Catani Gardens. The march begins with the roaring motors of the Dykes on Bikes as per tradition. The march itself is led by the Boon Wurrung Elders, Rainbow Aboriginal Float and LGBTQIA+ youth.

You’ll be greeted at the end of the march with free entertainment, and festivities, including DJs and live performances by the iconic St Kilda beachside.

We march because we are fierce, fabulous, loved, diverse and proud. Join the Midsumma Pride March to march with those who can, and in solidarity for those who cannot.

Download the 2024 Midsumma Pride March PDF Map (12 MB) or Download the 2024 Marshalling Area PDF Map (Ian Johnson Oval, 2.2 MB)

Marching Route

• The Route: From the Ian Johnson oval, marchers proceed down Fitzroy St and end in Catani Gardens, St Kilda - see above map.
• End of March: Marchers will turn right into Acland St then enter Catani Gardens via the pedestrian crossing. Vehicles will turn right onto Beaconsfield Parade at the pedestrian crossing.

Traffic Road Closures

The Traffic Road Closure map (PDF 760 KB) shows the road closures, including the timings. Each version of the map highlights different aspects:

• Page 1: Supplier Access to Catani Gardens (via Cowdery St)
• Page 2: Drop-off area for Participants
• Page 3: Motorbike entry route

Maps - Getting There

TRAM ROUTES: The red lines indicate where trams will be running throughout the event, even while Fitzroy Street is closed for the March.

Open larger Tram Access Map >> (Google map)

Temporary Bus Pick-up and Drop-off Areas: routes 600, 922 & 923 >> (PDF 740 KB)

CYCLING routes during Midsumma Pride March >> (Google map)

Midsumma Pride March is a big event with road closures, limited parking and changes in public transport.

Parking

Due to the congestion caused by Midsumma Pride March, and the size of the event, there will be less parking than what is normally available in the precinct. Midsumma highly recommends taking public transport, or cycling to the event. Another option could be to park some distance away and catch a tram (e.g. park near MSAC and catch the 96 tram to St Kilda Station). If you are unable to catch public transport, surrounding options for parking include:

• Palais Theatre Parking - Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda (via Carlisle/Acland Street only)
• Luna Park - 23 Shakespeare Grove, St Kilda (via Carlisle/Acland Street only)
• Acland Court - 158 Acland Street, St Kilda

Road Closures

There will be extensive road closures throughout the area.

• Beaconsfield Parade, Marine Parade and Jacka Boulevard will be closed between Glenhuntly Rd and Kerferd Rd between 10:30am and 2.30pm approximately.
• Fitzroy Street and adjoining side streets will be closed to traffic between 8am and 4.30pm approximately.
• See Altus Schedule - Pride March 2024 Road Closures.pdf for details.

Public Transport Options

Tram

Trams will not be traveling down Fitzroy Street between 10.30am and 2.30pm, but can still be used to get you close to the March (see tram routes map).

• Route 96 to Stop 132 (St Kilda Station). There will be special 96a trams shuttling between Spencer St and St Kilda Station.
• Route 12 (Victoria Gardens to St Kilda via Spencer St) to Stop 143 (Park Street/Fitzroy Street) will be running as normal.
• Routes 3, 5, 16, 64 or 67 along St Kilda Rd to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction), but note the CBD disruptions outlined below.

NOTE: Trams in Swanston Street will be disrupted due to track renewal works. Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 will experience diversions and service changes in the CBD. See PTV Swanston Street Tram Route Service Changes for details. Use the PTV Journey Planner to find connections via the Southern Cross or Flinders Street Station precincts, for example: from the north, trams 19, 57, 58, 59, 86 and 96 are unaffected; from the north eastern suburbs, buses 200, 207, 250 or 251 could be useful. From Flinders Street Station, you would need to walk a short distance to stop 14 (Arts Precinct/St Kilda Rd).

Bus

Bus routes 922, 923, 606 and 600 will be affected by the event, however will be diverted to nearby temporary stops. Bus options during the Fitzroy Street closure period are:

• Route 246 (Elsternwick to Clifton Hill) to St Kilda Road/Barkly Street (running as normal)
• Route 623 (Glen Waverley to St Kilda) to Luna Park/The Esplanade via Carlisle Street (running as normal)
• Route 606 (Fishermans Bend to Elsternwick Station) will reroute via St Kilda Station during the closure period (8am to 4:30pm Sunday 4 February)
• Route 600/922/923 (Southland Shopping Centre to St Kilda via Sandringham) will run as normal but will not service the last two stops (St Kilda Station or Robe/Grey St).
  See Temporary Bus Pick-up and Drop-off Areas: routes 600, 606 and 922 (PDF 740 KB).

Getting there from Train Stations

• From Balaclava Station: Tram 3/3a or 16 to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction)
• From Caulfield Station: Tram 3/3a to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction)
• From Elsternwick Station: Tram 67 to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction) or Route 246 bus to St Kilda Rd/Barkly St
• From Flinders Street Station: Tram 3/3a, 5, 16, 64 or 67 to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction)
• From Southern Cross Station: Tram 96 or 12 to Fitzroy Street
• From Windsor Station: Tram 5 or 64 from Stop 32 (Dandenong Rd) to Stop 30 (St Kilda Junction), or walk (15-20 minutes).

Cycling

The Fitzroy Street cycling path will be closed during Midsumma Pride March, but the Bayside Trail will be unaffected. The best alternatives to the Fitzroy Street path are shown on the Cycling During Midsumma Pride March map. The easiest and safest route is via Cowderoy St which links the Bayside Trail (at Pier Rd) to Canterbury Rd and the Western Bike Path. Alternatively, follow Cavell, Carlisle and Barkly Streets, which link the Bayside Trail to St Kilda Rd.

Midsumma Pride March is a community celebration where our many communities, and our allies, can all come together to celebrate who we are and what we've achieved. The Accessible Viewing Area will be operating as usual, with appropriate COVIDSafe practices in place. On event day, you will be able to text or call Midsumma’s accessibility hotline on 0437 557 109 for information or assistance.

Getting There

There are accessible drop-off areas for both marchers and those watching - see below for details. Note though that the accessible drop-off area for those watching is only available until 10:30am, and there will be extensive road closures in the precinct - see Midsumma Pride March - Getting There for details of the road closures. Please note: Pride March is a highly attended event and trams can become very crowded.

Accessible Viewing Area

There is an accessible viewing area located at tram stop 134 on Fitzroy Street (see Google map). A Midsumma team member will be present from 10am to 2pm at this location. No trams will be servicing that stop during the march.

The March will be audio described live from this platform through headsets available.

Accessible Drop-off Point for Marchers

• Accessible Drop-off Point for MARCHERS: Canterbury Rd near Mary St (see Google map).
• Accessible Assembly Point: beside the start of the parade route, between Fitzroy Street and Ian Johnson Oval (see map).
• If you need assistance from your drop off point, please phone or text a member of our Volunteer team on 0437 557 109.

Accessible Drop-off point for Watchers

Accessible Drop-off Point for WATCHING (this is close to the Accessible Viewing area): Park Lane and West Beach Road until 10:30am (see Google map).

• Enter via Park Lane and turn left into West Beach Rd.
• Note that no parking is available - this is a drop-off zone only.
• If you need assistance from your drop off point, please phone or text a member of our Volunteer team on 0437 557 109.

Wheelchair Access within the Precinct

Fitzroy Street and Catani Gardens are wheelchair accessible. The Ian Johnson Oval marshalling area has a significant slope and uneven ground, so an alternative accessible marshalling area is provided which is located on Lakeside Drive (beside the starting point of the parade). People with personal mobility devices can assemble there and join their group as the group commences marching if the terrain is not accessible on Ian Johnson Oval.

The grass will be cut low for easier wheelchair access and low-hanging tree branches removed in Ian Johnson Oval and Catani Gardens. Pride March takes place on an open, smooth bitumen road (down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda), and this terrain is not 'controlled' by Midsumma. The march route crosses tram tracks twice.

Specific wheelchair facilities provided are:

• Accessible Viewing Area: located at tram stop 134 on Fitzroy Street, between Park Lane and Loch Street. This area will be attended by Midsumma team members from 10am to 2pm. There are a number of accessible positions along Fitzroy Street where you can experience the March if you do not want to be in a designated viewing area.
• Wheelchair Lift: available at the stage.
• Accessible Toilets: all toilet blocks at the Ian Johnson Oval and in Catani Gardens include accessible toilets.

Auslan Interpretation

• Catani Gardens Stage: Official proceedings and entertainment (aside from DJ sets) will be Auslan interpreted by Auslan Stage Left.

Audio Description

• The March will be audio described live from the accessible viewing platform through headsets available.
• There will be water bowls for dog guides at the free water stations, plus one at the accessible viewing area.

Social Story

• Access our social story here (or download it here as a word doc) with images from the Pride March site to guide people through the event site ahead of time.
• The social story is also being posted to our social media accounts prior to the event.

Access Coordinator

For the first time this year, Midsumma Pride March will have an Access Coordinator on site to support a team of Volunteer Access Champions who will be working specifically on supporting access for audiences and artists. If you or someone you are with requires one-on-one support navigating the Midsumma Pride March precinct, or guidance to finding and using the available provisions, our Access Coordinator can be contacted by:

• Asking one of the friendly volunteers at the entrances
• Asking at the Info Tent
• Texting or calling Midsumma’s accessibility hotline on 0437 557 109

The marching order shows the order in which the groups will be marching. They are assembled together into the following "waves" according to similar areas of interest or themes.

The appointed arrival time of each group was emailed to the primary contact of the group on Wednesday 17 January 2024.

Should you need further support in finding your group's wave and arrival time allocation, please call 9296 6600 or email [email protected].

1. Groups are assembled together into sections called "waves" according to similar areas of interest or themes.
2. Marchers with special needs or living with disability are placed early in the march, since a long wait or lengthy exposure to the elements would adversely affect their health.
3. Non-queer identifying businesses and organisations showing pride are very welcome, but they do not march ahead of queer advocacy and diverse gender and sexuality (DGS) representative groups. No non-queer identifying corporate businesses (even if they are Midsumma Festival partners) pay to be a part of the march nor do they get to march ahead of queer not-for profit groups.
4. Some placement is determined by Main Stage call times, to get artists and crew to Catani Gardens in time to perform at the post-Pride Celebrations.
5. Some contingents request a late start time and don't mind being towards the end.
6. Over 40,000 people line the streets to support the march each year and the march needs to be as exciting as possible in every wave, not just at the start. The final marching contingents are just as important as the first.
7. The balance of the remaining contingents are organised based on volume of sound clashing, vehicle/pedestrian safety or significant placement history.
8. The Midsumma team always marches last.
9. Midsumma Festival spends considerable time curating the march to be as fair as possible and can only enter into conversation about line-up requests with non-profit queer organisations that may from time to time express interest in marching with particular other non-profit queer organisations.

The Catani Gardens stage will operate from 11am to 4pm. 

• 11:00am Stage opens
• 11:30am Emcee Kitty
• 11:40am DJ Maxima
• 1:30pm OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS: N'arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs (Welcome to Country) + Cr Heather Cunsolo (Mayor, City of Port Phillip)
• 1:50pm MGLC: Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Choir
• 2:15pm Michelle Parsons and band
• 2:35pm Award Winner announcements
• 2:50pm Kitty Obsidian
• 3:05pm DJ Miss Katalyna
• 4:00pm Stage closes

Check out our amazing 2024 Midsumma Pride March artists >>

Local traders along Fitzroy Street and Acland Street, St Kilda, will once again be celebrating with our LGBTQIA+ communities on Sunday 4 February, so make sure you pop in to say hi and maybe tuck in for a snack when the march is over.

• See Midsumma Pride March - Fitzroy & Acland St Special Offers >>

The official 2024 after-parties are:

• Pride March Celebration by Euphoria Social
• St Kilda Pride Afterparty at The Espy
• Sundaylicious - The Saint
• Sunday Sizzle

Is food available?

Both the Ian Johnson Oval (marshalling area) and Catani Gardens (post-pride celebrations) will have food options to appeal to all. Fitzroy St and surrounds are also home to fantastic cafes and restaurants.

Can I BYO alcohol to Midsumma Pride March?

The City of Port Phillip prohibits drinking or holding an open container of alcohol along the St Kilda foreshore precinct from 1 November to 31 March inclusive. Midsumma Festival has a special licence to provide alcohol within the Midsumma-operated bar in Catani Gardens until 4pm on Sunday 4 February, but no BYO alcohol is permitted.

Can I join the end of the Pride March?

Yes, at the conclusion of the March, the General Public are invited to follow the final marchers into Catani Gardens.

How do I register to march?

Registrations to march in the 2023 Midsumma Pride March close on 28 November 2022. Due to the extensive planning that takes place in the lead-up to Pride March, we cannot accept registrations on the day to march. Subscribe to the Midsumma eNews to hear about registrations for future Pride Marches.

How do I stay cool at Midsumma Pride March?

As Midsumma Pride March is held in the middle of summer it is important to remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and stay hydrated. BYO bottle and refill at our free water stations located at both the Ian Johnson Oval (assembly area) and Catani Gardens (post-pride celebrations).

Are pets allowed?

Pets are welcome at Midsumma Pride March. As the event is held in an outdoor space in the middle of summer, we highly recommend taking the necessary precautions to ensure your pet is protected from the heat and stays hydrated. With all that in mind, the safest place from extreme heat for your pet is at home.

Can I film/ photograph/ interview people?

If you are working for a media organisation and intend to use film, photography or interviews of participants or performing artists for content, please get in touch with Felicity McIntosh, Midsumma's Marketing Manager, at [email protected] to request Media Accreditation.

If you are capturing memories for personal use or your personal social media posts, we ask you to please be respectful and ask permission of your subjects before doing so.

When is Midsumma Pride March?

Midsumma Pride March usually occurs in late January or early February. Dates for the upcoming festival are listed in Midsumma Festival Dates each year as soon as they have been locked in (which usually happens in late February or March). 

Why does the march start at 11am?

Because Midsumma Pride March occurs in summer, the possibility of extreme heat conditions on the day of the march is always present. In order to minimise the risk to the health and well-being of marchers, volunteers, staff and crowd members should extreme heat conditions prevail, we have moved the march forward to 11am.

Why are corporations involved in Midsumma Pride March?

Many corporations and businesses participate in Pride Marches across the world. The two most common reasons that businesses participate in Midsumma Pride March are to empower their LGBTQIA+ employees to show Pride and feel safe within their workplace, and to demonstrate to the general public that their business is queer-friendly.

Businesses will not march ahead of queer advocacy and gender-and-sexuality-diverse-representative groups. Midsumma Pride March is not sponsored by a commercial business, and no businesses pay to be part of Midsumma Pride March.

Why are Police at Midsumma Pride March?

Victoria Police have an official presence at Midsumma Pride March, as well as a contingent in the march – the LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers and Vic Police march group is for Victoria Police employees who identify as LGBTAIQ+ and their allies.

As with all Victoria's large-scale events, organised protests and parades, police officers are present as part of the event permit. The event permit requires Vic Pol to be present to monitor external threats or any situation that may become unsafe for event attendees.

Midsumma works with Vic Pol to encourage officers at these events to be LLO LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers.

Victoria Police has over 450 LGBITQ+ liaison officers (LLOs), serving as contact points for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community.

Find out what LLO responsibilities are.

To get in contact with an LLO, speak to a police officer at your local police station.

What is Midsumma's role in organising Midsumma Pride March?

In 2015 Midsumma become the custodians of Victoria's Pride March when the body Pride March Victoria, who had organised the March since its inception, folded. As Victoria's leading festival for and by LGBTQIA+ peoples, Midsumma is proud to deliver this vital event, which takes year-long planning and significant resourcing. Midsumma is always looking for ways to improve it in response to Victoria's diverse, dynamic and ever-growing queer communities. We welcome feedback about Midsumma Pride March!

Is Midsumma Pride March family friendly?

Midsumma Pride March is a family friendly event that appeals to individuals of all ages. Families are warmly welcome to participate in the March. However, parental or guardian discretion is advised: Pride March celebrates diverse genders and sexualities so the march does contain references to sex, and you will see the odd bare bottom.

As our pets are often considered family too, please make sure you can keep them safe, otherwise plan to leave them at home. 

What measures are taken to protect the environment?

Midsumma Pride March is a large event - having so many people gathered in a relatively small space has the potential to seriously damage the environment. Some of the measures taken to reduce that impact include:

• Dedicated recycling bins are located at both the Ian Johnson Oval and Catani Gardens, and are regularly cleared throughout the event
• Hydration stations are provided to promote the use of refillable water bottles (and to encourage participants to keep well hydrated)
• No glass is allowed into the venue, to minimise the possibility of broken glass 
• No balloons or streamers are allowed
• Electricity is provided via mains power or bio-diesel generators
• Food traders only use biodegradable products (no single use plastic)
• Volunteers and staff members are provided with refillable water bottles to be refilled at the hydration stations