Access & Facility Information
Image: Midsumma Festival 2024 - On the Uncertainty of Signs
At Midsumma, we recognise our responsibility to provide genuine access to our events and services wherever possible. For this reason, we have several ways for everyone to access information about our events.
Auslan Overview of Midsumma Festival 2024
Midsumma Presents + Theatre and Performance
Searching for Accessible Events: Use the browse (filters) function on the What's On page to search for events by Access service (between late November and February each year).
To find accessible events, use the Accessibilities filter whenever a list of events is being displayed to select Assistive Listening, Audio Described, Auslan Interpreted, Closed or Open Captioned, English no Barrier, Relaxed Performances, Tactile Tours or Wheelchair Access. If it's not practicable for you to attend events in person, there are also some Live-streamed events.
People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can select events based on the Vision Rating: Vision Rating 100% (no sound, music or dialogue, for example Visual Art exhibitions); Vision Rating 75% (some background music/sounds); or Vision Rating less than 50% (sound is required for full engagement, for example music concerts).
Audio Description is a key access tool enabling people who are blind, or have low vision, to equitably access arts and culture. Audio description can also benefit people with neurodiversity and Autism.
For information about accessibility facilities at Midsumma Carnival, Midsumma Pride March or Victoria's Pride, see their event pages for detailed access information.
If you have any questions, feedback or would like any information in another format, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 03 9296 6600 or by emailing [email protected].
For a description of the accessibility symbols used, see access services symbols.
Symbols on this website
Each event listing on this website will include the following symbols about access and facilities, if applicable.
Visual Rating: 100% - No sound, music or dialogue (e.g. an art exhibition) so Deaf or hard of hearing audiences can engage fully with the event.
Visual Rating: 75% - Some sounds and minimal dialogue, or dialogue is subtitled so Deaf or hard of hearing audiences have a closer to full engagement with the event.
Visual Rating: less than 50% - Sound, music or dialogue is essential to fully experience the event, e.g. a music concert or mostly unsubtitled dialogue so Deaf or hard of hearing audiences can have some but not full engagement with the event.
Access Symbols
Visual Rating (description above)
Assistive listening (hearing loop)
Audio described
Auslan interpreted
Captioning: closed caption
Captioning: open caption
English Language No Barrier
Relaxed performance
Tactile tour (touch tour)
Wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair access varies from venue to venue. To check a venue's wheelchair accessibility, look for the wheelchair access symbol alongside an event listing. Midsumma relies on accurate information provided by the more than 100 venues that are part of the Festival. We recommend contacting the venue to confirm wheelchair accessibility and to enquire about accessible parking.
- General Admission Wheelchair Access: if you are booking tickets for a General Admission venue, feel free to go ahead and book online unless it is otherwise mentioned in the event listing. There is a section in the booking process where you can make access notes. Midsumma tries to assist venues to be as accessible as possible and this information will be passed on to them about your requirements.
- Allocated Seating Wheelchair Access: if you are booking tickets for a venue with allocated seating, please book through the venue directly.
Bar available
Family friendly
Food available
Over 18 onlyFor each Midsumma Festival, the following elements will be provided:
Festival Program PDF: this is a PDF version of the printed program guide, including all images, which is also screen readable.
Midsumma Website: browse online, filtering by event categories, accessibility, dates, venues, special interest guides etc.
Printed Program Guide: The printed program guide is available from early December each year.
Digital Book: flip through the guide online as though you were reading a paper brochure.
Festival Planner: a handy calendar-format list that you can download as a spreadsheet.
Visit midsumma.org.au/guides to see all versions (from November to February each year).
If you are Deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking, contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or via relayservice.com.au, then ask for 03 9296 6600 during business hours. There is no additional charge for this service.
Companion Card holders qualify for a complimentary ticket for their companion. Please contact Midsumma Ticketing on 03 9296 6600 (Mon-Fri) or email [email protected].
Midsumma Pathways
Have you heard about Midsumma Pathways, our nine-month development and mentoring program for LGBTQIA+ artists with disability? This program provides a queer context in which seven (or more) participants will develop their creative practice. It includes access to professional mentoring, group workshops and contact with arts industry representatives that build participants' capacity. Get in touch with us to know more.
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Midsumma Festival 2025
Australia's premier queer arts and cultural festival will return in 2025, running from Sunday 19 January to Sunday 9 February, with Midsumma Carnival in the Alexandra Gardens on Sunday 19 January, Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda on Sunday 2 February and Victoria's Pride in Fitzroy on Sunday 9 February.
Midsumma Festival DatesLooking for something else?
