Volunteer Update #2
Midsumma Festival 2024 Program is Here!

Hi friend,

Welcome to our Volunteer Update. Read on for the latest important and useful information from our Midsumma Volunteer Coordinator, Ida.

In This Update

• Midsumma Festival 2024 Program is Here!
• Volunteer Briefings
• Hi, I'm Ida
• Key Dates For Your Diary
• Our Big Events Explained
• What happens next?

Check out the 2024 Midsumma Festival Program!

Midsumma Festival 2024 Program is here and we couldn't be more excited!

You can now find all the information for our 200+ shows and events on our website. There are so many good things to see and do each day or night of the week during the festival.

Our festival program is made up of diverse art forms and genres, including visual arts, live music, theatre, spoken word, cabaret, film, parties, sports, social events, and public forums.

And remember - with your volunteer accreditation, you will be able to access various shows for free or at a discounted rate! More information to come.

The 2024 festival HERO image below was created by Loni Thompson. She is an illustrator, graphic designer, and artist based in Sydney/Eora.

Top photo by Tan McCulloch from 2022

Volunteer Briefings

It is vital you take part in the volunteer briefings as this is the way we relay specific information that is important for you to know on event days.

Our major briefing is on Thursday 18 January at Alexandra Gardens, CBD at 6:00pm.
This is an in-person briefing so best to pop it into your calendar now.

This is where you get to meet the Midsumma staff, where we cover information about all major events, run-through safety, key points, and more. You can also collect your Midsumma volunteer t-shirt, bag, and accreditation. 

As you might know, volunteers mostly help out at our three signature events - Carnival, Pride March, and Victoria's Pride Street Party.

However, sometimes we require some extra assistance during Midsumma Presents and Queer PHOTO events.

Midsumma Presents is Midsumma's producing arm of the festival, where we collaborate with outstanding artists and cultural institutions from Victoria and around the world. 

Queer PHOTO is funded by Creative Victoria's Go West Program, it's a celebration of contemporary queer photography by local and international artists taking place in Melbourne's Westerns suburbs.

Queer PHOTO will offer a wide range of events, such as workshops, artist talks, performances, portraits, and more. 

A number of these events might require some front-of-house volunteer assistance. 

This could include greeting attendees, queue management, bumping in and out, ushering, wayfinding, checking in VIP's, and completing surveys.

All available shifts will sent out to you closer to the festival.

Below photo of Midsumma Pride March participants 2023 by Teague Leigh

Hi, I'm Ida

I'm the Volunteer Coordinator for the upcoming Midsumma 2024 festivities and I wanted to take some time to say Welcome to the Midsumma Festival Volunteer team!

My pronouns are she/her and because I'm Swedish my name is pronounced
Ee-da.

Not only is it my job to create the roster, send you all the information, and host briefings, but it is also my job to make sure you have a great time and feel supported throughout Midsumma Festival 2024. 

You know your needs better than anyone, so let me know if there is anything I can do to make this experience as fabulous as possible for you. 

I'm thrilled to meet you and see you all in action!

My email is volunteers@midsumma.org.au and my phone number is 0484 266 317.

If you'd like, come join our Midsumma Volunteer 2024 Facebook Group.

Don't worry if you don't use or want to join the Facebook group.
All the information you require will be emailed to you through these updates.

There will also be an online Volunteer Hub where all the details regarding volunteering can be found. 

Below photo of Ida by Midsumma CEO Karen Bryant

Key Dates For Your Diary

2024

21 January - 11 February
Midsumma Festival 2024

Sunday 21 January
Midsumma Carnival

Sunday 4 February
Midsumma Pride March

Sunday 11 February
Victoria's Pride

27 January - 24 March
Queer PHOTO

Volunteer Briefings

Carnival
Thursday 18 January 2024, 6 pm
Alexandra Gardens, CBD
In-person Briefing

Pride March
Tuesday 31 January 2024, 6 pm
Online Briefing

Victoria's Pride
Thursday 8 February 2024, 6 pm
Online Briefing 

Induction
All staff and volunteers are required to complete the Midsumma Festival Inc Online Induction prior to being on-site. The induction will be sent out in the new year.

End of Festivities Staff & Volunteer Party
Thursday 15 February 2024, 7 pm
Venue TBC

Our Big Events Explained

Midsumma Carnival - Sunday 21 January 2024 

Midsumma Carnival highlights the opening weekend of the three-week Festival each year. Midsumma Carnival is an iconic outdoor celebration that has become one of the biggest highlights in the LGBTIQIA+ annual calendar. The event provides a fitting opening to the festival each year. In itself, Carnival is a huge single-day event, usually running from 11am until 10pm in Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD. 

Midsumma Pride March - Sunday 4 February 2024 

Midsumma Pride March, where over 14,000 marchers usually take to the streets down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda each year and over 45,000 people line the streets and balconies along the march route to show their support, making this the best-attended Pride March in Victoria. At the conclusion of the march, attendees are led into Catani Gardens for celebrations and entertainment including DJs and live performances.

Victoria's Pride - Sunday 11 February 2024 

Victoria's Pride (formerly known as Melbourne Pride) is a State Government initiative, delivered by Midsumma. The annual event will be held across the state for the next two years to support and celebrate our rainbow communities. Victoria’s Pride will kick off in December with a series of regional activities, culminating in a one-day street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct on Sunday 11 February 2024.

Above photo Pride dog at Carnival 2022
Below photo by Suzanne Balding, Lip Sync Battle contestants at Carnival 2023

What happens next?

Once you have filled out our Volunteer Application form, you can sit tight.

We are still doing some planning and working out the nitty-gritty details for next year's festival. We will get back to you as soon as possible with more details.

Just know we are super excited to have you onboard!

I will keep you updated via these emails and provide you with everything you need to know.

If you have any questions, please email volunteers@midsumma.org.au