Midsumma Westside returns in 2026 with a fun and inclusive program celebrating LGBTIQA+ communities in Hobsons Bay and across Melbourne's west.
Taking place from 18 January to 8 February, Midsumma Westside is a partnership between councils in Melbourne's west, presented as part of Midsumma Festival, Victoria's premier LGBTIQA+ arts and cultural festival.
This is the 16th year of this collaboration.
The 2026 program in Hobsons Bay offers a range of workshops, social events, exhibitions and more, produced or supported by Council. These include:
Stand Out exhibition by Tara Mathews at Airtime flags at Altona Meadows Skate Park (December to February)
Queer Reading List with curated reading LGBTIQA+ recommendations online and in libraries (8 January to 8 February)
'2099: Messages to our queer future' (17 January to 4 February) exhibition and A Comfort Message Quilt Workshop (31 January) at Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre in Altona
Customised Clothing Workshop in South Kingsville (22 January)
Morning Movie Club: Gayby Baby at Newport Community Hub (28 January)
Mapping LGBTQIA+ history with Jonathan Butler at Newport Community Hub (28 January)
Fluid Beauty make-up and photography workshop at Woods Street Arts Space in Laverton (31 January)
Midsumma Silent Disco (21 January) and Queer Westside Studios Session (5 February)
A 50th anniversary singalong screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show at Altona Theatre, featuring trivia by Rainbow Popcorn Trivia (7 February)
In consultation with local Pride community members, Council supported a stall at Midsumma Carnival day at Alexandra Gardens on 18 January 2026, as a way to enable community members to build up local contacts and connections, promoting initiatives like Hobsons Bay Pride Facebook and Hobsons Bay Rainbow Businesses.
