Melbourne is excitedly gearing up for the opening of the Midsumma Festival this Sunday, with a warm and sunny 24 degrees predicted.

The annual Midsumma Carnival is the city’s biggest queer event, last year attracting 100,000 people to its debut at the gorgeous surrounds of Birrarung Marr adjacent to Federation square. The huge inclusive event cost upwards of $150,000 to produce. Despite that, this year when Carnival returns to Birrarung Marr between 11am and 6pm, it will once again be as a free event that is a celebration of queer culture for the entire community of Melbourne.

Community groups will be collecting donations for Midsumma on the day, with 100% of contributions going directly to the organisation to help keep Carnival a free event for years to come.

13 huge umbrellas will shade carnival goers on the more exposed upper terrace which will feature the main Batman stage and bars as well as free entertainment, with teasers from the highlights of the festival.

The bars at Midsumma Carnival this year will be run and staffed by Midsumma volunteers, meaning that all profits from the bars will also go directly to Midsumma to help ensure its continued growth as a festival, and the growth of the Carnival event.

Here’s what you’ll see on the…

BATMAN STAGE line-up!

Noon – Carnival stage commences – hosted by Dean Arcuri
(Saloon Speed Dating & A Midsummer Nights Dean)
12:15pm – QSAM Sports Q&A
12:25pm – Goddess Grooves – Emma Wall
12:45pm – 37 Ways to Say I’m Gay;
Cath Jamison – I Know What You’re Thinking!;
Linda Beatty – ‘The UnEnchanted Princess’
1:12pm – Glenda Waverley presents Four Dead Divas
1:20pm – The Horror of the Inch – a Cult Rock Concert
1:20pm – The Australian Same-Sex Dancesports 2012
1:40pm – The Year of Magical Wanking – Neil Atkins
1:48pm – Empire Live
2:02pm – Official welcome from Midsumma and Welcome to Country
2:35pm – Destiny Forbidden
2:42pm – Red Ribbon Cabaret – Kaye Sera and Luke Gallagher
2:52pm – The Divine Miss Bette starring Catherine Alcorn
3:05pm – In Vogue: Songs By Madonna – Dean Bryant
3:18pm – Leggings Are Not Pants – Women’s Circus
3:43pm – The Kill Room – Monique Schafter
4pm – Surprise!
4:15pm – Stories by Starlight – Candy Royalle
4:40pm – Ana Nicole
5pm – Stage closes

Stalls and vendors will be located on the lower terrace, showing off a diverse range of community groups and wares to delight and enthrall as you stroll along the banks of the Yarra.

Dulcie DuJour’s infamous and iconic Dog Show returns this year, hosted not by the recently retired drag legend, but by international Cabaret Drag star Dolly Diamond at the Yarra stage on the Lower terrace between 3-5pm.

Dr Hugh Wirth, Lady Mayoress Emma Page Campbell will join Dolly Diamond as judges the queer dog pageant, helped along by the crowd to decide on catagories like ‘Cutest Bitch’, ‘Sexiest ‘boy’ Dog’, ‘Best Owner and Dog Combo’,’ Biggest Tail’ and ‘Best Trick’. So head to the Williams Natural Pet Company stand to register your doggie for just a gold coin donation.

Of course Australia’s only full time licensed radio broadcaster JOY 94.9 will be present all day broadcasting live from the site bringing all the energy and fabulousness of the day to listeners around the world.

As the sun sets on the fabulous Midsumma Carnival, the party mood takes over with much anticipated outdoor Midsumma T-Dance party event, Featuring a bevvy of hot performing and DJ talent that will see the community dancing away to the hottest hits till 11pm, at one of Melbourne’s most picturesque locations. Tickets are $35 – $50 depending on the level of access you’d like, and are available from the box office. Best get in nice and early if you don’t want to miss out.

THE REST OF THE FEST

From Sunday 15 January, the Midsumma Festival is in full swing. Here is our pick of the hottest week one events from each category:

VISUAL ARTS
Untold – Photographic exhibition by Steve Edwards at the Laird Hotel
Queer City – Reveal exhibition at 1000 pound Bend

PERFORMING ARTS
Men at Work – Theatre Season at Theatreworks St Kilda
Midsumma’s Playing In The Raw at Chapel Off Chapel
Grindr: A Love Story by Nathan Valvo

PREMIERE EVENT
Britney Spears: the Cabaret at Chapel off Chapel
In Vogue : Songs by Madonna at fortyfivedownstairs

COMMUNITY EVENT
Hares and Hyenas Word is Out 20 Year anniversary at Hares and Hyenas
GLOBE’s Midsumma Networking event at crown Metropol

Midsumma Carnival is on this Sunday 15 January from 11am-6pm, followed by T-Dance from 6-11pm.

The 2012 Midsumma Festival runs from 15 January – 5 February 2012. For full festival details click here.