Victoria’s longest running regional LGBTQIA+ pride festival, ChillOut Festival, will be back in the spa capital of Australia 9-13 March 2023.
Celebrating 26 years in 2023, Australia’s longest-running and largest regional pride festival will take place in regional Victoria’s LGBTQIA mecca of Daylesford once again, with next year’s incarnation set to bring more music, more dancing, and of course, lots of fun.
Inviting visitors of all ages to dance, prance, chill and shake a tail feather across five days of fabulous festivity, the festival has locked in its dates for 2023, running from March 9 – March 13 2023 (Labour Day weekend).
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Joining previously announced Australian opera-pop Eurovision superstar Kate Miller-Heidke, ChillOut festival will also host Drag Race Down Under’s Art Simone, ABC’s sunniest weatherman Nate Byrne, Rainbow History TikToker Rudy Jean Rigg, as well as cabaret singerDean Arcuri, transgender advocate and radio host Sally Goldner, Jude Munro, Karen From Finance, DJ Du Jour, DJ Eddie, DJ Gay Dad, DJ Quality Time, DJ Casio, Tuck Shop Ladies, Cerulean, Marz, The Lost Girls, Hussy Hicks, Greg Gould, This Way North, Jude Perl, and Diamond and York.
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Early bird tickets bundles for ChillOut Festival 2023 are on sale now for the premiere party events Ballroom Blitz, Bush Dance, Carnival Day and the POOF DOOF Afterparty, as well as a new femme night Hey Hunny.
All the trademark events are coming back in 2023, including Ballroom Blitz on Friday night, Bush Dance on Saturday night, Street Parade and the famous Carnival Day on the Sunday.
Taking over Victoria Park, Carnivale will see attendees set up a picnic for a day of community, laughter, singing and joy hosted by our fave MC duo – the way-beyond-fabulous Nate Byrne and Art Simone. Featuring Kate Miller-Heidke, DJ Eddie, Cerulean (Miss First Nation 2021), with special guests Dean Arcuri, Elektra Lite, Tuck Shop Ladies, Freddie Merkin, Gabriella la Bucci, Best In Show dog show, tug of love, Jude Munroe, Rudy Jean Rigg, Karen From Finance, the stunning Jude Perl and Diva Flores, Diamond and York, Greg Gould and DJ Du Jour! Visit the beautiful Rainbow Square with face paint, glitter lips, trans clothes swap, and rainbow story time. Plus, market stalls, food vans, and a live radio broadcast from Joy FM and Sally Goldner from 3CR.
The festival’s free family-friendly events will be back as well – with the All Ages Saturday Sound Shell event returning after a successful debut in 2022, featuring performances, market stalls, and an intergenerational panel.
The festival has also announced a special ‘Solid Gold’ POOF DOOF coming to Ballarat on December 9, which doubles as a Christmas Fundraiser for ChillOut Festival. After an outdoor rave at Kryal Castle in 2021, POOF DOOF is back in Ballarat doofing together for the very first time at Warehouse on Friday 9 December from 8pm until very late.
Kate Miller-Heidke announced as headliner for Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival
Tickets are $20 and on sale now via chilloutfestival.com.au
