With Auckland still years off from reviving Pride and Air New Zealand grounding the Pink Flight to Sydney Mardi Gras, there’s no better time than now to book your tickets for sunny Melbourne and check out the Midsumma GLBT Festival from 15 January – 05 February 2012. If you’re heading over for a short trip, there’s one big day of partying you’re going to love – opening day on 15 January. Here, we check out the big three events on opening weekend:

Carnival – (all day)
This colourful, outdoor celebration takes place on the banks of the Yarra River, at Birrarung Marr. It’s a multi-level, full-day event akin to our own Big Gay Out that acts as the opening event of the Midsumma festival. In 2011, this massive “picnic in the park”, attracted a whopping crowd of nearly 100,000 people! This year, free entertainment will feature from 12-5pm, mostly teaser performances from some of the best events in the programme. Be sure to take the tram or train in preparation for a fun-filled day of frivolity. A feast of diversity will be laid out for your pleasure on the lower terrace, where a cacophony of stallholders will bare their wares, providing the perfect strolling destination for that time in the day when you feel like finding a new view, new friends and lots of eye candy!

T-Dance – (right after Carnival)
T-Dance is another main event at Midsumma – it’s the ultimate outdoor dance party that’s going to get you boogying into the night with a line of awesome DJs and star entertainment. As the sun sets, queer Melbourne’s celebrations continue with T Dance – the ultimate party in the park. Limited release VIP tickets get you access to the VIP marquee where you’ll enjoy the view of all the action, as well as access to a priority service bar, all for $100!

Golden Babetime
Golden Babetime is a new addition to the Midsumma Programme, a Carnival afterparty, catering more to the ladies and the queer underground. Golden Babetime takes you from Birrarung Marr to Beer-among Babes, following on after the sun sets on Carnival, kicking off from 6pm on 15 January at indoor/outdoor CBD oasis, The Deck. Get your tickets early save time lamenting, wondering ‘What should we do now’, next to the Yarra when Carnival calls it a day. Golden Babetime is the answer!