Yarra City Council has successfully advocated for Victoria’s Pride Street Party to return to the Smith and Gertrude Street Precinct for another year.

Minister for Equality, the Hon. Harriet Shing MP, has announced the street party will return again to the Smith and Gertrude Street precinct in February 2024.

Approaching its third year, the one-day street party features live performances from artists and a celebration of LGBTIQ+ arts and culture.

The event is delivered by Midsumma in partnership with the Victorian government and gives all Victorians the chance to learn about and demonstrate their support for LGBTIQ+ communities.

The event also provides an opportunity for LGBTIQ+ people to connect and express pride in who they are.

Mayor, Cr Claudia Nguyen said the return of Vitoria’s Pride Street Party to the Smith and Gertrude Street precinct is a win for the Yarra community. 

“We are overjoyed that Victoria’s Pride Street Party will be held in the City of Yarra for another year,” she said.

“Yarra is rightfully renowned as one of Victoria’s preeminent rainbow community hubs.”

“Our LGBTIQ+. Strategy (2021-2024) affirms the importance of LGBTIQ+. visibility and celebration, and in fact, the first key priority area of the strategy is ‘Welcoming and Celebrating Diversity’.”

Council wrote to the Minister earlier in 2023, following the rousing success of the 2023 festival, advocating for City of Yarra to continue hosting Victoria’s Pride Street Party.

The inaugural street party was held in Collingwood and Fitzroy in February 2022 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria. The event attracted more than 30,000 people and was a huge success for local businesses.