Coming into its fourth year, MELT Festival celebrations are laced with a particularly new brand of sweetness this year following the historic marriage equality vote of 2017. Following the successful ‘yes’ vote, there is a renewed sense of optimism and positivity within Brisbane’s queer community – and this is reflected with MELT’s biggest and most ambitious program to date. The festival also takes on another sense of significance this year by launching on May 17 to coincide with IDAHOT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

As always, MELT Festival is absolutely bursting at its rhinestoned seams with amazing things to see across comedy, dance, circus, burlesque, visual arts and more. Serious highlights include Camerata and special guests reclaiming pop classics for LGBTIQ+ audiences in Coupling, plus the searing hot all-male boylesque troupe BRIEFS returns to serve galactic glamour with Close Encounters. You can’t miss the MELT Beauty Pageant, returning with an all-star panel to crown this year’s most charismatic drag queen, drag king or trans beauty. Brush up on your queer herstory for Tragic Trivia, where Brisbane’s drag superstars host a quiz night for the ages. Go out with a bang when The Bowery Haus closing party vogues into town, paying tribute to the iconic Leigh Bowery with a raging costume party.

This is just the tip – for the full line-up of events at MELT Festival and to purchase tickets, head to the Brisbane Powerhouse website.