GENERAL FAQS

When is Gaytimes 2024?

The eighth anniversary edition of Gaytimes will be held Fri Feb 23 - Sun Feb 25 inclusive.

Why are the dates different this year than in previous years?

Gaytimes is held annually over three days in late summer, generally in Feb. From time to time, we have to change the dates due to scheduling conflicts.

Do you have to camp on site?

Gaytimes is a camping festival, so everyone camps on site. If you hate camping, we offer glamping at the most affordable prices of any festival in Australia.

Unfortunately, we don’t allow pass outs or single day tickets so you cannot stay in offsite accommodation.

What do you mean by glamping?

Our glamping packages are pre-pitched by our partners Wow Tents who’ve been with us since the very first year. All of our glamping tents are waterproof, canvas Bell Tents.

Please see our Glamping page from further information.

Do you have showers?

Yes. We have free hot showers and permanent flushing toilets and water taps throughout the site.

Do you allow BYO alcohol?

Yes — but you can only BYO in limited quantities. We don’t allow excessive amounts of BYO alcohol or any glass. All vehicles and all buses are searched for excessive alcohol, glass and other contraband on arrival.

Gaytimes is fully licensed with our own cocktail bars if you run out or fancy a nice drink.

Do you serve coffee?

Yes. We have our own coffee cart serving barista made coffee made by baristas from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Do you accept cash?

Gaytimes 2024 will be mostly cashless.

Can I drive my own car and park at Gaytimes?

Yes — but spaces are limited so you must purchase a Car Pass. We encourage you to consider taking the bus which is the cheaper, safer and more sustainable option. Further information about Car Passes and Shuttle Buses will be available in September.

Do you allow pets?

Sadly no you can’t bring pets to Gaytimes as Gilwell Park is home to native wildlife.

Can I apply to perform at Gaytimes 2024?

Yes. Artist Submissions will open in September. Stay tuned to our website and subscribe for updates.

Gaytimes features a curated lineup with both established and emerging live music and DJs spanning many genres. Beyond just music, Gaytimes features performance art — including cabaret, drag, circus, theatre, comedy, dance etc, activities and workshops, and visual art installations.

Some of our lineup is always drawn from our submissions, while the rest is curated by our team to showcase queer music, arts and culture from around Australia and around the world.

Why does the music finish outdoors at 11pm?

Under state regulated noise restrictions enforced by the EPA, no outdoor amplified music can be played after 11pm — unless by permitted exemption.

Gilwell Park is a gorgeous forest site full of amenities that make it perfect for a boutique festival like Gaytimes including well maintained campgrounds, drinkable water points, permanent hot showers and flushing toilet blocks and power conveniently located just over 1 hour from Naarm (Melbourne) CBD.

Unfortunately, due to our close proximity to metropolitan Melbourne, Gilwell Park also has neighbours just 500 metres away.

As such, we are not allowed to run our outdoor stages late at night — unlike some much bigger festivals held in more remote locations.

If you want to stay up and party till the wee hours, we do offer after hours programming indoors played without the state regulated limits, and we will also offer non musical entertainment such as visual art, performers and activities late into the night.

All our headline acts and most of our programming however takes place before 11pm.