Chillout Festival 2023 – Festival Overview

Events

Chillout Festival, is Australia’s biggest Queer Country Festival held right here in Daylesford, in the gay capital of Victoria. Two weeks of festivities across country Victoria lead up to the Labour Day long weekend (9 to 13th of March 2023) where Daylesford puts on an elaborate show for the LGBTQ+ communities and allies, this year with the theme of “Find Your Wings”.

ChillOut is an annual LGBTIQ festival held in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It is held on the Labour Day long weekend at the end of March or start of April each year.

The purpose of ChillOut is to provide a safe space for people from all walks of life to gather and celebrate their diversity. It also provides opportunities for straight allies to show their support for equality by attending and supporting the event.

ChillOut Festival is one of the longest running and best loved LGBTIQ country festivals in the world.

ChillOut is one of the longest running and best loved country LGBTIQ festivals in the world. The festival is held on Labour Day long weekend at the end of March or start of April each year, in the country town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It’s a small town with only about 3000 residents but it has become known as a place where people love to visit and bring their families for a relaxing weekend away from city life.

Street Parade and Carnivale

The ChillOut Street Parade is an annual event that draws thousands of people to the streets of Daylesford each year. The parade is a vibrant celebration of the diverse LGBTIQ communities of Daylesford and the surrounding area, with various floats and marching groups taking part in this colourful spectacle every year.

The 2019 line-up includes several new additions including a “Drag Queen” float, which will feature some fierce queens from Melbourne’s drag scene. Other highlights include local marching bands, dance troupes and musicians who will join together to create an unforgettable experience for all onlookers!

Recently the ChillOut Festival announced its first headline act for Carnivale in Kate Miller-Heidke. Kate will be performing on Sunday at the Carnivale festival grounds. The singer-songwriter and 2019 Eurovision song contest representative for Australia will be performing a range of her songs including her latest hit “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore”.

Tickets are available via the Chillout website here.

Festival Venues

The whole event takes place over the course of three days. ChillOut Festival is a very inclusive festival, and there are events happening at each venue all day and night.

You can choose to attend one or two venues per day, or get involved in everything by attending every single event! The choice is yours!

There are plenty of places to sit down if you need a break from dancing, but I recommend staying on your feet as much as possible – it’s so much fun!

For a full overview of the ChillOut Festival Program in Daylesford, visit their website

Chillout 2023 – Carnivale at Victoria Park
Sunday 12 March 2023 – Victoria Park, Daylesford One of the most relaxing event during the annual ChillOut Festival in Daylesford is Carnivale in Victoria…
ChillOut Special: Ladyhawke’s Time Flies Tour
Again another event that was rescheduled due to COVID. After several delays due to travel restrictions in both Australia and New Zealand the rescheduled ChillOut…
ChillOut Woman’s Dance: Flappers Gone Rock
The Flappers Woman’s Dance had usually been an event held in Spring, to celebrate the end of winter for like-minded woman to get together. As…

Click on the date for a full overview of events at ChillOut 2023.

Thursday 9th of March 2023

Opening Night

Daylesford Town Hall – 5.30pm – 8pm – free entrance
The official opening of ChillOut festival 2023 with a free community event at the Town Hall. Listen to primary school choirs, welcome addresses by dignitaries and festival ambassadors and the official activation of the rainbow coloured lights on Daylesford Town Hall.

Granny Bingo

Palais Hepburn – 6.30pm – $29 – $55
Join the mean nannies for a evening of fun and bingo. Edith Vale and Maureen McGillicuddy have now been hosting their bingo for 7 years straight, and it sells out every year. Make a full evening of it and book one of the dinner and pre-show tickets from $118 per person.

Tina Del Twist Lets Loose

Daylesford Hotel – 8pm – $20
Esteemed cabaret star Tina Del Twist, known for her great voice and quick wit is performing at The Daylesford Hotel. Pre-show dinner is available, tickets must be booked in advance.

Friday 10th of March 2023

Dolly Diamond and Tash York: Attention Seekers

Daylesford Town Hall – 5.30pm – $25-$40
One of Melbourne’s most famous drag queens and frequent guest on ABC’s Breakfast, Dolly Diamond performs her show with her friend and cabaret diva Tash York. Their new show, Attention Seekers is full of music, stories and a great laugh. Tickets available via ChillOut Festival.

Karen from Finance: doing time

Daylesford Town Hall – 8pm – $40
Another star from Australia’s drag community, live at Daylesford Town Hall. Karen from Finance’s one woman show puts our girl on trial in a fantastic follow up to her award winning debut show. Tickets available via ChillOut Festival.

Welcome drinks

Daylesford Hotel – 5 – 7pm – $20 including a drink on arrival
A great opportunity to check-out the revamped Daylesford Hotel and the heart of the festival. Catch up with familiar faces and DJ Deb Walters will look after the tunes.

Ballroom Blitz

Victoria Park – 7pm till midnight – $35-$45
DJ Eddie with special guest Parker, Mz Burn, DJ du Jour, the Lost Girls and many more. What is not to love about Daylesford Victoria Park on the first evening event at dusk.

Splish Splash

Hepburn Bathhouse – 6pm till 9pm – $170
A twilight bathing experience like only the Hepburn Bathhouse can offer. A glass of sparkling wine on arrival, performances by burlesque performer Harley Dunolly-Lee, special guest Polly Filla and hosted by Frock Hudson.

Honcho Disko

Palais Hepburn – 8.30pm till 3am – $69 – $90
Crystal Methyd, the runner up of season 12 of Ru Pauls Drag Race comes to Daylesford for one exclusive show at Honcho Disko as part of her World Pride Tour. Live at the Palais Hepburn with her quirky and mind-bending performances.

Sass & Secrets: Cath Jamison & Aurora Kurth

Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel – 6pm – $180 including a 3 course meal and cocktail
Showtunes and illusion served with a 3 course meal and a whole lot of wit. Watch internationally renowned performers Cath Jamison and Aurora Kurth and their outstanding show of cabaret and magic.

Speed Dating at Frangos

Hotel Frangos – 3pm till 5pm – free
A fantastic opportunity to meet like minded people and maybe even find that special one. Male, Female, old, young, city-slicker or country chique. Hosted by comedian and drag queen The Harry Morrissey, it promises to be a fun afternoon.

Betel Boy’s Neon Party

Betel Boy – 7pm till late – $60 including a selection of Thai inspired street food and a neon body or face paint.
Get your glow on with award winning by award-winning Andra and join DJ Luke McKirdy and the boys from Magic Mike for a fun evening.

Saturday 11th of March 2023

All Ages Sound Shell

Hepburn Amphitheatre – 11am till 3pm – free
A full day event at the Hepburn Amphitheatre dedicated to providing a safe space for the whole community including families and kinds to talk about gender and all things queer. Hosted by Art Simone and performances by Marz, Georgie Munroe, Karen from Finance and so much more.

ChillOut Pool Party

Daylesford Pool – 11am – 5pm – $10
A crowd pleaser for years. Join the community at the Daylesford pool for a chilled chillout party. Hosted by Frock Hudson and music by DJ Gay Dad. All ages welcome.

Bush Dace

Victoria Park – 8pm till 1am – $35-$45
An absolute festival favorite. Join host and ABC weatherman Nate Byrne for a fun filled evening in its new home of Victoria Park on Saturday night. Performances from Greg Gould, Brenda Bressed, DJ Du Jour, Freddie Merkin, Devil Goat String Band and the cowboy-girl dancers.

Hey Hunny

Daylesford Town hall – 8pm till 1am – $35-$45
Celebrating all things female at this new event at Daylesford Town Hall. A saloon lounge and dance event with an incredible line up of performances from DJ Eddie, Holly Kercheval, Tuck Shop Ladies , Jude Perl, Hussy Hicks, This Way North and DJ Casio. This event for woman and gender queer friends is hosted by Aurora Kurth.

Comedy at The Convent

The Daylesford Convent – 4pm till 5pm and 6pm till 7pm – $35-$40
The ChillOut Comedy Club returns to the stunning surrounds of the Daylesford Convent. Two sittings, the first one starting at 4pm with Tuck Shop Ladies, Karen From Finance and Frock Hudson. The second sitting includes performances by Dolly Diamond, Polly Filla and The Leather Lungs.

Dolly’s Disco Bingo & Dinner

Daylesford Bowling Club – 6.30pm till 10pm – $45 incl dinner
The original festival bingo but without the bingo numbers – just well known tunes. The Daylesford Bowling Club is the go to venue for a group of friends for a meal and some great tunes.

R<wind Drag n Dine

Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel – 6pm – $180 including 3 course dinner & cocktail
Step back in time with drag hosts Donna DuTchme and Ellectra Kute for a fantastic dinner spectacular inspired by 80ies and 90ies hits.

CiaoBoy Piazza Party

The Daylesford Convent Gallery – 12pm – 8pm – $25
A chilled afternoon, high on Wombat Hill. The tunes of DJ Joey Lightbulb with cocktails, lawn games and picnic boxes.

Farmers Arms Super Show

Farmers Arms Hotel – 5pm till late – $35-$39
Kylie Auldist is returning to the most famous pub in Daylesford, the Farmers Arms Hotel. The soul disco queen is joined by Boom Crash Opera, Kids in the Kitchen, and Uncanny X-men. BBQ food is available.

Cabaris’gay presents: Club Briefs – Fly High!

Palais Hepburn – 8pm till 2.30am – $45 – $85
Palais’s famous annual dance party with cabaret, costumes and cabaret sensation Club Briefs. A night full of performances, dancing and tunes by DJ Gaff E. If you want to join for a pre-show dinner, tickets are available from $135 per person.

Bar Merenda x Brew Jays Bloc Party

Bar Marenda, rear of shops 4 & 5 at 22 Howe Street – 1pm – 7pm – $15
One of the most popular bars in Daylesford is joining in the ChillOut fun with an afternoon of cocktails and dancing in the car park at the back of the bar.

Sunday 12th of March 2023

Plan your visit to Daylesford – Macedon Ranges

Now that you’ve decided to visit Daylesford, you’ll want to start planning your trip. The Macedon Ranges is a beautiful place to visit whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend away or something more adventurous.

There’s plenty of attractions and activities on offer in the area, but here are just some of the highlights:

Accommodation – there are many hotels and B&Bs to choose from in Daylesford – Macedon Ranges. You can even stay at one of its many vineyards!
Restaurants & Bars – if you’re feeling peckish after walking around all day, why not stop off for a bite? There are some great cafes serving everything from pancakes through pizza to seafood platters!
Events – if it’s an event-filled break you’re after then look no further than Daylesford! From festivals like Chill Out Festival Daylesford 2023 where artists perform on stage during the day before making way for DJs at night (and every Thursday night during summer), or other events such as cycling races through vineyard routes where people compete against each other while enjoying local produce such as cheese or wine tastings afterwards (which can also be found throughout summer), there’s always something happening here year round!

Accommodation during Chillout

There are a range of options available for accommodation close to the festival, from self-contained apartments, family or group stays, or luxury glamping. What’s more, you can choose between your own private space or share with friends and family.

From campgrounds and cabins through to boutique hotels and resorts – there is something for everyone! Chillout is an extremely busy festival, so accommodation books out well in advance for this week. Make sure you don’t loose out and check out our accommodation page for a full overview of the accommodation that is on offer in Daylesford.

Future Events