'We missed you like mad': Queer music festival Gaytimes returns in 2027

Australia’s only queer music and arts camping festival, Gaytimes, is returning to Gembrook after a hiatus to celebrate its tenth year.

Since 2016, Gaytimes has been Australia’s only queer camping music and arts festival. It remains one of the only LGBTIQ+ music festivals in the world, giving LGBTIQ+ musicians, DJs and performers a platform at every stage of their careers.

In 2025, the team behind Gaytimes announced with heavy hearts the festival would go on hiatus due to “skyrocketing costs”.

After teasing their return on socials, the festival announced they would be returning in March 2027

“You might have heard Gaytimes was finished. It isn’t,” their post said Tuesday night. “The camping festival of your big gay dreams is back for our 10th anniversary!”

And their ticket ballot has already opened.

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Come and join the queer utopia

In 2025, the festival recieved backing from the Victorian Government’s Live Music Festivals Fund. After a year off recalibrating, they are ready to bring their unique queer utopia back to Gembrook.

“We took a year off, we missed you like mad, and we’re coming home to Gembrook for our tenth,” the team said on socials. “Same forest, same little queer utopia, same rainbow overhead.”

They have announced that almost every ticket will go through a Ballot.

“There’s no 9 am scramble and no mad dash,” they said. “Registering is free, and it’s not the same as buying. It just pops you in the draw.”

“When you register, you pick whether we charge your card automatically if you get drawn, or email you a link and hold your tickets for 24 hours. Same price either way.

“Tickets start at $445, and for the first time we’re doing low-income tickets at $385, by application, no questions asked.”

Camping is free with every ticket.

First Nations tickets are available by emailing hello@gaytimes.com.au.

Don’t miss out – Register for Gaytimes Festival today

The Ballot opened on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 pm AEST and closes on Sunday, September 13 at 5 pm AEST.

It will then be drawn on Wednesday, September 16, with general public sales opening on Wednesday, September 23 at 12 pm AEST.

First-time frolickers and veterans both have the same chance to enter the ballot.

Gaytimes 2027 will have a strictly limited capacity of 1500 people, and honestly, I can’t stress how much queer joy this festival brings.

If you have never been, you need to come. It has the most beautiful spirit and is an amazing way to connect with community, explore new artists and be your authentic self.

Gaytimes Festival will run from March 19 to 21, 2027.