ChillOut Expands to 10 Days for 30th Anniversary Celebrations

Carnival Day at ChillOut Festival, Daylesford in 2026. Image Credit: Michelle Donnelly.

Australia's largest and longest-running regional queer pride festival, ChillOut, will expand to 10 days in 2027 as the iconic Daylesford event celebrates its 30th anniversary.

What began in 1997 as a one-day community gathering of around 100 attendees has grown into a festival attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Daylesford and Hepburn Shire each year.

Running from 27 February to 8 March 2027, the milestone festival will feature a major street party, a gala dinner to celebrate those who have shaped ChillOut over the past three decades, and an expanded program of community events throughout Daylesford, while continuing beloved traditions including the Street Parade and Carnival Day.

The expanded program will place a stronger focus on the Daylesford town centre, encouraging visitors to experience more of the region's galleries, gardens, hospitality venues and community spaces throughout the festival.

ChillOut President Matt Clarke said: "We are so excited and energised to celebrate 30 years of ChillOut that we are going all out to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to come to Daylesford and surrounding areas to enjoy the celebrations! We know that there is so many events jammed into a three day weekend during ChillOut, spread across a large number of hospitality venues, galleries, wineries, halls and the like so we want to showcase these places, giving them the opportunity to really shine and deliver a memorable experience to people who may not be able to make it to Daylesford on the Labour Day long weekend. Some community events in the week leading up to the main celebrations is something we are really excited about, an opportunity to get the whole town involved. There will be a Gala Dinner to acknowledge all the people who have contributed to 30 years of ChillOut, a Street Party to bring everyone together, a return to the Town Hall for some events and of course a few other surprises to be announced over the next few months.”

The 2027 festival will coincide with Sydney Mardi Gras, with ChillOut continuing its long-standing Labour Day weekend tradition, while offering a distinctly regional celebration of LGBTQIA+ community, culture and connection.

For 30 years, ChillOut has been more than a festival. It has helped position Daylesford as Australia's regional pride capital, creating a space where LGBTQIA+ people, their families, and allies can feel safe, welcomed and celebrated. Festival feedback consistently shows attendees leave with a stronger sense of belonging, with some choosing to make the region their home after experiencing the community firsthand. 

The impact extends well beyond the festival gates. ChillOut generates a estimated $7m for the local economy each year, with visitors travelling from across Victoria and beyond to fill local accommodation, dine in local venues and explore the region's businesses, attractions and experiences. 

Delivering a festival of this scale requires significant year-round planning, investment and community support. While ChillOut is led by a volunteer committee and supported by hundreds of volunteers each year, more than $250,000 was invested in artists, entertainment and production in 2026 alone.

 As a registered charity, ChillOut is inviting community members, businesses and supporters to help secure the future of regional queer pride through tax-deductible donations. Every contribution goes directly towards the costs of delivering the festival, including insurance, infrastructure, security, transport and accommodation. Your support will help ensure ChillOut can continue to grow, evolve and create a welcoming space where regional queer communities can celebrate, connect and thrive for generations to come. 

Donations can be supplied via: https://chilloutfestival.au/donate