Australian Burlesque Festival – Melbourne

The Australian Burlesque Festival is the country’s largest burlesque celebration, showcasing glamorous, theatrical, and contemporary burlesque performances across major Australian cities including Melbourne. The Melbourne leg of the festival is a highlight of the national tour.

The festival features a diverse lineup of burlesque artists from Australia and internationally, presenting traditional burlesque, neo-burlesque, cabaret, comedy burlesque, and theatrical striptease performance art.

Performances are staged in theatres, cabaret venues, and performance spaces across Melbourne, often featuring themed gala nights, solo showcases, and ensemble productions.

The festival also includes workshops, masterclasses, and industry events supporting performers in choreography, costume design, stagecraft, and performance development.

Australian Burlesque Festival plays an important role in supporting the burlesque and cabaret performance community while celebrating body positivity, creativity, and theatrical expression.

Its Melbourne programming is known for high production values and strong audience engagement, contributing to the city’s reputation as a leading hub for cabaret and alternative performance arts.