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Gallery | Queens reign at Carnival Day

By Pip Turton

Nov 11, 2025

Frock Hudson getting ready to sing.OUTintheOPEN Carnival day Out in the open carnival day. Photo by Megan Fisher

Queens stole the show at GV Pride's 2025 Carnival Day, transforming Queen's Gardens into a vibrant celebration of colour, laughter, and love.

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The performers brought glamour, humour, and heartfelt messages of inclusion to the stage, captivating crowds of all ages under the spring sun.

The annual celebration, part of the OUTintheOPEN Festival, created a hub of pride and self-expression in the heart of Shepparton.

Locals and visitors danced, sang, and celebrated diversity together from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The free family event featured live music, entertainment, market stalls, pride merchandise, community information services, and food trucks — one of 12 events held across six days for this year’s festival.

Festival director Damien Stevens-Todd said the event continued to grow in both scale and meaning.

“Despite a colder festival than expected, I was overall pleased with the attendance,” he said.

“Our goal is to capture the minds, hearts, and engagement of all — people travelled from all different parts of Victoria to be part of the festivities. It’s all about our LGBTIQA+ community thriving here, not just surviving.”

“Heading into next year’s festival, our 15th, we’ll continue to promote solidarity in this challenging and changing time — and share the love.”