The Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve festival returns to Lismore this year after four years of fire, flu and floods.
The long-running LGBTI+ festival cancelled its 2022 event due to the devastating floods that had ripped through Lismore earlier in the year.
Tropical Fruits has been running regular parties on Bundjalung land (in NSW’s Northern Rivers region) since 1988 and its New Year’s Eve bash draws LGBTI+ people from across Australia.
It’s been a fixture on the New Year’s calendar but the last few years have been tough. It held a scaled-down version in 2021 and it cancelled the 2020 event, both due to COVID.
Now it is back with the theme Bush Magik, which it says pays homage to the beauty and enchantment of Australia.
The festival will consist of three dance parties across the new year period from December 30 until January 1, as well as cabaret and arts & culture programs throughout.
Campers are able to access the grounds from December 27 and can stay until January 4.
Tickets are on sale now and start at $400, while a 2-day pass is for $250.
For those looking to save some money, volunteers are given access to some of the parties.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
