Tropical Fruits makes its long-awaited NYE return

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.