Apply for The Australian Burlesque Weekend !!
10–12 July 2026 | Melbourne
Midwinter never looked so good! For those of you who attended The Big Burlesque Show and The Victorian Burlesque Gala you would know that we have always had plans to turn it into a full weekend of events to expand our celebration of our wonderful art form.
Tassel Events, Australian Burlesque Weekend is a decadent three-day celebration of burlesque in all its glorious forms—grand, glamorous, cheeky, cerebral, and joyfully unrestrained. Bringing together The Big Burlesque Show, the Victorian Burlesque Gala, with a suite of deliciously curated events, this is a weekend is designed to warm the coldest nights with creativity, connection, and a touch of inspiration.
The Weekend Line-Up
Friday 10 July 2026 - The Big Burlesque Show
Its back and ready to be bigger than ever! In 2025 we invited you to give us your acts that are that are too big, too bold, and too spectacular for most stages. And you delivered !
The Big Burlesque Show celebrates excess in the best possible way—oversized props, expansive costuming, high-impact concepts, and unapologetic energy.
Aerial rigging is available for those ready to truly take flight.
Held at the Meat Market, North Melbourne
(Stage dimensions available via the application form)
Saturday 11 July 2026 (Day) - Online Symposium & Discussion Panel
A thoughtful pause between the glitter and the glamour. We are so excited to be curating a series of online discussion panels and educational components to get into the deep theory and meaning behind our work. Join an online gathering of performers and creatives for conversations that explore burlesque, performance practice, industry insights, and creative evolution—because great art is powered by great ideas.
Saturday 11 July 2026 (Evening) - The Victorian Burlesque Gala
The Victorian Burlesque Gala is a love letter to the artform—celebrating classic glamour, exquisite parody, and storytelling that sparkles with intention. Where the Big Show invites us to go big, the Gala invites us to go deeper, honouring the nuance, wit, and beauty that define burlesque at its finest, last year there were gasps, laughs and tears and this year we cannot wait to see what you bring to the stage.
Aerial rigging is available, Held at the Meat Market, North Melbourne
(Stage dimensions available via the application form)
Sunday 12 July 2026 - Spritz & Strip Brunch
Bubbles, brunch, and a little bit of bare—it’s the perfect send-off for your weekend. Spritz & Strip is a relaxed, roving-style performance experience designed for close-up acts, playful interactions, and casual glamour. Expect intimate moments, cheeky charm, and the kind of performances that thrive just an arm’s length away.
Venue to be announced
Applications close: 26 January 2026
Open to all performers and burlesque-adjacent creatives 18+