Red Dirt & Glitter: Here’s What To See & Do At Rainbow In The Outback 2026
Image: Supplied
Broken Hill is about to turn the red dirt rainbow, with Rainbow in the Outback returning this week for seven days of drag, music, art, film, cabaret and queer whimsy beneath an enormous desert sky.
Running from 21 – 27 September, the festival will bring LGBTQIA+ locals, visitors, performers and allies together across the Silver City — a place that was doing fabulousness long before the Priscilla bus rolled through.
Festival directors Brendan Barlow and Alvin Jin say the celebration is about more than putting on a bloody good show: it gives regional queer people somewhere to be visible, connected and themselves.
“Rainbow in the Outback gives regional queer communities a place to show up exactly as they are,” Jin said.
The week begins with the free Queer Art Exhibition at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum, showcasing work by LGBTQIA+ artists and allies from Monday 21 September until 6 November.
On Tuesday, Shelita Buffet and Amanda Screetly take over the Broken Hill Pub for Drag Bingo, promising performance and camp chaos, before the Silver City Cinema hosts a collection of LGBTQIA+ short films on Wednesday.
Thursday offers two extremely persuasive options: make earrings over a cocktail at Dangles & Daiquiris, or settle in for an intimate sapphic blues performance from Jess Parker at Slag Heap Projects.
Friday night’s Gather & Glow at The Old Brewery kicks the weekend into high gear, with live music, drag, burlesque and circus-style performance from a stacked line-up including Art Simone, Tro, Shelita Buffet, Freddie Merkin, Amanda Screetly, Dorian Courtisan and DJ Cliterally.
Saturday afternoon belongs to brave first-timers and seasoned show-offs alike, with Cassy Judy’s Queer Singalong and Choking Hazard’s Brat Race open mic warming up the crowd before Shine Bright, the festival’s biggest party, takes over.
Art Simone, Tro, Fembot XYZ, Zain Mitchlan, Krayola and more will deliver hourly cabaret, burlesque, drag and circus performances, while DJ EK and DJ Cliterally keep everyone moving until 2am.
Finally, Sunday’s Big Gay Wind Down Market offers food, drinks, stalls, live music, performances and Drag Queen Story Time with Amanda Screetly — a family-friendly recovery day for anyone whose feet, wig or dignity did not survive Saturday night.
“Visibility matters, especially in remote areas,” Barlow said. “Rainbow in the Outback helps people feel seen and supported.”
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