During Midsumma each year, Victoria doesn’t just come out — it comes out hairy. In Side A of Episode 222, we grin and bear it as Hide and Seek dives into BearFest 2026, the week-long celebration of bears, admirers, community, and controlled chaos that takes over Melbourne every summer.

Jon, Craig and Joenas are joined by Neil of the VicBears committee to unpack what the bear scene actually is (and isn’t), how it grew in Australia, and why it continues to matter far beyond the dance floor. We talk chosen family, intergenerational connection, accessibility, body diversity, and why bear spaces often feel like home for people who never quite fit elsewhere.

Then we take a deep, slightly breathless tour through the week itself: BearWatch Beach Day at Williamstown, Midsumma Carnival, the Teddy Bear Banquet, Bearaoke (where dignity goes to die), Underbear nights, pool parties, dance floors, Pride March prep, and everything in between. Sunscreen, hydration, and sensible footwear are strongly encouraged.

Along the way, we share stories, laughs, and a few “how did we survive that?” moments — because BearFest isn’t just a series of events, it’s a social ecosystem powered by volunteers, community care, and an impressive tolerance for late nights.

Whether you’re a seasoned bear, bear-adjacent, or just wondering why your friends suddenly own harnesses and towels, Side A is your affectionate guide to BearFest — and the people who make it roar.

Love a bear comp? Listen to Who Bears Wins and hear Joenas when he first won his title!

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This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

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