FRANKSTON will shine as a hub of arts and culture when South Side Festival returns next week, bringing 10 nights of performances, installations and community experiences to the heart of the city.
Running from Friday 8 May to Sunday 17 May, the festival will transform Frankston into one of Victoria’s most vibrant cultural destinations, with events spanning theatre, circus, dance, visual arts, film and immersive light installations.
A major highlight is the return of Neon Fields, back by popular demand for a third year. Across three spectacular nights, Beauty Park will become a glowing playground of colour and light, featuring brand-new installations alongside returning favourites. The free, all-ages event will run on Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May from 5pm–10pm, and Sunday 10 May from 5pm–8pm.
Senior Producer, Arts and Culture at Frankston City Council, Freyja Macfarlane, said the 2026 festival has been curated to invite discovery and connection.
“South Side Festival is about stepping into something unexpected, seeing Frankston through a new lens, and sharing incredible cultural experiences together,” Ms Macfarlane said.
The ticketed program features bold contemporary works, including Human Love Quest, a live comedy dating show for adults at Cube 37, family-friendly shadow puppetry in Kiki and Zuki, and In Common by One Fell Swoop Circus.
Audiences can also experience Live Cinema by Michael Beets, shot and performed live by local youth, and Shan Gao Shui Chang, a striking fusion of dance, water painting and technology exploring migration and identity.
Visual arts highlights include Good Times, featuring iconic photography by Rennie Ellis, and A Wearable Canvas from the Australian Wearable Arts Festival.
With events across Frankston Arts Centre, Cube 37, Beauty Park and the foreshore, South Side Festival promises something for everyone.
For details, visit southsidefestival.com.au
