South Side Festival

Overview

If you're a fan of fringe theatre and love to giggle along to great comedy or are on the hunt for new immersive art installations, then Frankston's South Side Festival should be your jam.

Over 45 events and shows will descend on this booming beachside 'burb for ten days as part of the returning multidisciplinary arts festival. Head down anytime from Friday, May 10, until Sunday, May 19, to see how Frankston has quickly become a hub for creativity in Melbourne.

Neon Fields — courtesy of Volter International

What are some must-try experiences? An easy place to start is Neon Fields, a takeover of Beauty Park with a series of radiant neon art installations. Perfect for posing for the perfect picture or illuminating an evening stroll through the park.

The globally renowned Human Library is a must-do. Visitors are invited to 'borrow' a person from a library of people — each of whom has directly or indirectly been exposed to prejudice in their lives — and have an open conversation with them about their lived experiences.

There's also the lighthearted House of Fast Fashun, where you can sort through clothing waste to design, wear and model your newly created outfits in hourly runway shows. The festival is also delivering slow fashion workshops in the likes of creative mending and sewing basics.

If you fancy a morning dip, join the South Side Sea Soak to get your adrenaline pumping as you reap the rewards of cold water immersion.

Or, get your blood and soul pumping in a more emotional way by catching a show from ARIA-nominated Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan.

Emma Donovan — courtesy of Ian Laidlaw

Beyond this, you can also expect to catch a 45-artist-strong music film screening followed by a Q&A with the film's director, Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, a side-splitting drag comedy show or enjoy a one-man show that blends music, spoken word and film into a story about stories. There are stacks of options to choose from.

But don't wait too long to book your tickets—every year, events can sell out well before the festival begins.

The South Side Festival runs from Friday, May 10, to Sunday, May 19. For more information on events and to book your tickets, head to the South Side Festival website.

Top image: SILENCE. Photo by Simon Woods