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South Side Festival 2026: Arts, Light Installations and Free Events in Frankston
South Side Festival returns in 2026 for its fifth year, bringing eleven days of arts, culture and community celebration to Frankston. Running across multiple venues and outdoor spaces, the festival invites locals and visitors to experience performances, installations, workshops and large-scale public art that highlight the creative energy of Melbourne’s south-east. Designed to be inclusive and accessible, the program blends contemporary arts with community storytelling, offering opportunities to explore new ideas while celebrating local identity.
From world-class performances and visual art to interactive outdoor experiences, South Side Festival continues to grow as one of Victoria’s most engaging regional arts festivals.
See below for your chance to WIN a Family Pass to Kiki & Zuki.
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Festival Highlights
Neon Fields
Neon Fields will once again turn Beauty Park into a vibrant wonderland of light installations, interactive artworks and illuminated spaces designed for all ages. Visitors can wander through secret gardens, explore large-scale neon sculptures and take photos with striking installations. New features for 2026 include the Stargate Monolith, a Unicorn Garden, and a Cosmic Playground, alongside returning favourites.
Dates and times:
Friday 8 & Saturday 9 May 2026, 5 pm to 10 pm
Sunday 10 May 2026, 5 pm to 8 pm
Location: Beauty Park, enter via Young Street, Frankston
Price: FREE, no bookings required
Golden Scissor Puppets: Frankston’s Cryptids
Have you ever wondered what Bigfoot might look like if they grew up in Frankston? Created by Golden Scissor Puppets in collaboration with local community groups, Frankston’s Cryptids brings giant puppets inspired by local legends and stories to life.
These large-scale roaming characters celebrate imagination, storytelling and community creativity, adding an interactive element for families exploring Neon Fields.
Date: Friday 8 & Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm (roving performances)
Location: Neon Fields, Beauty Park
Price: FREE, no bookings required
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One Fell Swoop Circus — In Common
Experience a powerful fusion of circus and sculpture with In Common, the latest work from acclaimed Australian company One Fell Swoop Circus.
In this thrilling 60-minute performance, eight acrobats construct a seemingly impossible ‘tensegrity’ structure live on stage before bringing it to life through breathtaking aerial movement, balance, and choreography. Known for intimate, emotionally driven circus works, the company explores connection, trust, and the invisible support systems that hold communities together.
Combining physical strength with heartfelt storytelling, In Common invites audiences to experience both the exhilaration of being caught and the responsibility of catching others.
Date: Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 1 pm & 7.30 pm
Location: Frankston Arts Centre, 27-37 Davey Street, Frankston
Price: $33 – $40 + BF
Moon Shadow Studio — Kiki and Zuki
Step into a gentle world of shadows and storytelling with Kiki & Zuki, a beautifully crafted performance blending puppetry, overhead projector shadow work, and live theatrical storytelling.
Follow two unlikely friends as they embark on a journey of discovery, friendship, and understanding. Through imaginative visuals and playful performance, Kiki & Zuki encourages curiosity, creativity, and embracing our differences, making it a thoughtful theatre experience for families and young audiences.
Date & Times:
Saturday 16 May 2026, 12 pm & 2 pm
Sunday 17 May 2026, 10 am, 12 pm & 2 pm
Location: Cube 37, Davey Street, Frankston
Duration: 50 minutes (no interval)
Age Guide: Recommended for ages 6–12
Warnings: Low light, dark space and quiet environment
Price: $15 – $20
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NIOW — You Are Me
Experience a playful blend of theatre, gaming and interactive storytelling with You Are Me, an all-ages participatory performance installation by Niow.
Inspired by retro text-based video games, this immersive work reimagines gameplay as live theatre. Using puppetry and a creative mix of technologies, a miniature greenhouse becomes the stage for Nuku, a quirky pink-haired character whose journey unfolds through audience interaction and imagination.
Part performance, part game, You Are Me invites audiences to shape the story in real time, creating a unique experience each session.
Dates & Times:
Saturday, 9 May 2026, 12 pm – 1:30 pm & 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Saturday, 16 May 2026, 12 pm – 1:30 pm & 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Frankston Arts Centre Foyer, 27-37 Davey Street, Frankston
Price: FREE, no bookings required
Street Art Walking Tours
Saturday 9 & Saturday 16 May 2026, 10 am – 3 pm
Meeting point: Frankston Library Forecourt
Explore Frankston’s renowned street art scene on a guided walking tour revealing the stories behind the murals and the artists who created them. Tours conclude at the new Street Art Studio, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the creative process. Approx. 60 minutes. More information
Shan Gao Shui Chang
Thursday 14 May 2026, 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Cube 37
A dancer, visual artist and musician transform movement into an immersive sonic and visual landscape exploring shared experiences of diaspora and migration.
Combining ancient Chinese water painting and tea ceremony with contemporary dance, machine learning and interactive technology, the work uses the body’s natural conductivity and everyday objects to generate real-time sound and visuals. More information
Skate Jam Family Fun Day
Saturday 9 May 2026, 12 pm – 3 pm
Frankston Skate Park
Head to Frankston Skate Park for a free afternoon of skate clinics, equipment hire and community activities. Lessons cater to all skill levels, making it an accessible introduction for beginners while still offering fun for experienced skaters. Suitable for ages 5+. More information
South Side Festival, 8 - 17 May 2026, Frankston
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WIN a Family Pass to Kiki & Zuki.
We are giving away 4 family passes (2 adults + 2 children) to see Kiki & Zuki, a beautiful shadow theatre adventure full of imagination, storytelling and discovery.
Available session times:
Saturday 16 May 2026, 12 pm or 2 pm
Sunday 17 May 2026, 10 am, 12 pm or 2 pm
How to enter:
Simply fill in your details below to go into the draw.
Entries close: Midnight, Sunday 10 May 2026
Winners announced: On our Facebook page and contacted directly via email.
Good luck — we can’t wait for families to experience this special show!
Terms and conditions
The winner will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. Any prizes not claimed within 48 hours may be reallocated to another winner. Open to Australian Residents only. You must be aged 18 years or over to enter. Those who add their details on the above form and press submit by midnight Sunday 10 May 2026, will be entered into the competition. There are 4 family passes (2 adults + 2 kids) to be won. The family pass can be used for any of the above sessions. The prize is non-transferable. In the event that Kiddiehood postpones or varies the competition prize, Kiddiehood will not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or personal injury suffered or sustained as a result of entering the competition. While Kiddiehood takes care to ensure all information relating to the Competition is correct, it does not warrant the accuracy of all information provided and will not be liable for any inaccuracy or error.
Good luck!
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We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
