Frankston City to sparkle with top events
Published on 22 August 2023
A stunning film festival, unforgettable New Year’s Eve party and an outdoor music venue with mesmerising light-filled water tanks are among the events that will deliver huge dividends as part of Frankston City Council’s Destination Event Attraction Program (DEAP).
Mayor Nathan Conroy said this year’s successful applicants for DEAP funding will bring major events that invigorate the community, draw approximately 27,000 visitors and add $2 million to the local economy.
“Frankston City is building on its reputation as a creative and vibrant destination city. Fresh off winning Bronze in the 2023 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards for the second consecutive year, these events will offer the local community quality entertainment and attract new audiences – ensuring Frankston is well and truly the place to be,” he said.
The DEAP offers funding and in-kind sponsorship to support experienced creatives, collaborators and event organizations to curate and deliver a single or series of events from concept through to presentation in Frankston City.
“Frankston is a creative city and we’re working tirelessly to build its reputation as an arts, culture and tourism destination. The DEAP is the centrepiece to Council’s efforts to rejuvenate our visitor economy and strengthen our positioning as a destination for major and seasonal events,” Mayor Conroy said.
Mayor Conroy, along with Councillors Suzette Tayler and David Asker, played pivotal roles in formulating, progressing and securing funding for the DEAP along with guiding its ongoing success with staff.
Events funded via the 2023/24 round of the DEAP include:
Sunset Twilight Markets
Sunset Twilight Markets are back at the picturesque Frankston Waterfront for a limited run of Friday evenings from October to January. The Waterfront will come alive with curated stallholders, street food, entertainment, bars and more. Indulge in a variety of cuisines, sample some local boutique beers, spirits and wines, and purchase something special that is handmade from a local artisan.
Friday Nights at the Waterfront will bring a holiday vibe to Frankston over the spring/summer period. Supported by Frankston City Council’s DEAP, the Sunset Twilight Markets are a great place for visitors and residents to indulge in all that is on offer. With free entry, it is a great way for everyone to end the week. Link: https://www.facebook.com/sunsettwilightmarket/
Lucky Day Out
New Year’s Eve at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston on Sunday 31 December featuring a stacked line-up of your favourite DJs. Music, food, bars, and views of the foreshore – Lucky Day Out has everything you need for an unforgettable night. Link: https://www.luckydayout.com.au/
Event Organiser Rylee Pabedinskas said: “We’re so excited to be bringing Lucky Day Out back to Frankston this New Year’s Eve! After the success of last year's event, and the continuing support of Frankston City Council, we’re thrilled to be able to bring this event to life even bigger in 2023, and create an unforgettable New Year's Eve party in Frankston.”
Reminisce Decades
A celebration of the top 50 house tracks from the last decade, voted by you and counted down at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston on Friday, 26 January. Reminisce grew out of a backyard party in Frankston more than a decade ago, hosted by Corey Topp and Mark Middo – before becoming a full festival. Now, a dozen years on, the festival is embarking on a tour of Australia, with a much-anticipated stop in Frankston, where it all began. Link: https://reminisce.dj/
Reminisce co-founder Corey Topp said: “We've always dreamed of bringing the event back to where we grew up and it all started. We had considered it and made some enquiries, but it wasn't until our dialogue with the Council that things started falling into place. Now, as everything is coming together, we're really excited to bring it back to its origins.”
Stellar Short Film Festival
Stellar Short Film Festival will return to the McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery on Saturday March 2, 2024. Guests are guaranteed a magical experience under the stars, surrounded by sculptures of national and international significance, dotted among the native bushland in a stunning natural amphitheatre.
The Stellar 12 film program promises patrons the 12 best Australian short films of the year, ensuring a night of quality entertainment. Link: https://www.stellarshortfilmfestival.com.au/
Event Organiser Jasmine Charles said: “We are thrilled to have the continued support of the Frankston City Council in assuring Stellar Short Film Festival will return in early 2024. We see this as another great step forward in helping to develop Frankston as a location for the arts community, showcasing the greatest short films and the hottest emerging talent in film in Australia.”
Kubik
An outdoor live entertainment venue constructed from light-filled water tanks that change colour in response to music, Kubik is the concept of a Berlin-based architecture firm. The temporary space will present a range of programming across multiple weeks, taking over McCombs Reserve at the Frankston Waterfront, in April – featuring some of Melbourne’s best DJs, food and drink offerings. Link: https://kubik.live/
The DEAP is a key component of Council’s Destination Events Strategy 2023-2028, which supports events across three tiers with funding of up to $150,000 available for significant events. The purpose of this program is to enliven the community, drive visitation, and achieve positive creative, economic and social aspects.
These events are an addition to the already extensive range of exciting festivals available in Frankston City, including Frankston's Christmas Festival of Lights, Waterfront Festival, Ventana, Big Picture Festival and South Side Festival. This year also the City will welcome back elite AFLW action with four Hawthorn home games and regular favourite, the Little Beauty Market.
When it comes to festivals and events, live shows and theatre Frankston City will be the place to be this summer and beyond.
Visit https://www.discoverfrankston.com/ for the latest updates and to download your 2023/24 event guide. Regular updates will also be posted here.