A winter festival of mysterious and marvellous installations, exhibitions, and performances will take place throughout Walyalup | Fremantle from 7th-17th August. 

Fremantle’s winter festival sets the town aglow each year with music, sensory splendour, fire, ceremony and art. A selection of both free and ticketed events targeting all age ranges, this year the festival aims to entice audiences out of their homes this winter.

Fremantle’s historic Town Hall is the epicentre of the festival, hosting children’s sensory workshops, a ‘climate cabaret’, dance party, experimental theatre, gigs and much more.

In Esplanade Park botanical artist Lara Rose Bos will create an interactive installation in the Norfolk Island Pine tree grove canopies; the ‘Wishing Trees’ offering up a reflective space for contemplation and collective awareness.

Newly-opened eateries Cassia and Moon & Mary join forces with the Old Courthouse to create ‘Lucifer Lane’ – one night of food and fire featuring hot chestnut stands, mulled wine, fire pits, fiery shows and roving entertainment with dinner hosted throughout the three venues.

‘Coven’ by Felicity Groom invites audiences to find the witches in hidden corners around Walyalup | Fremantle, the collaborative visual and audio project featuring female artists representing various elements.

Jo O’Dea has taken the helm of producing the festival for the first time, having previously worked on events including Bunbury Fringe, the Geographe WA Alternative Varieties Wine Show and the Nannup Flower and Garden Festival.

“This year’s festival features a bumper line up of 31 events, workshops, exhibitions and performances. From comedy nights to photography talks, an accessible dance party, experimental theatre, exhibitions and everything in between, we have created a program that will get audiences off the couch this winter and into the streets of Walyalup and I feel privileged to have been trusted with this task,” O’Dea said.

“These events are for everyone – kids will love the curious world of ‘Drip Drop’, an immersive colourful experience of ice and water; while the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a spectacular concert at Town Hall.

“With themed guided trails in Booyeembara Park, a ‘Climate Cabaret’ from Hannah Moloney of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, experimental theatre with Max Barton (Wednesdays at The End of the World) and Mowanjum Now bringing the Kimberley warmth to wintery Fremantle, we invite everyone to check out the program and find something that resonates with them.”

The festivities continue at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre, where a loaned exhibition from U.K. artist David Shrigley will bring the conceptual, interactive Tennis Ball Exchange to Perth for the first time.

For those that prefer a late-night jaunt, Freak Out! The Afterparty from boundary-pushing Gendermess will bring the ultimate late-night variety experience, an electrifying fusion of drag, burlesque, circus and cabaret set to a pulsating soundtrack of 90s house and club anthems.

The full program is available to view now at https://10nightsinport.com.au/.