Freo gets ready for 10 Nights in Port and school holiday LEGO fun

Now that lockdown is behind us and restrictions are easing, the City of Fremantle is embracing winter with an exciting school holiday program and the return of the highly anticipated Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port.

Across Fremantle, families and kids are spoilt for choice these July school holidays. To kick things off, there’s the FREO BUILDS adventure trail. The City has commissioned some of Perth’s top LEGO® builders to create 10 unique tiny builds inspired by Fremantle’s incredible history and stories of convicts, shipwrecks, fishing, museums and century-old markets.

If that wasn’t enough LEGO® fun, the WA Maritime Museum’s Brickwrecks exhibition is on now. Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught worked with expert maritime archaeologists to bring eight astonishing shipwrecks to LEGO® life for the exhibition.

For puppetry fans, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an awesome program, including its latest production Rules of Summer on now until 17 July.  

Then from 15 to 25 July, Freo’s undeniable special character and its creative community will take centre stage for Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port.

This year’s festival program celebrates culture and storytelling through a carefully curated line-up of events including contemporary music, dance, large-scale installations, rituals, films and immersive experiences.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the influx of visitors to Fremantle over the next couple of weeks would be a great boost for local businesses following the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequent restrictions.

“The pandemic has also impacted many creative communities and artists over the past year, so it’s fantastic to see festivals back in Freo,” Cr Sullivan said.

“City staff have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring back 10 Nights in Port in 2021 and are very excited to present a program that gives voices to local people, place, culture and environments.”

One of the many highlights on the 10 Nights in Port program is Epic Dance, which pays tribute to the dance history of Fremantle. From First Nation’s cultural dance and Bhangra through to Dancehall and contemporary dance, workshops will culminate in an Epic Dance party reflecting, exchanging and celebrating cultural forms across all dance genres.

Winter’s wild environment is also embraced in the festival program with audiences invited to submerge themselves in Soak & Steam – a series of outdoor hot baths and steam rooms designed to allow festivalgoers the chance to unwind, embrace the winter cold and watch the world go by.

On the fashion front there’s Deadly Denim; this sensational and high energy First Nations fashion event will celebrate local designers Tia Semi - Funk N Soul 97 and Rebecca Rickard. Showcasing Aboriginal, Maori and Pacific Islander culture through fashion and dance, this runway event includes collections from both internationally showcased and local emerging designers.

Back for its 11th year, the highly successful Hidden Treasures rocks on over two nights. Featuring 35 acts, Hidden Treasures is an institution that showcases the musical wealth of WA in all its isolated glory, diversity and talented power.

For more information about Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port, including the extensive program and ticketing, visit 10nightsinport.com.au.

For more information about school holiday events, activities and special offers, go to visitfremantle.com.au/schoolholidays.

Image: Hidden Treasures will rock on over two jam-packed nights during Fremantle Festival: 10 Nights in Port. Image credit: Tashi Hall.