So the Freo International Street Arts Festival got underway today, Friday 3 April 2026 and our Jean Hudson was there to catch some of the action. Here’s her report.
The Fremantle Street Arts Festival kicked off Friday at midday to blistering sunshine and huge crowds. Beneath the towering pines at the Esplanade, Brendan Coleman, FISAF’s creative director introduced Auntie Marie, who opened the event with a lovely welcome to country.
Here are two shows from today that you shouldn’t miss.
WEIGHT(LESS);FROM UK
The first act was Weight(less) performance by Mimbre, a 25-year-old company, and it is a festival must-see. Families sat on the grass near the stage, children pointed up in awe, and the crowd buzzed with excitement, what a fabulous festival opener.
The show features three female acrobats, moving elegantlyand gently through amazing feats of strength, balance and drama.
Performance Times
Saturday Esplanade Park 1pm & 4pm
Sunday Esplanade Park 1pm & 4pm
Monday Esplanade Park 12pm & 3pm
SURCOUF FROM FRANCE: TWO MEN IN A RAFT
Then I watched Surcouf from the edge of beautiful Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Two men on a small wobbly floating raft and in a tiny boat. They blend circus, risk and humour on the shimmering water. The tender show leaves you reflecting on companionship, resilience, and the beauty of finding stability amid life’s quiet storms. This show attracted a huge crowd at the Fishing Boat Harbour.
Performance Times
Saturday Fishing Boat Harbour, 1pm & 4pm
Sunday Fishing Boat Harbour, 1.30pm & 4pm
Monday Fishing Boat Harbour, 12.30pm & 3.30pm
As I walked back to my car along Bathers Beach, a huge container ship Olympic Bay slipped into the harbour, reminding me that while artists perform and swimmers splash in the ocean, port workers carry on.
This is Fremantle’s 26th FISAF and it has over 160 free, family-friendly performances along Freo’s streets, parks and waterfront. Don’t miss it. Catch the train or the bus into Freo and enjoy street art at its best.
Words and photographs by Jean Hudson
Jean Hudson is our Shipping and Sailing Correspondent and also a regular feature writer, reviewer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may also like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.
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