The Fremantle International Street Arts Festival will return this Easter weekend, from April 3 to April 6, bringing global performances to the port city. The event will feature street theatre, circus acts, and live music at locations including Fishing Boat Harbour, the Esplanade, Fremantle Prison, and the Cappuccino Strip, which will be closed to vehicles.
More than 100,000 visitors are expected over the four days, with all performances free of charge. Creative producer Brendan Coleman highlighted the festival's role in supporting local hospitality and retail businesses, noting that the closure of the Cappuccino Strip allows restaurants to extend alfresco dining into the street, creating a European atmosphere.
Last year's festival attracted 125,000 attendees and generated an estimated $10.57 million in visitor expenditure, an 8.3% increase from 2024. Spending on dining and entertainment rose by 15.6%. Local businesses such as Sail & Anchor, the National Hotel, and the FOMO Building contribute funding, which Coleman described as a symbiotic relationship benefiting all parties.
This year's lineup includes international acts like OSADÍA from Barcelona and the Cho Kairin Super Acrobat Team from China and Japan, alongside local performers in the Freo Finest pitch. A West End zone on High Street will feature vintage market sellers on Saturday, and after-dark live music concerts will continue the festivities.
Coleman, a performer in the inaugural 1999 festival, noted its growth from a local busking celebration to a globally recognized event. He emphasized the support from businesses, Tourism WA, and the City of Fremantle, which has produced the festival from the beginning.
