FRANKSTON City will celebrate 60 years since its official declaration as a city on 24 August 1966, with a weekend of free events across the CBD from 21 to 23 August.
The program will include live music, exhibitions, storytelling, author talks and historical displays, with more events to be added in the lead-up to the anniversary.
The celebrations open on 21 August with Rising Creators: Your Frankston, Your Way at Frankston Library, where author Danielle Binks and illustrator Judy Watson will guide participants in writing and drawing their own version of the city, inspired by historic photos and local places.
On 22 August, the Beauty Park Markets will bring forward the start of the Little Beauty Market season, with more than 100 local creatives selling craft, food and design at Beauty Park.
McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery will mark the occasion with exhibitions from local artists Christopher Pyett and Alison Tedesco, running across both weekend dates.
Frankston Arts Centre and Cube 37 will host the Celebrating Frankston exhibition, along with Postcards from Frankston, When Hollywood Came to Frankston and No Place Like Home, each exploring the city’s history and community.
Frankston Library will also host Little Stories for Little Locals, a storytime session featuring readings from local children’s book authors and illustrators.
Local artists Jack and Josh will lead a community mural painting on Dandenong Road West, depicting Frankston’s natural environment, cultural heritage and historic landmarks.
At the Frankston Library Lounge, journalist Paul Kennedy will host Growing Up Frankston: Authors in Conversation, a discussion with Shaun Carney, Alan Wickes and Sue Robinson on how their Frankston upbringing shaped their writing and careers.
The day will close with the Frankston 60th Anniversary Swing Night at Cube 37, featuring a five-piece swing band, dancing, prizes and giveaways.
On 23 August, residents can visit Ballam Park Homestead to walk the grounds and learn about the city’s history, before a free screening of Stanley Kramer’s film On the Beach at Frankston Arts Centre and Cube 37, which will also run across two dates.
A full calendar of events is available to download from the Frankston City Council website, with further additions expected before the anniversary weekend.
First published in the Frankston Times – 4 August 2026