$250,000 allocated to attract bold new events to Frankston City
Published on 06 February 2026
Frankston City Council is calling on event organisers, producers and creative innovators to bring bold ideas to life, with a $250,000 funding pool now available to attract the next wave of standout destination events to Frankston City.
Applications are now open for Council’s 2026-27 Destination Event Attraction Program (DEAP), an annual competitive funding program designed to strengthen Frankston City’s reputation as a vibrant, creative events destination, and to draw new audiences to the city.
A funding pool of $250,000 has been allocated as part of the DEAP, providing financial and in-kind support to organisations to deliver unique experiences, embrace bold ideas, celebrate cultural diversity and showcase Frankston’s lifestyle.
A key component of Council’s Destination Events Strategy 2023-2028, DEAP events are expected to annually draw over 50,000 visitors and generate $5 million in economic benefit annually.
Among the events chosen to return in the 2025-2026 season include The Carlsberg Beach Club, The Australian Sand Sculpting Championships and Frankston Swim Classic, catering for a wide variety of visitors and community demographics.
“With easy access from Melbourne, a stunning foreshore and a growing reputation for creativity, Frankston is perfectly placed to host events that surprise, delight and attract visitors from across Victoria and beyond,” Frankston City Council Mayor Sue Baker said.
“We’re calling on event organisers to work with us and help shape the next chapter of Frankston’s events story.”
Frankston City’s 2026 event calendar is already primed to wow audiences, headlined by the first-ever Frankston Fire Festival in June and the Stellar Short Film Festival in February, much-loved annual events such as the Waterfront Festival, Frankston Street Art Festival and South Side Festival.
“Frankston City is already recognised as a creative centre in Melbourne’s south-east, and this program helps take that reputation to the next level,” Mayor Baker said.
“By supporting great events, we’re growing the creative economy, attracting new visitors, creating local jobs and injecting fresh energy into the city.”
Funding allocations are determined against a range of criteria, with a total funding pool of $250,000, outlined in the 26/27 guidelines.
Applicants are encourage to pitch their event concept and specify the investment they are seeking from Council to create, relocate or host their event in Frankston City.
Stage One applications are now open and close Sunday 8 March.
To learn more about the DEAP program and to check eligibility, visit: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Things-To-Do/Get-Involved/Destination-Event-Attraction-Program