10th September 2026 -
13th September 2026
This year’s festival theme is -That Other Place.
Drawing inspiration from the Isle of Portland’s proud oddness, the now-defunct Portland Fair, and local resident David Palmer’s extraordinary Fair archives.
That Other Place is about island-ness, otherness, and oddness as creative forces; new ways of seeing and living that can open up better futures.
In 2026, we’re bringing this to life through artists and communities bringing back the Portland Fair alongside four ambitious, year-long artist projects rooted in the island.
You can view all the artists involved below. Their projects – along with our unique island – form a bold, living exploration of place.
We can’t wait to welcome audiences to Portland to experience this. There’s something extraordinary in the meeting of artists, communities, and landscape that you can’t find anywhere else.
See you at b-side.
b-side festival 2026 Events
Festival 26
Whispers from the Wood
27th July - 17th August 2026
Multiple dates
France Quarry -meeting point
Nature-based art workshops
Festival 26
Making for Mums – art workshops
27th July - 17th August 2026
Multiple dates
France Quarry -meeting point
Nature-based art workshops
Festival 26
And So Our Shadows Dance – Shadow Workshop
23rd August 2026
St Georges Centre
A shadow making workshop, exploring memories and the history of the Portland Fair
Festival 26
Siren Song
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
The Cove House Inn
A playful and poignant promenade performance inspired by Portland's folklore
Festival 26
Light Hearted
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Victoria Gardens
What happens when strangers connect?
Festival 26
Ball Run Palace
10th - 12th September 2026
Multiple dates
Victoria Gardens
Come and help build the b-side Ball Run Palace
Festival 26
Plucky Dip
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Bakers Ground
Part sculpture, part game and part tribute to Portland's industrial past
Festival 26
Carnivorous (2025)
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Chiswell Community Garden
A sculptural installation made from steel
Festival 26
Night Flowers
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Ranters Lodge
An installation of 50 drawings and prints
Festival 26
Ghosts of the Fair
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Bakers Ground, Brandy Row Car Park, Clements Lane, Masonic Hall, Royal Manor Theatre
An immersive audio trail
Festival 26
Festival Info Hub + Cat’s Cafe
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Royal Manor Theatre
Festival Hub and Pop-up Cafe
Festival 26
Films at b-side
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Royal Manor Theatre
A rolling programme of outstanding short films
Festival 26
Portland’s Peculiar Arcana
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
b-side 77
Step into a tarot-inspired world where Portland's past, present and future meet.
Festival 26
Fragments (Architectural) 2024
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
69 Fortuneswell
Giclée print
Festival 26
Find Us Between the Slip Spaces II
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Old Engine Shed
A large-scale textile archway stitched, stuffed and dyed with Portland plants
Festival 26
Go Find Miracles
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Old Engine Shed
A moving soundscape in the landscape that inspired it
Festival 26
The Island Beneath the Skin performance
10th September 2026
QUIDDLES
A series of pop up performances by dancer Jamal Sterrett
Festival 26
Sea of Flags
10th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Jubilee Gateway
A vibrant installation of handmade flags
Festival 26
TRIBE – Walk & Workshop
10th September 2026
High Angle Battery
A walk and gentle improvisation workshop
Festival 26
Fair Play
11th - 12th September 2026
Multiple dates
17a Chiswell, 8 Clements lane, Masonic Hall
A collection of animated projections
Festival 26
And So Our Shadows Dance – b-side nights
11th September 2026
Chiswell Community Garden
Transform everyday materials into giant moving spectacles
Festival 26
Tales of Transformation
11th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
A creative writing workshop exploring tales of transformation
Festival 26
Royal Mannerisms
11th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
A mirthful, mischievous and mystical evening
Festival 26
How To Build a Library
11th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
Documentary about memory, history and cultural reclamation
Festival 26
Heritage Walks
11th September 2026
Multiple dates
High Angle Battery
A guided walk with Dorset Council's Senior Archaeologist
Festival 26
Hidden Portland – Our Island, Our Stories
11th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Portland Museum
Help create an alternative portrait of Portland.
Festival 26
The Island Beneath the Skin performance
11th September 2026
Victoria Gardens
A series of pop up performances by dancer Jamal Sterrett
Festival 26
Bruk up workshop
11th September 2026
Bakers Ground
A movement workshop inspired by Portland's landscapes, histories and rhythms.
Festival 26
Invocations
12th September 2026
Masonic Hall
Invocations is a large scale projection piece created by Jim Chuchu.
Festival 26
And So Our Shadows Dance – b-side nights
12th September 2026
Bakers Ground
Transform everyday materials into giant moving spectacles
Festival 26
And So Our Shadows Dance – daytime
12th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
High Angle Battery
Transform everyday materials into giant moving spectacles
Festival 26
Make a Flag Workshop
12th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Victoria Gardens
Design your own flag and watch it become part of the Sea of Flags!
Festival 26
The Land Remains
12th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
Film screening with Director Boris Thompson-Roylance
Festival 26
St Paul’s and The Marbled White
12th September 2026
Memory Stones
Join artist Simon Lee Dicker and friends for a guided walk.
Festival 26
Bruk up workshop
12th September 2026
High Angle Battery
A movement workshop inspired by Portland's landscapes, histories and rhythms.
Festival 26
The Island Beneath the Skin performance
12th September 2026
Jubilee Gateway
A series of pop up performances by dancer Jamal Sterrett
Festival 26
Cafe Ope- The Portland Fair
12th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
David Palmer shares his memories and archive of Portland Fair
Festival 26
Trishaw Rides
12th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Old Engine Shed, The Beehive Cafe
FREE trishaw tours with Cycling Without Age.
Festival 26
Developing Creative Ideas
13th September 2026
Royal Manor Theatre
A mirthful, mischievous and mystical evening
Festival 26
Queer as Plants
13th September 2026
France Quarry -meeting point
A guided walk through France Quarry.
Festival 26
Portland Parade 2026
13th September 2026
Easton Gardens
Join us for the weirdest and most joyful Portland Parade yet!
Festival 26
The Island Beneath the Skin performance
13th September 2026
Church Ope Viewing Platform
A series of pop up performances by dancer Jamal Sterrett
Plan Your Visit
Time to get practical – let us help you plan your b-side getaway from one day to a long weekend in this glorious place, experiencing incredible artwork and making new friends. Here’s some information on how to get here and some ideas on where to stay too.
b-side festival 2026 That Other Place Artists
SEE ALL ARTISTS
