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 responding to the long lost Portland Fair alongside four ambitious, year-long artist projects rooted in the island.
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 guide is here!
Our printed Festival Guide is waiting for you at briilant cultural venues, cafes, TIC's and community venues in Dorset. If you can't grab yourself a copy though here's a digital version - enjoy!
Scroll down for all festival events.
b-side festival 2026 Events
Festival 26
Find Us in 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
Trishaw Rides
12th - 13th September 2026
Multiple dates
Old Engine Shed, The Beehive Cafe
FREE trishaw tours with Cycling Without Age.
Festival 26
Meet the Artist
13th September 2026
Old Engine Shed
Meet the creator of Find Us in the Slip Spaces II - Ella Yolande
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
