About the Frankston Lights Festival
The event has grown into so much popularity, becoming a well-celebrated tradition to Frankston folks. Thousands of families and circles in various communities gather around to witness the lighting ceremony of the 100-year old Norfolk pine tree in Davey street, which is followed by a grand fireworks display.
As a much-anticipated event by most locals and other travelers, the Frankston City Council is always upfront chasing horizons to bring the best of the best of each year’s Christmas Festival of Lights, barely missing out on the live music festival, Christmas carols, concerts, carnival rides, Christmas parades, and food stalls.
Festival Dates
The Frankston Lights Festival has been bringing out incredible Christmas magic to tourists for 22 years now. Late November of each year is gladly welcomed with great anticipation from people as it is the time of the festival that runs until Christmas Eve.
Withstanding the COVID-19 restrictions, the city has still safely and innovatively celebrated a prosperous Christmas by launching Frankston’s Magical Christmas 2020. Seventeen Christmas events and festive activities gloriously filled with the Christmas spirit are the highlights of the festival. Frankston’s Magical Christmas Concert was the event’s kick-off show that began on November 28 up until Christmas Eve.
Are you wondering how the festival was made possible despite the situation? Well, the festival went through online! Even without the aid of mass gatherings or face-to-face events, locals could still joyfully feel the Christmas spirit even they are in their homes. The Magical Christmas Concert was streamed at the Frankston Arts Centre, featuring several sought-after Christmas songs and unique Christmas stories! Christmas decorations were also displayed in the city.
But how about this year? Like last year despite the same situation, the organizers will work hard again to bring up a one-of-a-kind Christmas festival.
We will update as soon as they announced
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
Over the years, Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights is majestically celebrated around the corners of Davey Street and Young Street in the Central Business District of Frankston. It is also near the Frankston Arts Centre and Frankston Civic Centre.
For those future tourists planning to join this festive celebration, you can follow this travel route:
By Air- There are four nearby airports to Frankston that you might opt to choose out of your flight, including Melbourne Airport, Avalon Airport, Essendon Fields Airport, and Albury Airport. Melbourne Airport is the nearest to Frankston and will take you there for about 58 minutes, in the shortest time possible. From these airports, you can reach Frankston through bus, train, taxi, or car hires. Traveling by car will get you fastest there and take you for only around 1 hour of travel.
By Bus – The nearest possible entry point for tourists going to Frankston is Melbourne Airport. Operating there is the Frankston and Peninsula Airport Shuttle Bus (SkyBus) available daily. The Metropolitan buses going to the city usually cover up approximately 4 hours of travel while 3 hours for the fastest one.
Other operating bus services going to Frankston are Ventura, Transdev Melbourne, and Cranbourne Transit. While around the city, numerous bus lines are going to and from the Frankston City Centre, and you can find them at Playne Street, Beach Street, or Fletcher Road.
By Train – Frankston Metro Trains operates from different stations like Leawarra Station, Kananook Station, Frankston Station, and more. The travel time is about 6 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, if you’re going out of the city to Melbourne, the Frankston Train Station is just around the corner that departs every 10-20 minutes.
Suppose you’re already in the Frankston City Centre and want to wander around. In that case, there are numerous taxi operators, and car hires you can access around the city, especially on the corners of Young Street and Davey Street, the festival’s venue.
Festival Hours
The festival is quite a long month, so spectators’ anticipation is growing more and more each year. Frankston’s Magical Christmas 2020 ran from November 28 until Christmas eve.
Since all the featured activities were virtual or not crowd-based, most of them started by 9:00 am up to 10:00 pm.
Let us stay tuned for updates from the organizers
Cost to Visit the Festival
Since most parts of the world are still adherent to the COVID-19 restrictions, evidently, as the last year’s Frankston Magical Christmas 2020 went virtual, possibly the same situation will be expected this year.
Of course, even before the festival’s live celebrations, all the activities are free and open to all people. So, witnessing an extravagant and magical Christmas celebration won’t always cost you much budget. Just try to consider the Frankston Christmas Festival of Lights in your future travel plans. They’ll get your Christmas celebration free for you, indeed!
Weather and What to Wear
December is the festival season for Frankston, as well as the season for winter! Its average weather ranges from 10 to 13 Degree Celsius, so you need your best winter outfits.
Don’t forget to prepare your gloves, warm hats, hoodies, jeans, sweaters, heavy coats, and winter boots for you to get the best of your time in the city.
Hotel Nearby the lights festival
When you got caught up too much for the festival, worry no more because there are many budget-friendly and highly recommended stay-in lodges around the venue.
The Frankston International Motel is ideally located at the Frankston City Centre. And it is quite one of the closest lodges from the festival’s venue for it is only 4 minutes away. It is also highly rated for its high quality guest rooms serving you with great amenities like in-house movies, spas, mini-bars, and others that will cater to all your needs.
If you want to spend some time alone and meet people, you can go around the nearby Bayside Shopping Centre or enjoy some drinks at the Taggarts Café & Bar inside the motel complex. The beach is only a short stroll from it if you want to take a short break from city life. A room costs $160 per night.
Beach Motor Inn is also one of the nearest, which will only take you 5 minutes to go to the venue. Its convenient location is not just the only thing they offer but also they provide great comfort through their amenities. They have family rooms perfect if you’re traveling with a group. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi access around its area, laundry service, non-smoking rooms, and many other services.
For those looking for an economic stay at Frankston, Ibis Budget Dandenong is a smart choice for you. A standard room will cost you $63 per night, and it is only 22 minutes away from the city centre. It is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a short escape to refresh and unwind. It is located near the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley wine region. Both have special access to guests of the hotel.
Also, one of the cheap stay-in lodges you can find around the festival’s venue is the Sandown Heritage Motel. The place is best for many local restaurants and café nearby that is a must-try. Adjacent to it is the Dandenong Ranges and the Sandown Park Racecourse, ideal for some leisure activities. Your best memories here will be completed if you’ll try hopping to Philip Island and play with penguins, only a few minute’s drive away from the motel.
What to Eat – Restaurants NearBy
Aside from the festival, your travel experience in Frankston will be much merrier if you’ll try resto-hopping around the area. You’ll find many of them in great deals, excellent food, and service.
Hooked in Thai is just a walking distance from the festival venue. It is best known as an authentic Thai cuisine restaurant. Their menu varies from entrée, soup, salads, and curries giving you such a unique food experience.
Gaining hundreds of good reviews, Cucina Dolce is just 15 minutes away from the festival venue and an incredible spot for those looking for Australian and Italian menus. The pizza flavors are all a fantastic treat you won’t regret! All customers and their staff also love their pasta.
Another conveniently located food place, especially for coffee lovers out there, is Commonfolk Frankston.They are best for their organic coffee brewed authentically with a unique purpose of creating mateship among customers while enjoying their best set of breakfast and lunch food.
More Things to Do in The Area
For a good family and friendly experience, you can check out for Kananook Creek Walking Trail. This quiet place is a good spot for true relaxation. The kids will enjoy watching numerous fishes swimming around the creek. The paddleboat ride is also a great family bonding activity.
McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park is also just around the corner. All tourists, especially the children, will enjoy and explore several sculptures around the park. There are indoor galleries and a café. They have a $6 worth Day Pass, and the children below 18 can enjoy everything for free.
Are you looking for some beach air? Oliver’s Overview is waiting for you. It’s a superb romantic getaway for traveling couples out there because of its spectacular ocean view across Port Philip Bay. Of course, don’t ever miss the sunset there! It will truly be a memorable travel experience.
I know our prolonged crisis and current travel restrictions are wearying our excitement to go on backpacking trips! But it’s worth the wait if you’ll check in Frankston’s Christmas Festival of Lights in your travel bucket list! Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hoping everyone to safe always!
