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Rooted on the Isle of Portland, we commission new art, produce an annual international arts festival, and welcome visitors to stay at our BnB-side—inviting them to become friends of this extraordinary place and community.

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Windows at 77 – Lisa Lindqvist

Work by artist Lisa Lindqvist
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LGBT+side

Art, chat, food and friendship
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National Emergency Screening – Portland

A special community screening: The People’s Emergency Briefing
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b-side BIG weekend 2026

This year’s festival theme is “That Other Place” and draws inspiration from the Portland Fair and local resident David Palmer’s Fair archives.

The famous Portland Fair was a hugely popular annual event for more than 200 years – part childhood rite, part magical interruption to everyday life. But we’re not here to rebuild or reinstate the old Fair plank-by-plank. The 2026 festival, we will reawaken the experience of it — in a stranger, twistier, sideways sort of way.

EVENTS + EXHIBITIONS

What will your b-side look like this year? Get planning

b-side festival 2026

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Share your creativity with the world!

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Start planning your b-side visit

How to get here
    SLIDES

  • "Thank you so much for bringing something new to Portland. My daughter and I had lots of fun and everyone was extremely friendly."

    Visitor

  • “In its every breath it has everything to do with the place and people”

    Visitor

  • “b-side festival never disappoints, it surprises and delights. We explore the unknown and the unseen.”

    Festival Visitor

GET INVOLVED

Feeling creative?

There are lots of ways you can get involved in b-side’s work, whether you’re an artist, young person or just eager to be part of what we do.

Get Involved

SUPPORT US

We’re proud of the wide range of art we’ve been bringing to Dorset since 2008. Help us to keep wowing you.

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