Gertrude Street Projection Festival

Bundle up and set out on an exploration of Gertrude Street. The Projection Festival features both small and large scale projections — from small works lighting up shop windows to whole sides of buildings awash in colourful light. There are plenty of cosy venues along the route to duck into for a warming drink or a cold beer if you’re feeling the chill in the air.
The scale and ‘wow factor’ aren’t as massive as the Christmas and White Night projections, but the crowds aren’t as big either. This event is more suited to conversation and casual strolling at your own pace. With the bright lights and friends & families roaming the street, it almost feels like Christmas… in July!

Held every winter, the Gertrude Street Projection Festival offers a different perspective to one of Fitzroy’s trendiest streets. Here you won’t need your snazziest outfit, a wallet full of cash or a reservation that you made a month ago… you will just need some comfortable and warm clothing and your own two feet.
Start at the Smith Street end of Gertrude and make your way yup towards Brunswick, stopping to look at art projections in shop window, on the sides of building and footpaths. The crowd usually gets bigger at the end of the 10 day festival so come earlier if you want some solitude.
A really great way to spend and hour on a cold July evening.

This festival of light happens annually in July on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. I first heard about it through tram advertising and then read more advertising in the local street press.
I highly recommend becoming a viewer next year. Whole buildings are turned into projection screens that have static and moving light displays. Also used are smaller projections within store windows and even projections on to the footpath and trees. No space is spared and the imagination of the artist is limitless.
I love the concept of light as art and this festival has chosen wisely and collaborated with some fantastic artists. It is a fun and innovative festival that is free for the general public to view.
Normally a five-​minute walk form Nicholson St to Smith St — this exhibition takes about an hour to take in and appreciate. A small amount of time that will leave a large impression.