Get ready to immerse yourself in a dazzling display of arts and culture at the highly anticipated Sydney Festival 2025! With over 130 shows on offer, including 22 world premieres and 24 Australian exclusives, this festival promises to be the most accessible and exhilarating yet. From wild operas to scandalous murder trials and provocative political theater, there’s something for everyone at this year’s event.
According to festival organizers, affordability and inclusivity are at the forefront of this year’s programming. With dozens of free events and heavily discounted early bird tickets starting at just $49, experiencing the transformative power of the arts has never been more within reach. The new Sydney metro line also ensures that getting to and from the festival’s main hub at Walsh Bay is a breeze.
5 Must-See Events at Sydney Festival 2025
1. Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera
Prepare to be spellbound by this modern opera spectacle inspired by the lives of iconic Las Vegas magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn. Co-written by Luke Di Somma and Constantine Costi, this chamber production traces the duo’s journey from war-torn Germany to the glittering stages of Sin City. With a singing white tiger puppet as a co-star, this unauthorized opera promises to be a wild ride from start to finish.
2. A Model Murder
Step inside the historic Darlinghurst courthouse for an immersive courtroom drama that revisits one of Sydney’s most scandalous murder trials. Playwright Melanie Tait brings to life the true story of 1950s page-three girl Shirley Beiger, who shot her two-timing lover point-blank outside a nightclub and somehow got away with it. Billed as “Chicago meets Witness for the Prosecution,” this thrilling production will keep you on the edge of your seat.
3. Antigone in the Amazon
Experience the raw power of political theater with Swiss director Milo Rau’s gripping adaptation of Antigone, set against the backdrop of Brazil’s deadly 1996 Eldorado do Carajás massacre. Part of Rau’s acclaimed Europe trilogy, this provocative production blends art and activism to shed light on the global struggle for land rights and indigenous sovereignty. Fresh off a sold-out European tour, Antigone in the Amazon is a must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of theater.
4. As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement
Prepare to have your preconceptions challenged with this bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic comedy by First Nations theater-maker Cliff Cardinal. Written and performed by Cardinal, an artist of Cree and Lakota heritage, this provocative one-man show repositions the Bard’s tale within the framework of Canadian colonialism. By interrogating the ritual of the “welcome to country,” Cardinal invites audiences to confront the ongoing legacies of dispossession and cultural erasure.
5. Dark Noon
Saddle up for a wild ride through the American West like you’ve never seen it before. Danish director Tue Biering’s immersive theater event transforms Sydney Town Hall into a blood-soaked frontier outpost, where the myth of manifest destiny collides with the brutal realities of colonization. Featuring a talented South African cast and choreography by Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Dark Noon offers a searing critique of American exceptionalism through the lens of the Western genre.
But that’s not all – the festival also features the boundary-pushing work of two innovative artists-in-residence. Visual artist Telly Tuita’s digital installations will illuminate the “Thirsty Mile” party precinct, while creative polymath Jacob Nash curates the First Nations-led Blak Out program, a dynamic showcase of indigenous song, ceremony, and visual art.
With so many incredible events on offer, Sydney Festival 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of art, culture, and the indomitable human spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this exhilarating journey – book your tickets now and let the magic begin!
