Cultural and creative life

Our Sydney Festival highlights

Music, dance, performance art and kid-friendly events to help you plan your festival from 4 to 26 January

With over 130 events from bold theatre, grooves and interactive art, here's our picks to help you plan your summer days and nights out.

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

William Yang: Milestone

Photographer William Yang reflects on identity, culture, and family in Milestone, an intimate performance accompanied by music from Elena Kats-Chernin.
10–11 January, Roslyn Packer Theatre
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

A Model Murder

Step into a gripping 1954 courtroom drama in A Model Murder. Shirley Beiger, blonde and doe-eyed, is on trial for shooting her cheating boyfriend.
4–25 January, Darlinghurst Courthouse
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Antigone in the Amazon

Sophocles’ Antigone meets environmental crisis in Antigone in the Amazon. Featuring Brazilian and European artists, Milo Rau reimagines this theatre classic through a powerful environmental lens.
4–8 January, Roslyn Packer Theatre
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Colour Maze

Let kids unleash their creativity in Colour Maze, a vibrant, interactive maze by Amigo & Amigo and artist Telly Tuita. Expect kaleidoscopic colours, swings, and playful surprises.
4–25 January, Pier 2/3
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Dark Noon

The Wild West gets a satirical twist in Dark Noon. South African actors reimagine US history with slapstick, satire, and breath-taking stagecraft. A highlight from Edinburgh Fringe.
9–23 January, Sydney Town Hall
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Multiple Bad Things

Three employees grapple with thorny workplace issues in Multiple Bad Things, a dark and provocative comedy from award-winning Back to Back Theatre.
8–12 January, Sydney Opera House
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera

Witness the rise of Vegas’ iconic magic duo in Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera. This dazzling new stage opera features larger-than-life characters, live magic, and powerhouse vocals.
8–25 January, Wharf 1 Theatre
Find out more and get tickets

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Vigil: Gunyah

First Nations-led Vigil: Gunyah is a gathering space with workshops, performances and a soundscape by Brendon Boney. A place to reflect and connect.
7–25 January, Barangaroo
This is a free event. Find out more

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

What We Leave Behind

Contribute messages of hope for the future at What We Leave Behind, a participatory installation on Tallawoladah Lawn by art collective Cave Urban.
4–26 January, The Rocks
This is a free event. Find out more

Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025
Image: courtesy of Sydney Festival, 2025

Yaya Bey

Boundary-pushing R&B artist Yaya Bey brings her unique neo-soul and funk sound to Sydney for one night only.
4 January, City Recital Hall
Find out more and get tickets
Plan your summer days and nights with the full Sydney Festival program.

Published 23 December 2024