It’s the final weekend of the Festival
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It’s almost curtains for Sydney Festival 2025 – but there’s one last weekend of art and excitement raring to go.
If you haven’t dropped by The Thirsty Mile for a taste of Tongpop, now’s your chance. And if you stick around after sunset, there’s free live music burning up Moonshine Bar. There’s also immersive art across Walsh Bay and Woolloomooloo, music with influences spanning Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea, and plenty of high-flying trapeze performances.
Here’s how to make the most of your weekend, before we take a final bow.
Friday 24 January
Not Drowning, Waving & George Telek: Tabaran
Picked as one of the best shows this month by the SMH, art-rock legends Not Drowning, Waving will re-unite with acclaimed Papua New Guinean musician George Telek to perform their trailblazing 1990 album Tabaran. “This gig coincides with the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence, which will no doubt add to the celebratory vibes,” the SMH adds.
When: Friday 24 January, 9pm
Where: City Recital Hall
Cost: From $79 + BF
Ishmael Ensemble
Genre-bending Bristol collective Ishmael Ensemble is ready to summon a sonic world of electronica and jazz. Before the intimate show at ACO On The Pier, dive into the ensemble’s 2021 sophomore album Visions Of Light and latest release, Rituals. And a big thanks to Create NSW for letting us feel right at home at all our venues along The Thirsty Mile.
When: Friday 24 January, 9pm
Where: ACO On The Pier (The Thirsty Mile)
Cost: $49 + BF
The Bridal Lament 哭嫁歌
In Parramatta, immerse yourself in artist and performer Rainbow Chan’s “rich and layered third-culture meditation on ritual, heritage and loss” (The Age). The Bridal Lament 哭嫁歌 is a sumptuous song cycle combining projections, movement and a whole lot of colour.
When: Friday 24 January, 7:30pm
Where: Riverside Theatres, Lennox Theatre
Cost: $29 + BF
The Water Understands
Water. Artists make work about it, scientists study it and poets write about it. Manly is the fitting home for this contemporary art exhibition interrogating water as a life-giving element, featuring 11 thought-provoking artists.
When: Friday 24 January, 10am–5pm
Where: Manly Art Gallery & Museum
Cost: Free
Saturday 25 January
Swing! Circus at Darling Harbour
Swing on over to Darling Harbour to witness Sydney Trapeze School doing what they do best: soaring and somersaulting through the air. Bring the whole family – Saturday is the last day to catch ’em.
When: Saturday 25 January, 12:30pm & 6:45pm
Where: Palm Grove
Cost: Free
Vigil: Truths
This year’s Vigil is curated and performed by award-winning hip-hop group 3%. With tracks like “Our People” and “Black Australia Policy”, 3% bring “music that has never been more relevant, or needed” (The Music). The night will focus on empowering storytelling and the hard-hitting questions that lead to positive change.
When: Saturday 25 January, 7pm
Where: Barangaroo Reserve
Cost: Free
First Nations Takeover & Closing Night at Moonshine Bar
After Vigil: Truths, stroll over to Moonshine Bar for our epic Closing Night celebrations, featuring a stack of talented First Nations artists. The free music kicks off at 8pm with Mason Browne behind the decks, then Akala Newman at 9pm and DJANABA from 10.15pm.
When: Saturday 25 January, from 8pm
Where: Moonshine Bar (The Thirsty Mile)
Cost: Free
Converted!
It’s also the final night to see the wildly funny disco musical Converted!, a celebration of queer teens learning to trust who they are. Heaps Gay dished out five stars for this world premiere work, calling it “hilarious and entertaining”, while the SMH singled out it’s “genuinely funny punchlines [and] strong performances”.
When: Saturday 25 January, from 7pm
Where: ATYP, The Rebel Theatre (The Thirsty Mile)
Cost: From $58
Sunday 26 January
Ngabu
In Walsh Bay, you can climb up and over Aunty Lola Ryan’s colourful bridge installation and marvel at its majestic shell patterns. Aunty Lola designed Ngabu (Dharawal language for Nan/Grandmother) in homage to the series of shell harbour bridges created by her mother Lola Delia Ryan, which can now be found in collections like the AGNSW and MCA.
When: Sunday 26 January
Where: Overhead bridge at corner of Hickson Rd & Pottinger St, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Cost: Free
Re-Stor(y)ing Oceania
This weekend’s art adventures continue with Re-Stor(y)ing Oceania, a groundbreaking Pacific-led exhibition with works from Latai Taumoepeau and Elisapeta Hinemoa Heta. They invite you to connect with demands for greater climate justice, through story, song, performance, action and activism.
When: Sunday 26 January
Where: Artspace, 43–51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Cost: Free
Thirsty for even more? Explore the full Festival lineup here.