Welcome to Sydney Festival’s exhilarating summer of art

Our 49th edition has more than 130 events, 22 world premieres, 24 Australian exclusives and over 50 free events. The stage is set from 3 January for our official Festival Welcome at Walsh Bay and the opening of Animal by Cirque Alfonse at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. This year’s program is bursting with exceptional local and international talent.

We dive into compelling narratives through commissions of A Model Murder, a true Sydney crime story and KATMA, an electrifying street-dance creation directed by Sudanese dancer/choreographer Azzam Mohamed. We’re bringing a scintillating taste of Las Vegas with Siegfried and Roy: The Unauthorised Opera. The highlights continue with music luminaries Rufus Wainwright, Detroit house legends The Music Institute, PNG’s George Telek reprising Tabaran with Not Drowning, Waving, and Queens-raised R&B star Yaya Bey.

The Thirsty Mile, our Festival takeover by Sydney Harbour, returns with free live music, a Tongpop-splashed summer bar, Sunrise Yoga and an immersive Colour Maze for the whole family.

With resonant themes of “birth, destiny and what we leave behind”, led by our Visual Artist in Residence Telly Tuita, alongside the dystopian extremes of Dark Noon and Multiple Bad Things, Sydney Festival will provoke important conversations.

The Festival celebrates the rich diversity of our city and highlights our deep connections within the Pacific.

We are committed to amplifying First Nations voices, and this year’s Blak Out program curated by Jacob Nash features Vigil: Gunyah — a month-long gathering space dedicated to conversations, performances, workshops and talks. Join us for an incredible lineup of Blak Out events, including Jacky, Redfern Renaissance and the world premiere of Plant a Promise.

Sincere thanks to our Principal Partners the NSW government through Create NSW and Destination NSW, and the City of Sydney. Deep gratitude to Peter Freedman AM, our Principal Philanthropic Supporter, and all who support this much-loved Festival.

We invite you to experience the many unique stories of Sydney this summer, on what always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Olivia Ansell
Festival Director