Sydney is a buzzing city that celebrates its rich and diverse culture with exciting events all year round.
From fun runs to food festivals, check out the top events in Sydney for 2025 to help you experience the city like a local.
Music
Great Southern Nights
21 March – 6 April
Featuring more than 300 live gigs all across NSW, Great Southern Nights is the music festival bringing top Australian and international acts to your backyard.
For those attending in Sydney, be sure to check out iconic electronic duo Peking Duk when they perform at The Ivy, indie favorites Lime Cordiale at the Metro, and Charley at the Oxford Art Factory. No matter what your taste in music is, there’s guaranteed to be a performance for you.
Australian International Music Festival
5-12 July
Open to bands from around the world, the Australian International Music Festival welcomes student and adult orchestras from China, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, the USA, and Australia.
These bands perform in iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House, where you can listen to your favourite classics brought to life for a whole new generation. The festival also includes workshops from world class musicians, and cultural exchanges with bands from around the world.
Sports
Rock N Run at Redline Games
29 March
Rock N Run Festival is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Participants are invited to take on a half marathon, 10km, or 5km fun run with other fitness enthusiasts. As you race, live acts will be keeping the energy up and good vibes going with DJ sets and rock performances all day long.
Once you cross the finish line, you can head to the stage with flashing lights, massive speakers and a high-energy crowd to dance the night away with new friends.
Coastrek Sydney
4 April
Coastrek is a charity hiking challenge taking participants along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world to raise money for mental health support. This year, fundraising will go towards Beyond Blue.
In Sydney, this means choosing to embark on a 50km, 30km or 20km walk past scenic headlands and iconic landmarks with thousands of other likeminded adventurers. Finish with the world famous stretch between Bondi Beach and Coogee, and feel proud of your massive achievement when you cross the finish line.
Commbank Matildas v Korea Republic
4 April
In a preview to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the CommBank Matildas will be taking on silver medalists, Korea Republic. This not-to-be-missed clash is one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, and it’s all taking place at Allianz Stadium.
Bring your friends, dress up in green and gold, and show you support for Australia’s top team.
Jabulani Challenge
5 April
For a tough yet stunning trail running experience, it doesn’t get better than the Jabulani Challenge. A race through the Ku-Ring-Ga Chase National Park, this mostly single-track run includes waterside tracks, rainforest, bushland, hills and creek crossings.
Runners can choose from a 12km, 22km or 45km track, or enter the Triple Trail Challenge to try more events later in the year. Bring your family along to cheer you on from Bobbin Head, and kickstart a trail running adventure.
Art and culture
Manly Writers Festival
28-30 March
Meet fellow writers, readers and artists as you join the exciting program of events at Manly Writers Festival. From special guest talks to writing workshops and panels tackling complex questions, there’s no shortage of engaging activities.
And, with its location in the heart of Manly, you can enjoy ocean views all weekend long.
Royal Easter Show
11-22 April
Australia’s largest annual ticketed event is back, with crowds of more than 828,000 people each year. The show is a celebration of Australian culture, including agricultural achievements, showcased during the Sydney Royal Competitions.
Visit the food tent for rows and rows of incredible Australian producers, or head to the rides precinct for hours of adrenaline-fueled fun. Plus, little ones will love meeting farm animals, and they might even get to feed them.
Sydney Comedy Festival
21 April – 18 May
Sydney’s largest annual comedy event is back, as hundreds of comedians from around the world step onto Sydney stages for a massive month of humor like you’ve never seen before.
The program includes sketches, satire, improv, musicals, theatre, kids comedy and stand up, with shows from the biggest names in comedy. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival, this year’s lineup will be bigger and better than ever.
Vivid
23 May – 14 June
Vivid Sydney is an annual celebration of creativity and innovation, bringing the city to life with amazing art installations, light projections, live performances, and thought-provoking talks.
In 2025, the Vivid theme is ‘dream’, and visitors should expect culinary experiences, light shows and art meant to spark your imagination and curiosity. This really is a festival that needs to be seen to be believed.
Sydney Film Festival
4-15 June
This year, the cinemas and theatres of Sydney will host more than 200 movies as part of the 72nd Sydney Film Festival. Attend red carpets, talks and parties with the best filmmakers in the country, and prepare to be emotionally challenged as you encounter some of the best films in the world.
With entries from 69 countries, you can travel all across the planet as you embrace tales of love, loss and everything in between.
Food and drink
The Whisky Show
3 May
Australia’s premier whisky festival travels all over the country, coming to Sydney for one day of tastings and talks. Each year, the show welcomes new spirit brands to showcase their products, with show-exclusive whisky bottlings and the chance to meet the top producers in the country.
Good Food and Wine Show
20-22 June
Set your tastebuds alight on a delicious day out with more than 350 of Australia’s top makers. From artisanal delights to sweets and fine wine, the full range is available at this foodie paradise.
Join a masterclass to learn about the art of wine tasting, or cook a delicious family meal. Watch as some of your favourite chefs share their tips and tricks to take home cooking to a whole new level, and meet likeminded foodies.
Sydney Spirits Festival
11-13 July
Indulge in the top local and international spirit brands at Australia’s largest spirits festival. Over three days, you’ll have the chance to meet more than 100 vendors of whisky, gin, soju, rum, vodka, tequila and more.
This is your chance to try rare and iconic tastes, meet the makers, and attend masterclass sessions to learn all about the process of making delicious spirits. Looking to pair your tequila with tacos? Or whisky with Italian noodles? Food vendors are also available to elevate the tasting experience.
Can’t get enough of these top events in Sydney? Check out the best places to try a sweet treat here.
