Looking for the best music festivals in Sydney for 2025? You’re in the right place! Having lived in Sydney for a year and immersed myself in its vibrant festival scene, I can say firsthand that this city offers some of the coolest parties in the world. With epic lineups and unforgettable atmospheres, Sydney’s festivals have created some of the most memorable weekends of my life!
Sydney and the surrounding NSW region boast an incredible variety of music festivals, and I made it my mission to attend as many as I could during my time there. The festival culture is alive and thriving, and I guarantee you’ll love the energy and excitement at each one. Keep reading to discover the 15 best music festivals in Sydney for 2025 and get ready to experience the ultimate music scene!
Top 15 Sydney Music Festivals!
1) Lost Paradise Festival
When: December 28 – January 1, 2025 (New Years Eve Festival)
Where: Glenworth Valley, NSW
ONE PART BOUTIQUE FESTIVAL | ONE PART DOOF | ONE HUGE PARTY.
Located just 80 minutes from Sydney, this 3-day camping festival is hands down one of the best New Years Eve Festivals in Australia. Three incredible stages are spread out in the Glenworth Valley, all with a diverse line-up of live-music and proper underground house and techno.
I’ve personally attended this one, and it’s definitely one of my favorite music festivals in Australia! They just finished their 4th edition, but you honestly would think it was their 10th. It’s a perfectly executed music festival with comfortable camping, incredible stage production, and delicious food and beverage. Skip the Sydney fireworks – head to Lost Paradise!
Read my Lost Paradise festival reviews:
Lost Paradise: Truly a Hidden Wonderland
Lost Paradise 2018 | Boutique Festival, Bush Doof & One Epic Party
2) Field Day
When: January 1, 2025 (New Years Day festival)
Where: The Domain, Sydney, NSW
“Set on the first day of the year at its beautiful iconic Sydney venue, The Domain, Field Day is the smart way to celebrate New Years and is also our city’s most popular boutique music festival.
It’s known for a super-friendly atmosphere and quality line-ups mixing hip-hop, house, indie and electronic artists from around the world.”
What are your plans for January 1st…? Well, if you’re smart, you’ve booked your tickets to Field Day well in advance, because this one-day Sydney party is the absolute best way to start off the year. This one-day mega festival is spread out over 4-5 stages at the beautiful venue, The Domain. Every year the line-up will impress you with top-notch international artists, as well as plenty of domestic talent. I went to Field Day when I lived in Sydney, and it was definitely a good time. It was a bit overcrowded at times, but the production was fantastic, and it’s proper Aussie festival vibes.
3) St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival Sydney
Credit: St Jerome’s Laneway Media Team
When: February 9, 2025
Where: Centennial Park, Sydney
https://www.lanewayfestival.com/sydney/event-info
St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2025 is bringing an electrifying lineup of indie legends and rising stars to town, turning the city into a buzzing haven of music, good vibes, and unforgettable summer fun!
Every line-up I’ve seen from Laneway Festival has been so diverse and unique, and could only imagine the soundtrack of the day is nothing but perfection. It’s a one-day festival right in the city, and definitely shouldn’t be missed.
Laneway Sydney happens every year in early February. Ticket prices tend to be a bit more on the expensive side, but I got used to that in Australia.
4) Harbourlife Festival
Credit: Harbourlife
When: November 22, 2025
Where: Sydney Botanical Gardens, Sydney, NSW
https://fuzzy.com.au/event/harbourlife/
https://www.facebook.com/Harbourlife/
Harbourlife is Sydney’s spectacular waterside party. Situated at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Harbourlife creates the best-located dance floor in the country and plays host to a hand-picked selection of international and local house music artists. With an iconic venue, killer soundtrack and the best vibes, it’s no wonder it’s renowned as the quintessential Sydney party to kick off the summer season.
Tickets sell out for this event fast, but if you don’t manage to snag some, you can still make your way over to the Royal Botanical Gardens and listen to the music from the top of the festival. That’s what I did one year, and there were plenty of people enjoying a free-party with top-notch music.
5) Listen Out Festival
Credit: Listen Out Festival
When: September 2025
Where: Centennial Park, Sydney
https://www.listenout.com.au/home/
Listen Out is Australia’s primary national dance music festival and has sold out in all cities since 2016.
MELBOURNE | PERTH | SYDNEY | BRISBANE
Listen Out Festival is celebrated for its dynamic lineup of hip-hop, electronic, and dance music artists. Offering a carefully curated mix of global headliners and rising local talent, and known for its scenic outdoor venues and energetic summer vibe, Listen Out delivers a streamlined festival experience with a focus on quality over quantity. With a stylish crowd, cutting-edge performances, and top-tier production, it’s become a must-attend event on Australia’s music festival calendar.
6) Return To Rio
When: October 2025
Where: Wiseman’s Ferry, NSW
https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToRio/
Prepare for a party, For friendships to blossom, For sunshine and swimming, And all other things awesome!
I’ve now attended two different Return To Rio’s, and I would 100% recommend it to everyone looking for an epic weekend of camping, dancing, drinking, and frolicking with some of the best festival crowds in the world!
There are typically two editions held every year marking the “beginning and ending of summer” parties, and I promise it will be 3-days you will never forget. Located about an hour north of Sydney in Wiseman’s Ferry, Return to Rio provides a much needed escape for fans of incredible underground house music to come together, dress up in crazy costumes, and forget about the stress of everyday life.
Read my full Return to Rio festival review – Return To Rio; The Ultimate Weekend Away
7) Touch Bass
Credit: Touch Bass Festival
When: April 2025 (Easter festival)
Where: Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
“With the loudest rigs, biggest production, best venues and every show sold out since inception, do not sleep on this.”
After a successful debut in 2019 across multiple cities in Australia and subsequent success in the following years, Touch Bass is returning to throw another Sydney Festival in 2025 dedicated to the bass heads out there!
Known for immersive stage designs, LED visuals, and powerful sound systems that enhance the experience – Touch Bass is provides the perfect party atmosphere with a mix of hardcore bass music fans and festival-goers looking for an electrifying night out.
8) SXSW Sydney
When: October 2025
Where: Sydney, NSW
Dedicated to helping creative people achieve their goals, SXSW Sydney is for anyone with a desire for discovery. With more than 1,000 sessions and events for 300,000+ attendees, we’re creating a platform for countless connections that drive new ideas forward across Asia Pacific and beyond.
Dive into insightful panels with industry experts, witness awe-inspiring performances, explore cutting-edge technology and innovation and more at SXSW Sydney.
9) Sydney Mardi Gras 2025
When: February 14- March 2, 2025
Where: Sydney, NSW
https://www.mardigras.org.au/sydney-mardi-gras-events/
The Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 is a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride, diversity, and inclusion, taking place annually every year between February and March. As one of the world’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ festivals, it features a spectacular lineup of events, including the famous Mardi Gras Parade, live performances, community gatherings, and cultural exhibitions. This annual festival unites people from all walks of life in a joyful display of solidarity and self-expression.
The centerpiece of the festival is the dazzling Mardi Gras Parade, which transforms Sydney’s Oxford Street into a riot of color and creativity with floats, costumes, and performances celebrating love and equality. Alongside the parade, the festival includes events like the Fair Day picnic, the Mardi Gras Party, and a range of arts and cultural activities, making it one of Sydney’s most anticipated and inclusive celebrations of the year.
I’ve personally attended and experienced the Sydney Mardi Gras Shenanigans for myself and it’s amazing to see the entire city come alive! A bucket-list festival for Sydney locals as well as tourists from all over the world.
10) The Sydney Folk Festival
When: August 15-17, 2025
Where: Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW
https://www.sydneyfolkfestival.com.au/
“Showcasing the diversity of folk with bespoke concerts, workshops, interactive sessions, dance and spoken word programs.”
“This is an urban festival but it is also one that celebrates the creativity, diversity and talent of folk arts and artists from right across our State of NSW and, from the city to the bush there’s a lot to experience.
Whether you like your folk big and rowdy or simple and spare, a solo singer expressing big ideas or a dancey outfit playing up a storm, tunes from the Balkans or songs with “bite” you’ll be spoilt for choice. Sydney Folk Festival is more than just a series of concerts. For those who like to get “hands on” there will be workshops to learn new skills, dance events where you can kick up your heels, sessions to join, poetry to spruik and more.”
11) Subsonic Music Festival
When: December 2025
Where: Monkerai, Australia
https://www.subsonicmusic.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/subsonicmusic
If you’re looking for a unique experience unlike any other in Sydney than Subsonic is the festival for you! This is a pure Australian “bush doof”, and all my festival friends say it’s their favorite event in the entire country! The venue, Riverwood Downs Mountain Valley Resort, is absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for an event of this size.
The music DOES NOT STOP, so you better be ready for a proper bender #TeamNoSleep. Everyone is also all about the community, and it’ll be hard to find people at Subsonic that will not greet you with a smile and a hug.
Further Reading: Subsonic Music Festival 2017 | Festival Review
12) The Yacht Social Club
When: Every weekend during summer
Where: Sydney Harbour, Sydney
https://theyachtsocialclub.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theyachtsocialclub/
“Sydney Harbour is our playground — so choose your crew, book your yacht and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience.”
Join The Yacht Social Club for exclusive Sydney Harbour experiences, including floating festival events with top DJs and private boat charters. Our fleet of superyachts and catamarans offers exceptional service and breathtaking views for any occasion.
This is arguably one of the best weekly parties in Sydney over summer! Just imagine yourself on a yacht with 15+ of your closest friends, lined up in a circle with other yachts with music blasting, and people swimming in the middle.
It’s absolutely amazing! Australia’s only weekly floating music event, The Yacht Social Club, returns for another season on Sydney Harbour. Expect gorgeous yachts, a beautiful crowd and Sydney’s finest local DJs pumping out the best summer tunes to the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour.”
Read all about it: Yacht Social Club: Sydney Harbour is our Playground
13) Good Things Festival Sydney
Credit: Jared Leibowitz
When: December 2025
Where: Centennial Park, Sydney
https://www.goodthingsfestival.com.au
Good Things Festival is one of Australia’s largest and most beloved traveling music festivals, and will be making its highly anticipated return this December to electrify the east coast with epic mosh pits and unforgettable performances. After years of limited live music and festivals, fans finally have a reason to celebrate as this iconic event brings the ultimate fusion of high-energy rock, punk, and alternative vibes.
With a world-class lineup that consistently delivers big names alongside fresh talent, Good Things Festival promises an unforgettable experience for music lovers. Whether you’re headbanging at the front row or soaking in the festival atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to kick off the summer and reconnect with the live music scene in a major way.
14) Electric Gardens Festival
When: March 2025
Where: Royal Randwick, Sydney
Electric Gardens Festival has earned its reputation as a favorite among electronic music fans, thanks to its expertly curated lineups that showcase a blend of world-renowned DJs and emerging talents. Its inaugural event in 2016 was celebrated as a revival of the golden era of outdoor Australian summer dance festivals, and each year since, it has continued to evolve with diverse lineups and a vibrant, enthusiastic crowd.
While the festival also hosts editions in cities like Melbourne and Perth, Sydney remains its spiritual home and flagship location. Known for its impeccable organization, top-tier production, and an unbeatable party atmosphere, Electric Gardens has become a highlight of Sydney’s music festival scene.
Whether you’re a long-time festivalgoer or a first-timer, this event promises an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Australia’s love for electronic music and outdoor summer festivals.
Read more: Electric Gardens Festival Review
15) Dreamstate Australia
Your Australian trance destination!
Dreamstate Festival, originally launched in California in 2015 by Insomniac Events, is a globally renowned celebration of trance music. Known for its immersive atmosphere, the festival highlights trance’s euphoric melodies and high-energy beats, featuring world-class artists like Armin van Buuren, Aly & Fila, and Above & Beyond. Dreamstate is a haven for trance fans, showcasing genres such as uplifting, progressive, and psytrance with cutting-edge visuals and soundscapes.
In 2025, Dreamstate is bringing its signature trance experience back to Australia. The festival will feature an electrifying lineup of global trance legends and emerging talent, paired with top-tier production. This marks a major expansion of Dreamstate’s global presence, uniting Australian trance fans with the same vibrant energy that has made it an iconic event worldwide.
![Ben Nicky Live @ Dreamstate, Australia 2023 [Full HD Set]](https://www.jonesaroundtheworld.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FANXE__aG0U8%2F0.jpg)
Sydney Music Festivals Possibly Returning in 2025
Some of Sydney’s hottest events haven’t made any announcements in awhile but I would be surprised if they didn’t return in the future so look into these ones as well!
Festival X Sydney
When: TBC
Where: Olympic Park, Sydney
https://www.facebook.com/festivalxworld/
While Festival X only made its debut to Australia (and New Zealand) in 2019, it’s already become one of the largest and most talked-about festivals in the country. Judging by last year’s line-up and production, this is simply a MUST-ATTEND event! It’s a collaboration between Hardware & Live Nation, so expect a professionally organized event with a stellar line-up, top-notch production, and overall unforgettable festival experience.
PURE Festival Sydney
When:
Where: Sydney, NSW
Ever techno fan in the world knows about the legendary Carl Cox, but what a lot of people don’t know is that he lives in Australia! For the past two years, he’s begun this new one-day techno festival called PURE across four major cities in the country, and has delighted techno and electronic music fans with pounding basslines and 4×4 beats. I’ve had several friends attend PURE, and everyone has told me it’s a non-stop ride with nothing but top-notch techno!
By The C
When:
Where: Cronulla, Sydney
“By The C is a beachside festival featuring legends of the music world with pop-up bars and food stalls. It’s about the music. It’s about the festival experience. It’s about relaxing in the sun and doing it all against a beautiful backdrop that makes you glad and proud to be an Aussie. This celebration of live music, food, and community on scenic beachside locations around Australia is the perfect way to meet and be merry for an unforgettable day and night out with your mates.”
Did I miss any epic Sydney music festivals?
It’s been a few years since I’ve lived in Sydney, so I’m sure there are a few events that I haven’t heard about, and would love to keep this article as up to date as possible. If you think I need to add any specific music festivals in Sydney or the New South Wales area, please do let me know!
Sydney is honestly one of my favorite cities in the world, and I’ve had some of the best weekends of my life at a couple of these music festivals! If you’ve ever got any questions about these Sydney events, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Looking for more festivals in Australia and around the world?
I’ve written quite a lot about upcoming music festivals in Sydney, Melbourne, and all over Australia. Browse through a few of my favorite articles below, and start planning your next big trip Down Under!
Check out a few of these articles to help you figure out your next big festival adventure…
- Top 30 Music Festivals in BRISBANE To Keep You Dancing All Year Long
- Top 10 Music Festivals in MELBOURNE To Experience Before You Die
- Top 20 Byron Bay Music Festivals To Experience Before You DIe
- 30 Music Festivals in AUSTRALIA to Experience Before You Die
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Adelaide to Experience Before You Die
- The 25 Best Music Festivals in Asia To Experience Before You Die
- 44 Festival Accessories, Festival Gear & Must Haves | The Best Festival Packing List
- The Ultimate Music Festival Camping Packing List
Planning a trip to Australia…?
Not a day goes by where I don’t think about moving back to Australia! I really do miss it so much, and am always telling people that they need to visit someday. There’s just so much to explore, the people are incredible, and the food is delicious. I’ve written many blogs about the country, and love helping people plan their big Aussie travel adventure. Take a read through some of my top Australia blog articles below…
- THE ULTIMATE SYDNEY ITINERARY | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Sydney
- The Best Australian Outback Northern Territory Itinerary
- The Best Melbourne Itinerary | How to Spend 4-7 Days Exploring Melbourne
- The Best PERTH Itinerary | How to spend 4-7 Days Exploring PERTH
- Sydney to Cairns | The Ultimate East Coast Greyhound Bus Pass Travel Itinerary
- The 12 Best Backpacker Hostels in Sydney, Australia
- Australia Travel Tips for the East Coast of Oz
- How to Spend Two Days Exploring Manly Beach in Sydney
- The Ultimate Guide for Moving to Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa
- 14 Words You’ll Start Saying When You Move to Australia
Wow your blog is really amazing.Last i participate in lost paradise music festivals and i think it’s one of the best music festival i have ever seen.I really liked.And i hope i will go other music festivals also very soon.
Thanks so much! I was at LP too and it was sooo incredible! Hopefully we can meet up at the next one, or a different festival around the world!
All of these festivals are for people over 18 years Old ? Because I’m 17 so I would like to know
Are there any under 18 music festivals coming up soon or any for the future?
I would like to see more info regarding for food stalls details please
I like you article. i read almost all article of your site and each article give me new information about the places in the wold. Thanks
I am absolutely stoked to attend some of these festivals next year! Thanks for including videos, this was a very informative read!
Wow I really think you accomplished your mission of seeing as many music festivals in Australia as possible – what a list! It is true, Australia has some pretty rad festivals!
Brilliant round up Dave! Exactly what I was looking for.
I especially loved how you highlighted the unique experiences offered by each festival. From the vibrant atmosphere and iconic Bondi Beach backdrop at FOMO Festival to the magical waterfront setting and diverse lineup of Lost Paradise, you’ve given us a taste of the incredible diversity that Sydney’s music festival scene has to offer. It’s refreshing to see that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re into electronic beats, indie vibes, or rock anthems.
As the CEO of ‘On Screen Solution’, I can attest to Sydney’s vibrant music scene and the unforgettable experiences these festivals offer. It’s no surprise that Sydney’s music festivals rank among the best globally, making them a must-visit for any music enthusiast.
Embark on an unforgettable musical journey through Sydney’s vibrant festival scene – a testament to the city’s electrifying energy and diverse cultural offerings.