JUST IN: Sydney Fringe Festival has dropped its biggest program yet for 2025
First up, a little background. Born in 2010, Sydney Fringe Festival has carved out its place on Sydney's cultural calendar as a champion of the little guys (and gals and theys) – an independent festival dedicated to celebrating and elevating emerging artists, small venues and local communities. With community at its core, Sydney Fringe brings life to the city's beloved local haunts and public spaces for 30 days of creativity and entertainment – and this year's event is set to be the biggest yet.
Recently appointed CEO Patrick Kennedy has explained how this year's extended program 'pushes boundaries and spotlights new voices, inviting Sydneysiders to rediscover their city through unforgettable experiences in every corner.'
The corners in question are dotted across four city precincts, with 10 key festival hubs: PACT Centre for Emerging Artists (the Yagali First Nations Hub), Bondi Pavilion, Qtopia Sydney (Queer Hub), Marrickville Town Hall (Cabaret Hub), Sydney Dance Company's Neilson Studio (Dance Hub), The Entertainment Quarter, The Old Fitz Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Eternity Playhouse (returning for Sydney Fringe to host the Off Broadway Hub), and a 'touring hub' produced in partnership with Wollongong's Merrigong Theatre Company.
Featuring more than 2,900 artists and over 460 events, the program is too extensive to cover in full (thankfully, the website features easy-to-navigate tools to help you find the shows that suit you). Top picks include a huge opening night street party – set to bring free live entertainment to the heritage laneways of The Rocks on Thursday 4 September – When Night Comes by Broad Encounters (an immersive theatre experience inviting small groups into a cocktail-fuelled, surreal underworld), and an epic First Sounds Showcase on Saturday 30 August featuring a stacked line-up of First Nations talent.
This year will also see the return of Fringe favourites including SIDESHOW (a series of pop-up experiential shows running Tuesday to Sunday throughout the fest) and Qtopia's sparkly-as-anything Queer Hub.
The Fringe will run from September 1 - 30 2025, with some select events popping up in the lead-up to the fest. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. You can learn more and plan your Sydney Fringe experience over here.
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