News flash: we’re officially a quarter of the way through the 21st century. We’ve traded MySpace for TikTok, CDs for Spotify, newspapers for podcasts and paper maps for Google Maps – who knows what the next 25 years will bring? While we can’t predict the future (no crystal ball here), we can guarantee that the next 365 days are shaping up to be some of the best yet.
To get you excited, we’ve rounded up ten of the biggest events happening in Australia in 2025. From the 120-year milestone of the Southern Hemisphere's largest annual sporting event to the return of Hobart’s mega midwinter festival and the debut of a hobbit-filled musical spectacular, here’s everything to mark your calendars for this year.
The Australian Open hits its 120th year
Every year, more than 800,000 fans flock to Melbourne Park to see the biggest names in tennis battle it out in the sweltering summer heat. It’s been 120 years since the very first Australian Open in 1905 (then called the Australasian Championships), and it now stands as the Southern Hemisphere's largest annual sporting event. In 2025, the action will be hotter than ever with exhibition matches, giant screens, endless Aperols, pop-up activations and a live festival featuring Kesha – sounds ace!
Charli xcx brings brat summer to Laneway Festival
ICYMI, Charli xcx is heading Down Under to perform exclusively at one of Australia’s biggest summer festivals, Laneway. The pop queen is on top of the world right now, and we’re so ready to have our own brat summer moment as we dance our hearts out to bops like ‘Apple’ and ‘365’.
The Southern Hemisphere's debut of Pompeii opens in Canberra
In an Australian first, history buffs can now explore the famous ancient city of Pompeii before its tragic end with the National Museum of Australia’s latest blockbuster exhibition. Running until May 4, Pompeii will bring the city’s streets back to life with large-scale digital projections, evocative soundscapes and more than 90 rare artefacts – many of which have never been seen in Australia before.
Australia hosts its first World Major Marathon
In its 25th year, the Sydney Marathon is set to make history as Australia’s first-ever World Major Marathon, becoming the seventh marathon to achieve this status globally. While securing an entry to the 42.195-kilometre event is sure to be just as competitive as the actual race, you can still get in on the action by cheering on the 35,000 runners on August 31.
Dark Mofo makes its grand comeback
After taking a break in 2024 for a period of renewal, Tasmania’s darkly debaucherous festival Dark Mofo is making a spectacular return from June 5 to 15. The midwinter solstice festival will unleash a glorious whirlwind of artistic chaos, featuring rituals like the Nude Solstice Swim, Winter Feast, the Ogoh-Ogoh and Night Mass.
Bluesfest says farewell after 35 years
For more than three decades, Byron Bay Bluesfest has been drawing crowds by the thousands for five epic days of traditional bluesy rock, cult folk, indie pop and everything in between. Unfortunately, 2025 marks the festival's final year – but it’s going out with a bang, with a line-up featuring Crowded House, Hilltop Hoods, Vance Joy, and Tones and I.
A brand new Lord of the Rings musical launches nationwide
Any J.R.R. Tolkien fans will be stoked to hear that The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is set to make its Australian debut in 2025, just in time for the 70th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring (the first book in the trilogy). The folk-musical spectacular will stop in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, bringing Middle-earth to life with a cast of multi-talented actor-musicians.
Sydney Mardi Gras returns in full force
The Emerald City is set to sparkle with glitter and good times when Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras struts back into town from February 14 to March 2. The jewel in the festival’s crown, the Mardi Gras Parade, will light up Oxford Street in spectacular fashion on Saturday, March 1. Plus, the Mardi Gras Fair Day will be back in full swing at Victoria Park, bringing together more than 200 food, retail and community stalls.
WOMADelaide hosts musicians from 30-plus countries
Global superstars and homegrown talent are set to light up the stage at WOMADelaide – World of Music Arts and Dance – from March 7 to 10. As one of the world’s largest cultural festivals, it brings together musicians, artists, dancers and thought-leaders from across the globe, with 2025 acts including Yemi Alade, Protoje and The Indiggnation, and Digable Planets.
Parrtjima, A Festival in Light celebrates its tenth anniversary
Australia’s dusty red desert is set to sparkle more than ever in 2025 thanks to the return of Parrtjima, A Festival in Light, from April 4 to 13. To mark its tenth anniversary, our nation’s biggest light and art spectacular will host its first-ever open-air orchestral performance, starring the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, alongside celebrated central Australian desert divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams and Bronwyn Stuart.