Australia Day 2025 program unveiled for Sydney to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate

The official program for Australia Day in Sydney 2025 has been unveiled, with tens of thousands of people expected to come together to enjoy free events and activities. Families, friends and communities have been invited to connect while enjoying the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour on Eora Country

Our shared journey honoured with Dawn Reflection and WugulOra Morning Ceremony

• First responders take to the water to compete for Ferrythonhonours
• Access and inclusion program for Australians of all abilities
• Australia Day Liveconcert returns with Ben Lee, Sheppard and Dragon. Free tickets available from 10.00am Wednesday 15 January AEDT

The official program for Australia Day in Sydney 2025 has been unveiled, with tens of thousands of people expected to come together to enjoy free events and activities. Families, friends and communities have been invited to connect while enjoying the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour on Eora Country.

From dawn and into the night, this year’s program invites everyone to mark the day in their own way. Events such as the Dawn Reflection and WugulOra Morning Ceremony will encourage the community to reflect and respect our shared history and First Nations cultures.

Throughout the day, Sydney’s iconic harbour will host activities that celebrate the Australian spirit as well as the strength, diversity and generosity of its community.

The Ferrython, a crowd favourite, will once again see thousands of spectators line the shores of Sydney Harbour to cheer on four of the city’s iconic Emerald Class ferries as they compete for honours in a race across the waves. This year representatives from NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, Ambulance NSW and NSW State Emergency Service will battle it out to be first across the finish line.

The program will conclude with a celebration of music and fireworks at the Australia Day Live concert, set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Free tickets for the concert will be available from 10.00am AEDT Wednesday 15 January at www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “Sydney locals and visitors want to spend Australia Day in a way that’s meaningful to them. This program allows them to do just that.

“From the WugulOra Morning Ceremony, to the Ferrython and the big-name bands on stage at the Australia Day Live concert, here are a range of ways to reflect, respect and celebrate on January 26.

“The other great thing about this program is that it’s all free. So families dealing with the cost of living crisis, can have a fun and meaningful day out without blowing the budget.”

Aboriginal advisors, creative directors and cultural artists and performers have been involved in guiding the Australia Day in Sydney program, which will honour the world’s oldest living culture through traditional ceremonies and performances.

2025 Chair of Australia Day Council of NSW Yvonne Weldon AM said: “A deep respect for Aboriginal culture is infused into everything that we undertake as part of our programming for Australia Day in Sydney and we’re committed to continually evolving the program to ensure it is appropriate, respectful and reflects modern Australia.”

Australia Day in Sydney has proudly placed accessibility and inclusion at the forefront of the event program to ensure everyone can participate. Building upon the NSW Government’s Event Accessibility and Inclusion program, Australia Day in Sydney 2025 will include initiatives such as haptic vests for D/deaf guests to ‘feel’ the beat at the Australia Day Live concert, Auslan interpreters at events, access to quiet rooms, as well as wheelchair basketball and a silent disco activation for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disability.

The Australia Day Live concert will also feature a performance by Sync or Swim, with all band members having a lived experience of disability. Full accessibility and inclusion details are available at www.australiaday.com.au.

Co-Creative Director for Australia Day Live William Barton said: “The line-up this year is the best yet, featuring iconic Australian band Dragon, Ben Lee, Paulini and Sheppard. We look forward to seeing Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House forecourt come alive with tens of thousands joining together, sharing the cultural landscape, enjoying this unforgettable Australia Day Live concert and epic fireworks display.”

Australia Day Live’s free ticketed precinct will have capacity for thousands of attendees on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and non-ticketed capacity in the broader Circular Quay precinct for crowds of up to 55,000. For those who are unable to make it to Sydney Harbour on 26 January, the concert will be broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iview from 7.30pm.

WugulOra Morning Ceremony will also be broadcast with the event’s official media partner, NITV and simulcast on SBS live from 7.30am.

Throughout the day, citizenship ceremonies, local community events and festivals are also held across the state showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of Australia.

The NSW Government’s lead agency for tourism and major events, Destination NSW, is delivering the Australia Day in Sydney event program.

For more information on events Australia Day in NSW, visit www.australiaday.com.au.

MEDIA CONTACT

pressoffice@dnsw.com.au

MEDIA ASSETS

Media ready assets for Australia Day in Sydney 2025, including VNR and broadcast highlights from previous years are available here

Australia Day in Sydney 2025 – Event Program Highlights

Dawn Reflection – The day begins with the moving Dawn Reflection, as the sun rises on 26 January, the Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated with a spectacular Aboriginal artwork, inviting Australians to reflect on our history and shared future. More details on the 2025 Dawn Reflection artist are coming soon.

WugulOra Morning Ceremony – Communities come together for WugulOra (meaning ‘One Mob’) in Barangaroo Reserve. This moving ceremony symbolises how we can embrace each other, offering cleansing and healing for new beginnings and fresh inspiration for our future. Presented by official media partner, NITV.

OzDay 10K, witness the world’s best wheelchair track and road athletes, including Paralympian Gold Medallist Madison De Rosario, spin through The Rocks.

Ferrython, an undeniable crowd favourite, 2025 will see vibrantly decorated ferries, each helmed by the state’s invaluable first responder agencies. Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, Ambulance NSW and NSW State Emergency Service will all race across Sydney Harbour in a spirited and colourful competition.

Mega Kidz Zone, the Overseas Passenger Terminal will be transformed into a free interactive arcade for children of all ages. Get lost in the massive maze, bounce through the enormous inflatable obstacle course, or dance to the beats of the silent disco.

Midday Salute, the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes will soar into the skies, delivering an impressive showcase of precision flying performing loops, rolls and high-G turns in an awe-inspiring display.

Maritime Mayhem, vessels of all shapes and sizes battle it out on the waters of Circular Quay, synchronised to a rockin’ soundtrack with beats that will make your heart race and feet tap.

Australia Day Regatta, the oldest continuously run annual sailing event in the world. Watch a fleet of diverse vessels grace the waterways of the Eastern Harbour in a display of skill and camaraderie, where the beauty of our waters meets the heart of our nation.

Australia Day Live, featuring a fresh line-up of Australian talent including Ben Lee, Sheppard, Paulini, William Barton, Dragon, Sync or Swim and many, many more. Set against the spectacular Sydney Harbour, the Australia Day Live concert is a long-standing highlight of the 26 January celebrations. 2025 sees a revitalised format, featuring new voices and performances that celebrate the spirit of Australia.

The full program of events and event information is available at www.australiaday.com.au.