The 17-day, all-inclusive festival makes a triumphant return to Bondi Pavilion and surrounds with a smorgasbord of vibrant shows, free events, and cutting-edge night-time arts programming.
Festival favourites like Bondi’s famous ice-skating rink and the beloved Bondi Vista Ferris Wheel return, alongside an exciting arts programme. Plus, there’s a new offering for foodies: the festival’s Blue Sky Markets, bringing together delicious dishes from local businesses in Sydney’s east.
“Bondi Festival provides a unique and distinct offering: it elevates the beachgoing experience with fun activities everyone can enjoy, from markets, an ice rink and the Ferris wheel in Bondi Park to incredible art displays across our community and at Bondi Pavilion,” Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh says. “And that’s before you get to the Bondi backstreets for more shows and our Bondi Festival Locals programme.”
“Bondi Festival celebrates the intersection of contemporary performing and visual arts, community connection and beachside fun,” Waverley Council Executive Manager (Arts, Culture and Events) Tanya Goldberg adds.
“Our festival is designed for everyone, and offers experiences that surprise your senses, delight your tastebuds and uplift your spirit. I can’t wait to get back to it this year, with an expanded offering in Bondi Park on Saturdays and an incredible line-up of shows at the Pav!”
Things kick off with the highly anticipated 2025 Waverley Art Prize winners’ announcement at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery. Plus there’ll be two big opening nights of laughs hosted by Bondi Beachside Comedy Club’s resident funnyman Pat Doherty, as the Bondi Festival Comedy Gala makes its debut.
Meg Washington
The Pavilion Paw Parade will make an awaited return, and visitors can enjoy Sydney’s stand-out art class, ‘Gladdy Drawing Club’.
Live music will take over the Seagull Room for NAIDOC Week with an outstanding line-up of First Nations talent like Sydney R&B soul artist Mi-Kaisha, and special guest 2025 Triple J Unearthed winner RIAH.
Later in week one, ‘POV’ by re:group delivers a mash-up of theatre and film with their latest experiment in on-stage filmmaking. Rounding out the week are two highlights: the Sydney premiere of Alternative Facts’ new theatrical experience ‘Sincere Apologies’, and the Bondi Festival debut of award-winning comedian and disability advocate Madeleine Stewart.
In week two you can expect an all-inclusive, fully accessible Daytime Dance Party with Betty Grumble and DJ Hiphophero, and on Saturday evening buckle up for some good old-fashioned storytelling with ‘Queer Compost’ by Fruitbox Theatre, as five featured storytellers spin tales from their queer lives.
Australian singer-songwriter Meg Washington will take centre stage, to deliver an electrifying, soulful live performance. She’s just released the single ’Shangr-La’ in advance of her fifth studio album.
Check out the full programme.
Bondi Festival 2025 is on from 4-20 July.
This story originally appeared on our sister site, scenestr.
