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 beautiful 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 10am AEDT on 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. Australia Day in Sydney 2025 will include initiatives such as haptic vests for 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 activationfor 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 the full list of events on Australia Day in NSW, click here.

Pictured main: Minister for Tourism John Graham joined with 2025 Chair of Australia Day Council of NSW Yvonne Weldon AM, Australia Day Live co-host Dr Megan Burslem, Australia Day Live Co-Creative Directors William Barton and John Foreman AM, Australia Day 2025 Access & Inclusion Manager Paul Nunnari, Australia Day Ambassador Corey Payne and Australian citizenship recipient Prashasti Jolly for the program launch.