MEDIA RELEASE - Entertainment Extravaganza Awaits at 2025 Australia Day Weekend!
Sutherland Shire is gearing up for its most spectacular Council hosted Australia Day long weekend festival, featuring a four-day extravaganza of music, film, culture, and family fun that promises to outshine other events across Sydney.
A shake up of the traditional program will see the 2025 festival kick off on Friday 24 January with a Katy Perry and Taylor Swift tribute show and screening of Despicable Me 4 at Cronulla Park, while the Cronulla Vibes concert will this time be held on Saturday 25 January, the day before Australian Day.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, said he’s looking forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to the region to the many events being staged across Sutherland Shire right through to Monday night.
“We have a huge schedule of events planned, including two epic concerts featuring big-name Australian and international performers, as well as outdoor cinema events, captivating family entertainment, pool parties and opportunities to experience local First Nations culture,” Mayor Boyd said.
“For over 20 years, Council has proudly hosted major community events across the Australia Day weekend, and each year we see increasing support and involvement.
“We take pride in how our community comes together to embrace the theme Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate ensuring everyone can engage with this day of national significance in their own way.
“We know our Australia Day Cronulla Beach concert is a huge highlight of the year, but I encourage everyone to take full advantage of the range of events on offer – it’s going to be a fantastic long weekend and the performers we have lined up are really going to set the stage alight.”
New and returning artists will provide a double dose of musical talent at Cronulla Park across the weekend. Hollow Coves will headline Saturday’s Cronulla Vibes Concert with their indie folk chilled vibe. The fresh line up of talent continues with Odette, Ryan Leigh & Georgia Zoe, Grace Fuller along with crowd favourites Caravana Sun who are set to return in 2025.
On Australia Day, crowds can expect to be blown away by the musical talents of Australian icon Daryl Braithwaite, Baby Animals, 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright, the Royal Australian Navy Band, and 2024 Battle of the Bridges winners Beanstalk on an even bigger concert stage at Cronulla Park.
Among other events set to be held across Sutherland Shire are screenings of family friendly films at Cronulla and Engadine as part of the ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ series of outdoor film events, as well as the ever-popular pool parties being staged at Council’s Caringbah, Engadine and Sutherland Leisure Centres along with Como Pool.
Mayor Boyd said the Sunset Cultural Ceremony at Woronora’s Burnum Burnum Sanctuary has been a special highlight in recent years, providing a unique opportunity to experience a solemn and respectful gathering lead by local Indigenous Elders that focusses on the meaning of Australia Day for First Nations peoples.
“The Sunset Cultural Ceremony is increasingly drawing stronger crowds as local residents embrace the opportunity to learn more about our local Indigenous culture,” Mayor Boyd said.
“Our community deeply values the local history and connection to Country upheld by our First Nations people, and I can’t wait to see everyone engaging in this opportunity to respectfully explore diverse perspectives on the day.”
The traditional fireworks display at Cronulla’s Australia Day celebrations is once again scheduled for 2025 but will be subject to approval from emergency service authorities on the day.
For more information, visit Australia Day Long Weekend.