New Sydney openings to get excited about in 2025: from bars to musicals

2024 was a banner year for Sydney. Not only did we finally get the futuristic next phase of Sydney Metro and the revival of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, but we also got an exhaustingly long list of high-profile food and drink openings from Olympus Dining and Neptune’s Grotto to Joji and Letra House.

Other big things happened. Sydney’s full marathon was officially designated as the 7th World Major Marathon and we got countless new nightlife venues like Pelicano and FBR. Cafe to keep us dancing all weekend. Sydney is changing, dramatically, with more big steps on the way including Western Sydney Airport and the next phase of the hugely successful Metro.

Given 2025 has barely gotten started, Sydney Travel Guide wants to highlight some of the hot new Sydney openings that we’re looking forward to, from new restaurants and bars to highly anticipated hotels, exhibitions and musicals.


Changes coming to Sydney in 2025: Editor’s Note

2024 was such a transformative year for Sydney in terms of infrastructure and hospitality that it’s tough to know what 2025 will hold. As The New York Times called out when they ranked the Harbour City as one of the best places to visit this year, some of the most exciting changes have either already happened (Sydney Metro) or will be unveiled this year (Sydney Fish Market 2.0).

But that’s the top-level stuff.

Look beneath the surface and you’ll see that Sydney, as per usual, continues to offer an incredible lifestyle full of music, art, food, drink and all the things that colour inside the lines.

Personally, these are some of the things I’m most excited about this year after putting together the below list. Which I’ll be updating regularly (so bookmark it and keep checking back to see what’s on for Sydney) as more new restaurants, bars, exhibitions and stage shows are announced.

Dining: I can’t wait to see what the Liquid & Larder team do with their two venues at The Eve Hotel, Bar Julius and Lottie. The latter especially, since this is the first time the hospitality group, predominantly known for its impeccable steakhouses like The Gidley and Bistecca, has taken a hard left turn into the brightness of Mexican culture. Even more exciting: it’ll be poolside.

Drinking: Alma should be interesting. While not many new bars have been announced (so far) for this year, I don’t think any discerning local would overlook what Nathan Sassi and Morgan McGlone have got cooking up in their ostensible Albion Street takeover. The hospo hotshots have built up so much goodwill with their highly regarded neighbourhood wine bar, Bar Copains, that there’s very little doubt they can turn Alba (and flame-loving restaurant Bessie’s) into another win.

Hotels: There aren’t many hotel openings that are coming through this year. The next really big hotel opening will be the Waldorf Astoria, scheduled for late 2026. But 2025 is all about those boutiques. Accor’s 25Hours brand is opening up in Paddington towards the middle of the year and we’re just weeks away from Josh Niland’s The Grand National Hotel. The most publicised, however, has been The Eve Hotel. TFE has been going from strength to strength over the past few years, dominating awards lists, particularly for The Calile Hotel in Brisbane and Hotel Britomart across the ditch in Auckland. I recently popped into the lobby after having lunch at the adjoining Olympus Dining. It’s bright, packed with personality and speaks well for the rest of the property. I’m very excited.

Exhibitions: This is a tricky one, as it is each year. Last year was really all about the Australian Museum and its blockbuster Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, which set new attendance records for the institution. This year brings the focus back to statement-making contemporary art and I’m particularly excited about the MCA’s conceptual “Data Dreams” exhibition, opening in November. I’ve been personally (and obsessively) fascinated by the way social media algorithms and (largely dubious) data sets are used to drive narratives and influence worldviews, whether intentionally or not. Having an exhibition explore those essential themes in what I can only assume is a deep and engaging way makes it the most important exhibition coming to Sydney this year.

Stage: My god, the nostalgia. So many new musicals are coming to Sydney and almost of them all of them are adaptations of deeply loved stories and iconic films. What am I looking forward to the most? I think The Lord of the RingsA Musical Tale is a hot ticket at just $25 for three hours of entertainment from Middle Earth. Peter Lynch’s review of the show gave particular applause to Laurence Boxhall for his flexible portrayal of Gollum. I saw a preview of MJ The Musical at a travel conference I attended last year and although it was just two songs, it was wildly entertaining and memorable. I think that will be such a huge hit for Sydney Lyric Theatre, which will be needed after Hamilton leaves at the end of January.


What’s coming to Sydney in 2025?


Hot new restaurants opening in Sydney this year

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant
The team behind Bar Copains will open new fire-kissed kitchen Bessie’s just up the road (photo supplied).

Bessie’s, Surry Hills

Opening: Now open

“Food. Fire. Friends” is the tagline for Bessie’s, a new kitchen on Albion Street in Surry Hills, run by the same team behind fan favourite Bar Copains. Fire cooking will be at centre of the menu with the only confirmed dish so far being wood fired prawns with lardo, paprika, oil and rosemary.

The team have carved out space at the old Chefs Warehouse at 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills and will also open a sister bar, Alma, with a straightforward list of cocktails and wine. While Bessie’s will preference broader Mediterranean (Bar Copain’s is decidedly French), we don’t yet know any more details for Alma except that both venues open on the same date, January 16.

Address: 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Bar Julius in Surry Hills, Sydney
Bar Julius is a new all-day European-styled diner from the Liquid & Larder crew (photo supplied).

Bar Julius, Redfern

Opening: Now open

While The Apollo Group’s Olympus Dining and House Made Hospitality’s Radio Island have already cut the ribbon for Wunderlich Lane, the next new dining concept to open for the new Redfern-Surry Hills precinct is Bar Julius.

Coming from Liquid & Larder, the brains behind world-renowned steakhouse The Gidley, Bar Julius is a hyper-colourful all-day European bistro with a menu packed full of elevated casual classics like burgers and salads. Given The Gidley has one of the world’s best burgers, we’ve got high hopes for this one as it opens as one of two restaurants at The Eve Hotel.

Address: 8 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016

Eric, Luna and Billy Wong from Golden Century and Maurice Terzini from Icebergs
Golden Century is back! Sydney’s most iconic Cantonese restaurant is being revived at Crown Sydney (photo supplied).

Golden Century, Barangaroo

Opening: Now open

One of the most emblematic restaurants in Sydney, chef favourite Golden Century, has put its Chinatown days behind it. Now the sorely missed restaurant is being revived as a replacement for Silks at Crown Sydney, bringing all the XO pippies and live seafood you can possibly dream of.

With the amount of grief poured from Golden Century’s closing in 2021, we’re thinking this could be the biggest restaurant opening of the year. Certainly the most “Sydney,” despite the obvious tonal shift from Chinatown’s raw and neon-lit Dixon Street to Crown Sydney’s highly polished Barangaroo operation.

Address: 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000

a plate of food on a table in Sydney
Mexican rooftop restaurant Lottie will be a major shift for Liquid & Larder, who are best known for running Sydney’s best steakhouses (photo supplied).

Lottie, Redfern

Opening: Now open

We’re liking this trend of dependable boutique hospitality groups being tapped by luxury hotels to help curate a conceptual dining scene. We already saw House Made Hospitality do wonders with four new venues at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, now it’s time to see what Liquid & Larder do for the upcoming Eve Hotel in Wunderlich Lane.

They’ll be opening Bar Julius this month, and then a rooftop restaurant by the hotel’s pool. Called Lottie, it’s a sun-soaked Mexican restaurant. We’re expecting a lot of colour and some great food and drink given this is the same team behind The Gidley, Alfie’s and The Rover.

Address: 8 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016

a white container with food in it
Sana is a new fast-casual concept from Joel Bennetts and Daniel Sorridimi (photo supplied).

Sana, South Eveleigh

Opening: February 2025

Now that Kylie Kwong has made the move to Western Sydney, South Eveleigh is in desperate need of a big-name opening. Enter acclaimed chefs Joel Bennetts and Daniel Sorridimi, teaming up to open a relaxed Mediterranean eatery called Sana.

The pitch is to fill the fast-casual space with quick, nutritious meals like a signature bowl packed with lamb mince, pickled zucchini, cucumber, red onion, pickled jalapeno and spiced almonds.

Address: Shop 8/1 Locomotive Street, South Eveleigh NSW 2015

a restaurant with tables and chairs
Etymon Projects is hoping to recreate Loulou’s success when they open an extension in Martin Place (photo: Etymon Projects).

Loulou, Martin Place

Opening: February 2025

Etymon Projects’ successful, all-in-one French brasserie in Milson’s Point marks one of the few occasions where fussy city-slicking gourmands are actually envious of the folks on the other side of the bridge. Milson’s Point was a grey canyon of collapsed fast casuals for years until this confident French restaurant popped its head in.

Now Etymon Projects are hoping to create similar success over at Martin Place where they will open Loulou number two. Loulou Martin Place function as a grand Parisian bistro with a sketch of legendary New York brasseries like Balthazar and Benoit. The 130-seat venue will be split across two levels and have al fresco dining on Elizabeth Street.

There will also be an adjoining patisserie, Petit Loulou, with cakes, croissants and savoury bites like rotisserie chicken baguettes. Given Lune just opened nearby, we think Sydney’s fancy financial folk are being a bit too spoilt with flaky pastries lately.

Address: 1 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

An ornate dining room in Randwick
Hungarian restaurant Corner 75 will be revived by two of Sydney’s most popular restaurants (photo supplied).

Corner 75, Randwick

Opening: TBC 2025

Corner 75 is an interesting one. The Randwick institution was one of the only authentic Hungarian restaurants in Sydney until shut a few years ago. Now it’s being revived by two of the best restaurants in the inner-west, Marrickville’s Baba’s Place and Stanmore’s Sixpenny.

We’re not sure on details, or even a concrete opening date, but we do know that having two incredible restaurants collaborate to bring back a highly underrated institution is an exciting prospect for a dining scene that’s at it’s best when there’s a ting of a nostalgia in the experience.

Address: 75 Frenchmans Road, Randwick NSW 2031

a plate of food on a white plate
Eleven Barrack will take over the former site of Seta in Sydney when it opens in early February (photo supplied).

Eleven Barrack, CBD

Opening: Now open

The Bentley Group has proven one of the most reliable operators in Sydney with stunners Monopole, Yellow, the namesake Bentley Restaurant & Bar, and most recently Brasserie 1930 in the lavish Capella Sydney. Now Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt take on a new challenge in an old building on Barrack Street. Al fresco dining will reportedly be a big focus for Eleven Barrack but no further details have been spilled thus far. But we do know from its nascent Instagram account that this will be a traditional seafood and steak grill, taking cues from the “grand dining rooms of New York and Paris” as it takes over the former space of ambitious Italian restaurant Seta.

Address: 11 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000

a table with food on it
The team behind Glass Island are turning a three-level superyacht into a coastal Italian restaurant (photo supplied).

Solaré, Sydney Harbour

Opening: February 2025

Glass Island mastermind Scott Robertson is hoping to recreate Sydney dining on Sydney Harbour with Solaré. Sounding like a concept shooting straight from South Beach, the three-level superyacht will be turned into a coastal Italian dining experience directed by Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas, who has built up a solid resume across Totti’s, Bobby’s and Ortiga.

Address: Sydney Harbour NSW 2000

The Sydney Fish Market will open its second iteration sometime in 2025.
A brand new concept, Tam Jiak, from popular upscale Malaysian eatery, Ho Jiak, is one of several restaurants coming to the new Sydney Fish Market (photo supplied).

Tam Jiak, Pyrmont

Opening: October 2025

Given the hype surrounding the new-look Sydney Fish Market, we’re making the educated assumption that the new building’s handful of full-service restaurants will be special. It seems like Ho Jiak’s Junda Khoo is one of the headliners for the new $800 million redevelopment, sprouting a new concept with Tiam Jiak which blends classic surf and turf grill options with Malaysian flavours. It’ll be Khoo’s biggest venue yet with 180 seats, but we won’t know any more details until closer to Tam Jiak’s October 2025 opening date.

The Sydney Fish Market completion date is set for early 2025 so the building should open before the restaurants.

Address: Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd &, Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Andreas Papadkis, famous for Melbourne’s handmade pasta haven Tipo 00, is opening a restaurant in Double Bay this year (photo: Kristoffer Paulsen)

An unnamed restaurant from Tipo 00, Double Bay

Opening: TBC 2025

We don’t yet have many details surrounding a new Italian restaurant in Double Bay that’s due to open at some point this year. Except that it’s from the great Andreas Papadakis, who build a name from himself as the mastermind behind Melbourne’s highly regarded Tipo 00. Given his reputation with handmade pasta, we’re assuming the Greek-born chef will play brilliantly in the swanky suburb, which to date has seen a dining resurgence thanks to several venues by Neil Perry like Next Door, Margaret and Song Bird.

Address: Bay St, Double Bay NSW 2028


Cosy new cafes opening Sydney

Ursala’s in Paddington is getting a smaller sister cafe with Cafe Cressida (photo supplied).

Cafe Cressida, Woollahra

Opening: February 2025

Phil Wood’s celebrated fine dining terrace Ursala’s enters 2025 playing the role of big sister. Wood will be opening an extension of his reliable kitchen, with Cafe Cressida conceived as a Bills-style all-day cafe with a lean towards European flavours. Having such a prolific fine dining chef take on breakfast should bring Paddington a new favourite daytime haunt.

Address: Moncur St & Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025

Khanom House is a new Thai bakery opening in Chippendale (photo: Instagram).

Khanom House, Chippendale

Opening: February 1, 2025

The Baking Lists is getting a glow up. The popular market-only bakery has graduated to a shopfront, setting up in the old Rico Tacos where baker Yeen Verasenee will be working up Thai-inspired baked goods. The stall has so far been most popular for its crème brûlée doughnuts and chiffrons.

Address: 15 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008

One of Sydney’s favourite sandwich shops is making the move from McMahons Point with a new location in Sydney CBD (photo: Instagram)

Fiore Sandwich, CBD

Opening: Early 2025

One of Sydney’s most popular sandwich shops is making the big city move. McMahons Point favourite Fiore has build up so much good will over on the Lower North Shore that it’s only right for them to bring their beautiful stock to the masses. Fiore will be opening a straightforward, no-fuss, high-quality sandwich shop at Clarence Street near Martin Place. A menu hasn’t been confirmed but we imagine you can expect that definitive dark sourdough made from sustainable, old-world flour taken from Gunnedah’s Wholegrain Milling.

Address: 151 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000


The best new bars coming to Sydney in 2025

Icebergs has opened a new Harbour Bar at Crown Sydney for a summer residency (photo supplied).

Icebergs Harbour Bar, Barangaroo

Opening: Now open

Crown Sydney already scored big by locking down the revival of Golden Century, but they’ve also tapped another Sydney icon to help elevate the resort’s food and beverage offering. Bondi’s world-famous Icebergs has now opened an extension in the Barangaroo property: Icebergs Harbour Bar, with Mediterranean bar snacks and a supersized drinks list.

It seems like this is a seasonal pop-up, however, geared towards the hotter months of the year. It remains to be seen whether or not Icebergs will stick around after summer but for now, bringing a slice of Bondi to Barangaroo is a great idea as Sydney continues to dip into summer.

Address: 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000

The team behind Surry Hills favourite Bar Copains is opening a new bar, Alma, just up the road (photo supplied).

Alma, Surry Hills

Opening: January 16, 2025

As above, Morgan McClone and Nathan Sassi of the beloved Bar Copains are opening Bessie’s in the former Chefs Warehouse at 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills. And that fire-focused kitchen will also be accompanied by a new bar, opening on the same day with a refined drinks list to further transform Albion Street into a hospitality strip.

Address: 100 Albion Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Baptist Street Rec Club is a new high-energy bar opening above Island Radio (photo: Steven Woodburn).

Baptist Street Rec Club, Redfern

Opening: February 4, 2025

Move over Collingwood Yards, Sydney’s Wunderlich Lane has its own super fun, hyper-colourful “cocktail and wine tavern” that’ll riff on the inner-city’s strong sense of community. Baptist Street Rec Club will be open directly above Island Radio with local drops, live music on weekends, and design informed by throwback Australiana culture from the ’80s and ’90s.

Address: Corner of Cleveland &, Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016


Lavish new hotels opening in Sydney in 2025

The EVE Hotel is opening in Surry Hills
The EVE Hotel is one of just a handful of new luxury hotels opening in Sydney this year (photo supplied).

The Eve Hotel, Redfern

Opening: February 13, 2025

TFE Hotels has seen massive success in the luxury market in the past few years with brands like A by Adina and Brisbane’s The Calile. Now the group is turning its attention to Redfern with the ambitious Eve Hotel, a project cobbled together by a number of designers each using their own language for something wholly unique for the Harbour City. The luxury hotel will have two restaurants by Liquid & Larder (Bar Julius and Lottie) as well as direct access to The Apollo Group’s Olympus Dining, in addition to a rooftop pool. It’s shaping up as the quirky, designer-led boutique hotel Sydney has always dreamed of.

Address: 8 Baptist St, Redfern NSW 2016

A room at the Grand National Hotel in Sydney
Josh and Julie Niland complete plans for 14 boutique rooms above their acclaimed Saint Peter in The Grand National Hotel (photo supplied).

The Grand National Hotel, Paddington

Opening: January 31, 2025

With only 14 rooms, The Grand National Hotel is now one of the smallest hotels in Sydney. That’s because it’s not really a full-service hotel. Not with the typical amenities at least. These 14 designer rooms sit above Josh and Julie Niland’s Saint Peter, one of the most awarded seafood restaurants in the world. The best bit: Josh will be cooking breakfast.

Address: 161 Underwood St, Paddington NSW 2021

The popular 25Hours brand is making its big Australian debut with a 109-room hotel in Paddington (photo supplied).

25Hours Paddington

Opening: TBC 2025

Accor’s lush 25Hours brand is finally making its Australian debut this year. Taking over the heritage-listed West Olympia Theatre on Oxford Street, 25Hours Paddington is a 109-room hotel with four dining and drinking venues, including a rooftop bar, called Monica, a dedicated cocktail bar and a restaurant. Details are scarce but we imagine more will be released as Accor looks towards a mid-2025 opening.

Address: 3 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021


The Sydney exhibitions that will spark conversation in 2025

a person walking past a wall with a pair of masks
Warraba Weatherall will stage his very first solo exhibition at the MCA this year (photo: Museum of Contemporary Art).

Warraba Weatherall, MCA

Opening: March 21, 2025

AGNSW will stage the very first solo exhibition of Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall, stretched over a few months from March to September with a deep, varied exploration of Weatherall’s work. The engaging artist focuses on the histories of Kamilaroi cultural objects, probing the influence of materials, documentation and more, coupled with several new artworks including large-scale, sculptural and video works.

Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Australia’s three biggest art prizes, including the world-renowned Archibald, will return to AGNSW this year (photo: Art Gallery of NSW).

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, AGNSW

Opening: May 10, 2025

Australia’s favourite art awards are back again in May, pulling together the best of portrait, landscape and subject painters from across the country. Each year, the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes give us some of the biggest conversation starters in the art world, and all shortlisted entries will be display from May 10 before the Archibald Prize and Wynne Prize both starting touring regionally across galleries in New South Wales and Victoria.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Richard Bell’s works will inform a colourful new major exhibition at AGNSW (photo: Milani Gallery, Brisbane and Richard Bell).

High Colour, AGNSW

Opening: May 31, 2025

Opening at the end of May, High Colour is a major exhibition highlighting global perspectives, relationships and synergies that connect work from the gallery’s collection, with a few new acquisitions as well. Inspired by Richard Bell’s 2012 Colour Theory, the overall theme will explore the role of colour in creative contemporary interpretations of Indigeneity by Australian artists and international artists from North and South America.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

MCA’s Level 4 galleries will be populated by Cerith Wyn Evans this June to October (photo: Museum of Contemporary Art).

Cerith Wyn Evans, MCA

Opening: June 6, 2025

Taking over the MCA’s Level 4 Galleries is a major survey of Welsh conceptual artist, sculptor and filmmaker Cerith Wyn Evans in a Sydney exclusive. The gallery, stretched from early June and mid-October, has been curated by MCA Director of Curatorial and Digital Laura Strongman and will be informed by close collaboration with the UK-based artist. His dynamic contemporary environments of light and sound should help bring in a diverse crowd, with contemporary exhibitions like this often the bread-and-butter for MCA each year.

Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Four Indigenous Australians sitting on the ground drawing.
The Art of Yirrkala will highlight works from Arnhem Land at the AGNSW this June (photo supplied).

Yolŋu Power: The Art of Yirrkala, AGNSW

Opening: June 21, 2025

The extraordinary artists of Yirrkala, a small Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, have been recognised around the world for multiple art forms and the beautifully expressed threads of cultural, political and social history that define their works. The Art Gallery of NSW will display a great deal of their work and highlight the Yirrkala community’s depth of creativity in collaboration with the Indigenous art centre in Yirrkala, Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

A massive survey of Australian painter Janet Dawson arrives at AGNSW this year (photo: Mim Stirling / Goulburn Regional Art Gallery).

Janet Dawson: Faraway, So Close, AGNSW

Opening: July 19, 2025

One of Australia’s pre-eminent painters, Janet Dawson, will have her very first state art museum survey this year when The Art Gallery of NSW debuts Faraway, So Close. The new exhibition explores over seven decades of Dawson’s work, paying particular attention to the works that play outside of any one genre, highlighting her work in both abstraction and realism in Australia art.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

The Kaldor Public Art Project continues this August with its 38th year celebration the works of John Kaldor (photo: Kaldor Public Art Project).

Kaldor Public Art Project 38: Thomas Demand, AGNSW

Opening: August 30, 2025

The long-running Kaldor Art Project has been running at the Art Gallery for 38 years now, with John Kaldor this year working with artist Thomas Demand. Together, they have created a new exhibition space that’ll be revealed at AGNSW at the end of August in the Naala Badu building. For this project, the artists have transformed the space into a labyrinth of floating coloured planes and pavilions, designed to bring a new perspective to the Art Gallery’s John Kaldor Family Collection.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

a group of kids playing at a playground
Mark Hewson, renowned for his eccentric DIY playgrounds, will take over AGNSW’s Tank this October (photo: University of Sydney).

Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat, AGNSW

Opening: October 4, 2025

One of the most unique art spaces in Australia, AGNSW’s Tank, will welcome a new installation from Mark Hewson. Come October, Hewson will transform the former wartime oil bunker with a unique form of social sculpture running under the title The Key’s Under the Mat. Here, the artist has reimagined the Tank as an archaic sculptural neighbourhood that can be interactive, encouraging social engagement between visitors and the art and visitors and themselves. Hewson has become known for his eccentric versions of traditional playgrounds so seeing how he works with the Tank should be one of the most interesting art experiences for big and little kids alike this year.

Address: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

MCA will continue with its popular Primavera series in Spring 2025 (photo: Museum of Contemporary Art).

Primavera 2025: Young Australian Artists, MCA

Opening: Spring 2025

When spring does its thing, MCA will be right there to meet the blossoming weather with the annual Primevera exhibition. Highlighting works from Australian artists aged 35 and under, it’s always been an incredibly prescient showcase for new voices in the Australian art world. This year, MCA Assistant Curator Tim Riley Walsh has been given the reigns and will curate the annual exhibition towards yet-to-be-announced themes

Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Data Dreams will be a fascinating examination of the role and influence of AI and big tech in modern society (photo: Museum of Contemporary Art).

Data Dreams: Contemporary Art in the Age of AI, MCA

Opening: November 21, 2025

Just be glad that NFT art exhibitions quickly faded out. For one of it’s headline exhibitions for 2025, the MCA will be hosting a major survey of contemporary art in the age of AI, curated by Jane Devery in collaboration with Anna Davis and Tim Riley Walsh. Data Dreams will be the first of its kind in any major Australian institution, featuring works by leading contemporary artists examining the rapidly evolving relationship society has with artificial intelligence. How are algorithms and datasets influencing our worldviews? It could be the most important question you ask yourself this year.

Address: 140 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000


Thrilling new musicals and shows coming to Sydney’s best stages in 2025

Cinderella in Sydney
A classic staging of Cinderella will bring pure magic to Sydney Opera House (photo: Sydney Opera House).

Cinderella, Sydney Opera House

Opening: January 2, 2025

Opera Australia and Sydney Festival have joined considerable curatorial forces to bring Laurent Pelly’s dazzling production of Cinderella to one of the world’s most famous stages. Massenet’s sumptuous classic has been sitting at the centre of the industry since it debuted at London’s Royal Opera House in 2011. Now the 90-minute show takes place at Sydney Opera House, with an English-speaking production that doubles down on the elegance of top-tier musicals.

Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000

The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale is coming to Sydney's The State Theatre
A musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings has arrived at the State Theatre (Photo: Liz Lauren).

Lord of the Rings, State Theatre

Opening: January 7, 2025

Get in, we’re going to Middle-Earth. You’ve seen The Lord of the Rings on the big screen, have read the books (look at you, you tenacious bookworm you) and have at least thought about buying one of the billions of pieces of merchandise out there. Now watch J.R.R Tolkien’s tale of dutiful Hobbits, habit-forming magic rings, and greedy gollums come to life with some of Australia’s best stage actors, original songs and spellbinding costumes. The Lord of the Rings—A Musical Tale has just opened as the State Theatre’s first major stage show of 2025. Ready for a nostalgic, three-hour journey through Middle-Earth?

Address: 49 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000

a group of women in white dresses dancing on a stage
Swan Lake returns to Sydney, this time on ice (photo: Sydney Coliseum).

Swan Lake on Ice, Sydney Coliseum

Opening: January 8, 2025

Rooty Hill’s impressive, tech-forward West HQ is playing host to Swan Lake this year. The difference: it’s on ice this time, taking Tchaikovsky’s famous musical and giving the reigns to leading ice director Tony Mercer. There are more than 250 competition medals shared between the Olympic-level skaters involved in bringing this production to life so expect a heady dose of adrenaline to anchor all those grand gestures of love.

Address: 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill NSW 2766

A Peter Pan sequel is bringing a fresh perspective on Neverland to Sydney (photo: Capitol Theatre).

Peter and the Starcatcher, Capitol Theatre

Opening: January 31, 2025

Originally developed by Disney Theatre Group and the winner of five Tony Awards, Peter and the Starcatcher is a swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan that includes 90 puppets in action. The production stars Pete Helliar, Colin Lane and others they bring in a new perspective to neverland long before the titular characters of J.M. Barrie’s colourful imagination.

Address: 13 Campbell St, Sydney NSW 2000

Wuthering Heights the musical comes to Sydney in 2025
Wuthering Heights is the first big show for Roslyn Packer Theatre this year (photo: Roslyn Packer Theatre).

Wuthering Heights, Roslyn Packer Theatre

Opening: January 31, 2025

The highly acclaimed musical, adapting Emily Brontë’s classic gothic novel about love, revenge and a yearning for redemption, will be shaped for the stage at Walsh Bay’s Roslyn Packer Theatre. The theatre director will be supported by composer Ian Ross with costume design from Vicki Mortimer, sound and video production from Simon Baker, lighting from Jai Morjaria, and choreography from Vicki Mortimer.

Address: 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Sydney, NSW 2000

Picnic at Hanging Rock reimagines the classic Joan Lindsay novel for one of the world’s most iconic stages (photo: Sydney Opera House).

Picnic at Hanging Rock, Sydney Opera House

Opening: February 17, 2025

This Australian classic is seen through the eyes of STC Resident Director Ian Michael, and the boldly reimagined Joan Lindsay novel is brought to life by five modern teenage girls. On St Valentine’s Day, 1990, four schoolgirls sneak away from their excursion to climb the imposing monolith of Hanging Rock. All but one disappears without a trace.

Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000

MJ the Musical, Sydney Lyric Theatre, Michael Jackson musical, February 2025, Michael Jackson Dangerous World Tour
MJ the Musical arrives in Sydney fresh from a superbly success run on Broadway (photo supplied).

MJ The Musical, Sydney Lyric Theatre

Opening: February 25, 2025

The musical commemorating the life of Michael Jackson, considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time, is heading to Sydney at last. After finding huge success on Broadway, Aussies have understandably been waiting for their chance to catch this tribute to the King of Pop. The story centres on MJ’s 1992 Dangerous World tour so expect exciting choreography and, of course, some of the greatest songs ever recorded.

Address: 55 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour confirms Guys & Dolls for 2025 season
A brand new staging of Guys & Dolls has been chosen for Handa Opera on the Harbour (photo supplied).

Guys & Dolls, Handa Opera on the Harbour

Opening: March 21, 2025

Nostalgia continues to leak into Sydney’s increasingly large appetite for big-ticket musicals. So Opera Australia went and commissioned a new production of Guys & Dolls for the world’s most beautiful pop-up stage, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. The slick Broadway classic will be given a new level of gloss with some of the biggest show tunes in history, including “Luck Be a Lady” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” Plus, you’ve got that heart-stopping vista of both the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge shouldering the background for Shaun Rennie’s energetic new staging.

Address: Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000

Get ready for some of the most iconic show tunes in history as Annie returns to Sydney (photo supplied).

Annie, Capitol Theatre

Opening: March 25, 2025

This beloved tale has captured the hearts of theatregoers around the globe for generations. Starring the extraordinary Anthony Warlow as ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, this charming musical features classics like “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “Tomorrow”. That is, three of the most recognisable show tunes of all time, threading through a dramatic retelling of the classic coming-of-age story about a resourceful orphan and her rich caretaker searching for a needle in a haystack.

Address: 13 Campbell St, Sydney NSW 2000

a group of people holding a gun
The French Revolution gets an intense makeover when Les Miserables returns to Sydney (photo supplied).

Les Miserables, ICC Theatre Sydney

Opening: April 30, 2025

One of the most ambitious musicals ever staged is coming to Sydney’s ICC Theatre at the end of April. By the time it reaches the Harbour City, it will be over 10 years since Boublil and Schönberg’s masterpiece was last seen in the country. Director Cameron Mackintosh’s classic, full-throated take on the French Revolution will be extra special in Sydney as well, given both Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly will be pulling double-duty for the iconic role of Jean Valjean.

Address: 2/14 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000


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