If you love live festivals and creative art, we’ve got just the list for you. Australia hosts some of the most exciting music and arts festivals worldwide, so today, we’ll take a look at some of the standout events that take place around the year. Each one of them has a special vibe, so whether you’re more into big and energetic shows or more intimate and quieter gatherings – we’ve got something for you. Check out the best music and arts festival in Australia for 2025.
Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass is the largest festival in the Byron Bay area. It began as a modest event in 2001, and it has turned into one of the country’s biggest and most beloved festivals. It gathers around 25,000 to 40,000 people each year, with people from all ages and parts of the world coming to celebrate the mix of alternative, indie, and rock music – as well as tourists who want to enjoy the good music and the multiple online options for online roulette for players in Australia.
The ticket prices generally range from $350 to $500 AUD for a weekend pass. Although the official 2025 lineup hasn’t been released yet at the time of writing, rumor has it that it will bring a mix of international and local stars. Some names that are being mentioned include Tame Impala or Flume, alongside some emerging acts. The Splendour in the Grass is not only about the headliners, though, as you can explore different art installations and smaller, more intimate side stages at the festival.
Falls Festival
The Falls Festival started as a small gathering in Lorne in the early 1990s, but it has grown into a major traveling event that visits multiple locations, including Lorne, Marion Bay, and Fremantle. The festival’s unique location concept makes it popular, and it now attracts over 100,000 visitors to its various sites.
The tickets are usually priced between $250 to $400, and you’re in for a truly diverse experience that features indie, rock, electronic, and even hip-hop music.
Although the 2025 lineup has yet to be officially released, it is expected to combine styles, promising something for everyone.
Meredith Music Festival
Meredith Music Festival is one of the ‘hidden gems’ in the Australian music festival lineup. It offers a more intimate vibe, and is held in a relaxed rural setting. The idea is to offer quality over quantity, so the festival typically draws a smaller crowd when compared to the other festivals on this list, with about 12,500 people visiting it each year. The tickets are around $488 AUD on average. The 2025 lineup is expected to be focused on indie and alternative music, with the focus being on emerging local artists.Â
Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney, as the name suggests, is a festival that combines arts and music, and it transforms the city into a colorful playground for music and arts. It’s best-known for its incredible light displays, but Vivid also hosts several pop-up music performances and creative installations.
The festival attracts over 2 million visitors each year, and the majority of the events are free to experience. There are some ticketed shows and workshops, but the tickets are usually cheap and cost from $20 to $100 AUD.
If you’re planning on visiting Sydney, the Vivid Sydney festival will be taking place from 23 May to 14 June 2025. It’s one of the best festivals in the world for:
- Interactive music performances
- Laser shows
- Innovative visual art installations
At the Vivid Sydney festival, you will literally see Sydney in a new light!
WOMADelaide
WOMADelaide is a festival that combines global culture trends into one place. It was first held in 1992 and it’s not just about music, but more about showing off different world cultures. It features live performances from around the world, and attracts around 70,000 to 80,000 visitors. The day passes are priced at around $120 AUD, and the lineup for 2025 is expected to feature international performers like Femi Kuti and Tinariwen. You can also expect to find numerous workshops, dance sessions, and other displays, which are a part of the WOMADelaide experience just as much as the live music performances.
Dark Mofo
Dark Mofo was first held in 2013 in Hobart, Tasmania, and is not the typical festival. It’s all about experimental sounds and provocative visual installations, so you can expect bold music and arts. It’s a large festival that draws more than 40,000 visitors annually, and ticket prices are around $50 to $150 AUD.
Adelaide Fringe
Adelaide Fringe was first held in 2007 and has since grown into one of the largest open-access arts festivals in Australia. Most of the performances are free, and there are over 2 million visitors from Australia and all around the world. The shows range from live music to theater, comedy, and dance. The festival is held from the last week of February to the last week of March – which is some of the best time of the year to visit Adelaide as well.
