Sydney Observatory 2025 Program

Fri 31st January, 2025 – Wed 5th November, 2025
Sydney Observatory
1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point
Price: Free and ticketed
Catch free live music at sunset, sip Lo-Fi wines while watching the pink moon rise, celebrate Māori New Year with a special Matariki event and more throughout the year.

Look to the skies: Powerhouse has announced its 2025 program for Sydney Observatory, with a series of events combining astronomy, art, storytelling and cultural traditions against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. It’s the Observatory’s first major offering in several years.

Kicking off the program on January 31 is Sunset Variations, a free live music series running every Friday until the end of February. From sunset to twilight, enjoy performances from some of Australia’s most compelling musicians, including Botswana-born, Perth-raised artist xmunashe, electronic artist e fishpool, Kaytetye DJ and artist RONA., instrumental duo Wilson Tanner, and Iranian-born, Adelaide-based santur player Maryam Rahmani.

In March, mark the start of Ramadan by viewing the new crescent moon at a special event in collaboration with the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA) and artist Shireen Taweel. The evening gives an insight into Islamic astronomy and its connection to cultural narratives, navigation and cosmology. In April, sip natural wine and watch the pink moon rise over Sydney Harbour as Powerhouse and Lo-Fi Wines team up to present local and international winemakers and sommeliers sharing their thoughts on sustainable viticulture and natural winemaking.

Between April and November, the On Time talk series explores the philosophy of time. Over four sessions, journalist Rachel Hocking will be joined by leading thinkers such as Professor Dean Rickles and Associate Professor Kristie Miller to examine how time governs our experiences of the world around us.

In June, symposium No Space Is Empty celebrates First Nations perspectives on time and place through storytelling and discussion, while July’s Matariki celebration marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar with the midwinter rise of the Matariki star cluster. In October, the vibrant Moon Festival transforms the Observatory into a bustling precinct filled with lantern workshops, lion dancing, music and delicious food for families and visitors of all ages.

Browse the full program and plan your visit at powerhouse.com.au.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Powerhouse.

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