Welcome To The Deep North: Sydney’s New Festival Is Taking Over the Beaches

Whether you’re a saltwater local or a first-time visitor chasing surf and sun, Sydney’s Northern Beaches are the place to be in late 2025—and not just to feel the sand between your toes. This summer marks the debut of the Deep North Festival, transforming Avalon, Whale Beach and Palm Beach into a three-day playground where music, art, food and community collide.

The Lineup

At the heart of it all is performance, and the final program doesn’t disappoint. From Indigenous composer William Barton and jazz legend James Morrison, to Oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros, Guzheng master Mindy Meng Wang, and Ngiyampaa violinist Eric Avery, the bill reads like a who’s who of Australia’s music scene.

Over the weekend, you’ll also catch poet Evelyn Araluen, environmental pioneer Bob Brown in conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks, and a surprise Saturday night headliner—a multi-award-winning indie-rock icon announced next month. Add live jazz, classical recitals, DJ sets, sound healings, and beachside sunrise sessions, and you’ve got the makings of an Avalon all-nighter (or three).

And yes, the rumours are true: a multi-award-winning Saturday night headliner will be revealed on 8 November—and it’s set to define your summer.

Beyond The Main Stage

Catching the big names is certainly a must-see element of the festival, but it's street-level action that secures this one for our summer itinerary. Avalon’s laneways will pulse with DJs and live sets from Sam La More, Bentley, DJ DT, Rob Madden, and Kid Kenobi, while The Bowerbird Collective brings classical and world music to unexpected corners of the coast.

The film program is stacked too: Modern Day Castaway, Point of Change, How to Make Gravy, and Deep North Shorts—a local showcase presented by LJ Hooker. Meanwhile, Adventure Reels curates nature-inspired short films for all ages.

If you’re chasing movement, there’s everything from yoga and breathwork at sunrise to Liberte skate nights, drumming workshops, guided nature walks, and surf-side wellness events.

And because no festival is complete without good food and drink, Leeuwin Coast Oysters is taking over Bar Elvina all weekend—offering complimentary oysters with any bevvie purchase. That’s your cue to pause between sets, find a sunny seat, and soak up the coastal chaos with something salty and cold one in hand.

Shop The Peninsula

And when it’s time to swap beats for boutiques, Avalon’s makers and retailers are stepping up with exclusive festival collabs—so you can take a little piece of The Deep North home with you. Peggy Concept Store, Beachwood, Bookoccino, Sauna Amalfi, Voss Store, Elvina, Glass Ave, Chakana, Nash & Banks, Bassike, and Natalie Marie Jewellery will all be showcasing never-before-seen designs and offerings. Consider it retail therapy (with a Northern Beaches twist).

The Deep North Festival kicks off from the 5th to 7th of December, with tickets now on pre-sale and general sale opening tomorrow (Wednesday 15 October). Around 70% of the program is free, and you can build your own weekend itinerary—from full-moon concerts and film screenings to markets, maker workshops, and world-class performances.

Follow the journey online and on their socials—and stay tuned for that secret headliner drop in November.

Book Tickets Online

Image Credit: The Deep North | Supplied

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