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 first lineup drop doesn’t disappoint. Expect a soundscape as eclectic as it is electric: Indigenous composer William Barton brings his signature virtuoso style, ARIA heavyweight Katie Noonan delivers her genre-bending vocals, and trumpet master James Morrison adds a jazz punch. Add to that a wave of DJs and musicians, plus a yet-to-be-revealed headliner, and you’ve got a playlist worth the pilgrimage.
If art is a little more your scene, dive in to activations from Tim Georgeson, Cybele Cox, Sarah Ducker, Tim Schultz and Mika Utzon Popov, the exhibiting artists bringing playful and inspiring works oceanside. Environmental pioneer Bob Brown will also be making an appearance, sparking the conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks.
Beyond The Main Stage
Catching the big names is certainly a must-see element of the festival, but it's the immersion of grassroots art and culture that secures this one for our summer itinerary. In terms of activities, you can't miss the Ocean Lovers Film Festival, Deep North Shorts and Kids Adventure reels—including a special screening of How to Make Gravy with director Nick Waterman, and Future Council with Damon Gameau.
While in town, we recommend taking a stroll through the surrounding suburbia—you might even catch a festival pop-up or two. The Bowerbird Collective will be curating classical and world music in unexpected places, there'll be community gardening and placemaking projects, food and wine trails weaving through the peninsula (led by some of the country’s finest culinary talent), and health, wellness, surf and skate sessions run by big-name local legends.
Expect to see art and performance spilling from the streets to the sand—you'll find DJs sprawled throughout Avalon's alleyways, delivering always-on sets that form the soundtrack of the festival.
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 70% of the program free to access (and ticketed events launching soon). Keep an eye on socials or their website to be first in line for all upcoming headliners, announcements, and ticket purchases.
Image Credit: The Deep North | Supplied
Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Laneway Festival Announces 2026 Dates, New Venues And A Gold Coast Debut
Laneway Festival 2026 hits Australia and NZ with new venues in Adelaide, Perth, and the Gold Coast. Full lineup drops 18 September.
Sydney’s First Lab‑Grown Quail Is Here—And You Have To Try It
Cultivated quail just hit Sydney menus. Here’s where to try it.
El Niño Or La Niña? Here’s What’s In Store For Sydney This Summer
After a very wet winter in Sydney, the question on everyone’s minds is the same: will it be El Niño or La Niña visiting Sydney this summer?