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SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL ANNUAL REPORT

20 25

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Sydney Fringe acknowledges and is guided by the allodial owners of the land that we meet on. We pay our respects and recognise elders past and present, as well as all the First Nations People of Australia. 2

Williams FRINGE FESTIVAL Artwork: SisStars of the Gadi by Peta-JoySYDNEY

CONTENTS A MILESTONE YEAR

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

VENUES

ARTISTS

PARTNERSHIPS & ACTIVATIONS

EVENTS

PROGRAMMING

AUDIENCES

MEDIA COVERAGE

ACCESS

FIRST NATIONS FIRST

ADVOCACY

AWARDS

IMPACT

SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY

LOOKING AHEAD

THANK YOU

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

A MILESTONE YEAR

Sydney Fringe Festival Photocall - Daniel Boud

2025 marked a defining moment in the story of Sydney Fringe. As we celebrated 16 years of championing independent artists and stages across our city, we also honoured the extraordinary leadership of Kerri Glasscock, whose twelve-year tenure transformed Sydney Fringe from a small grassroots initiative into New South Wales’ largest independent arts festival and an official state Foundation Event. This recognition, achieved well within our 2023–28 Strategic Plan, cements Sydney Fringe’s role as a key cultural driver for the state and a cornerstone of Sydney’s creative future. This year’s festival reached more corners of Greater Sydney than ever before. Over 103,335 people experienced work by 3,309 independent artists across 462 events and 98 venues representing a recordbreaking footprint that speaks to both the scale of our ambition and the appetite of Sydney audiences for diverse, original voices. With a consistent 50% attendance rate, our city once again proved that independent art is not a niche offering, but a vital and growing part of Sydney’s cultural identity.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

The festival’s ripple effect extended far beyond our stages. Eighty percent of audiences spent with local businesses, reaffirming Sydney Fringe’s critical role in driving the night-time economy. With the majority of festival goers using public transport, our continued investment in accessibility and sustainability is central to ensuring everyone can navigate and enjoy the vast reach of the festival. To help audiences explore this ever-expanding landscape, we refined our precinct strategy, developing new interactive tools and expanding our four major hubs, each a distinct celebration of local character and creativity. •

•

The Eastern Precinct hosted the spectacular Festival Garden Fool’s Paradise at The Entertainment Quarter, welcoming 47,000 visitors, alongside an expanded Queer Hub at Qtopia Sydney and the triumphant reopening of Eternity Playhouse, home to our Off Broadway program which achieved a remarkable 60% attendance mark. The Inner West Precinct saw Marrickville Town Hall transformed into a buzzing Cabaret Hub, while The Factory Theatre once again hosted Fringe Comedy, PACT Centre for Emerging Artists was home to our Made In Sydney program, and New Theatre became Sydneysiders’ passport to international Fringe work. Each amplified Fringe’s signature blend of risk-taking and innovation. The Central Precinct came alive with our biggest edition of Sideshow, highlighted by When Night Comes and the exquisite Wright & Grainger series in George Street’s heritage terraces. Greater Sydney embraced Fringe with a record number of community-driven events from FEAST, FEAST Morning Tea Edition, and Fringeville in Hurstville, to new partnerships in Lane Cove with Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe. Western Sydney burst to life with Parramatta’s Lit!, a new literary festival, as well as a series of dynamic works at Riverside Theatres. These partnerships represent the importance of deepening our engagement with local councils and wider Sydney audiences.

Our commitment to inclusion and representation continued to expand. The Limitless program for d/ Deaf, Disabled and Neurodiverse artists returned for its fourth year, supported by Waverley Council and presented at the iconic Bondi Pavilion. The Yalgali First Nations Hub, supported by Creative Australia, opened the Festival with an expanded program and welcomed Glory Tuohy-Daniell as our 2025 Artist-in-Residence whose works adorned our First Nations Hub and embodied the spirit of connection 2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

and storytelling which is at the heart of Fringe. Behind the scenes, we continued to invest in artists through marketing masterclasses, 1:1 consultations, and practical producing guides. By subsidising 43% of artist costs (totalling $142,764), we ensured that Sydney Fringe remained a launchpad, not a barrier, for independent talent. With 53% of artists participating for the first time, and nearly half identifying as emerging, the festival continues to be a vital gateway for new voices breaking into the national arts scene. Our national and international partnerships also grew stronger, with exchange programs connecting Sydney artists to San Diego, Hollywood, New Zealand, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. These relationships extend our reach globally giving Sydney Fringe artists pathways to tour, collaborate and thrive beyond our borders. With 99% of audiences planning to return in 2026, Sydney Fringe has never been more loved or more essential. The words most used to describe the 2025 festival were vibrant, inclusive and community-focused. These are not just adjectives; they are a mandate. As Sydney Fringe continues to grow in scale and impact, the need for sustained investment and visionary partnerships has never been greater. The independent arts sector, the beating heart of Sydney’s creative identity, cannot thrive without the infrastructure, funding and belief that empower it. Sydney Fringe remains the incubator that is leading that charge. To our partners, funders, policymakers and supporters: the future of Sydney’s cultural life depends on our collective commitment today. Thank you from everyone at Sydney Fringe for your continued belief and collaboration. Together, we can ensure that the next 16 years of Sydney Fringe and the independent artists who make it extraordinary are defined by opportunity, not limitation.

Cabaret Hub Launch - Paul McMillan 5

Sydney Fringe Festival Photocall - Daniel Boud

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 2025 has been another landmark year for Sydney Fringe; a record year of growth, leadership transition, and renewed purpose. We celebrated sixteen years of championing independent artists and saw our largest festival in history: 103,335 attendees across 462 events in 98 venues, showcasing 3,309 artists and over 2,200 performances. These achievements represent the citywide appetite for excellence in diverse, independent storytelling and the collective belief that Sydney’s creative heartbeat is worth amplifying. This year marked a significant moment of change as we farewelled our long-standing CEO and Festival Director, Kerri Glasscock, whose twelve years of extraordinary leadership transformed Sydney Fringe from a grassroots festival into New South Wales’s largest independent arts festival and a designated Foundation Event. Her impact will continue to shape the sector for years to come, and her appointment as Executive Director of Create NSW is a fitting testament to the legacy she leaves behind. Beyond the Festival, Sydney Fringe strengthened its position as the leading voice for independent artists. Our advocacy work this year, including submission and participation in the NSW Government’s Art of Tax Reform Summit and ongoing contribution to cultural policy, ensured that independent practitioners remain central to conversations shaping the future of arts and culture in our state.

Yet while we celebrate the wins, the challenges facing the sector remain pressing. Rising costs, venue closures and limited accessible infrastructure continue to test the resilience of the independent sector. Sydney Fringe has stepped up by subsidising 43% of artist costs, investing in accessibility and sustainability initiatives, and expanding engagement in priority communities. But we cannot do it alone. Sydney Fringe is an ecosystem of opportunity. To sustain this work, we need continued support from government, industry, commercial partners, donors and audiences alike. From 2026, we are delighted to have increased funding from Create NSW, a vital investment to achieving our goals. Together, we are ensuring that Sydney remains a city that champions creativity, empowers independent artists and celebrates every voice that makes our city so extraordinary. As we enter a new era of leadership at Sydney Fringe under my direction, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring that independent artists have equitable access to the infrastructure, visibility and opportunity they deserve. I bring with me the same passion and experience that has driven me as an independent artist for more than twenty years: a passion grounded in purpose, equity and community. Our vision is clear: to build a Sydney where creativity is not a privilege but a shared public good. When our artists thrive, our city thrives – economically, socially and creatively.

Patrick Kennedy Chief Executive Officer Sydney Fringe 6

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe Launch Paul McMillan

VENUES In 2025, we doubled down on our precinct model, which debuted to great success in 2024. Audience feedback and data confirmed that this approach not only makes the festival easier to navigate but also strengthens our marketing impact and sense of cohesion across a growing footprint. Our genre-themed hubs once again served as the beating heart of each precinct, strategically located to reflect local character, interests and demographics. In a city defined by its scale and spread, these hubs provide essential entry points for audiences, inviting discovery of new voices in both familiar and reimagined settings. They have become one-stop destinations for audiences to experience multiple shows in a single night, extending the Fringe energy well into the late hours and fostering a deeper sense of community connection. A standout success this year was our collaboration with the City of Sydney to reopen the iconic Eternity Playhouse, home to our Off Broadway Hub, which achieved over 60% occupancy across four weeks and marked a triumphant return for this beloved venue.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Village Green Festival Garden, Photography: Paul McMillan

Festival Hubs:

Inner West Precinct Yalgali – PACT Centre For Emerging Artists Made in Sydney – PACT Centre For Emerging Artists Fringe Comedy – Factory Theatre Touring Hub – New Theatre Cabaret Hub – Marrickville Town Hall Emerging Artist Share House – Erskineville Town Hall

Eastern Precinct Fool’s Paradise – The Entertainment Quarter Limitless – Bondi Pavilion Queer Hub – Qtopia Sydney Off Broadway Hub – Eternity Playhouse

Central Precinct Dance Hub – Sydney Dance Company Sideshow – The Rocks

VENUE STATISTICS

EVENT STATISTICS

Venues participated in this year’s festival

45%

Non-traditional or pop-up performance spaces

35%

17%

of venues in Inner West LGA

45%

of venues in other LGAs inc Western Sydney

of events located in COS LGA

of events located in Inner West LGA

98 venues across Greater Sydney came together to deliver our largest program to date. Alongside our Festival Hubs, we were thrilled to partner with The Entertainment Quarter and Head First Acrobats to present the Festival Garden, which welcomed 50,000 attendees across two vibrant tent stages. We continued to build strong multi-year relationships with key partners including Qtopia - expanded into two spaces this year - as well as New Theatre, Factory Theatre, Erskineville Town Hall, PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, and Sydney Dance Company. Establishing consistent homes for these programs has significantly strengthened brand recognition, audience loyalty and the clarity of our festival identity across the city. We also welcomed important new venues into the Fringe family, most notably the Eternity Playhouse and Marrickville Town Hall. Both quickly became standout hubs, delivering exceptional attendance and outstanding feedback from artists and audiences alike. Our biggest program at The Rocks was made possible through the continued support of PMNSW. Together, we activated all of 6–8 Atherden Street and 37 George Street, complemented by free street performances and a spectacular Opening Night celebration that set the tone for the month ahead.

First Sounds Showcase - Suzanne Grayson

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

ARTISTS

Dorothy In Oz - Paul McMillan

King - Alec Council

Play - Sarah Findlay

FEAST - George Chan

Dean, Don’t Dance!

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Mia Lovegood, First Sounds Showcase Suzanne Grayson

3,309 ARTISTS ENGAGED

53%

Artists new to Sydney Fringe

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Artists engaged across the Festival

1,290 more than 2024

276

Average hours each team invested into a project

REASONS WHY ARTISTS PARTICIPATED IN THE SYDNEY FRINGE 52% Expose work to a new audience 27% To develop new work

8% Make money 5% T esting ground before taking work to other festivals

(% of total Performers) A 53% First Time Producer (0-5 Years) B 26.7% Emerging Artist (5-10 Years)

4% To gain access to new artistic networks 4% Just for the fun of it

ARTIST ORIGIN

● 81% NSW ● 17% Interstate ● 2% International

C 20.3% Professional (10+ Years)

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Limitless Comedy Gala - Paul McMillan

ARTIST DEVELOPMENT ARTIST PASSES

PRE-FESTIVAL MASTERCLASSES

More than 3,500 Artist Passes were collected and used across the festival, with every participating venue honouring the program. The Artist Pass gives Fringe artists free access to the entire festival program, a vital benefit that supports artistic exchange, builds community and strengthens the ecosystem of peer-to-peer discovery.

Sydney Fringe delivered eight pre-festival masterclasses between March and August, focusing on key topics relevant to presenting independent artists and producers.

This year, the program provided $40,455 worth of tickets at no cost to artists, enabling them to see work across genres, connect with peers, and amplify productions through increased word-of-mouth. Beyond its financial value, the Artist Pass remains an essential pathway for networking, professional learning and creative inspiration, reinforcing Sydney Fringe as a festival made by and for artists.

These masterclasses were provided free of charge to registered artists and provided a vital overview of the producing and marketing responsibilities. The program included: Masterclass 1: Is Sydney Fringe right for me? Key Ideas: What is Sydney Fringe?, responsibilities, Fringe value, Eventotron, registration Speaker: Rowan Brunt (a/Head of Programs) Masterclass 2: Budgets and finding a venue Key Ideas: Finding a venue, programming pathways, budgeting, registration and ticketing fees, budget tips Speaker: Rowan Brunt (a/Head of Programs) Masterclass 3: The Fringe guide and building a marketing strategy Key Ideas: Creating a stand out image, killer copy, marketing strategy and budgeting Speakers: Patrick Kennedy (CEO) and Hannah Fulton (a/Head of Marketing)

Rewired

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Dorothy In Oz - Paul McMillan

Masterclass 4: All about access Key Ideas: Accessible provisions, venue access checklist, how to make your work more accessible Speaker: Alice Terry (Access Coordinator) Masterclass 5: First Nations First Key Ideas: What is First Nations First?, working with a First Nations Artist and content, Deadly Tix, welcome and acknowledgement of Country, dual naming, Yalgali Speakers: Erica Brennan (First Nations Coordinator) and Peta-Joy Williams (First Nations Community Liaison) Masterclass 6: Make it!

Wright & Grainger - Alec Council

Key Ideas: Lighting, set, sound and technical design, risk management, public liability Speaker: Rowan Brunt (a/Head of Programs) and Jesse Hilford (Production Manager) Masterclass 7: Sell it! Key Ideas: Creating digital marketing content, Meta campaigns, Google ads Speaker: Hannah Fulton (a/Head of Marketing) Masterclass 8: Bums on seats Key Ideas: Finding your audience, discount codes, Rush Tix, calculating your box office revenue Speaker: Clayton Hamilton (Sales & Partnerships Manager) Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe Launch - Paul McMillan

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

“Put plainly, they actually make it possible to do the dream! At its heart, Sydney Fringe is an extraordinary team of experts, working to resource artists with big ideas and little means. Therefore, it plays a profound role in the continuation of the independent arts sector. After three years of participation, I have gained invaluable knowledge, skills and connections that will sustain me through a (hopefully) long career in the arts.” Cleo Rapture, Piss Be With You

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

“When we first applied to Sydney Fringe, we weren’t sure how a show about domestic violence would fit into a festival known for its colour, risk, and energy. Our work isn’t an easy sell, it asks people to sit with discomfort and confront something we often turn away from. But I knew that if any space could hold that kind of honesty, it was Fringe. From the start, being part of the festival gave our show a new kind of life. Suddenly, the hesitation we’d always faced, audiences unsure about seeing “a show about domestic violence”, began to fade. The Fringe name opened doors, giving our story credibility and reach we’d never had before. And once audiences came, they stayed. They talked. They leaned into the emotion, allowing themselves to feel, reflect, and recognise the power we all hold to drive change and, in many cases, left inspired to do so. That’s all we’ve ever wanted. Behind the scenes, the Fringe team were endlessly generous, offering practical advice, marketing guidance, and a sense that no question was too small. It truly felt like being part of a creative ecosystem that wanted us to succeed.” Kersherka Sivakumaran, And What Will People Say?

14Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe Launch - Paul McMillan Lane

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Fool’s Paradise - Alec Council

PARTNERSHIPS & ACTIVATIONS Partnerships are the engine that powers Sydney Fringe. Each year, our collaborators help transform the city into a living, breathing celebration of independent creativity, opening doors to new spaces, new audiences and new possibilities. The festival flourished through the combined strength of local businesses, cultural institutions, government agencies, philanthropists and corporate supporters. Together, we activated venues across Greater Sydney, expanded access for artists and audiences, and delivered standout experiences that could only be realised through genuine collaboration. As well as amplifying visibility, these partnerships created pathways. They enabled emerging talent to step into major spaces, supported accessible and affordable programming, and allowed us to present bold, high-quality work in unexpected and iconic venues alike. Across the board, the results were clear: when we work collectively, the independent sector thrives. The success of our 2025 activations reflects the shared belief that Sydney’s cultural life is strongest when driven by community, creativity and cross-sector collaboration. Sydney Fringe remains committed to cultivating these relationships and championing the impact they make, not only on the festival, but on the artistic ecosystem that underpins Sydney’s identity. Together, we are shaping a cultural landscape where innovation can flourish and where independent voices are given the platforms they deserve.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

YALGALI

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA

Supported by Creative Australia and presented at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, our First Nations Hub was a defining highlight of the 2025 Festival. More than a performance space, it became a vibrant meeting place, a cultural anchor point where community gathered, stories were shared, and broader festival audiences were invited to engage with First Nations creativity, excellence and leadership. Our Yalgali program continued its growth in 2025, expanding its offerings and deepening its connection with community. We began with a powerful Fire Lighting Ceremony, setting the tone for a month grounded in culture and collective spirit. Throughout the festival, Yalgali hosted a dynamic First Nations Market Day, showcased emerging voices at the First Sounds Showcase, premiered new work by emerging theatre artists, and welcomed mob and allies alike to Open Mic Night and Koori-Oke. Together, these events strengthened Yalgali’s role as a platform for celebration, visibility and cultural exchange — amplifying First Nations voices at the heart of Sydney Fringe.

Australia’s Least Wanted - Suzannae Grayson

PMNSW THE ROCKS

SIDESHOW Set amongst the iconic cobbled laneways and historic venues of The Rocks/Tallawoladah, Sideshow returned for its fourth year, transforming the precinct with a dynamic blend of performances and sitespecific experiences. The program once again demonstrated how heritage spaces can be reimagined through contemporary independent art, pushing boundaries while honouring place and storytelling. From intimate narratives in tucked-away rooms to free street entertainment and award-winning immersive works, Sideshow delivered a truly distinctive Fringe experience. These elements came together to spark community connection, grow new audiences and infuse the precinct with renewed vibrancy throughout the festival.

Sideshow Launch - Paul McMillan

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

WHEN NIGHT COMES Dark, sensory, and immersive, When Night Comes by Broad Encounters transformed The Rocks into a world of intrigue and atmosphere. Presented at 6–8 Atherden and 47 George Street, the nine-week season enveloped audiences in decadent storytelling that unfolded through sound, scent, and performance within intimate heritage spaces. The experience was meticulously designed, blurring the boundary between the real and the imagined to create something both haunting and beautiful. Across its extended run, When Night Comes achieved strong attendance and widespread critical praise. The work exemplified the creative ambition of Sideshow, transforming underused heritage sites and positioning Sydney Fringe as a leader in immersive, site-responsive experiences.

When Night Comes

WRIGHT & GRAINGER Award-winning storytellers Wright & Grainger brought their acclaimed blend of music, mythology, and theatre to Sydney Fringe 2025 with a three-week season at 37 George Street, The Rocks, followed by a oneweek season at Pottery Lane Performance Space in Lane Cove. Presenting Orpheus, Helios, and Grandpa Poseidon, their performances combined rich narrative, evocative composition, and striking delivery to create an experience that captivated audiences. The seasons were a highlight of both the Sideshow and Lane Cove programs, showcasing the duo’s artistry across two distinctive settings and reinforcing the depth and diversity of Sydney Fringe’s performance offering. Wright & Grainger

DEAR STRANGER Created by artist Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Dear Stranger invited audiences to slow down and connect through the simple act of letter-writing. Presented at both The Canopy in Lane Cove and within The Rocks Market as part of Sideshow, the free installation invited participants to write a letter to a stranger and receive one in return. The activation offered a rare moment of reflection and connection, resonating deeply with visitors of all ages, particularly school-aged participants who embraced the exchange with curiosity and sincerity. Across both sites, Dear Stranger provided a pause within the festival’s energy, creating space for genuine connection and reminding audiences that meaningful encounters can be found in the simplest of exchanges.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Dear Stranger - Alec Council

SIDESHOW: WILDCARD Wildcard brought a line-up of Fringe favourites to Rocks Square, offering audiences a taste of the wider festival program through a dynamic mix of free performances. The series featured Wright & Grainger, Bubble Show in Space, and The Giant Balloon Show, drawing families, locals, and visitors alike to experience theatre, comedy, and physical performance in an open-air setting. Each weekend introduced a new headline act, inviting audiences to return and discover something fresh across the season. Across its run, Wildcard built strong audiences and growing momentum, becoming a highlight of the Sideshow program. The event showcased Sydney Fringe’s ability to activate public space through accessible, high-quality performance and contributed to the vibrant creative energy that animated The Rocks throughout the festival. Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe - Paul McMillan

GEORGE PLACE ISPT

IN THE KEY OF G In 2025, In the Key of G returned to the striking George Place foyer, evolving into its most ambitious iteration yet. Presented in partnership with George Place and ISPT, the free program expanded to include a wider range of instruments and vocals, inviting greater creative diversity and collaboration. Curated by Cameron Undy, the season featured Sydney-based composers Thomas Lloyd Avgenicos, Jessica Green, Zela Markossian, and Emma Grace Stephenson, each commissioned to create a new piece of music forming the foundation for the month’s performances.

In the Key of G

Throughout September, musicians rehearsed within the foyer, transforming the space into a living rehearsal room that connected artists and audiences through sound. The final presentation brought these works to life through spontaneous collaboration between performers and improvising musicians, resulting in an intimate evening that celebrated creativity, connection, and the shared joy of live music.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

FOOL’S PARADISE

THE ENTERTAINMENT QUARTER

Sydney Fringe Festival partnered with Fool’s Paradise and The Entertainment Quarter to present six weeks of circus and children’s programming with 40 shows. Curated by the award-winning Head First Acrobats, the program brought together world-class acrobats, award-winning cabaret performers and physical theatre, delivering a continuous lineup of genre-defying performances. The Vault pulsed with late-night energy, showcasing acclaimed burlesque and variety acts that drew sell-out crowds, while The Bunker provided an intimate space for contemporary circus and daytime children’s programming. Audiences were treated to an eclectic mix of shows, including Sydney Fringe Festival’s 2025 winner Best in Circus Elixir Revived and winner of Best in Variety, Lash Out by Head First Acrobats, The Giant Balloon Show, and Bubble Show in Space. The combination of bold artistry, physical skill, and comedic flair created an atmosphere of celebration and discovery that resonated with diverse audiences.

FEAST

MORNING TEA EDITION

The inaugural FEAST: Morning Tea Edition introduced a fresh, daytime twist to the celebrated FEAST series. Hosted by writer and comedian Jennifer Wong, the event combined humour, conversation, and culinary artistry in an intimate morning setting at the Hurstville Entertainment Centre. Audiences were treated to insights and stories from renowned pastry chefs Kate Reid (Lune Croissanterie) and Christopher Thé (Hearthe Cake Shop), joined by comedian Tommy Dean, who brought laughter and warmth to the occasion. Guests enjoyed an array of beautiful pastries, aromatic coffee, and thoughtful storytelling, creating a relaxed yet uplifting atmosphere that resonated with attendees. The new format proved a welcome addition to the program, broadening audience demographics and offering a reflective, light-hearted start to the Festival week that celebrated creativity, connection, and the joy of sharing food and stories.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Fool’s Paradise - Paul McMillan

GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL

FEAST Morning Tea Edition - George Chan

FEAST FEAST returned to the Hurstville Entertainment Centre with an inspired Korean-themed menu and a refreshed line-up of storytellers. Once again hosted by the everengaging Jennifer Wong, the sold-out evening invited audiences to savour a three-course communal feast interwoven with tales of family, identity, and belonging. The night featured an exceptional mix of voices including Indira Naidoo, Reece Hignell (Cakeboi), Madeleine Gray, Harry Jun, Happy Feraren, and Heather Jeong, who each shared personal reflections on culture and cuisine with humour and heart. Set against the backdrop of a seamlessly executed dining experience, the event’s atmosphere was both vibrant and intimate, encouraging connection across the table and the stage. This year’s FEAST continued to evolve the series’ legacy, blending storytelling and gastronomy into a distinctive celebration of community and the cultural richness of South West Sydney.

FRINGEVILLE Fringeville transformed Hurstville Plaza into a lively open-air stage filled with performance, food, and festivity. The 2025 edition delivered the most dynamic program yet, combining professional Fringe acts with local community performers to create an inclusive and energetic celebration at the heart of Hurstville. The free event featured Fringe favourites including the family acrobatic trio The Gagliardies, Fringe Award winners Chelsea Angell and Kim Wainer (Lash Out), DJ Canned Fruits, and charismatic host Felicity Frockaccino, alongside a showcase of local talent. Families, residents, and visitors gathered throughout the evening to enjoy the entertainment, street food, and vibrant community atmosphere. With colour, sound, and spectacle filling the plaza, Fringeville captured the essence of Sydney Fringe, bringing people together in unexpected ways and transforming public space into a joyful, creative, and culturally rich gathering place.

GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL FEAST - George Chan

GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL Fringeville - Alec Council

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

CABARET HUB

INNER WEST COUNCIL

In partnership with Inner West Council, Marrickville Town Hall lit up in signature Fringe pink as it transformed into our 2025 Cabaret Hub. Across five unique spaces, the venue hosted 33 shows spanning immersive performance, magic, music, and contemporary cabaret, delighting audiences and establishing the Town Hall as a vibrant Fringe destination throughout the festival. A standout highlight came from returning artist collective Rogue Projects, who reimagined the main hall with the premiere of their immersive cocktail experience Dorothy In Oz, captivating audiences and showcasing the transformative potential of the space. 33 SHOWS PROGRAMMED 2,698 TICKETS SOLD

Cabaret Hub Launch - Paul McMillan

EMERGING ARTIST CITY OF SYDNEY JAMES N KIRBY FOUNDATION SHARE HOUSE Now in its twelfth year and supported by the City of Sydney, the Emerging Artist Share House sprang back to life at Erskineville Town Hall, activating the space for the full four weeks of the festival. Spanning four cost-effective performance spaces seating between 25 and 60, the Share House made this venue available to emerging artists and producers, particularly those in their first five years of practice or newly entering Sydney’s creative landscape. EASH continued to serve as an essential springboard for new talent, offering accessible space, supportive conditions and a welcoming entry point into the wider Fringe ecosystem. 43 SHOWS PROGRAMMED 3,486 TICKETS SOLD

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Emerging Artist Share House - Alec Council

OFF BROADWAY HUB

ETERNITY PLAYHOUSE CITY OF SYDNEY

We were thrilled to be the first organisation welcomed back into the iconic Eternity Playhouse following its closure in 2024, an exciting moment that marked the return of a much-loved mid-size venue to Sydney’s cultural landscape. Across the season, the Playhouse proved an exceptional home for our Off Broadway Hub, offering artists a technically rich, professionally equipped space to elevate their work and take the next step in their creative evolution. The program delivered big ambitions, big sets and big audiences, with productions that embraced the scale and possibility of the venue. The result was a standout season that showcased the breadth and capability of independent artists ready to transition onto larger stages, reinforcing the Hub’s role as a crucial development pathway within the festival. Stranger Sings! The Musical Parody - Alec Council

QUEER HUB

QTOPIA SYDNEY Piss Be With You

Returning to Qtopia Sydney in Darlinghurst for its second year, the Queer Hub presented more than 30 performances across theatre, cabaret, comedy, music and storytelling, all created by or for queer artists and audiences. In 2025, the hub expanded into two spaces, including the Loading Dock Theatre and the Substation, allowing Sydney Fringe and Qtopia to showcase an even broader range of original queer musicals, intimate narratives and works celebrating lived experience, queer joy and visibility. The Queer Hub was one of the festival’s strongestperforming precincts in terms of audience attendance, reflecting both the depth of queer creative talent and the community’s appetite for diverse and affirming stories. Program highlights included the Winner of Best in Immersive & Interactive, Piss Be With You, and the Winner of Best in Cabaret & Musical Theatre, Confessions of a Drama Queen, standout works that exemplified the vibrancy and innovation of the hub. Rooted in collaboration and community, the Queer Hub continues to be a vital space for emerging and established queer artists to feel seen, supported and celebrated at Sydney Fringe.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

FEAST Morning Tea Edition - George Chan 2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

EVENTS

I Watched Someone Die on TikTok - Alec Council

Takatāpui - Alec Council

First Sounds Showcase - Suzanne Grayson

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

54 days 462

49%

Average venue utilisation

$2,062,065

Events hosted by Sydney Fringe

2,263

Box Office Revenue

95,187

Number of tickets sold

Individual sessions

381 more than 2024

PRIMARY GENRE

PREMIERES

38% Comedy 18% Theatre 9% Musical Theatre and Cabaret

D A

7% Spoken Word & Storytelling 6% Fringe Kids 5% Music 4% Immersive & Interactive

4% Special Events / Activations 3% Dance 3% Talks and Workshops 2% Circus 2% Variety (New in 2025) 1% Visual Art, Film & Design

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

A 42.4% World Premieres B 21.4% Sydney Premieres C 5.5% Australian Premieres D 30.8% Return Performances

PROGRAMMING

Play - Sarah Findlay

Programming at Sydney Fringe is built on a simple but powerful principle: to create space for independent artists at every stage of their careers to experiment, grow and be seen. Our open-access model invites anyone to register a work, sitting alongside curated large-scale and immersive projects that showcase the breadth and ambition of contemporary independent practice. Across all genres - from solo storytellers to established companies - the program reflects the diversity and dynamism of Sydney’s creative community. Central to our programming approach is a commitment to equitable access. Tailored initiatives support artists in priority areas including First Nations creatives, artists with disability, emerging practitioners, and culturally and linguistically diverse artists. By removing structural barriers and offering dedicated pathways, Sydney Fringe ensures that participation is genuinely accessible and representative. This inclusive model is unique within Sydney’s arts landscape, and it remains one of the most vital contributions the festival makes to the sector: a platform where independent voices can take risks, be supported and connect with audiences across the city.

OPEN ACCESS The open access platform sits at the core of Sydney Fringe’s identity. In a city where curatorial barriers increasingly shape artistic opportunity, our model ensures that independent practitioners have a direct, unfiltered pathway to present their work. It remains one of the few platforms in New South Wales where artists can secure a season in appropriate - and crucially, affordable - venues every year. Sydney Fringe is the highest-profile independent arts event in the state, and for many artists it represents the single largest income-generating opportunity available to them annually. More importantly, it offers a rare chance to build audiences, test new ideas and develop work in a supportive and visible environment. The open access program is the fullest expression of our purpose: to champion the independent sector and place it at the heart of Sydney’s cultural life. As the not-for-profit foundation of our organisation, it is the driving force behind everything we do, with all other activity designed to strengthen, sustain and expand the opportunities it provides.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

CURATED PROGRAM

TOURING HUB

Our curated program continues to evolve, expanding the scale and ambition of Sydney Fringe’s key events and activations. Alongside sourcing standout and boundary-pushing works from Fringe festivals around the world, we curated a series of major events featuring leading voices from across Sydney’s arts sector. Together, these works showcased the depth, diversity and creative excellence shaping independent practice today.

Sydney Fringe returned to New Theatre for the second consecutive year to present the Touring Hub, showcasing a vibrant selection of international and interstate works. The 2025 program featured the winner of the 2024 San Diego Fringe, Shadow Necropolis, and the recipient of the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Touring Award, Twenty-Million Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. We also welcomed three acclaimed international productions: Shit Theatre: Or What’s Left of Us, Danish dance troupe Mass Effect, and from Singapore, the award-winning King.

The curated program plays a vital role within the festival ecosystem. It provides meaningful paid employment for artists and arts workers, offers audiences access to works that may not otherwise tour to Sydney, and generates the momentum that drives broader engagement with the festival. Its impact extends well beyond the program itself, building visibility, attracting media interest and strengthening pathways into the open access platform. This connection was clearly demonstrated in 2025, with a large percentage of curated program audiences also purchasing tickets to open access shows, reinforcing the curated program’s role as a gateway that deepens audience discovery across the festival.

The Touring Hub continued to strengthen cultural exchange and diversify the festival experience, offering Sydney audiences access to bold independent works that may not otherwise reach Australian stages. A particular highlight this year was the successful audience development achieved through community-led marketing initiatives for King and Shadow Necropolis. These campaigns meaningfully engaged SouthEast Asian communities and demonstrated the value of targeted, culturally aware outreach. Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives reinforces the importance of expanding our community marketing strategies and deepening our audience development networks. By continuing to grow this work, the Touring Hub will remain a key gateway for fostering crosscultural connection and building new audiences for independent performance in Sydney.

Transcendent Love

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

28 Fringe Festival Photocall - Daniel Boud Sydney

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

AUDIENCES

Eternity Playhouse - Alec Council

Yalgali - Suzanne Grayson

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Limitless Comedy Gala - Paul McMillan

103,335 TOTAL AUDIENCES

69%

up 18% from 2024

Audiences that attended past Fringe Festivals

Each year, Sydney Fringe brings together an extraordinarily diverse audience, from dedicated arts lovers to first-timers who may never have stepped inside a theatre before. This breadth is one of our greatest strengths. It reflects a festival that speaks to the whole city, not just one segment of it. We continued to see strong growth in new audiences, alongside the enthusiastic return of thousands of loyal Fringe-goers. This ongoing expansion shows that the festival is not only retaining its core supporters but also reaching deeper into Sydney’s communities, engaging people across ages, backgrounds, interests and professions. The result is a dynamic, ever-evolving audience profile that mirrors the richness of Sydney itself; a festival where seasoned arts enthusiasts sit alongside curious newcomers, where discovery is encouraged, and where independent stories find new and unexpected audiences every night. 2025 TICKETED DATA BY AGE 18—25 4% 26—35 12% 36—45

100,144 98,345 76,429

99%

2024 2023 2022

Audiences that plan to attend in 2026

How did audiences hear about the Sydney Fringe Festival? 30% 25% 19% 16% 3% 2% <1% <1%

Social Media Previously Attended Word of Mouth Email/E-News Print Media Search Television Outdoor Posters

Why did you go to the Sydney Fringe Festival? 18% 17% 16% 14% 13% 7% 6% 6% 3% 1%

Entertainment Unique Experience Support Emerging Artists Affordability To See New Works To see Artistic Boundaries Broken Support the Local Community Support Friends/Family Fringe Kids All of the Above

2025 Audiences by Gender Non-binary 2.2%

22% 46—55 25% 56—65 26% Over 65 11% Survey Sample Responses 2025

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

LOCATION DATA

Local Government Area

2025

City of Sydney

10.1%

Inner West Council

9.1%

Bayside Council

5.9%

City of Randwick

5.2%

City of Canterbury Bankstown

4.7%

Municipality of Woollahra

4.6%

Waverley Council

4.0%

City of Ryde

3.8%

City of Parramatta

3.1%

Ku-ring-gai Council

3.0%

City of Willoughby

2.9%

Northern Beaches Council

2.6%

Hornsby Council

2.1%

City of Canada Bay

2.1%

Blacktown City Council

2.0%

Lane Cove Council

2.0%

North Sydney Council

1.9%

Sutherland Shire

1.7%

Georges River Council

1.6%

The Hills Shire

1.6%

Cumberland City Council

1.6%

City of Liverpool

1.4%

Municipality of Strathfield

1.4%

Fairfield City Council

1.4%

Municipality of Burwood

1.3%

City of Campbelltown

1.1%

City of Penrith

0.9%

Wollondilly Shire

0.7%

Municipality of Hunter’s Hill

0.6%

Camden Council

0.6%

City of Blue Mountains

0.6%

Mosman Council

0.2%

Other Intrastate

8.9%

Interstate

4.3%

International

0.8%

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

LOCATION DATA

D C B

Lane Cove Festival @ Sydney Fringe Launch - Paul McMillan

(% of total audience)

A 86.1% Sydney B 8.9% Intrastate C 4.3% Interstate D 0.8% International

Dorothy In Oz - Paul McMillan

$80.14 3.2 up 33% from 2024

Average tickets purchased per person

Average order value

86%

Of audiences ate or drank in a nearby establishment or Fringe Bar

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Lane Cove FESTIVAL Festival @ Sydney Fringe Launch - Paul McMillan 2025 REPORT

MEDIA COVERAGE Queen Out (Verb) - Paul McMillan

Sydney Fringe achieved impactful media visibility across print, digital, outdoor and broadcast channels, generating strong public awareness and deep audience engagement. With more than 170 pieces of local and national coverage and a PR value of $2.67 million, the festival continued to solidify its position as a major cultural force in Australia’s creative landscape. Coverage spanned leading national outlets, respected arts publications and hyper-local community media, each helping to spotlight the festival’s diverse program and its expanding presence across Greater Sydney. Strategic media partnerships and compelling storytelling drove high editorial interest, while impactful outdoor campaigns and digital features ensured the festival had a strong, vibrant presence throughout the promotion period. From feature stories and artist profiles to precinct showcases and high-impact out-ofhome activations, the 2025 media strategy not only amplified our reach but also reinforced Sydney Fringe’s reputation as the beating heart of independent creativity in our city.

39,376,329 Total Marketing Reach

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

$2,670,000 PR Media Value

25k Guides Distributed 5,971 Digital Guide Impressions

Social Media Followers

43,369

4000 App Downloads 20,200 App Launches

$111,780.00 Outdoor Value $150,027 Media Value 28,974,847 Outdoor Reach 1,793,783 Media Reach Sydney Fringe delivered a strong digital and social presence, even with reduced paid media investment. Engagement improved across our Meta and Google channels, supported by steady organic growth driven by daily content, artist partnerships and thoughtful campaign amplification.

Digital Content Views

9.1m

Email Subscribers

99,577

Our approach to social storytelling continued to foster genuine community connection, helping audiences navigate the program, discover new artists and stay engaged throughout the festival period. Digital activity also contributed meaningfully to ticket sales and overall brand visibility, with a 78% year-on-year increase in return on ad spend (ROAS) reflecting more efficient, targeted and responsive campaign delivery.

Page Views

1,892,262

603,910

Unique Users

989,082 Sessions 2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

614,373 New Visitors 99,642

Returning Visitors

Limitless Comedy Gala - Paul McMillan

ACCESS 69% of festival venues were wheelchair accessible, representing a 2% increase from 2024. This continues a positive trend in accessibility improvements, with 67% recorded in 2024, 57% in 2023, 54% in 2022, and 45% in 2021. Accessibility services continue to be embedded within the organisation’s annual budget. As a result, a range of access provisions were delivered festival-wide, including including Auslan Interpretation, Live Audio Description, and Tactile Tours, Relaxed Performances, Sensory-Friendly Sessions, Sensory Spaces, and Chill-Out Spaces. For the first time, artists were invited to share the cost of implementing access provisions through a short application process. Five shows received this support, with a total contribution of just over $2,000. Additionally, a Relaxed Performance Workshop, presented by Accessible Arts, was offered to all artists who applied for funding. This two-hour session was attended by artists, arts

companies, and Fringe team members, enhancing organisational disability confidence and supporting participants to deliver relaxed performances. The workshop also provided opportunities for event producers with disability, and those committed to access, to either introduce accessibility provisions for the first time or further strengthen accessibility within their performances. Across the 2025 festival, 259 registered shows were held in physically accessible venues, and 69 sessions incorporated one or more access provisions. While the number of individual accessible sessions decreased slightly compared to 2024, the number of sessions featuring multiple access provisions was high at 47, resulting in a total of 96 access provisions employed festival-wide.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

LIMITLESS 2025 was the fourth year of Limitless, our microfestival celebrating artists and audiences with disability. For the first time, Limitless took over four spaces within the Bondi Pavilion. This was able to happen due to a new partnership with Waverley Council. The 200-seat theatre was home to nine performances from theatre, cabaret, music, movement and comedy. This included the opening night, Fringe-produced Limitless Comedy Gala, featuring disabled comedians from this year’s Limitless program and past Fringe events. As well as the theatre, we activated The Yalagang Room, turning it into a 30-seat theatre space for comedy, The High Tide Room which was a 50-seat theatre featuring comedy, theatre and improv and the Ocean Room which was transformed into a relaxed, sensory chill-out space with couches, sensory toys and mood lighting, with the ocean sounds in the background. The Limitless program increased its venue space again this year, with an overall capacity of 280, and saw an increase in productions by 25% making it the biggest Limitless yet.

WORK BY d/DEAF AND DISABLED ARTISTS This year Sydney Fringe saw a large increase in work that featured d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artist across all festival spaces. This was mainly due to the inclusion of neurodivergent being included in the language Sydney Fringe uses in the disability space. Sydney Fringe featured 276 artists who identified within this community and 53 events spoke to the experience of or featured artists who identified as part of the d/ Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent community. Outside of the Limitless Hub notable programming was Train of Thought at the Queer Hub, which spoke to how the the lead artist Tori Bullard experiences their neurodivergence within a simple train ride to work. Piss Be With You, also at the Queer Hub, integrated Auslan into the storytelling of the queer sexual liberation of the lead artist Cleo Rapture highlighting the interconnection of the queer and disabled community. A highlight of the Access program was providing a small fund which artists could apply for to integrate access into their show and share the cost with Sydney Fringe. This allowed artists to speak to their connection to community and work alongside Sydney Fringe in finding a suitable provision that would integrate into their work and also find a new audience in the disabled community.

Limitless Comedy Gala - Paul McMillan

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Australia’s Least Wanted - Suzanne Grayson

FIRST NATIONS FIRST 2025 marked the second year of our First Nations Hub, Yalgali.

Sydney Fringe continued to make meaningful strides in increasing the visibility, recognition and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures across the festival. For its second year, Yalgali served as the anchor for our First Nations–led program, a dedicated platform that places community, storytelling and cultural authority at the centre of the festival. Yalgali opened the 2025 program with pride, was profiled as the lead feature in our annual guide, and received prominent visibility across social media and email campaigns to ensure First Nations voices were amplified from the outset. As part of our broader commitment to culturally safe practice, all First Nations artists registered in the festival received tailored support from the Sydney Fringe First Nations team. This included regular check-ins, producing guidance, and organisational advocacy to ensure each project could be developed and presented in a safe, respectful and empowering environment. Events identifying a First Nations creative team were actively connected into this framework, ensuring artists were supported throughout their Fringe journey.

Our internal commitment deepened as well. The Sydney Fringe team continued cultural competency training, including an on-Country experience at the Jibbon Rock engravings, which strengthened our understanding of place, storytelling and cultural practice. Festival staff and volunteers participated in focused training sessions on cultural protocols, from dual naming conventions to appropriate ways of acknowledging Country and engaging respectfully with First Nations artists and audiences. This work helped embed cultural respect across the entire festival, ensuring First Nations presence was not only visible but honoured. We were also proud to welcome Glory TuohyDaniell as our 2025 First Nations Artist-inResidence, with her work featured in Yalgali and contributing to the cultural identity of the precinct. All of this activity is guided by our First Nations Road Map, developed with Dr Paul Callaghan, which continues to steer our organisation toward deeper listening, stronger relationships and more meaningful representation across every level of Sydney Fringe.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FIRST NATIONS COORDINATOR Erica Brennan This year has been one of growth and optimism, of deepening relationships and beginning to see the outcomes of trust built over time gently unfold. It’s felt personal in the best possible way: heartfelt, nourishing, and full of purpose. The wins we’ve experienced have not only strengthened my own confidence but also affirmed our organisation’s growing capacity as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond. Our First Nations artists, Adam Blacksmith and Lance Cheney, captured the true spirit of Fringe, leading with generosity, creativity, and courage. Their connection to grassroots stories and artists nurtured a spirit of sharing, learning, and bold imagination, stoking the fire of optimism and possibility for the years ahead.

FIRE CEREMONY

KOORI-OKE & OPEN MIC

Alongside the brilliant work I had the privilege to witness and support through our First Nations Hub, Yalgali, and across the wider festival, I’ve been equally inspired by the deeper, behind-the-scenes work the organisation has embraced this year. In particular our on Country experiences continue to embed First Nations wisdom at the heart of our team and organisation, helping ensure that everyone involved with Fringe understands their role in supporting cultural load and actively contributing to the ongoing process of decolonising both the organisation and the festival. None of this work, the public programming at Yalgali or the deeper cultural training—would have been possible without the collaboration, guidance, and irrefutable energy of Peta Joy Williams, whose leadership continues to shape and inspire both myself and the broader team. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of our outgoing CEO and Festival Director, Kerri Glasscock, whose tireless work throughout her tenure at Fringe has turned over fertile ground for this rich and exciting process to take root.

AUSTRALIA’S LEAST WANTED

After the brilliant year that was 2025 the First Nations team can’t wait for what’s ahead.

FIRST SOUNDS SHOWCASE 2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Sydney Fringe Festival Opening Night - Paul McMillan

ADVOCACY Sydney Fringe continues to lead as the primary voice of advocacy for the independent arts sector, leveraging its reputation and profile to shape conversations with both media and government on the critical issues facing our creative community. The organisation remains a trusted advisor and sector authority, providing robust, evidence-based insights drawn from extensive quantitative and qualitative research. Throughout 2025, Sydney Fringe’s leadership continued to contribute meaningfully to cultural policy and reform.

serving on the Artform Board for Festivals, the 24-Hour Economy Advisory Group, and offering strategic input into the state’s Vibrancy Reforms, ensuring the independent sector’s needs were represented at the highest levels. Building on this legacy, Patrick Kennedy represented Sydney Fringe and the independent arts sector at the NSW Government’s Art of Tax Reform Summit in September. His participation followed a detailed submission prepared by Sydney Fringe, outlining structural barriers faced by independent practitioners and identifying tax reform opportunities to drive sustainable growth across the state’s creative industries.

Before her departure to become Executive Director of Create NSW, itself a powerful reflection of Sydney Fringe’s impact and legacy as a driver of policy innovation, Kerri Glasscock played a pivotal role in government engagement,

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

AWARDS

2025 Sydney Fringe Awards - Paul McMillan

The 2025 Sydney Fringe Awards exemplified the festival’s dedication to diversity and artisticexcellence, offering a vital platform for artists to grow and showcase their talent. The awards program featured a panel of industry experts, SFF staff, Fringe representatives, and distinguished alumni judges who rigorously assessed entries based on set criteria. The awards ceremony was hosted at Fool’s Paradise, The Vault on Sunday 28th September. The event brought together artists, invited partners and guests, volunteers, board members and the Sydney Fringe team. The awards are not only a focus on Sydney Fringe artists, but a recognition of the hard work undertaken by our volunteers who facilitate front of house and ticketing at all our major hubs and headline events. Sydney Fringe partners with festivals around Australia and internationally to present Tour Ready awards to six prominent arts festivals. These festivals includes Adelaide Fringe, Fringe World Perth, Melbourne Fringe, NZ Fringe, San Diego International Fringe, and Hollywood Fringe. This year the genre awards didn’t include Best in Music, due to low Music genre shows and Best in Physical Theatre for the same reason.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

A large focus of the awards development was partnering with existing arts organisations to continue the life or development of Fringe artist’s work. This includes four additional awards from Brand X, Qtopia Sydney, Ferve Tickets and Arts on Tour. These partnerships provided artists with either a cash prize, a remount season in 2026, further development of their work or providing resources and upskilling to their practice. This furthers Sydney Fringes mission to create a healthier and vibrant arts sector in Sydney. The final addition was the Kerri Glasscock Legacy Award which recognises a individual or group that is part of the fabric of Sydney Fringe and embodies our values and mission set out by Kerri Glasscock in her original tenure. This year’s award was given to Robbi James of Rogue Projects, who has been participating in Sydney Fringe since the first iteration of the Emerging Artist Share House and presented Not Today and Hillsong Boy, both recipients of our Made in Sydney prize in previous years.

BEST IN GENRE Best in Cabaret & Musical Theatre :

Best in Variety:

Burlesque with Evana de Lune A Succulent Chinese Musical?! Dean, Don’t Dance! My Precious! The Cabaret CONFESSIONS OF A DRAMA QUEEN (WINNER)

Trippin’ LASH OUT (WINNER)

Best in Circus: The Ghana Road Show Circus & Other Time Wasters ELIXIR REVIVED (WINNER)

Best in Fringe Kids: Camp Culture A Bee Story A One Man Circus Mr. Snotbottom THE GAGLIARDIES (WINNER)

Best in Comedy: Jeromaia Detto: When I Grow Up The Premiere Freya Morton- Jamie Oliver Wants Me to Kill my Cat NUN SLUT (WINNER)

Best in Dance: Mass Effect For You to Know and Me to Find Out Superposition The Land of Her// Bruce TRIPTYCH (WINNER) Best in Immersive & Interactive: The Juliet Cycle PISS BE WITH YOU (WINNER)

2025 Sydney Fringe Awards - Paul McMillan

Best in Spoken Word & Storytelling: Takatāpui AND WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY? (WINNER)

Best in Theatre: Gia Ophelia Twenty Million Thousand Leagues Under the Sea King Shit Theatre: Or What’s Left of Us Spectrum I Watched Someone Die On TikTok THE CARDINAL RULES (WINNER)

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

TOURING AWARDS HOLLYWOOD FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD Nun Slut

MELBOURNE FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD Let’s Unpack That

NEW ZEALAND FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD The Cardinal Rules

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD My Precious! The Cabaret

ADELAIDE FRINGE TOUR READY AWARD Takatāpui

FRINGE WORLD PERTH TOUR READY AWARD Stop the Heart

2025 Sydney Fringe Awards - Paul McMillan

FESTIVAL AWARDS SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE Mike Williams and Alex McClintock from 24 Hours in Kings Cross

THE FERVE TICKETS AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD PRESENTED BY FERVE TICKETS Jeromaia Detto: When I Grow Up

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AWARD PRESENTED BY CHARLEY SANDERS Eliza Fury from Something Wicked, Tickle and Tease and Apocalypse

KERRI GLASSCOCK LEGACY AWARD Robbi James from Rogue Projects

FIRST NATIONS AWARD RESIDENCY SUPPORTED BY BRAND X Adam Nobilia from Australia’s Least Wanted

SYDNEY FRINGE BEST OF THE FESTIVAL Traffic Light Party

COMMITMENT AND INNOVATION IN ACCESS PRESENTED BY ACCESSIBLE ARTS Dean Nash from Dean, Don’t Dance!

LGBTQIA+ STORYTELLING AWARD PRESENTED BY QTOPIA SYDNEY Train of Thought

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

2025 Sydney Fringe Awards - Paul McMillan

2025 Sydney 44 Fringe Awards - Paul McMillan

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Fool’s Paradise - Paul McMillan

IMPACT National Presence

Global Presence

Sydney Fringe continued to strengthen its national footprint in 2025, deepening relationships with colleagues and partner festivals across Australia. Our representatives attended Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Fringe World Perth, Perth Festival, and Sydney Festival, ensuring Sydney Fringe remained an active contributor to national sector dialogue and artistic exchange.

Sydney Fringe’s international profile continued to grow, with touring partnerships expanding and global colleagues taking increasing interest in our artists and programs. Our award-exchange relationships with NZ Fringe, San Diego International Fringe (USA) and Hollywood Fringe (USA) remained strong, creating valuable opportunities for artists to tour their work internationally and build sustainable creative careers.

We were equally proud to host delegations from Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, and Fringe World Perth, further reinforcing the collaborative network that supports independent artists to develop, tour and expand their audiences. These reciprocal relationships play a vital role in nurturing cross-state pathways and ensuring that Australian independent work can thrive beyond any one festival or city.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

These global partnerships are a cornerstone of our commitment to independent artists. They provide visibility beyond local borders, connect Australian practitioners with international networks, and extend the lifespan of the work first developed and showcased at Sydney Fringe. By fostering these pathways, we help ensure that Sydney’s independent artists can reach audiences around the world and that Sydney continues to be recognised as a vibrant, outward-looking hub for independent performance.

$49.1M

Economic impact in 2025

$3.2M 86% Fees paid to artists & arts workers via fees & wages

ECONOMIC IMPACT Of the 103,335 people who attended ticketed and free events at this year’s festival 86% of surveyed audiences visited local businesses, restaurants or bars before or after attending an event. As with previous years this indicates that the impact of spending generated by the Fringe goes well beyond the purchase of a ticket, contributing an economic impact of $49.1 million in 2025, an increase of almost $8.5M year on year, $3.2M of which were fees paid directly to artists and arts workers.

Attended local businesses

13% PER HEAD SPEND

VS 2024 AUDIENCE

2025 Total Economic Impact Source

Sydney Fringe Festival Launch - Paul McMillan

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

Sydney Fringe Program Launch - Paul McMillan

SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY Each September, Sydney Fringe transforms Sydney, turning its independent stages, small venues and forgotten corners into a thriving map of creativity. For one unexpected and extraordinary month, artists lead the conversation, offering an invitation to Sydneysiders to see their city anew. This shared act of imagination and community places independent culture at the heart of our city’s identity. As we step into our next chapter, the commitment to Sydney’s creative community deepens. Sydney Fringe remains a platform built by and for artists, a grassroots celebration of risk, experimentation and expression. We champion small-to-medium venues that sustain the city’s cultural pulse, drive audiences into local precincts, and bring to life spaces that otherwise sit silent. In 2025, creative, cultural and economic sustainability sat at the centre of our vision. The independent sector continues to navigate difficult seas: rising costs, shrinking resources and the ongoing aftershocks of a disrupted decade. Yet within this challenge lies the opportunity to rethink, rebuild and reimagine new models that support artists to thrive, not only to survive. Sydney Fringe stands ever ready to work together with government, industry and community partners to shape that future. Over the past year, our organisation has continued to play an active role in policy through submissions to, and attendance at The Art of Tax Reform Summit, putting forward the case for reforms that will build the next generation of art makers. These conversations matter. They ensure the innovators, the experimenters and the emerging remain central to how we design our systems in order to deliver a city alive with culture. Our engagement doesn’t stop at Sydney’s borders. We maintain strong national connections through PAC Australia, the Night Time Industries Association and the Australian Fringe Network, ensuring our local advocacy resonates across the country. Sydney Fringe has always been a movement powered by belief. Belief in artists, in audiences and in the idea that culture is not a luxury but a necessity. As we look to the future that belief and resolve is unshaken. We’ll continue to rebuild, reimagine and recommit to a sustainable creative sector that ensures the next generation of artists can not only find their stage, but build new ones of their own.

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Sydney Fringe Program Launch - Paul McMillan

LOOKING AHEAD You’ve seen the numbers and read the stories of the incredible artists who made our 2025 Festival such a success. Together, they tell a story of strategic growth, renewed partnerships and creative ambition. We strengthened our footprint across Sydney, deepened engagement with audiences and artists, and opened new pathways for collaboration - achievements made possible through the enduring partnerships we’ve built over the past twelve years across government, business and philanthropy. Looking to the future, and supported by our increased investment from Create NSW, we will continue to deliver on our Strategic Plan as we march confidently toward our bold goal of reaching 500,000 attendances by 2028. We will expand and diversify our revenue streams, unlocking new commercial drivers that directly reinvest into our not-for-profit mission, supporting artists, building audiences, and strengthening the independent arts sector from the ground up. This ambition benefits not just Sydney Fringe, but the entire cultural ecosystem. No single organisation can create a thriving creative city alone. We are committed to working ever more closely with our sibling festivals, local government partners and industry peers to foster a healthy, collaborative arts landscape that drives both local business and the night-time economy. With 30% of audiences new to the festival in 2025 and an incredible 99% planning to return in 2026, our foundation is strong. Sydney Fringe continues to play a vital role as the gateway to culture for new audiences: people discovering the arts for the first time and carrying that passion into other cultural institutions across the city. Art for everyone! Sydney Fringe remains the only organisation in Sydney capable of driving audience development at such scale and speed. Our resolve to put independent art at the heart of the city’s cultural life is unshakeable. From local stories told by local artists to the growing magnetism of international and interstate visitors, Fringe showcases the very best of Sydney, a city alive with creativity, community and possibility.

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

THANK YOU OFFICE OF THE NSW MINISTER OF THE ARTS

The Hon. John Graham, MLC Lizzie Butterworth, Anna Burns, Clara Klemski, Angud Chawla OFFICE OF THE NSW MINISTER OF JOBS AND TOURISM

The Hon. Stephen Kamper, MP THE MINISTER OF THE ARTS

The Hon. Tony Burke, MP CREATE NSW

Kerri Glasscock, Karen Rodgers, Brianna Munting, Michael Huxley DNSW

Karen Jones, Julie Turpie, Sarah Lovell and team THE CITY OF SYDNEY

Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Larry Galbraith, Monica Barone, Emma Rigby, Sasha Baroni, Jennifer Trinca INNER WEST COUNCIL

Mayor Darcy Byrne, Scott Mullen, Michael Daly, Ilce Kostrevski

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA PMNSW

Anita Mitchell, Adam Schumack, Karla Coggan, Melissa Stephens, Tamara Jarvis Wood, Stephanie Spudic and team ENTERTAINMENT QUARTER

Michael Hodgson, Paul Kittelty WATS ON EVENTS

Michael Watson, Ben Morgan 37 GEORGE ST BAR

Hive Bar

TEAM

CEO Patrick Kennedy Financial Controller Kristen Mattioli Acting Head of Programs Rowan Brunt

SYDNEY FRINGE BOARD

Producer - Headline Events Natasha Badrov for Monstera Creative Production Manager Jesse Hilford Programs Coordinator Kate Marks First Nations Coordinator Erica Brennan

Access Coordinator/Limitless Producer Alice Terry First Nations Community Liaison Peta Joy Williams Programs Intern Charlene Lim Production Intern Erica Patulny Digital Content and Communications Manager Alec Council Sales and Partnerships Manager Clayton Hamilton

Ticketing Assistant Bri McManus

Chello

DIGITAL MARKETING

Original Spin

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

Morwenna Collett, Emily Dash, Anthea Williams, Digby Webster, Riona Tindal, Alex Craig, Dan Graham

Executive Producer - Headline Events Loredana Cross for Monstera Creative

ELIXIR REVIVED/LASH OUT PR CREATIVE CONSULTANCY

THE ACCESS ADVISORY PANEL

FIRST NATIONS ADVISOR

Designer Bonnie Laing

AE Creative | Communications

Ferve Tickets

Acting Head of Marketing Hannah Grace Fulton

Articulate

TICKETING PARTNER

Marketing Intern Danielle Johnson Accounts Maria Pagano Louise Green

Dr Paul Callaghan

Maree Taylor (Chair) Danika Houghton (Vice Chair) Chelsea McGregor (Treasurer) Greg Khoury Lesley Watson Peter Allwood COMPANY SECRETARY

Allison Orr

SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Louise Fischer Cheryl Padmanathan TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS

The Neilson Foundation The Nelson Meers Foundation James N. Kirby Foundation SYDNEY FRINGE FFS* DONORS

Martha & Robert Waugh Michael Rose AM & Jo Rose Catherine Sullivan & Alex Bowen Margaret Kirby Iolanda Capodanno & Juergen Krufczyk Maree Taylor Greg Khoury Danika Houghton Lesley Watson Freya Smith Peter & Jo Allwood Jodie & Keith Bosler Catherine Hutchison Charley Sanders Anonymous ADDITIONAL THANK YOU TO:

A very special thank you to all our donors, event staff and volunteers. And to our past team members who helped lay the foundations for this Festival – Keith Bosler, Adam Zammit, Zoe Davies

and Kerri Glasscock.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS PROUDLY FUNDED BY

PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT PARTNER

STRATEGIC SPONSOR

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS NEILSON FOUNDATION LOGO GUIDE MASTER LOGO

OCTOBER 2016

REVERSED VERSION

CLEARSPACE

SMALL SIZE VERSION TO BE USED WHEN LESS THAN 25MM IN WIDTH

MAJOR PARTNERS

PRESENTING PARTNERS

GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL

HURSTVILLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Sydney Fringe is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Arts and Cultural Program

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL EVENT AND TECHNICAL

OFFICIAL BEER

OFFICIAL WINE

ACCOMMODATION

PARTNERS

PARTNER

abn: 54 105 362 356

Gareth Stuckey

productions pty ltd

[P] +61 2 9698 9292 [M] +61 413 523 190

presents pty ltd

[E] gareth@gigpiglet.com.au [W] www.gigpiglet.com.au

VENUE PARTNERS productions pty ltd presents.

recordings. recordings.

productions. productions.

presents pty ltd

productions pty ltd productions pty ltd

Ray

Black

Union

HURSTVILLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Windermere

fairfield

MEDIA PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

AWARD PARTNERS

2025 FESTIVAL REPORT

SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL