The 72nd Perth Festival concluded impressively, marking its most extensive free program ever. Over 24 days, Perth transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, attracting a diverse audience, with 48% of ticket buyers new to the Festival. Highlights included performances by PJ Harvey and Maribou State, revitalization of East Perth Power Station, and immersive installations like Karla Bidi. Diverse acts, from the Mahabharata to local artists, filled venues with energized audiences. The Festival prioritized inclusivity with over 100 events, showcasing local and international talent. Artistic Director Anna Reece lauded the Festival’s community impact, setting a high standard for cultural celebrations in Perth.
The 72nd annual Perth Festival has wrapped up with incredible success, featuring the most extensive free program in its history and transforming Perth into a vibrant cultural hub.
During the span of 24 days, the city was invigorated with innovative performances, outstanding music, and an unparalleled celebration of local culture and community.
This year’s Festival saw a remarkable influx of new audiences in 2025, with an astonishing 48 percent of ticket buyers being newcomers who had not attended in the last five years, reflecting Perth’s growing demand for diverse, accessible, and bold cultural experiences.
From the thrilling finale with PJ Harvey at Kings Park to Maribou State’s sold-out dance party beneath the stars at East Perth Power Station, music emerged as a defining feature of the festival, attracting thousands across various venues.
This year’s Festival infused new energy into iconic Perth landmarks, reshaping the cultural landscape in ways that will endure for years.
The newly reimagined East Perth Power Station became the centerpiece of Perth Festival 2025, welcoming an estimated 80,000 attendees to its free and ticketed events.
In a historic moment, this long-abandoned industrial site opened its doors to the public for the first time in 44 years, transformed into a vibrant center for culture and live performances.
The striking animated visual art projections at East Perth Power Station – crafted by Noongar artists Allan Yarran, Ilona McGuire, and Daniel Hansen as part of Boorloo Contemporary – Contemporary – captivated audiences and lit up social media.
The historic Perth Town Hall was reconceptualized as The Embassy, a lively late-night venue featuring a blend of romantic, nostalgic, and thought-provoking events.
From country-soul star Tami Neilson to the enchanting Camille O’Sullivan, Ethiopian jazz virtuoso Hailu Mergia, and a jubilant tribute to The Coolbaroo Club and its legendary ball in A Night Out West, the festival showcased an intoxicating mix of music, ideas, and diverse audiences.
On stage, the Festival provided unforgettable cultural experiences ranging from traditional to avant-garde performances.
Audiences were spellbound by the grand presentation of Mahabharata, performed by Canada’s Why Not Theatre in a marathon-length retelling of the ancient Sanskrit epic.
Image: Big Name, No Blankets.
In a spirited tribute to First Nations rock history, Big Name, No Blankets – a musical homage to the Warumpi Band – had audiences cheering with its soulful narratives and iconic anthems.
Bold contemporary works broke artistic boundaries: Portuguese choreographer Marco da Silva Ferreira’s C A R C A Ç A electrified the stage with dynamic, high-energy dance, while the unique performance installation 12 Last Songs invited festival-goers to experience 12 hours of real-life stories shared by everyday Perth locals.
Festival-goers also enjoyed a one-night-only performance of the mesmerizing Samsara, an innovative Indonesian cinematic concert that left attendees breathless, while the Portuguese community came out in droves for a sold-out performance by beloved fado singer Mariza.
Highlighting the festival were the world premieres of Night Night by WA theater sensations The Last Great Hunt and Black Swan State Theatre Company’s August Osage County – both received with packed audiences and standing ovations.
Image: Night, Night.
From large-scale international productions to intimate local stories, every show made a lasting impact, reinforcing Perth Festival’s reputation for world-class arts and varied storytelling.
In the heart of Perth CBD, the STRUT Dance team once again brought the feel-good vibes of Perth Moves to the city, transforming Forrest Place into the ultimate public dance floor and performance area.
The Rechabite turned into a vibrant dining space for Killa: Pindan to Plate, where 100 diners engaged in cultural stories and life experiences from the west Kimberley coast.
Meanwhile, Crip Rave Theory showcased some of the hottest local and international disabled, Bla(c)k, POC, queer, and trans DJs, musicians, and performers at Perth City Farm.
These transformed venues, combined with the festival’s groundbreaking artistic vision, culminated in a city-altering festival that emphasized both place and performance.
Music took center stage in 2025, captivating audiences and reaffirming Perth’s enthusiasm for vibrant and diverse live experiences.
The Main Stage at East Perth Power Station was abuzz with energy as music icons Röyksopp, Nils Frahm, Electric Fields, and Egyptian-Australian DJ Moktar delivered boundary-defying performances in a truly unique industrial backdrop.
The free Casa Musica precinct evolved into a global melting pot, with local and international acts transforming the riverside area into a high-energy celebration that offered free music in a family-friendly setting.
Among the most unforgettable moments, 5,500 people gathered at Red Hill Amphitheatre for Irish indie-rock sensations Fontaines D.C., solidifying music as the essence of this year’s Festival.
Simultaneously, Perth Festival 2025 embraced inclusivity like never before, with a record-breaking number of free events ensuring that the entire community had the opportunity to participate.
More than 100 events – 64 of which were free – encouraged people from all backgrounds to engage with the joy of world-class art.
A centerpiece of the Festival, a Lotterywest community experience alongside East Perth Power Station, was Karla Bidi (Noongar for “fire trail”), a breathtaking light-and-sound installation that nightly transformed the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River into a radiant pathway of welcome.
Towering light beacons extended from the hills to the Indian Ocean along the river’s course, echoing the Noongar tradition of lighting fires to guide and greet visitors on country.
Image: Karla Bidi.
Accompanied by an evocative soundscape, Karla Bidi’s gentle glow unified communities along the river – from Fremantle to Guildford – engaging thousands and inviting reflection on cultural history and the natural beauty of the Swan.
An unprecedented city-wide artwork, embodying the festival’s spirit of inclusivity and dazzling spectacle.
This Festival has established a new standard for cultural accessibility, audience engagement, and celebration across the city.
Artistic performances spanned widely throughout Perth’s neighborhoods, with the Festival honoring our shared sense of home, anchored in the stories, traditions, and artistic voices from the Indian Ocean Rim region.
In Scarborough, as the sun set and waves danced on the shore, locals enjoyed the joyful tunes and rhythms of The Joy and Lindigo in Indian Ocean Sounds.
In Morley, over 3,000 attendees gathered at Pat O’Hara Reserve to listen to 30 local singers in the inaugural Orchestra-oke – a lively singalong event featuring the Perth Symphony Orchestra.
After bringing 143 international and 173 local West Australian artists to Festival stages, presenting seven specially commissioned shows, along with five world premieres and six Australian exclusives, Artistic Director Anna Reece expressed her delight at the enthusiastic reception from Perth locals following her debut program.
“Perth Festival 2025 was about more than just performances – it was about bringing the city to life,” Reece stated.
“The way in which audiences embraced our largest-ever free program and energized every corner of the city with creativity and movement has been a remarkable sight.
“We aimed to create a festival that belonged to everyone, and Perth responded in a way that surpassed all expectations.
“In 2025, we welcomed our most diverse and youthful audience yet, engaging with an electrifying array of music, art, and community-driven experiences that resonated across generations and cultures, ensuring that more people than ever felt seen, heard, and included in our Festival’s celebrations.
“This Festival has transformed how we experience our city – and this is just the beginning.”
Perth Festival 2025 has made a lasting impact on the city, demonstrating that culture, music, and community can redefine spaces, spark imaginations, and unite people in ways that linger long after the final curtain falls.
We extend our gratitude to Principal Partner Lotterywest for their generous grant of $9.5 Million, supporting Perth Festival 2025, Founding Partner The University of Western Australia, and everyone who has positively influenced our community through the Festival.
Lotterywest Films continues under the stars at UWA Somerville until 6 April.