Seniors ‘time to shine’ at the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival

5 August 2024

The biggest celebration for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere is back in 2025 with the theme ‘Time to Shine’.

The annual Seniors Festival is the government’s way of thanking seniors for their contributions, as well as providing a variety of opportunities for them to get involved, and stay active and connected.

Flagship events include the Premier’s Gala Concerts and Seniors Expo, which will both be held from 12-13 March 2025 at the ICC Theatre in Sydney. There will be 4 free concerts featuring Australia’s best talent for senior audiences to attend, and a wide range of stalls and exhibits to explore.

Last year, the Premier Gala Concerts sold out, with 32,000 seniors attending. Seniors also showed their strong support for events around NSW, with an estimated 500,000 attending various activities over the whole Festival fortnight.

The NSW Government’s Ageing Well NSW: Seniors Strategy vision is for all people in NSW to experience the benefits of living longer and enjoy opportunities to participate in, contribute to and be included in their communities.

In addition, comedy shows are being planned for seniors living in metro and regional NSW.

As was the case this year, there will also be a livestream of the Premier's Gala Concerts for those unable to make it to the event in person.

The 2025 NSW Seniors Festival will run from 3 to 16 March.

Keep up to date with announcements of the stars for the Gala Concerts and all that’s happening in the NSW Seniors Festival at https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival.

Grants open for Seniors Festival events

The fortnight-long Seniors Festival will also see various organisations running activities across the State to engage seniors.

The Seniors Festival Grant fund of $200,000 is now open for applications. Local organisations can apply for up to $5,000 and Local Councils for up to $10,000 for their programs and events.

The 2025 program will have a continued focus on programs that offer unique and engaging intergenerational activities, connect seniors with a range of community organisations and activities that are tailored to Aboriginal communities and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Applications are open now and close on 6 September. Apply for the NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program at https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/seniors-festival-grants-program.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Seniors Festival is one of the highlights of the year and is the biggest and most joyous celebration of seniors in the state.

“Seniors should save the dates and make sure they look out for further announcements on when the much sought-after tickets to Premier’s Gala Concerts are available.

“We are also encouraging community organisations and local councils to show us your best ideas for events and activities that will encourage our seniors to get excited, get out and get involved.

“The NSW Government is really proud to host a festival that embraces everybody and recognises the important contributions seniors make in our community.”