As Melbourne prepares to solidify its reputation as Australia’s music capital, the city is set to host two major international music festivals in 2025 that promise to deliver world-class entertainment across different seasons.
The New Year’s at the Bowl Music Festival will transform the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl into a two-day celebration spanning December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025, with a diverse lineup of electronic music powerhouses and contemporary artists.
Ring in 2025 at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl with electronic music’s finest across an electrifying two-day festival experience.
Presented by Live Nation, the festival strategically divides its programming between a high-energy New Year’s Eve celebration and a more relaxed New Year’s Day experience. UK electronic legends Underworld will headline the December 31 festivities, while Maribou State and Berlioz will lead the January 1 lineup.
The festival roster also features notable acts including Joy Crookes, Carl Cox, Confidence Man, The Preatures, Glass Beams, and Harvey, creating a multi-generational appeal across electronic music subgenres. The event aims to provide a long-term inner-city celebration for Melburnians seeking to welcome the new year with music and community.
Meanwhile, the globally recognized Ultra Music Festival will make its return to Melbourne on April 12, 2025, at Flemington Racecourse. As part of an international brand operating in 23 countries, Ultra Melbourne will showcase mainstream EDM, hardstyle, house, techno, and trance across multiple specialized stages.
The Ultra Main Stage will feature elaborate visual productions and pyrotechnics, while the RESISTANCE Stage will cater to techno and house enthusiasts.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, nestled within King’s Domain, provides an ideal setting for the New Year’s festival with its natural surroundings and renowned acoustics.
The venue’s multi-stage capabilities and central location make it particularly suited for large-scale cultural events requiring sophisticated production elements.
Ticketing for New Year’s at the Bowl begins with a presale on September 15, 2025, followed by general sales on September 16, 2025.
Ultra Music Festival tickets will be available exclusively through the official Ultra Australia website, with strict 18+ age restrictions and ID requirements in place. Based on previous events, the festival is expected to draw 20,000 to 25,000 attendees to Flemington Racecourse, making it one of the largest electronic music gatherings in the region.
Both events represent significant additions to Melbourne’s cultural calendar, reinforcing the city’s status as a premier destination for international music experiences in 2025.
Festival organizers plan to leverage social media advertising strategies with targeted campaigns to reach electronic music enthusiasts across Australia and internationally.
Performing artists are encouraged to maximize their festival exposure by utilizing playlist pitching techniques on streaming platforms before and after their appearances, creating momentum that extends beyond the live performances.
