Big city music, small town vibes: Thirroul Music Festival is back on 29 November featuring world-renowned artists performing in small seaside venues
Big city music, small town vibes — that’s what the Thirroul Music Festival is all about. On Saturday 29 November 2025, the seaside village of Thirroul, just under an hour south of Sydney, transforms into a walkable music precinct, where international and Australian artists perform in intimate venues no bigger than a local hall or theatre.
Just an hour south of Sydney, the festival is a one-of-a-kind experience that blends world-class music with the laid-back charm of the NSW South Coast village of Thirroul. It’s everything stadium gigs aren’t – intimate, immersive and up-close. Think world-renowned artists performing in small seaside venues, all within a 5-minute stroll of each other.
This year’s headliner is Californian surf-rock troubadour Donavon Frankenreiter, known for his sun-drenched folk-roots sound and warm stage presence, it’s a rare chance to catch him up close rather than in a stadium setting. He’s joined by a curated line-up that prizes depth and discovery over size including Australian talent Gareth Liddiard, Floodlights and Grace Cummings.
Festival Founder Luke Woods said the Thirroul Music Festival is designed for people seeking something more personal than a stadium show.
“We want people to come not just for the music, but for the feeling you can only get in a place like Thirroul. In a stadium you’re hearing the sound system, you’re seeing big lights, which is great, but there’s nothing like standing in a small theatre, or a hall by the sea, watching someone pour their heart into a song just for you.”
Now in its 5th year, the Thirroul Music Festival is more than just music. Festival-goers are encouraged to start at the beautiful Anita’s Theatre to collect their wristband before making their way around town, visiting festival venues and sampling the many food and drink options Thirroul has to offer.
With the brand-new Open Streets Festival happening the same weekend, visitors can expect the whole town to be alive with food, art and performance, and can explore a huge offering of bars, eateries, music venues, an iconic theatre, boutiques, shops and creative spaces — all nestled between the sea and the escarpment.
The Thirroul Music Festival is presented by Cheatin’ Hearts Records and Yours & Owls and supported by the Thirroul Arts & Entertainment District under the NSW Government’s Uptown program.
Adam Smith, Thirroul Arts & Entertainment District lead, said the Thirroul Music Festival is about more than music. “Thirroul’s vision is to combine its relaxed coastal spirit with serious creative offerings – venues, food, art and people all part of the show. The Thirroul Music Festival is a fantastic example of this vision in action and visitors can expect a whole-town celebration of music, culture and place.”
Thirroul Music Festival tickets are on sale now via https://thirroulmusicfestival.com.au.
Festival Snapshot: Thirroul Music Festival 2025
– Date: Saturday 29 November 2025
– Location: Thirroul, NSW South Coast
– Venues: Anita’s Theatre, Franks Wild Years and more, all within 5–10 minutes’ walk
– Line-up highlights: Donavon Frankenreiter (USA), Gareth Liddiard, Floodlights, Grace Cummings
– Presented by: Cheatin’ Hearts Records and Yours & Owls
– Music genres: Americana, Country, Blues, Surf, Indie
– Experience: One-day celebration of world-class music in intimate venues, all set against Thirroul’s seaside backdrop.