Drumroll, please… The 2025 winners of the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards in Australia have officially been revealed at back-to-back celebrations in Sydney and Melbourne last night (Monday, August 11).
Now in their second year, the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards recognise the incredible creative talent working across Australia’s cultural landscape – from powerhouse performers and unforgettable exhibitions to bold new theatre – and encourage audiences to get out and experience the best of our cities.
A total of 32 Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice winners were crowned across Sydney and Melbourne, including new awards for Favourite Dance Production, Live Music Venue and Classical Music Show.
“Our cities have thriving performing and visual arts scenes that deserve to be spotlighted, and these awards are about celebrating the extraordinary people who keep them vibrant,” said Kaylie Smith, Managing Director of Time Out APAC.
The Sydney awards, presented by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO), took place last night at The International in Martin Place, where guests were treated to a live performance from SSO musicians.
Alexandra Barlow, SSO’s Head of Communications & Content, spoke about their involvement. “At the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, we are proud to support the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards, an initiative that champions the creativity, passion and diversity of Australia’s vibrant cultural scene.
“These awards celebrate not only excellence in performance, but also the communities that bring the arts to life. We believe in the power of music and the arts to inspire, connect and elevate, and we’re thrilled to be part of this celebration of artistic achievement in Sydney and beyond,” she added.
Meanwhile in Melbourne, the awards were presented at Curious bar in the W Melbourne, with support from the Australian Cultural Fund.
“The Arts & Culture Awards are a powerful reminder of the creative excellence thriving in every pocket of the country. We’re thrilled to be part of a celebration that acknowledges the impact artists have on our collective identity,” said Tracy Woolacott from the Australian Cultural Fund.
Read on for the full list of Critics’ Choice winners (decided by Time Out editors along with our stable of reviewers) and People’s Choice winners (as voted by the public).
SYDNEY WINNERS
CRITICS’ CHOICE CATEGORIES
Best Musical: Hadestown
Best Performance in a Musical: Vidya Makan in Hamilton
Best Play: Sistren
Best Performance in a Play: Zahra Newman in Dracula
Best Art Exhibition: Cao Fei: My City is Yours, AGNSW
Best Museum Exhibition: Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, Australian Museum
Impact Award: Hayes Theatre Co
PEOPLE’S CHOICE CATEGORIES
Favourite Musical: Hadestown
Favourite Performance in a Musical: Debora Krizak in Annie
Favourite Play: RBG: Of Many, One
Favourite Performance in a Play: Heather Mitchell in RBG: Of Many, One
Favourite Dance Production: Illume, Bangarra Dance Theatre
Favourite Classical Music Show: Abel Selaocoe, ACO at Sydney Opera House
Favourite Live Music Venue: Enmore Theatre
Favourite Art Exhibition: Archibald Prize, AGNSW
Favourite Museum Exhibition: Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, Australian Museum
MELBOURNE WINNERS
CRITICS’ CHOICE CATEGORIES
Best Musical: Beetlejuice the Musical
Best Performance in a Musical: Karis Oka in Beetlejuice the Musical
Best Play: Heartbreak Hotel
Best Performance in a Play: Nikki Shiels in A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Art Exhibition: Yayoi Kusama, NGV
Best Museum Exhibition: Māreikura, Immigration Museum
Impact Award: Museum of Desire
PEOPLE’S CHOICE CATEGORIES
Favourite Musical: Hadestown
Favourite Performance in a Musical: Noah Mullins in Hadestown
Favourite Play: Julia
Favourite Performance in a Play: Justine Clarke in Julia
Favourite Dance Production: Oscar, The Australian Ballet
Favourite Classical Music Show: Haydn's The Creation, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic at St Paul's Cathedral
Favourite Live Music Venue: Forum Melbourne
Favourite Art Exhibition: Yayoi Kusama, NGV
Favourite Museum Exhibition: Museum of Desire
To see more about all the Sydney and Melbourne winners, head over here.