Sydney’s dance scene isn’t one homogenous entity. There are the weekly clubbers – those who spend their Saturday nights in sleek, sexy inner-city haunts like Sussudio and Carousel – and there are the warehouse ravers, whose weekend invites are likely to contain the words “secret Inner West location”. If there’s one event that unites them all, it’s Summer Dance: an annual event series that brings some of the biggest names in electronic music to a sun-soaked Sydney location.
Presented by Astral People – one of Australia’s key culture-shaping music companies – the series has become a staple in Sydney/ Gadigal’s cultural calendar; a place where international tastemakers and homegrown faves meet under the same pulsing bassline, fuelled by big summer energy.
In excellent news for the city’s dance fans, Summer Dance is back for 2025. Launching on November 29 at Liberty Hall, the beloved day-to-night party is set to transform the venue’s courtyard into an open-air celebration of sound, community and summer heat, before the energy moves indoors for 'After Dark'.
Based on what we know so far, this year’s opening lineup sets the bar sky-high. First up, Eora’s own Club Angel will be leading the charge with a high-octane mix of UK speed garage, jungle and anthemic bass. Joining him is Naarm-based Crÿbaby, whose genre-bending sets splice Global Club, Dembow and Hard Dance into something irresistibly fun. Rounding out the daytime line-up is Bryson Hill, the Gadigal-born, London-honed DJ whose sleek, percussive sound has earned him a debut EP on UK label Shall Not Fade.
When the sun dips, the action moves inside for 'Summer Dance: After Dark' – a second act led by Ninajirachi, one of Australia’s most forward-thinking producers, known for her world-building, futuristic approach to electronic music. She’ll be joined by 1tbsp – the Grammy-nominated project of Golden Vessel, blending house, pop and global dance sounds into a fluid, dynamic journey – and 2touch, a rising name whose cross-genre sets are defined by warped basslines and sticky melodies.
With more events set to drop across the season, Summer Dance is cementing its rep as the heartbeat of Sydney’s dance community. Details of the next event will drop after the November 29 season debut. You can book tickets here, and stay up to date over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, straight to your inbox.