Organisers of the nation’s biggest celebration of Deaf culture, history and community, Deaf Festival 2025, are hoping for a big turn out to the free event in Sydney this month.
The celebration of culture, language and inclusivity will be at Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park from 10am to 4pm on 30 August 2025.
Deaf Connect, one of the event’s supporters, said the festival was open to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities and features an exciting lineup of Deaf performers, Deaf businesses and Deaf-led workshops, showcasing the rich talents of the community across various artistic disciplines.
The bilingual event includes interpreting and captioning across the main stage, workshops and kids’ zone. Volunteer communication assistants will be on the ground to facilitate conversations between Auslan and English.
Mr Brett Casey, Deaf Connect CEO, said Deaf Connect was proud to support the initiative, creating Deaf Space and uniting Deaf people from across the nation and abroad.
“Deaf Connect has a longstanding history with Deaf Festival in New South Wales, and it’s been a privilege to keep supporting this ongoing celebration of Deaf pride and community spirit as the Platinum Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year,” he said.
“The 2025 event promises an outstanding program, with performances by prominent Australian and international artists. Whether you’re coming with your family or friends or want to build on your connections in the community, Deaf Festival Sydney has resources and services that empower people at every stage of life.”
The organising committee highlighted the exceptional talent in the lineup of performers and stallholders.
“We’re thrilled to bring back this incredible showcase of Deaf talent and create a space where Deaf Australians can connect with culture, services, language and creativity,” the committee said.
“The first Deaf Festival Sydney was in 1992 in Darling Harbour. More than 30 years later, the festival has continued to grow each year, attracting almost 3,900 people in 2024 – 20% of whom came from outside Sydney, from interstate and overseas.”
This year’s headliners include Deaf performer Martha Rundell, and international acts by Deaf artists including Spanish comedian Mr Javier Guisado Martin, and Swedish comedian Mr Florian Tirnovan.
There will also be an Auslan storytime session for young people and families courtesy of the City of Ryde Council, a family mentor playshop and art sessions with artists Ms Sue Jo Wright and Gonketa.
Ms Kate Matairavula, Deaf Connect general manager for education, attended Deaf Festival Sydney in 2000.
“My first Deaf Festival was at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour,” she said. “It was exciting to see the Deaf community all together. We were quite scattered geographically – but for this one day of the year, it felt like a little Deaf village.
“In the 1990s, I was working with Australian Theatre of the Deaf. We had a stall at the festival, and we also did a performance on stage in front of everyone. I remember feeling excited but also quite nervous.
“If it’s your first time at Deaf Festival Sydney, it’s powerful to see so many Deaf people in one place. As a Deaf person, it’s also incredibly gratifying to see that the Deaf community is a real thing – and you’re not alone.”
Deaf Festival Sydney has always been a celebration. It’s a space where we can show off to members of the public that we are here, and we are proud of our language and community.”
Deaf Connect, Convo Australia, National Relay Service, NextSense, PAH!, Word of Mouth Technology, Hearing Australia, Signpedia, Full Life and Communication eXtra are supporting the festival.
For tickets, program and event information, visit Deaf Festival Sydney website.
