Lights, Culture, Action! 2025 Festival Of Arts Program Unveiled

Mackay will come alive in July as the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts brings a dynamic showcase of art, culture, cuisine and entertainment.

This year’s program promises to delight all your senses, broaden your horizons and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the 38th annual festival would change gear in 2025 with sensational new events and different locations for regular crowd favourites.

“This year, we have some outstanding new shows that have been sellouts at festivals around Australia,” Mayor Williamson said.

“There will also be the ever-popular Wisely Wine and Food Day, which we are delighted to announce will this year be headlined by ARIA award-winning Australian dance duo Sneaky Sound System,” he said.

“There’s a hands-on dinner party, a hilarious, immersive wedding reception and a new series of Sunday afternoon events featuring local music, food vendors and market stalls at Bucasia, Pinnacle and Grasstree Beach.”

Mayor Williamson said both the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub and Daly Bay Illuminate had moved to exciting new locations this year.

“Daly Bay Illuminate will feature throughout the City Centre with eight locations that will highlight some of our iconic buildings and green spaces.

“As well as the enormous inflatable frogs, there will be some spectacular projections from prominent local and national artists on the front and facades of buildings including the Pioneer Shire Council Building, Old Town Hall and the old Civic Theatre.

“Running alongside Daly Bay Illuminate is the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub, which will now be at Caneland Park and feature local music talent, pop-up bars and street cuisine,” he said.

“It will also be the location of the dazzling community art created especially for Daly Bay Illuminate as well.”

The Mayor also acknowledged the amazing local artist whose work was chosen as the cover of the festival program.

“Donna Marie Robinson’s work, titled ‘Flourish’, reflects our tropical city during the excitement of the festival,” he said.

Festivals and Events coordinator Phoebe Short encouraged residents and visitors to get outside their comfort zone and explore the many experiences on offer.

“This program is so diverse – there’s literature, photography, art exhibitions and workshops, wine tastings, performance art, opera, chamber music, arthouse films and jazz,” Ms Short said.

“Add in pub trivia, paint and sips, pop culture, local band showcases, family theatre and, of course, the festival features that are Daly Bay Illuminate and the Wisely Wine and Food Day and you have every reason to be in Mackay in July,” she said.

“July is going to be huge, and we really couldn’t be more excited to welcome festival goers to our region.”

The 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts program will drop online tonight at themecc.com.au/festivals and physical programs will be available from the MECC Box Office and locations around Mackay from Friday, May 2.

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The 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts program has been launched, with something for everyone, including Wisely Wine and Food Day headliners Sneaky Sound System. Image credit: Raegan Glazner

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