Time Out Australia has crowned the best in arts and culture for 2025
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).
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 Classical Music Show: Abel Selaocoe, ACO at Sydney Opera House
Favourite Live Music Venue: Enmore Theatre
MELBOURNE WINNERS
CRITICS' CHOICE CATEGORIES
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 Museum Exhibition: Museum of Desire
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.
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Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts has joined the cast of West End musical Hadestown. The singer, 39, will play the role of Persephone in the production, which tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus as a singer-songwriter who tries to save his lover Eurydice from the underworld, which is ruled by Hades. Advertisement Roberts said: 'I am beyond thrilled to be joining the cast of Hadestown in London. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hadestown UK (@hadestownuk) 'This show is a true masterpiece, and I am honoured to be a part of such a talented and inspiring team. 'The role of Persephone has such depth and complexity, she feels light and sorrow, joy and darkness. 'Her songs are rich with emotion and an absolute joy to sing, and I'm excited to explore every facet of her character on stage. Advertisement 'I am grateful for this incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to share this journey with audiences in London. Let's take a trip to the underworld together!' Roberts will star alongside Dylan Wood as Orpheus, Cedric Neal as Hermes, Chris Jarman as Hades and Desmonda Cathabel as Eurydice. Hadestown, which was first brought to London in 2018, made its return to the capital in 2024 and was nominated for best musical revival at the Olivier Awards that year. The musical, created by US singer Anais Mitchell, also won two gongs at the WhatsOnStage Awards earlier this year. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC Radio 2 (@bbcradio2) Roberts rose to fame as a member of girl group Girls Aloud, which was formed in 2002 on ITV show Popstars: The Rivals. The group has had four number one singles in the UK with Sound Of The Underground, I'll Stand By You, Walk This Way featuring the Sugababes, and The Promise. Last year, Girls Aloud reunited for a UK and Ireland arena tour that celebrated their legacy and paid tribute to their late bandmate Sarah Harding, who died from breast cancer aged 39 in 2021. On Tuesday, Roberts unveiled a new unreleased version of Girls Aloud song Singapore on BBC Radio 2. Advertisement She also told the station 'it would be a great shame to not do it (a tour) again' and revealed that she starts rehearsals for Hadestown on Monday. 'It's very daunting. I went to see the show again on Friday. It's just wonderful', she said. Roberts will play Persephone from September 16 until January 18 2026 at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.
