- Website: deepnorth.au - full Programme of Free and Ticketed events
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_deep_north
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedeepnorthAU
This December, Avalon Beach and surrounds will transform for a weekend of music, art, dance, creativity and fun. The Deep North welcomes both locals and visitors to a destination of culture and connection.
A three-day festival, from 5–7 December, this is a weekend of music, art, wellness, and connection.
This is where culture meets coastline.
Bookoccino’s Sally Tabner, who heads up Deep North, recently shared a few insights.
Where did the idea for Deep North come from?
Through the book store I’ve come to know a number of creatively minded people over the last 10 years and we all wanted to reignite an annual festival celebration that speaks to our creative spirit.
Where does the name for the festival, ‘Deep North’, stem from?
Partly it stems from having Richard Flanagan visit us once, who, after driving through the Bends and coming onto the stage at Bookoccino said ‘wow, it really is a narrow road to the Deep North, isn’t it?’.
Obviously we are the northernmost tip of Sydney – it does feel like you are a world away from the rest of Sydney life when you live here.
In terms of the use of the word ‘deep’ we are a community where the roots do run deep here.
So all of those three things tie together into that name; the idea of an escape, the funny literary reference form having had Flanagan visit here, and also the depth of spirit in the community.
Having looked at the Programme on the Deep North website, Bach in the Bible Garden has sold out, but there's a swathe of events; something for your mind, your body, your soul, your food and wine palate and your musical enjoyment. There’s great talks, art and health workshops, nature walks, Christmas Carols at Barrenjoey High School, and all kinds of music around the village from the golf clubhouse and all points north - Meg Washington supported by Tilly Kay on the Saturday night will be a favourite. What is the scope there?
This is a 3-day multi-venue new festival programme – and the heart of the Deep North is our Big Top town tent which takes pride of place in Dunbar Park. This seats up to 400 people and has exceptional production values, so it will be a genuine concert experience welcoming some of Sydney’s finest performers.
William Barton, an incredible First Nations performer, will share his exceptional repertoire, supported by friends and festival collaborators, including Dreaming songstress Aunty Delmae Barton, violinist Veronique Serret and The Bowerbird Collective. So to have him come to Avalon Beach on the Sunday is very special.
William Barton is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading Yidaki/Didgeridoo players. His distinguished career includes performances with the London and Berlin Philharmonic orchestras, an ARIA award-winning album and an appointment as first Indigenous director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
James Morrison AO, obviously a very popular local musician will bring his Quartet to the Big Top for an unforgettable night on the Saturday afternoon. Energetic, joyful and swinging, this is jazz at its finest.
We have Bob Brown, which taps into our great love of conservation, our love of the environment, our desire to protect and preserve this beautiful place that we live in. Bob will be in conversation with Geraldine Brooks. Geraldine is a Pulitzer Prize winner and also a sometime Avalon resident.
There’s also a circus which features John Paul Bell, well-known locally as the founder of Clown Doctors, alongside an aerial contortionist, jugglers, magicians – in fact there’s something for everyone.
On the Sunday night we have Le Shiv playing with Bangalley and Scatter Light, a fantastic upcoming band in the light of Lime Cordiale, who they have toured with. Le Shiv are a genre-bending force rising from LA house parties to international stages, sharing stages with acts like Grouplove and Ocean Alley.
Meg Washington
the Circus is coming to town
Where is Deep North taking place?
In this, our first year, it is centred around Avalon village, apart from those two outlying concerts in the Bible Garden.
People can sign up for updates via the Deep North website and we are sharing news via Instagram and Facebook – including more about what’s on.
Are there any sponsorship opportunities still available if people wat to support what you’re doing – and how do they get in contact with you?
Absolutely – they can contact me at: sally@deepnorth.au. We have had some great local sponsors; McGrath Real Estate, Capella Lodge, Frost Collective, Danielle Forde and a few private donors. The Deep North is part of the Avalon Business Collective (Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber Inc.) and is supported by the NSW Government through the Uptown Grant Program as well, as well as great support from the Northern Beaches Council.
Anything else Sally?
Just come – it’s been a long time since we’ve had a big celebration in Avalon, it’s been a long time since we had a Market Day in Avalon and a long time since we all had an opportunity for the town to feel lively and celebrating our incredible good fortune and our life here together.
We want a spirted lively weekend. We want to include everyone – we want everyone to feel that there is something for them in that programming.
Under The Full Moon, the Festival Opening, happens Friday 5th December 4:00pm - 8:00pm at South Avalon Beach. This Free Event invites everyone to join us for a world-class concert and community picnic overlooking Avalon Beach.
Featuring Australian icon William Barton on yidaki/didgeridoo, joined by Aunty Delmae Barton and violinist Veronique Serret, and supported by local talents Ben Morgan and Mia Burlinson, this will open Deep North 2025 with a blessing beside the sea.
All welcome!
This inspiring and accessible long weekend of music, film, literature, art and community is multi-generational, multi-cultural and 70% free. It is a love letter to our peninsula: relaxed yet refined, artistic but grounded, humble AND world-class. The program has launched and tickets are now on sale. You're invited to join us...
Could there be any better way to dive into Summer?
Programme: from Friday December 5th through Sunday the 7th
To look at what’s on where and when go to the Deep North deepnorth.au/whats-on webpage - you can just click on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday tabs to see what’s on each day and where. Events in the Big Top listed here.
From talks, to food sampling and specials, to music and free activities – like Breathwork for Surfers on Avalon Beach on the Saturday morning where you can join 2x World Champion surfer Tom Carroll and breathwork specialist Marcus Hamill for a practical, high-performance session designed to enhance focus, endurance, and calm under pressure - there really is something for all ages and all interests.
Deep North 2025 Committee-Team
Project Lead: Sally Tabner
Curation and Coordination: Anthony Albrecht
Marketing and Sponsorship Lead: Jacqui La’Brooy
Curation and Coordination: Louisa Eagleton
Marketing and Socials: Emily Parker
