June calendar
June: Asia’s Month of Music, Culture, and Global Celebrations
[Cannes Lion returns 2025 Music Press Asia]
June is almost gone, and with it comes a spectacular lineup of live music events across Asia. As the year’s midpoint, this month pulses with energy—festivals, concerts, and cultural celebrations all converge to create an unforgettable season for music lovers.
While Europe revels in the height of summer, Asia is alive with its own vibrant festivities. June is also Environment Month, shining a spotlight on sustainability and conservation, including World Oceans Day on June 8—reminding us of music’s power in advocating for a greener planet.
Cultural holidays also add a rhythmic backdrop to the month’s events. Hari Raya Haji brings people together for reflection and celebration, while Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival fills waterways with fierce races and traditional drumming. Japan’s Marine Day honors its deep ties to the ocean, and South Korea’s Memorial Day serves as a moment of remembrance, often accompanied by soulful musical tributes.
From stadium-sized gigs to intimate jazz nights, June’s live music scene is packed with unforgettable performances. Whether it’s K-pop’s biggest acts electrifying arenas, indie musicians delivering heartfelt acoustic sets, or electronic artists pushing sonic boundaries, there’s something for every ear.
Music Press Asia’s June calendar is your guide to the month’s biggest shows, hidden gems, and festival highlights. Keep an eye out—we’ve got the latest updates to ensure you don’t miss a beat!
Sarawak International Choral Festival, 13-15 June in Kuching, Sarawak.
The Kuching Choral Society (KCS) is set to bring a symphony of voices together at the upcoming Sarawak International Choral Festival (SICFest). Scheduled to take place from 13-15 June, the SICFest programs include adjudicated performance, choir workshops, masterclass, friendship concert, festival choir and an opening ceremony. Adjudicators attending include SICF artistic director Susanna Saw (Malaysia), Dr Heiki Henning (Austria), Dr Zechariah Goh (Singapore), Tommyanto Kandisaputra (Indonesia), Vinzenz Weissenburger (Germany), and Snezana Nena Brzakovic (Serbia).
YSDAF, 14 June at Kuala Lumpur East Mall, Malaysia.
Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival kicks off this weekend as part of its Urban Tour with its first stop at KL East Mall, featuring 30+ free performances and workshops by over 250 award-winning artists. The beloved Malaysian festival made a bold move to scale up this year geographically by embarking on its first tour to bring the festival directly to communities across Peninsular Malaysia. After its Kampung Tour to five states and seven locations from April to May, it makes a full circle back to Klang Valley with 130 over free arts activities.
Music program sees “A Synthetic Symphony: The Art of Sound and Sight” by Synesthetic Symphony of Sound & Sight (4S) brings together blind artists, marginalised and special needs children. Their sensory-driven experience features blind artists creating abstract art with live music performance, exploring synesthesia in visually-impaired persons.
Alan Tam Classic Live, 14 June at Singapore Indoor Stadium
The evergreen icon of the Chinese music scene, “Principal” Alan Tam, is set to make a highly anticipated return to Singapore with the “Alan Tam Classic Legend Tour” on June 14, 2025! This marks his first performance in Singapore in seven years since the “Galaxy Years” tour in 2018.
The Alan Tam Classic Legend Tour, which debuted in Shanghai in May 2023, has since mesmerized audiences across multiple cities, including Guangzhou and Chengdu. Drawing a remarkable cross-generational crowd, the tour has welcomed younger fans who accompany their parents in “chasing stars,” alongside longtime supporters eager to relive cherished musical moments with their families.
Each performance transforms into a profound celebration of nostalgia and connection, as concertgoers unite in song to timeless hits such as Karaoke is Always OK, Love Trap, and Friends. Alan Tam’s enduring influence continues to bridge generations, proving that great music defies time—and that youth is never truly lost.
Cannes Lions, 16-20 June in Cannes, France
The industry comes together at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in the city of Cannes, France to celebrate groundbreaking, meaningful creativity. Creativity that progresses not just advertising, but the world. With over 150 hours of original content from Apple; Duolingo; Jon M Chu; Xiaohongshu; McDonald’s Morgan Flatley; YouTube’s, Neal Mohan; composer, James Blake; Reckitt with Serena Williams, and many more, now’s the time to start planning your Festival week.
The Equity, Representation and Accessibility (ERA) Programme is an initiative created by LIONS, aimed at fostering a diverse and inclusive representation of talent within the creative industry at Cannes Lions. It is committed to supporting underrepresented communities, so for 2025 we’re allocating €2m worth of complimentary Festival passes, with a focus on the Global South.
Rainforest Music Festival, 20-22 June, Kuching, Borneo
The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) returns to its enchanting home at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, Borneo. Under the inspiring theme “Connections – One Earth, One Love,” this 28th edition promises an extraordinary fusion of global rhythms and indigenous heritage. Prepare for three days of immersive workshops, vibrant cultural displays, and unforgettable evening concerts featuring a diverse lineup of international and local artists, including the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay and Sarawak’s own At Adau. Don’t miss this unique celebration where music meets nature, fostering unity and a deep appreciation for our shared planet.
6th European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations Aarhus, 28 June – 6 July at Aarhus, Denmark
Experience the next chapter of the European Choir Games: Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting city of Aarhus, Denmark! Renowned as a continental, European version of the World Choir Games, this extraordinary event will captivate choirs from Europe and beyond.
The 6th European Choir Games combined with the Grand Prix of Nations Aarhus 2025 allow choirs from all over the world to participate at the appropriate level and even qualify for higher levels.
“A Night in Hollywood” with Manila Symphony Orchestra, 28 June at ALIW Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City
The Manila Symphony Orchestra is collaborating with renowned composers and conductors from the Los Angeles Film Conducting Intensive (LAFCI) for a week-long stay in Manila. Under the baton of Maestro Angel Velez, the orchestra will perform a special concert featuring new film scores and iconic Hollywood classics, with Hungarian cellist Zoltán Onczay as a special guest.
LAFCI is dedicated to providing exceptional training based on sound pedagogical practices, designed to create an opportunity for media composers to further their skills as conductors. Programs are geared toward media composers (film/television/video games) to assist and provide free access to their online Resource Center.
IAAPA Expo Asia, 30 June – 3 July, Shanghai, China
Prepare to be immersed in the future of the attractions industry as IAAPA Expo Asia makes its highly anticipated return to Shanghai, China, from June 30th to July 3rd, 2025. Hosted at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), this year’s expo is poised to be an unparalleled gathering for leisure and entertainment professionals across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Under the theme “Find Possible,” attendees can expect to discover groundbreaking innovations, forge invaluable connections, and gain insights from industry leaders, including a keynote from Jill Estorino, President & Managing Director of Disney Parks International. With a sprawling show floor showcasing over 300 exhibitors and an anticipated 10,000+ attendees, IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 is the essential platform for staying ahead in a dynamic and rapidly growing market.
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