Calling the people of the Harbour City, SXSW Sydney is back, and this year, you don’t need a pass, a lanyard, or a hookup to be part of the action. Enter SXSW Sydney Unlocked: your all-access pass to everything you need to keep the brain ticking and the vibes high.
Taking place 13–19 October down at Tumbalong Park and surrounds, it's officially time to start prepping for over 85 hours of programming packed with all of the good stuff.
From midday sets and short films to sunset tunes, VR game showdowns and fashion showcases, SXSW Sydney Unlocked is bound to inspire and entertain. Open daily to the public with extended hours from Thursday to Saturday, all you need to do is show up and experience cutting-edge tech, top-tier talent, and immersive experiences, all without spending a cent.
Elevate Your Lunch Break
Swap your regular weekday lunch break for live chats, mini gigs and bite-sized moments of culture. Yup, SXSW Sydney Unlocked has you and your 9-5 crew sussed with daily lunchtime programming that’ll make your midday scroll look seriously grim. Then, from Tuesday to Friday from 4:30pm, get around the ultimate Happy Hour session, with live music, DJ sets and surprise hosts. Describe a more perfect after-work wind-down, we'll wait.
Music Is In The Air
With SXSW Sydney Unlocked, the city turns into one giant stage. So, you can rest easy knowing the music never stops.
Head down on Wednesday 15 October to catch tunes from the likes of Indonesian hip-hop sensations Tenxi, Jemsii, and Naykilla, Chinese urban and soul queen Tia Ray, Filipino singer-songwriter Angela Ken and J-pop boy band breaking the internet, Psychic Fever.
If you’re chasing a cruisy night under the stars, Seymour Nights is bringing two epic twilight sessions to the Seymour Centre. Think fresh Aussie talent, live tunes, and laid-back open-air vibes—basically the perfect way to slide into the weekend.
And when the weekend does roll around, you'll want to make the trek into the city to witness The Rubens back in action once again. Clocking 10 years since the release of their breakthrough album, these Aussie fan-faves are hosting an epic celebration that'll see them shake up the main stage for an unreal evening of indie rock with a side of soul alongside the likes of, Folk Bitch Trio, Velvet Trip and Mariae Cassandra.
Get Ready To Geek Out
If gaming and out-of-the-box thinking sound like a bit of you, ramp up for the Innovation Expo and Games Showcase at the ICC Sydney. Kicking off on the Saturday from 10am at the Innovation Expo, wind your way through interactive installations, product demos and talks from the Asia-Pacific’s leading innovators, with the Startup Village highlighting the region’s next big disruptors. Trust us when we say this one will leave you speechless from entry to exit.
Meanwhile, at the Games Showcase, you’ll be among the first to playtest over 100 new titles from indie developers around the world—a front-row seat to the future of interactive entertainment.
Dust Off Your Cowboy Hat
Yep, SXSW Sydney is going full country. If you’re a fan of a cheeky two-step, Tumbalong Honky Tonk is your chance to bring your biggest boot-scootin’ energy to the heart of Darling Harbour with live Americana, country, and roots acts that’ll have you dancing all night long.
It's all happening on Friday 17 October, where you can expect line dancing lessons led by Saddle Club, plus high-energy sets from country chart-topper Max Jackson, Canadian Country Music Award-winners The Washboard Union, Lewis Love and golden-rock duo Big Wheels. It’s a full-throttle country celebration under the Sydney skyline and definitely worth dusting off your boots for.
Experience Unmatched Creativity
Co-curated by Awesome Black and Winda Film Festival, on Thursday 16 October, don’t miss Blak To The Future—a powerful evening hosted by Bianca Hunt and Travis De Vries that shines a spotlight on short films from emerging First Nations filmmakers, paired with live performances from a standout lineup of First Nations artists, headlined by the electrifying Tasman Keith.
Earlier in the week, FOMA: Fabrics of Modern Australia present a spectacular runway showcase where fashion and culture collide. Celebrating bold design and diverse voices, FOMA brings together emerging and underrepresented designers in a show that pushes boundaries and redefines what the future of fashion looks like.
The Best Of The Brands
SXSW Sydney’s brand partners are going big this year, with immersive activations and unexpected pop-ups designed to surprise and delight.
Beauty buffs, you’ll want to head straight to L’Oréal’s Innovation Station—a sensorial playground that lets you see, touch, and trial innovations from across L’Oréal’s 36 powerhouse brands.
For those eager to boost their money smarts, The Commbank Tour delivers immersive experiences with VR adventures, interactive zones, and practical lessons in financial fitness and scam awareness. Meanwhile, Adobe’s Experience Hub offers a dynamic playground where AI-powered marketing meets creative innovation, inviting you to step inside and watch your ideas come to life.
If whisky is more your vibe, Johnnie Walker is making its mark with a premium bar experience at Tumbalong Park, where you’ll be among the first to sip on the bold new Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Blackberry & Soda.
And don’t forget to stop byThe Ideas Dome, presented by The Growth Distillery, which is all about creative conversations, surprise guests, and short films that stick.
Something For The Kids
Think SXSW Sydney is just for the grown-ups? Think again. This year’s program proves the festival is just as fun for the little ones, with kid-friendly gigs, storytelling sessions, and dance workshops designed to keep the whole crew entertained. From 11:30am on Saturday 18 October, Small Fry Rock cranks up a real gig for kids featuring none other than Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson and Little Birdy’s Katy Steele. It’s loud, lively, and the perfect way to introduce the next gen to live music.
Back that up on Sunday, with Twirl Tries It All. Here you'll soak up a high-energy morning for families, including a special reading by Dr Joshua Pate and a movement workshop led by the legends at Ready Set Dance.
The Details
When: October 13–19, 2025
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Other locations include the Seymour Centre, Kensington Street, and the ICC Sydney.
More information here.
Read more about the full SXSW Sydney Unlocked program, or plan your visit online.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by SXSW Sydney and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.