Step into SXSW Sydney unlocked

no ticket required

No pass? No problem. SXSW Sydney Unlocked gives you access to the best free events happening across SXSW Sydney. From interactive exhibitions and pop-ups to live music, talks and night-time experiences.

From October 13–19, Tumbalong Park transforms into a vibrant hub open daily from 10am, with immersive brand activations, tech and gaming demos, live music and sunset showcases. Step inside The Ideas Dome, presented by The Growth Distillery, for bold conversations, and catch surprise guests, short films and more on the Tumbalong Park stage.

But that’s just the beginning.

SXSW Sydney Unlocked spans the city, with highlights including the Innovation Expo and Games Showcase (free on Saturday, October 18 at ICC Sydney),and buzzing live performances at the Seymour Centre (October 16–17). You can bring the family on the weekend and make sure you don’t miss the Saturday night showcase at Tumbalong Park, featuring local and international acts from the SXSW Sydney Music Festival.

key dates

Tumbalong Park

Week Long

Seymour Nights

October 16–17

Innovation Expo

Free on Saturday

Games Showcase

Free on Saturday

tumbalong park special events

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

15 October, from 5pm
Experience the Australian debut of Indonesian hip hop sensations Tenxi, Jemsii & Naykilla, alongside Filipino folk-pop favourite Angela Ken, Chinese star Tia Ray and rising J-Pop group PSYCHIC FEVER.

BLAK TO THE FUTURE

16 October, from 5pm
A powerful celebration of First Nations creativity and culture, curated in partnership with Winda Film Festival and Awesome Black. Hosted by Bianca Hunt and Travis De Vries, the evening features short films from emerging Indigenous filmmakers alongside live music from showcasing artists.

TUMBALONG HONKY TONK

17 October, from 5pm
Kick up your heels at Tumbalong Honky Tonk, a boot-scootin’ country party packed with energy and fun. From line dancing lessons courtesy of Saddle Club to live sets by Max Jackson, The Washboard Union, Lewis Love, and Big Wheels.

THE RUBENS’ HOOPS & EVERYTHING

18 October, from 3pm
From 3pm to 9pm, catch The Rubens, Whitney, Folk Bitch Trio, Velvet Trip and Mariae Cassandra in an afternoon-to-evening celebration of live music, energy and community.

SUN-DANCE

19 October, from 10:30am
From the high-energy Red Bull Dance Your Style workshop, battle and showcases, to the fandom-fuelled AU Kpop Random Play Dance!, and the playful twists of Twirl Tries It All: Live, expect a day exploding with energy, rhythm and creativity.

SXSW Sydney Unlocked

Tumbalong Park

Free All Week Long

Tumbalong Park is the vibrant heart of SXSW Sydney Unlocked, playing host to live music, bold talks, tech demos, free brand activations and more.

SXSW Sydney Unlocked

Innovation Expo

Free on Saturday

Step into the Innovation Expo to explore interactive installations, product demos, and talks from the Asia-Pacific’s leading innovators, with the Startup Village highlighting the region’s next big disruptors.

SXSW Sydney Unlocked

Games Showcase

Free on Saturday

Immerse yourself in the SXSW Sydney Games Showcase — a celebration of bold ideas, immersive play, and the next wave of indie talent. Play new titles, meet the creators behind them, and get hands-on with unreleased video and tabletop games.

other key events

games showcase

18 october only, from 10am at ICC Sydney

The Games Showcase spotlights the future of play, from bold indie experiments to groundbreaking blockbusters. It’s a chance to experience hands-on demos, discover world-first releases, and meet the creators shaping the next era of gaming.

Innovation Expo

18 october only, from 10am at ICC Sydney

Step into the Innovation Expo and discover the tech shaping tomorrow, from robotics and gaming to space exploration. It’s a playground of creativity and discovery, designed for curious minds of all ages.

Seymour Nights

15–16 October at the seymour centre

The Seymour Centre courtyard transforms with an outdoor stage, curated by SXSW Sydney and Music in Exile. Intimate performances light up Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7–10pm under Sydney’s skies.

Kensington St. Street Party

16–17 October at kensington st.

Kensington Street hosts Babe Rainbow, Jamaica Moana, Taiwan’s The Chairs, and more in Chippendale’s laneway. Music meets food with Spice Alley next door for the perfect night out.

Schedule

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SXSW SYDNEY

“SXSW Sydney reminded me... to keep looking up and out for those wildly imaginative ideas that could change the worlds in which we all live.”

Katie Rigg-Smith

Chief Strategy Officer at WPP Australia & New Zealand

“You can now call the huge event a fixture of not just the Harbour City's cultural calendar, but also Australia's.”

Concrete Playground

“Week-long ‘Olympics of the mind’ will showcase cutting-edge film, gigs, talks and much more.”

The Guardian

“Conversations that started in those hallways led to opportunities I hadn’t anticipated - collaborations, speaking invitations, and projects that pushed my work forward.”

Patricia Haueiss

Speaker, 2024.

“SXSW Sydney is Good Chaos, so just embrace it.”

Damon Klotz

Culture Amp

"We’re still buzzing from the incredible energy and inspiring connections."

Rikta.ai

Start Up Village

“The SXSW attendees were a switched-on bunch; we made some real connections for future collaboration and partnership. Mission accomplished for sure”.

Dr Ben Swift

ANU School of Cybernetics

"Obsession is curiosity that never gets tired. If you have it—lean into it."

Ben Shewry

Attica, SXSW Sydney 2024

"SXSW has left me inspired and hopeful that we are on the cusp of a genuinely transformative era for our industry and humanity."

James Bush

head of creative technology at Synergy

“These speakers signal the event’s deep dive into the world’s most urgent conversations – AI and the future of work, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, climate resilience, creative industry disruption, and inclusive leadership.”

Jade Kennedy

The Music Network

EXPLORE MORE OF SXSW SYDNEY

Games

Dive into boundless range of Gaming tailored for game enthusiasts and more.

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Music

Get tuned in with the wave of talent within the Asia Pacific.

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Screen

Explore the future of the screen industry with visionary creators and leaders who are breaking new ground.

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Tech & Innovation

Where the brightest minds and the most innovative companies converge to showcase groundbreaking technologies and ideas.

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SXSW Sydney acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional owners of the land we work on, and pay respects to elders past, present and emerging.

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