SXSW Sydney has invited everyone to get a taste of what the globally-renowned event has to offer via a series of free activities in the heart of Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park. From 15-20 October, Tumbalong Park will be transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, featuring captivating events to ignite the imagination, inspire and entertain.

The free activities offer the chance to experience mind boggling tech and futuristic fun, from unleashing your creativity in a world of augmented reality at Snapchat House to using drone technology to drive full-sized Rovers on the other side of the country.

This futuristic playground is your chance to dip your toes into SXSW Sydney and enjoy Sydney’s dynamic creative industries in action. Free events range from live music performances, interactive brand activations and tech demos to live gameplay, conference speakers, radio broadcasts and much more.

Programming highlights are noted below, with the full schedule to be announced in early October.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said: “SXSW Sydney will be a unique event that celebrates the ability to wander from place to place, a roving festival offering activations to enjoy along with other members of this creative community – it will be an experience that people are going to love. If you’re not on board by now, you’ve got a month to get on board to celebrate the incredible creative people and places we have here in Sydney.”

SXSW Sydney Chair Geoff Jones said: “We are delighted to be sharing SXSW Sydney with the whole city and to provide a glimpse into the future of technology, music, ideas and gaming with all the action that will take place at Tumbalong Park.”

SXSW Sydney has also announced The Daily Telegraph as Presenting Partner of the Tumbalong Park Stage.

Editor Ben English said: “At The Daily Telegraph we’re for a vibrant and exciting Sydney. And that’s exactly what SXSW Sydney will create for a week in October. We hope to see all Sydneysiders - and visitors to our great state - enjoying for free the best in show content, be it screenings, bands, presentations or live radio shows, on the Tumbalong Park Stage presented by The Daily Telegraph - elevating Sydney’s reputation as the southern hemisphere’s home of innovation and creativity.''

SXSW Sydney also acknowledged the City of Sydney’s support of this inaugural event, specifically around bringing the events free programming in Tumbalong Park to life.

City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The City of Sydney council understands that a city’s culture is its beating heart, so we are delighted to be the Principal Local Government Sponsor of the inaugural SXSW Sydney – an event showcasing emerging talent and the cultural diversity of Sydney and the Asia Pacific,”

As the exclusive first ever host city of SXSW® outside of Austin, Texas, Sydney will solidify its status as a leading city for culture and creativity in the week-long festival of artistic expression, innovative and community engagement.

SXSW Sydney runs from 15 to 22 October 2023. For more information and media assets, visit: https://sxswsydney.com/press-centre/

For more information about SXSW Sydney’s free activities in Tumbalong Park, visit:

https://sxswsydney.com/free-events/