Art Gallery of New South Wales, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
Appreciating artworks from all over the world, Art Gallery of NSW. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
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With its lively arts scene and nature’s artistry on show at every turn, creative energy charges through the harbour city. Now, as a jam-packed calendar of world-class cultural events weaves its magic throughout spring, summer and beyond, you’ll find innovation meets inspiration wherever you venture. Here, the must-do experiences that’ll leave you feeling energised long after the applause fades.
Enjoy a refreshing new perspective
For more than 150 years the Art Gallery of New South Wales has showcased extraordinary creativity, and now its hallowed halls are set to unveil their own transformation as the Sydney Modern Project reveals a brand new building, inspiring outdoor spaces, and dynamic galleries. Feel your mind expand as you explore the works of Adrián Villar Rojas, Brett Whiteley and Laurence Edwards; feast on Matt Moran’s culinary creations, and discover nature’s treasures on an Aboriginal bush tucker tour in the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
Discover an icon’s secret stories
The Sydney Opera House is the glittering centrepiece of Australia’s arts scene, and as its pearly sails sparkle in the spring sunshine its stages feature everything from lively musicals to classic concertos. Get swept away by powerful storytelling, live music and dance performances; discover the house’s rich, hidden history on a private tour, and afterwards, raise a toast as you drink in the views from the Opera Bar, Quay Quarter Lanes and Bennelong.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views over Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
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Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views over Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The Phantom of the Opera Australia Credit: Opera Australia
The Phantom of the Opera Australia 2022 - Masquerade
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The Phantom of the Opera Australia Credit: Opera Australia
The Phantom of the Opera Australia 2022 - Masquerade
Venture east to feast your senses
With its twinkling city views, cosmopolitan villages, golden beaches and playful spirit, Sydney’s East is a cradle of creativity. Become part of its effervescent rhythm as pop living legends hit the stage at Allianz Stadium; be awed and enthralled by Paddington’s eclectic galleries, and let your inspiration guide you to Bondi, where each year the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition showcases the world’s best creativity and landmark eateries like Sean’s, Icebergs and Totti’s serve inspiration on a platter.
Live in the theatrical moment
From the art deco opulence of the State Theatre to the heritage grace of the Capitol and the modern charms of the Sydney Lyric Theatre, the city’s entertainment venues are themselves inspiring works of art – and host everything from Broadway musicals to Australian comedy greats throughout the year. Afterwards, head to the Darling Quarter for late-night bites, before slipping between the sheets at The Aiden, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, or Crown Towers in buzzing Barangaroo.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Credit: Destination NSW
Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Showing in Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
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Moulin Rouge! The Musical Credit: Destination NSW
Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Showing in Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
Le Rivage Pool Bar, Sofitel Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Guest enjoying an evening swim in the Le Rivage Pool bar pool overlooking Darling Harbour.
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Le Rivage Pool Bar, Sofitel Darling Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Guest enjoying an evening swim in the Le Rivage Pool bar pool overlooking Darling Harbour.
Explore unexpected treasure troves
Wander around The Rocks and you’ll find arts, culture and entertainment as vibrant as the harbour itself. With its thought-provoking collection of more than 4000 modern works and a rolling roster of world-class exhibitions and works by some of Australia’s most exciting young artists – the Museum of Contemporary Art always inspires. Nearby, look for treasures hidden in plain sight on an Aboriginal culture or architecture walking tour, before hitting refresh in YCK laneways’ secret bars.
Revel in the buzz of diversity
Sydney’s community spirit comes to life in its lively culture. At the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on the banks of the Georges River you’ll find a busy schedule of events, from film series to comedy clubs. Just 15 minutes’ drive away in Campbelltown, The National 4 tells the story of Australia's vibrant contemporary art landscape; meanwhile in Cabramatta, the local Vietnamese community shares its delicious culinary heritage at a delectable range of eateries all year round.
Find joy in the eclectic and eccentric
With its street-art filled lanes, breweries, and live soundtrack featuring everything from rock to rap, the Inner West is buzzing with creativity. Embrace its care-free spirit at the Enmore Theatre, or The Vanguard. Out and about, you can soak up the creativity at the White Rabbit Gallery, the Imperial and Factory Theatre, and spend a night or three basking in the inspiration at the atmospheric Old Clare Hotel.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula Credit: Destination NSW
Visitors enjoying the art exhibition on display at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula.
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Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula Credit: Destination NSW
Visitors enjoying the art exhibition on display at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula.
The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
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The Vanguard, Newtown Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying drinks and live music at The Vanguard, Newtown in Sydney's inner west.
More Inspirational Stories
Vivid Sydney 2023Credit: Destination NSW
Views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour during Vivid Sydney 2023, from the View Hotel in North Sydney.
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From street art and experimental artists to festivals that take over the city and grandstand international acts, Sydney is shaped by an innovative spirit and creative soul. It’s an ethos shared by the city of Austin, Texas, and its legendary festival, SXSW (South by Southwest). In 2023, Sydney became the first city in the world to host an international edition of this iconic event.
From 14-20 October 2024, Sydney will once again transform into a vibrant creative hub, welcoming the world’s most inspired thinkers to celebrate film, music, tech and culture. In the lead up and during SXSW Sydney 2024, discover why the Harbour City is the ultimate creative playground.
The world of art brought to Sydney
See why the city is a magnet for inspired thinkers every day of the year. At the sleek Museum of Contemporary Art, perched on the edge of Sydney Harbour, the Sydney International Art Series showcases the world’s great creative trailblazers. Over summer 2024/2025, it will feature exclusive shows from international icons Julie Mehretu, René Magritte and Cao Fei. The Art Gallery of NSW has recently completed the $344 million Sydney Modern Project, a work of unparalleled art, architecture and landscape. In Chippendale, the White Rabbit Gallery holds one of the world’s greatest collections of contemporary Chinese art.
A city celebration of cinema
At SXSW Sydney’s Screen Festival, ground-breaking visual storytellers showcase their ideas. Catch the premiere of leading feature films, hear Australian legends offer commentary over their most famous works or enter your piece in the Short Film Competition. In Sydney, the screen celebration continues with events like the long-running Sydney Film Festival, FlickerFest, and the Westpac OpenAir Cinema in summer.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Friends arriving outside the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in The Rocks, Sydney.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks Credit: Destination NSW
Friends arriving outside the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in The Rocks, Sydney.
Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new building Credit: Iwan Baan
Aerial view of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new SANAA-designed building, 2022
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Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new building Credit: Iwan Baan
Aerial view of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ new SANAA-designed building, 2022
Featuring huge names in music and the next names to be discovered
Emerging talent is firmly in the spotlight for the 2024 SXSW Music Festival, with up-and-coming artists from Australia, Asia Pacific and beyond taking the stage. The festival is centred around the inner-city suburb of Chippendale, with artists playing at The Landsdowne Hotel, The Abercrombie Hotel, The Lord Gladstone and The Chippo (outside of the festival, you’ll find live music and late-night good times at these iconic venues every weekend). The beat goes on over summer, with festivals like Listen Out, Monolith, Good Things and Harbourlife. And catch big names in concert over the coming months, including Coldplay, Olivia Rodrigo, Crowded House and Billie Eilish.
The city’s stages reserved for the biggest musicals
Be inspired by an impressive line-up of international touring musicals in Sydney’s historic theatres. March each year welcomes the dazzling Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, performed on an open-air floating stage. In 2025, the showgirls and gangsters of Guys & Dolls will sparkle against the glittering backdrop. The record-breaking SIX the Musical returns to the Theatre Royal Sydney from October and multi-award-winning Hamilton is playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until January 2025. MJ the Musical, celebrating the work of iconic entertainer Michael Jackson, will have its Australian premiere at the Lyric in February 2025. The outrageous musical comedy The Book of Mormon will be back for another Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre from July 2025. And for a night of Celine Dion celebration, snatch up tickets to see hit, Titanique.
Innovation in the fabric of Sydney
SXSW Sydney’s Tech & Innovation events will challenge your perspective as you learn from tech pioneers and party alongside the current and future game-changers. Beyond the festival, explore buzzing Chippendale: immerse yourself in bold design at Central Park, admire the blend of old and new at The Old Clare Hotel, catch a cutting-edge show at Phoenix and take a walking tour. In nearby Eveleigh, Carriageworks has a jam-packed multi-media arts calendar and a commitment to challenging the status quo that continues in the creative spaces of nearby Newtown, Surry Hills, and Paddington.
Titanique Credit: Titanique
Setting sail for Australia, Titanique will play a limited season, exclusive to Sydney at The Grand Electric.
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Titanique Credit: Titanique
Setting sail for Australia, Titanique will play a limited season, exclusive to Sydney at The Grand Electric.
MJ - The Musical Credit: Myles Frost as Michael Jackson in the original Broadway production of MJ_photo by Matthew Murphy
MJ - The Musical
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MJ - The Musical Credit: Myles Frost as Michael Jackson in the original Broadway production of MJ_photo by Matthew Murphy
MJ - The Musical
Mystery, history and the future converge
Listen to the stories of the city, from the first inhabitants to convict days and modern creatives, at the Museum of Sydney. Follow in the footsteps of legendary Australian explorer Ernest Shackleton in the immersive virtual reality experience Thin Ice at the Australian Museum. The new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta is set to open in 2025 and will be a repository of Australia’s greatest artefacts of innovation and achievement, with a purpose-built STEM learning and play space and a food program dedicated to Western Sydney stories and food innovators.
It’s ‘game on!’ around the clock
The SXSW Sydney Games Festival will upgrade your playtime with live challenges, talks, demos, parties and a showcase of 120 brand new, independent games. Much of the action will take place at Fortress Sydney – Sydney’s massive, year-round gaming haven with arcades, state-of-the-art PC gaming, tabletops games and consoles, as well an epic esports arena. Battle your crew in a VIP booth before kicking on with a late-night feast at Chippendale’s laneway eateries on Kensington Street. Or rock on in the neon of Chinatown’s Dixon Street before exploring Haymarket, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo, and clinking glasses in the YCK Laneways’ cosy speakeasy-inspired small bars.
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party Credit: Jess Gleeson
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party. @sxswsydney, @jessgleeson, @jacotene
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Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party Credit: Jess Gleeson
Melbourne artist JACOTÉNE performing at SXSW Sydney launch party. @sxswsydney, @jessgleeson, @jacotene
Spice Alley, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink in Spice Alley, Chippendale.
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Spice Alley, Chippendale Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying food and drink in Spice Alley, Chippendale.