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.
More Inspirational Stories
Murray Rose Pool, Double BayCredit: Destination NSW
Harbour views from Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
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Connect with the true essence of Sydney by mingling with the friendly locals and discovering the vibrant energy that defines the city. Beyond its stunning landmarks, Sydney invites you to experience its warmth and charm.
Showstopping At Royal Randwick
Dress to Impress at Royal Randwick Racecourse for a Saturday at the races during the Sydney Everest Carnival. Don’t miss the fresh new destination, the Peacock Lounge in the Winx Stand at Royal Randwick. For five exclusive days only, the Peacock Lounge will be the place to be to elevate your race day
Don't miss the fresh new destination, the Peacock Lounge in the Winx Stand at Royal Randwick. For five exclusive days only, the Peacock Lounge will be the place to be this Carnival to elevate your raceday.
Check out the open air Theatre Of The Horse to watch the racehorses' parade with their jockeys in vibrant racing silks before the competition .Then hit the rose garden for further festivities, this time it’s all about preening and social media.
For post-race shenanigans, join racegoers at one of Paddington’s watering holes including the rooftop at The Light Brigade, The Royal Hotel at Fiveways or The Paddington, which boasts some excellent dining options. Alternatively, saddle up for a pasta blowout at fashionable Paddington institution, 10 William Street.
Salute the Dawn at Bronte Beach
The 440 Run Club is a free Saturday morning running club that is open to everyone at any fitness level. Meet in the park in front of Bronte Beach in the dark, and join a crew of all ages and backgrounds to run, jog or even walk up and down a hill in a continuous loop. Sunrise over this beautiful beach never looked so good.
Afterwards go cafe hopping at the beachside strip and nabone of the outdoor tables for pinch yourself views. The Bogey Hole Cafe is a great place to start.
If you’re still full of beans, do the stunning Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk Follow the scenic pathway back to Bondi or go further afield to another action-packed beach suburb, Coogee. This is also where you’ll find one of Sydney’s Insta-famous restaurants, Mimi’s.
The Championship Races, Royal Randwick Credit: Destination NSW
The Championship Races, Royal Randwick 2014..
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The Championship Races, Royal Randwick Credit: Destination NSW
The Championship Races, Royal Randwick 2014..
Bronte Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Surfer heading out to catch a wave at Bronte Beach, Sydney.
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Bronte Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Surfer heading out to catch a wave at Bronte Beach, Sydney.
Go Boho In Bondi
Sydney’s famous Bondi has plenty of trophy hang outs including Icebergs Dining Room and the Promenade ,but it also has a Boho beating heart. At North Bondi (which is where the locals swim), refill at heritage cafe, Speedos or drop into the laid back Bondi RSL filled with interesting characters and extraordinary views of the beach.
Explore the shopping thoroughfare of Gould Street with signature store, Tuchuzy and keep walking all the way to the Bondi Farmer’s Market
Other boho outposts include Gertrude & Alice bookstore and cafe on Hall Street, Up South on Bondi Road, Bondi Tony’s for Aussie Burgers in Glenayr Avenue, and Shop & Wine Bar in Curlewis Street Bondi.
Heritage, Art and Harbourside Delights
Sydney’s Parliament House, steeped in colonial history, is open to the public every Monday and Friday. The Legislative Assembly chamber (also known as the bear pit) is the place where laws are made with vigorous debate. Afterwards take a stroll across the Domain, spread out in front of you like a green carpet to the Art Gallery Of NSW. Head to the newly opened and architecturally amazing North Wing - Naala Badu - for lunch at MOD. Dining by Clayton Wells.
Then cool down and at the nearby spectacular, enclosed Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, set into the harbour where you can swim while taking in the yachts and ferries on the other side of the glass.
Finish your day with some soothing drinks at the Library of NSW rooftop bar or head across the road to the Intercontinental Hotel’s scenic Aster Bar for cocktails accompanied by stunning views right down the harbour.
Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Bondi Icebergs and surrounds, Bondi
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Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Bondi Icebergs and surrounds, Bondi
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a visit the the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.
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Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a visit the the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.
Pining for Manly
Board the Manly Ferry for the 30-minute voyage to Manly - the beachside suburb, ringed with ancient Norfolk Pine trees where it always seems to be holiday time.
Check into the newly revamped Manly Pacific Hotel with its opulent appointments but fairly modest rates. You could also consider Pepper’s Manly Beach, which also just across the road from this prime surf spot. The Corso runs from the Harbour side to the beachside and offers interesting eateries including Butter Boy for their famous cookies baked on the spot. Next door is Norma’s Deli for excellent sandwiches, cakes, and traditional Greek spreads.
Go for a stroll to Shelly Beach where you may encounter some harmless Eastern Water Dragons sun baking on the rocks along the way and ready for their close up. Dip into the water at the beach or the ocean pool then head to The Boathouse where you order at the bar and find your own table. Dine on everything from pizza and salads to fish and chips to get a real taste of Manly.
Spa It Up In Double Bay
Double Bay is Sydney’s most luxe village. It boasts plenty of hair salons along with decadent day spas, excellent shopping and five-star restaurants and bars.Head to All Saint Clinic founded by one of Australia’s best aesthetic skin doctors for pure indulgence where the treatment menu includes the Fire & Ice facial.
Next visit the famous Joh Bailey Salon for a blow out or head to La Boutique in Transvaal Avenue, where owner Belinda Jeffries is the blonde whisperer.
Celebrate the newly refreshed you with a lunch at Margaret Double Bay, owned by prestigious Icon Awards winner, Neil Perry. Take an outdoor table to make your own contribution to Double Bay’s street life, then duck downstairs to the newly opened cocktail bar, Bobbie’s.
You could also have a drink on the deck at a popular locals’ hang out, the 18 Footers Bar Restaurant & Cafe, which is right next to the Double Bay Ferry Wharf. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sun setting over the harbour and then hop on a ferry back to Circular Quay.
Manly Pacific Credit: Manly Pacific
Coastal Suites at Manly Pacific Bedroom
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Manly Pacific Credit: Manly Pacific
Coastal Suites at Manly Pacific Bedroom
Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk by Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay.
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Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk by Murray Rose Pool, Double Bay.