Exciting news for artists and tech enthusiasts in the UK – SXSW is coming to London! The inaugural SXSW London event is set to take place across at least 20 venues in the vibrant Shoreditch area of east London. This will mark the first European edition of the celebrated Austin festival, which has also successfully launched in Sydney, Australia.
Organizers have announced that the dates for SXSW London are June 2nd to 7th, 2025. The event is expected to attract around 20,000 attendees and will feature a mix of tech, music, screen, and general arts programming. UK artists are encouraged to submit their ideas and work for consideration by the SXSW programming team via a platform that will be launched in the fall. Additionally, organizers are planning to offer a skills development program after the event.
SXSW London has recently made some senior hires to help ensure the success of the event. Anna Bogutskaya will be joining as Head of Screen, bringing her experience from BFI, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, El Deseo, and Underwire Festival. Beth Greenacre, who previously curated the David Bowie collection and co-curated exhibitions with the artist, has been named Visual Arts Advisor. Clare Morris, former Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity marketing lead, will be joining as Director of Marketing and Communications.
What Sets SXSW London Apart
Randel Bryan, Managing Director of SXSW London, shared that the event will have a unique format compared to the original festival in Austin. A shorter date format will allow SXSW London to run its conference, music, screen, and arts programs simultaneously. This will provide attendees with diverse networking opportunities and access to multiple programming formats. By bringing SXSW to the streets of Shoreditch, organizers aim to create a one-of-a-kind festival experience that showcases creativity and artistic experiences in both indoor and public spaces.
While SXSW London gears up for its exciting debut in June, the U.S. home of SXSW will continue to run in Austin, Texas, between March 10-15. This annual event draws thousands of participants from around the world and is known for its unique blend of tech, music, film, and art.
The upcoming SXSW London event is set to bring the signature style and energy of the Austin festival to the streets of Shoreditch. With a focus on innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural collaboration, this new European edition of SXSW promises to be an exciting addition to the global tech and arts scene. Be sure to mark your calendars for June 2nd to 7th, 2025, and get ready to experience the best of what SXSW has to offer!