A major festival has pulled the plug on its Australian appearances despite a successful three-year run.
SXSW Sydney, which has seen the likes of Nicole Kidman and Kid Laroi attend, has announced it will not be returning Down Under this year.
Event organisers shared the announcement to Instagram on Wednesday, saying 2025 was the ‘final page’ for the event’s expansion into Asia-Pacific.
‘Every great story has a final page, and it is with a heavy heart that we share that SXSW Sydney has reached its closing chapter and will not be returning in 2026,’ they wrote.
‘It’s bittersweet to be saying goodbye while the momentum is so high.
‘We’re still celebrating the success of this past year, one that saw total attendance of more than 345,000 (representing a 15% year-on-year increase) and cemented a three-year cumulative economic impact of $276 million.’
A major festival has pulled the plug on its Australian appearances despite a successful three-year run
SXSW Sydney, which has seen the likes of Nicole Kidman and Kid Laroi attend, has announced it will not be returning Down Under this year
The spokesperson went on to thank ‘everyone who has supported SXSW Sydney over the last three years’.
‘You all came together to help us build a vibrant, global community that transformed the heart of our city every October,’ they added.
‘We’re walking away knowing that something special happened here.
‘We couldn’t have asked for a better community to share this journey with, or a better city to call home.’
The major annual event, which was founded in Austin, Texas in 1987, debuted in Sydney in 2023.
The creativity and innovation festival features an array of spectacles from film and music to the latest in technology, among other conferences.
Organisers have since revealed that ‘prevailing market conditions’ have prevented the event from continuing, but they are ‘committed’ to their staff and will ‘work closely with team members to provide appropriate support’, reported news.com.au.
‘The decision reflects a changing global environment that is impacting major events, festivals and cultural programs worldwide,’ the organisation said.
Event organisers shared the announcement to Instagram on Wednesday, saying 2025 was the ‘final page’ for the event’s expansion into Asia-Pacific
Fans flocked to the comments of the announcement to express their grief over the cancellation of the event in Australia
Jenny Connelly, Director in Charge of SXSW, added: ‘SXSW Sydney represented an ambitious and meaningful extension of the SXSW brand, and we are incredibly proud of what was built in partnership with the Sydney team, Destination NSW, and the broader creative community.’
Fans flocked to the comments of the announcement to express their grief over the cancellation of the event in Australia.
‘Don’t understand why it’s closing if it’s increasing year on year? Sad news and thanks for bringing this awesome event to our city for the past few years,’ one person said.
‘So sorry to read this and shout out to the incredible team for the amazing work over three huge years,’ added another.
‘This is so sad – I met so many wonderful people and have had such good experiences at SXSW Sydney :(,’ someone else commented.
‘Oh no! Very sad to hear this news, loved working with the SXSW team!’ said one user.
