South by Southwest is heading far, far northwest.
After almost four decades in Austin, the world-famous festival is launching a European edition in the U.K. next year. The inaugural SXSW London will take place in June 2025, with innovators and creatives across various industries descending upon the British capital.
“SXSW London will build on Austin’s incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why SXSW is the go-to destination for professionals and creatives seeking meaningful connections, unexpected experiences, and ideas that can help shape the world,” Randel Bryan, managing director of SXSW London, said in a statement.
As with its Austin counterpart, SXSW London will be a mecca of creativity, culture, and technology but will have its own distinctive edge due to the city’s vibrant personality and proximity to Europe. More than 20 million people currently work in creative and technology sectors across the Old Continent. Moreover, London is responsible for over half of the U.K.’s entire creative industry’s economic output of £125 billion (about $156 billion). In other words, the festival will face no shortage of bright minds.
Over the course of a week, the festival will transform dozens of venues, galleries, clubs, and other spaces in Shoreditch. The colorful East London neighborhood is a hub of creative, cultural, and technological innovation, so it is well suited to host the event. The festival will include keynotes, music showcases, and tech displays. You might even see Robb Report roll out the House of Robb for the occasion.
To give you an idea of the caliber of guests, SXSW Austin has welcomed high-profile speakers that run the gamut, from Barack Obama and Steven Spielberg to Mark Zuckerberg and Mark Cuban. It has also spotlighted musicians such as Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran, no less. SXSW London will focus on showcasing creative talent from across Europe, naturally.
SXSW London will also introduce visual arts, design, and fashion programming, running an array of exhibitions and immersive experiences in public spaces across its east London campus. In addition, the event will also continue to develop Austin’s focus on climate action and sustainability.
More details about the SXSW London 2025 program will be announced in the coming months, with badges expected to go on sale in October. You can register your interest at the SXSW London website.
