When South by South West festival landed in London last summer, it faced enormous expectations. The festival has been a staple in Austin, Texas for decades, consistently attracting major names, premiering significant films, and sparking global conversations. This year, for instance, it was the birthplace of discussions about rock band Geese being an industry plant. With appearances from Erykah Badu, Jane Goodall, and Idris Elba, along with more than 20,000 attendees, SXSW's London debut proved a brilliant success. This June, it returns for round two.
Key Highlights of SXSW London 2026
Michelle Obama, Ant and Dec, and Brian Eno are among the big names set to grace SXSW's stages across east London next week. The festival will feature discussions on AI, women's sport, venture philanthropy, and much more, alongside live music sessions and exciting film screenings. Whether you already have a pass or are considering a last-minute purchase, here is a comprehensive guide to SXSW London 2026.
When and Where Is SXSW London 2026?
The second edition of SXSW London takes place from June 1 to June 6. The festival will be spread across multiple venues in Shoreditch and east London, including the Truman Brewery, Barbican Centre, Curzon Hoxton, Christ Church Spitalfields, Shoreditch Town Hall, Here East, Kobi Nazrul Centre, XOYO, 93 Feet East, Village Underground, Colours Hoxton, Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes, Unlocked, Brick Lane Yard, 83 Rivington Street, Juju's Bar, Protein Studios, Devonshire Square, Fora, and Rich Mix.
Lineup: Speakers, Music, and Film Screenings
The festival boasts over 800 speakers, 200 music performances, and 100 film screenings. Here is a roundup of the most anticipated events.
Speakers
The headline speaker is Michelle Obama, who will appear on stage with her brother Craig Robinson for a live recording of their podcast IMO. Russell T Davies, creator of Queer as Folk, Years and Years, and It's a Sin, will discuss his career. Pioneering Taiwanese software developer Audrey Tang will talk about internet freedom, government transparency, and open-source technology. Ant and Dec are scheduled to discuss audience building. Other standout speakers include Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, musician Brian Eno, fashion designer Katherine Hamnett, and inventor of the world wide web, Tim Berners-Lee.
Music Performances
On the music side, highlights include sets from hip-hop pioneer Earl Sweatshirt, indie pop-rocker Rachel Chinouriri, and London legend DJ AG. The festival will also feature performances from indie rock band Circa Waves, Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage, and DJ Pete Tong.
Film Screenings
Time Out's film editor Phil de Semlyen has picked out three films in the SXSW lineup to watch for: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, an ode to slasher movies and queer lust starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson; The Red Hangar, a black and white conspiracy thriller; and Remake, a poignant documentary by Ross McElwee. Other highly anticipated films include Virginia Woolf's Night and Day, an adaptation of Woolf's 1919 novel; I Love Boosters, a sci-fi comedy starring Keke Palmer; and Over Your Dead Body, a comedic thriller and meta-horror starring Jason Segel and Samara Weaving.
How to Attend SXSW London 2026
Several passes are available depending on the events you wish to attend. Day passes for access to all events cost £330, and a Festival Pass for the entire five days costs £1,200. If you are only interested in music, a wristband costs £79 for standard access to music showcases throughout the week, while a single-day music wristband is £25. Students can purchase a pass starting from £100.
Are Tickets Still Available?
Yes, passes and wristbands are still on sale. As long as passes are available, they will continue to be sold online throughout the event.
Timings
Most days, proceedings begin at 9:30 am, with the latest events running until around midnight.
