A mega American festival is about to make its Sydney debut

If you haven't heard of South by Southwest (aka SXSW), it's probably because this massive annual festival usually only takes place in Austin, Texas. Until now. For the first time, a SXSW spinoff event is coming to Australia, and it has the artistic community, tech-heads and music and film aficionados abuzz.

To be staged from October 15-22 in Sydney CBD locations including Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, Haymarket and Darling Quarter, SXSW offers "a wide variety of programming for lovers of music, screen, games, tech and innovation". You can access certain events by buying a SXSW Wristband, and the whole program with a SXSW Badgebut, but if you're Sydney bound (or this seals the deal for a city escape), there are plenty of free events on offer too.

Music lovers should check out Young Henry's Rock & Roll Circus, where cold craft beverages and hot talent will rock your world, and Touchdown Under, which will showcase some of Asia's hottest emerging and established artists. Free outdoor movie screenings in Tumbalong Park include Taika Waititi's endlessly quotable vampire comedy What We Do in The Shadows, the quintessential coming-of-age comedy Dazed & Confused written and directed by Richard Linklater, and the original, much-loved anime classic Ghost in the Shell.

Featured speaking events include Big Ideas in Augmented Reality, the youth-focused 2050 Unveiled, Adam Spencer's Big Questions panel with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and, to celebrate World Food Day, a live cooking demonstration with celebrity chef Martin Yan and artist Yiying Lu, who created the dumpling emoji used by billions. For all the details, see sxswsydney.com