Sydney Contemporary 2025 – Carriageworks Art Fair

Sydney Contemporary isn’t just an art fair — it’s the moment the city stops scrolling and starts admiring. For four days, Carriageworks turns into a sensory overload: 500 artists, 110 galleries, installations that swallow you whole, and performances that make you rethink what a body, a room, or a sound can do. Collectors, curators, and culture vultures fly in, but the real draw is what happens after dark — DJs, food pop-ups, art that pulses harder than a warehouse party.

Location

Address: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW 2015

Dates

Next Event: 11–14 September 2025
Frequency: Annual
Duration: 4 Days
Website: sydneycontemporary.com.au

Price

Tickets from $30
Availability: Booking essential – tickets online

The BioHax Take

This isn’t your polite gallery shuffle. It’s where Australasia’s art scene lets loose. You’ll find a painting that could sit above your sofa — right next to an installation that will mess with your head for weeks. The talks are sharp, the performances unflinching, the dining elevated, and the crowd is a mix of collectors and curious first-timers who just want to feel something other than Monday. Come for the art, stay for the spectacle.

Who It’s For

Collectors chasing the next big name
Culture junkies who thrive on after-dark energy
First-time buyers who want art that fits real homes
Anyone bored of safe walls and craving scale, sound, and provocation

Photo Credit: Wes Nel Photography, courtesy of Sydney Contemporary - Visitors engage with vibrant sculptural works at Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s premier art fair at Carriageworks. The scene captures the energy of collectors and art lovers discovering bold, immersive pieces.

What’s On Offer

Art Night: the opening party with DJs, live music, food pop-ups and full sensory immersion
Friday Night: another hit of beats, eats, and after-hours browsing
Installations: nine ambitious, large-scale works that transform Carriageworks into something unrecognisable
Talks: nine panel sessions with 30 speakers across art, architecture, design, and controversy
Performance: endurance, ancestry, identity — explored through sound and stillness
Guided Tours: insider walkthroughs for those who want more than wall text
BTWNLNS Pop-Up Bookshop: curated design, art and architecture titles with cult appeal
Artist Talks: get into the heads of the artists themselves — no filters
Dining: from quick bites to sit-down plates that prove food can be art
Kid Contemporary: immersive space for kids designed by a leading artist each year

Sustainability Snapshot

Carriageworks leads with adaptive reuse — an old rail yard turned cultural powerhouse. Add in local food vendors, reusable dining ware, and programming that spotlights environmental art, and this fair isn’t just future-focused — it’s future-proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Sydney Contemporary 2025?
11–14 September 2025.

Where is the event held?
At Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh NSW.

How much are tickets?
Tickets start from $30 and must be booked online.

How many artists and galleries are involved?
Over 500 artists and 110+ galleries from Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

What is Art Night?
The opening celebration on 11 September with DJs, food, performance and installations.

Is there a kids program?
Yes — Kid Contemporary offers an artist-designed space for children.

Are there talks and workshops?
Yes, including nine talks, 30 speakers, guided tours, and artist Q&As.

What performances are on?
Two headline performances exploring identity, ancestry, endurance, and sound.

What kind of art is shown?
Painting, sculpture, installations, performance, video, new media and more.

Is the venue accessible?
Yes — Carriageworks provides accessible facilities. Contact boxoffice@sydneycontemporary.com.au for requirements.