SXSW 2025: A Free & Unofficial Guide
Untangle the list of endless RSVPs and tune out the noise with this curated list of top-tier events
This South by Southwest, everyone wants in on the action. The annual music, film, comedy and tech festival and conference is back and seemingly bigger than ever. Taking place from March 7 to 15, badge holders will have their hands full with ultra-exclusive events and celebrity appearances, but the fun doesn’t stop there.
In no time, the city will have incredible opportunities and lively brand activations that are affordable and open to all. We’ve taken time to scour through tons of happenings to bring you a finely curated list of only the best unofficial and free events headed to Austin, from food to music to networking and more.
RELATED: SXSW Film & TV Festival 2025: Must-See Films and Essential Tips for Navigating the Fest
Some advice: RSVP to everything and jump on the waitlists! Also, many of these entries are first come, first serve, so try to get there early to beat the inevitable lines. Finally — and most importantly — have a blast attending unique pop-ups and making unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.
Check back in as this round-up is updated with the latest announcements.
Music
Hotel Vegas & Volstead 14 Year Anniversary
When: March 6
Where: Hotel Vegas & Volstead
Why: Die Spitz, Urban Heat, J’cuuzi, Slomo Drags, Happy hour specials, Feels So Good T-shirts, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Rolling Stone’s Future of Music
When: March 11-14
Where: ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Why: Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Brittney Spencer, Ivan Cornejo, Rema, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Full Irish Breakfast
When: March 14
Where: The Dead Rabbit
Why: Irish breakfast, Irish musicians, etc.
More info: RSVP here
SXSOCO
When: March 9
Where: Freddo ATX
Why: Four musicians, Vendors, Beautiful venue, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Far Out Lounge Showcases
When: March 7-12
Where: Far Out Lounge & Stage
Why: Goth Night, Not So Fun Wknd, Floating World Fest, Shorty Presents Showcase, etc.
More info: RSVP here
YETI Music Showcase
When: March 12-14
Where: YETI Flagship
Why: Limited edition custom designs, Drink specials, 6 performers each day, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Gorton’s at SXSW
When: March 8-9
Where: Parlor Room
Why: Food and cocktails, Wishy, Good Looks, Disko Cowboy, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Working Families Party: The Politics Stage
When: March 12
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Big Freedia, Sunnitharapper, Magna Carda, etc.
More info: RSVP here
C3 Management Official SXSW Showcase
When: March 12
Where: Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
Why: Band of Horses, Jack’s Mannequin, Yoke Lore, Claire Rosinkranz, The Criticals, and The Droptines
More info: RSVP here
Marshall Day Party
When: March 12
Where: Mohawk
Why: Catch Fleshwater, Die Spitz, Maruja, Pop ups from Waterloo Records and Feels So Good, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Rambler’s Rhinestone Rodeo
When: March 15
Where: High Noon
Why: Nikki Lane, Tommy Stinson, Alex Maas, Anastasia Hera, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Hook ’Em House
When: March 7-8
Where: Antone’s Nightclub
Why: Expert panels, Podcast tapings, Shakey Graves, Mobley, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Billboard’s The Stage at SXSW
When: March 13-15
Where: Moody Amphitheater
Why: Koe Wetzel, Grupo Frontera, and John Summit
More info: RSVP here
KUTX Live at Scholz Garten
When: March 12-15
Where: Scholz Garten
Why: SXSW artists, Morning broadcasts, etc.
More info: RSVP here
SoCo Stomp!
When: March 12-16
Where: C-Boys Heart & Soul
Why: Dale Watson, The Waco Brothers, Shinyribs, Nether Hour, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Radio East Showcases
When: March 7-14
Where: Radio/East
Why: sXsGrass, Radio Round-Up!, Pooneh Presents, Pooneh’s Freaky Friday, etc.
More info: RSVP here
South x San José
When: March 12-16
Where: Hotel San José
Why: Big Freedia’s Gospel Revival, Briscoe, Sonido Gallo Negro, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Bushwig South
When: March 15
Where: Cheer Up Charlie’s
Why: Rayne, Blue, Brigitte Bandit, etc.
More info: RSVP here
FLOODfest 2025
When: March 14
Where: Mohawk
Why: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Confidence Man, jasmine 4.t, Baths, etc.
More info: RSVP here
PayDay LA Invades Austin Showcase
When: March 14
Where: Oribello’s Bar and Kitchen
Why: Holland Izz, Ian Kelly, Mama Duke, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Bloody Mary Brunch
When: March 13
Where: GSD&M’s Backyard
Why: Breakfast tacos, Bloody Marys, Four musicians, etc.
More info: RSVP here
R&B and Ribs
When: March 9
Where: Coconut Club
Why: Special guest DJs, Tasty ribs & Great views
More info: RSVP here
SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake
When: March 9
Where: Lady Bird Lake
Why: Sir Woman, Geto Gala, Pedal Steel Noah, Lesly Reynaga, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Austin Chronicle Hair of the 3-Legged Dog Day Party
When: March 14
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: J’cuuzi, Tomar and the FCs, Breakfast tacos, Bloody Marys, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Penny Loafer PR
When: March 11
Where: Zilker Brewing
Why: The Vanns, Lucy Sugerman, Bee Blackwell, etc.
More info: RSVP here
RANGE Magazine SXSW 2025 Showcase
When: March 13-14
Where: Chess Club
Why: The OBGMs, Alix Fernz, Holy Void, Truck Violence, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Antone’s 50th x Austin Blues Fest
When: March 14
Where: Antone’s Nightclub
Why: Free food, Raffles, Screen printing, Jackie Venson, Gypsy Mitchell, Peterson Brothers Band, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Space Flight Records
When: March 14–15
Where: Central Machine Works Brewery
Why: 6 Spaceflight performers each night, Art installations, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Art
Whataburger Museum of Art
When: March 8-9
Where: Wanderlust Wine Co. – Downtown
Why: Mixed media art exhibition, Whataburger food truck, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Affordable Art Fair Pop-up Art Experiences
When: March 7-9
Where: Multiple locations
Why: She Wolf Gallery Live Painting, Canopy Austin & Wexel Art Presents: Passport to Canopy, Dimmitt Contemporary Artist Talk
More info: RSVP here
Creative Industries Expo
When: March 12
Where: Austin Convention Center
Why: Hundreds of exhibitors, Discover the most innovative companies in the creative industries, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Art & Parks: Mural Bike Tour
When: March 15
Where: Wooldridge Square
Why: Iconic murals, Artist talks, Live performances, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Future Front House
When: March 8-16
Where: Future Front
Why: Free creative events and pop-ups
More info: RSVP here
Flatstock
When: March 11-13
Where: Austin Convention Center
Why: Concert posters, Artwork, Flatstock Stage, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Shopping
The Criterion Mobile Closet
When: March 7-10
Where: West 8th St. and Congress Ave.
Why: Shop the Criterion Collection, Free merch, Photo ops, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Pop Up Grocer
When: March 7-April 6
Where: 513 E 6th St.
Why: Shop a curated selection of food, beverage, home goods, and more.
More info: RSVP here
Future of Fashion x reFIND
When: March 14
Where: Mira Mira Venue
Why: Pop-up shops, A fashion show, Panels, Demonstrations, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Keep It Local, Yokels
When: March 9
Where: El Tigre Coffee Roasters
Why: Local vendors, Live music, Free food and drinks, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Austin Flea
When: March 8
Where: Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Why: Whiskey cocktails, Handmade & vintage goods, Austin makers, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Kinda Tropical Vintage Market
When: March 8
Where: Kinda Tropical
Why: Vintage goods, Artwork, Home goods, Food and drinks, etc.
More info: RSVP here
South x South Congress at Kendra Scott Flagship
When: March 7-9 and March 14-15
Where: Kendra Scott Flagship & Yellow Rose stores
Why: Experience panels, pop-ups, music and more.
More info: RSVP here
Experiences
FX’s Alien: Earth “The Wreckage”
When: March 7-8
Where: 318 E 5th St. Lot
Why: Interactive experiences, Exclusive merch, Photo ops, etc.
More info: RSVP here
All Things Food Summit
When: March 13-14
Where: Barr Mansion, Ballroom, and Farmstead
Why: 100+ speakers, Free food, Film viewings, Live performances, Tasting areas, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Lodge: A Paramount+ Experience
When: March 7-10
Where: Clive Bar
Why: Interactive experiences, Photo ops, Themed cocktails, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Prime Video Activation
When: March 7-8
Where: Hotel San José
Why: Interactive experiences, Themed drinks and snacks, Photo-opportunities, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Texas Film Experience
When: March 12
Where: Texas Capitol
Why: Live film demonstration, Film talks, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Museum of the Future
When: March 7-11
Where: 3rd and Congress
Why: Workshops, Activations, Food, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Inc. Founders House
When: March 8-10
Where: Foxy’s Proper Pub
Why: Free breakfast, Panels with Seth Rogen, Chelsea Clinton, Naomi Watts and more.
More info: RSVP here
Create & Cultivate’s Future Summit
When: March 9
Where: Assembly Hall
Why: Workshops, Food and drinks, Panels with Ashley Graham, Tefi, Adrienne Bailon and more.
More info: RSVP here
Axios House
When: March 7-9
Where: Inn Cahoots
Why: Panels, Food and drinks, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Energia Pura Vida
When: March 7-8
Where: Fareground
Why: Free Costa Rican coffee and food, DJs, Photo ops, etc.
More info: RSVP here
SXSW Recovery Lounge
When: March 8
Where: Swift Fit Events
Why: IV Drips, Cold plunge, Live music, Smoothie and coffee bar, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Tennessee House
When: March 7-9
Where: Electric Shuffle
Why: Live music, Free food and drinks, Panels, etc.
More info: RSVP here
SHE Media Co-Lab
When: March 7-9
Where: 304 East 3rd St.
Why: Panels with industry leaders such as Katie Couric, Chelsea Handler, and more.
More info: RSVP here
Fast Company Grill
When: March 8-10
Where: Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill
Why: Interactive experiences, Free food and drinks, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Meet & Greet with Seth Rogen
When: March 7
Where: Total Wine & More – Sunset Valley
Why: Meet Seth Rogen and try his new Houseplant THC-infused beverages.
More info: RSVP here
Torchy’s Tacos Torched Takeover @ SOCO
When: March 10
Where: Torchy’s Tacos – South Congress
Why: Complimentary taco bowls, Meet the founder, Live music, etc.
More info: RSVP here
The Rivian Roadhouse
When: March 7-15
Where: 208 S Congress Ave.
Why: Activations, Panels, Demo drives, Live music, Drive-in movies, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Fediverse House
When: March 9-10
Where: Speakeasy
Why: Panels, Free drinks, Networking opportunities, etc.
More info: RSVP here
5th Annual Last Prisoner Project Outlaw Party
When: March 10
Where: Pour Choices Bar
Why: Local vendors, Live music, Activations, etc.
More info: RSVP here
Looking for more? Explore our Austin City Guides for all of the best recommendations and local brands!