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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

The Lemon Twigs at Cheer Up Charlie's Outdoor Stage on Mar 14, 2023 (photo by Erica Fuchs).

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.

The Zombies at SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake on Mar 17, 2023 (photo by Chia Hsien Hu).

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 1415
Where: Central Machine Works Brewery
Why: 6 Spaceflight performers each night, Art installations, etc.
More info: RSVP here

SXSW Art Exhibit (photo by Aaron Rogosin)

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
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

Kinda Tropical Vintage Market. (Photo courtesy of Kinda Tropical)
Kinda Tropical Vintage Market. (Photo courtesy of Kinda Tropical)

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

The Audible Sound Experience at SXSW 2023 (photo by Sabrina Macias).

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!