South by Southwest 2020: The Best Free Events Around Austin
SXSW 2020: The Best Free Shows, Food and More
A curated roundup of the awesome happenings still happening
By Holly Cowart
To me, South By Southwest season is akin to a holiday. The city becomes a playground (sometimes literally), bursting with interactive events spanning all genres from music to tech, food to film. While some require more official credentials, there are still plenty of unofficial, budget-friendly pop-ups making sure there’s enough good times to go around.
Despite concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the disease spread by Coronavirus, and a slew of cancellations by some very big names, organizers say the SXSW party will go on. So, we’ve waded through the countless free and affordable events to find the best music, food, shopping, networking and more still happening. Maybe traffic will be lighter and lines shorter this year. Schedule accordingly and get your RSVPs before they’re gone! Happy holidays, Austin.
Music
Otoboke Beaver photo by Hutton SupancicKUTX Live at the Fairmont
When: March 13
Where: Fairmont Hotel
Why: David Ramirez, Star Parks, Flora & Fauna & more
$15/hour
Galactic Interactive
When: March 13
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: Capyac, PNTHN & more
RSVP
Music Tech Mashup
When: March 13 – 16
Where: Empire Garage
Why: Questlove, Paul Oakenfold, White Denim, Special guests & more
RSVP
Soundcheck Saturday
When: March 14
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: White Denim, Calliope Musicals, Vintage marketplace & more
RSVP
New Nashville Live
When: March 18
Where: Capital Cruises
Why: The Wandering Hearts, Savannah Sgro, The Accidentals & more
RSVP
Volcom x Levitation Launch Party
When: March 18
Where: Volcom Garden
Why: Ringo Deathstarr, Holy Wave, Elephant Stone & more
RSVP
StubHub Trending
When: March 18 & 19
Where: Banger’s
Why: JP Saxe, Night Moves, Overcoats, Devon Gilfillian, Tomar & the FC’s & more
RSVP
Live Morning Broadcast
When: March 18 – 21
Where: Hotel Van Zandt
Why: Noah Cyrus, Margo Price, Houndmouth, Milky Chance, Bob Schneider & more
$5 donation
YETI SXSW Music Fest
When: March 18 – 21
Where: YETI Flagship
Why: The Black Lips, Sir Woman, Delta Spirit, White Denim, Mobley & More
RSVP
South by San José
When: March 18 – 21
Where: Hotel San José & Jo’s parking lot
Why: The Texas Gentlemen, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Caroline Rose, Marketplace & more
Free & open
Lucy’s Fried Chicken Revival
When: March 18 – 22
Where: Lucy’s Fried Chicken
Why: Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shinyribs, Tomar & the FC’s, Ian Moore & more
Free & open
Grungecake 2020
When: March 19
Where: Parish
Why: Sebu (Capital Cities), Neon Dreams & more
RSVP
Skylab 2020
When: March 19
Where: Scholz Garten
Why: Val Kilmer, The Black Angels, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead & more
RSVP
Still A Free Country
When: March 19 & 20
Where: Lustre Pearl
Why: Nikki Lane, Low Cut Connie, Sports Team, Live painting & more
RSVP
Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion
When: March 19 – 21
Where: Historic Scoot Inn
Why: M. Ward, Delta Spirit, Margaret Glaspy, Sudan Archives, Jackie Venson & more
RSVP
Thrasher Death Match
When: March 19 – 21
Where: Better Half
Why: Live bands, mini-ramp, bee & more TBA
Free & open
Austin Monthly Bands To Watch Party
When: March 20
Where: Scholz Garten
Why: Live music, Drinks & more
RSVP
Radio Milk Day Parties
When: March 20 – 21
Where: Radio Milk
Why: White Denim, Surfer Blood, Ranch Rider & more
RSVP
The TX Cantina
When: March 21
Where: Licha’s Cantina
Why: Robert Ellis, live music, breakfast tacos & more
RSVP
The Big One
When: March 21
Where: Barracuda
Why: Duncan Fellows, Banoffee, Naked Giants & more
RSVP
Cinderblock Block Party
When: March 21
Where: Private estate
Why: Live music, Complimentary drinks, DJ sets & more
RSVP
Other
Photo by Andrew ReinerOpen Haüs 002
When: March 13
Where: SHDW Studios
Why: DJ sets, Drinks & SHDW Studios
RSVP
Send Noods With Visva
When: Postponed
Where: Mercury Mambo
Why: Noodles, Treats, Airpod giveaway, Graffiti tag workshop & more
RSVP
Laissez Fair Vintage Market: South by Edition
When: March 14 & 15
Where: Passport Vintage
Why: 10+ vintage vendors, Complimentary drinks & more
RSVP
Bat City Artisans Market
When: March 15
Where: Kinda Tropical
Why: Vendors, Artwork, Palm reading, Screen printing, DJs & more
Free & open
CYBERBABES 2020
When: March 15 & 16
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Pop-up market, Short films, Femme and queer artists & more
RSVP
SHAMELESS St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
When: March 17
Where: Clive Bar
Why: Alibi Room, Free swag, Giveaways, DJ sets & more
RSVP
PMA Global Street Farm
When: March 17 & 18
Where: The Drafting Room
Why: Global street festival, Floral hair design, live music, light bites & more
RSVP
Hair of the 3-Legged Dog Day Party
When: March 20
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: Bloody Marys, Tacodeli, Wild Organics CBD store, Live music & more
RSVP
Texas Roots Festival
When: March 21
Where: Desert Door
Why: Foraging demos, a market, live music, live cooking & more
Free & open
Cultivate Me! CBD Brunch
When: March 21
Where: Cedar Door
Why: Sample products, CBD panels, Brunch & more
Waitlist
Piercing Party
When: March 21 & 22
Where: ByGeorge South Congress
Why: ERTH Jewelry piercings, Trunk show, Hosted by Nicole Trunfio
RSVP