South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual event that brings together people from all over the world to celebrate music, film, interactive media, and more. With hundreds of events happening across Austin, it can be hard to keep track of what’s going on. Luckily, many of the events are free and open to the public. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of all the free events happening at SXSW 2023.
Multi-Day Events
South x San José
- Description: Live music and vendors taking over the Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot.
- Time & Date: March 15-19, starting at noon each day.
- Location: Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public.
- Link: bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-san-jose
KUTX Live at Scholz Garden
- Description:KUTX 98.9 will host live morning broadcasts from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on March 15, 16 and 17 as well as from 8 a.m. to noon on March 18. Admission is $10 with the proceeds going to Central Texas Food Bank. Performers across the four days include Baby Rose, The Heavy Heavy, Geto Gala, Obongjayar, Girl Ultra, Pearl & the Oysters, and Thee Sacred Souls. Scholz Garden is at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.
- Time & Date: March 17, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Scholz Garden, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd.
- RSVP: kutx.org
Austin City Limits Radio Live Morning Broadcast
- Description: Live morning broadcasts by KUTX 98.9, with all proceeds going to Central Texas Food Bank.
- Time & Date: March 15-18, from 8 a.m. to noon.
- Location: Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis St.
- RSVP Information: $10 admission fee.
- Link: acl-radio.com
Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion
- Description: Live performances from dozens of artists.
- Time & Date: March 17-18.
- Location: Empire Control Room, 606 E. Seventh St.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public.
- Link: brooklynbowlfamilyreunion.com
Single-Day Events
March 11
- Pickleball Social at Bouldin Acres
- Description: A pickleball social with snacks and drinks, open to all player levels.
- Time & Date: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Bouldin Acres, 2027 South Lamar Blvd.
- RSVP Information: Free, but registration required at turnkey-labs.com.
March 12
- No events.
March 13
- So Satisfying House
- Description: A sensory room and ASMR spa experience, with evening performances.
- Time & Date: Noon to 10 p.m. (house open all day, performances start at 7 p.m.).
- Location: Mala Vida, 708 East Sixth St.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public during the day, mostly reserved for festival attendees at night.
- Link: sosatisfying.house
March 14
- Penny Loafer PR: Official SXSW 2023 Showcase
- Description: Local and international artists showcase.
- Time & Date: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Location: Augustine Austin, 86 Rainey St.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public, SXSW badge and wristband-holders get priority access.
- Link: eventbrite.com
March 15th
- KUTX Live at Scholz Garden
- Description: KUTX 98.9 will host live morning broadcasts from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Scholz Garden, featuring a lineup of performers such as Baby Rose, The Heavy Heavy, Geto Gala, Obongjayar, Girl Ultra, Pearl & the Oysters, and Thee Sacred Souls. Admission is $10 with the proceeds going to Central Texas Food Bank.
- Time & Date: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., March 15th
- Location: Scholz Garden, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd
- RSVP Information: Admission is $10 with proceeds going to Central Texas Food Bank
- Link: kutx.org
- Austin City Limits Radio Live Morning Broadcast
- Description: ACL Radio’s live broadcasts will air from 8 a.m. to noon on March 15th at Hotel Van Zandt, featuring performers such as Valerie June, PJ Western, Wild Child, and Kalush Orchestra. The event is open to all with a $5 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- Time & Date: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., March 15th
- Location: Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis St.
- RSVP Information: Open to all with a $5 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Link: acl-radio.com
- 101X Day Party
- Description: Radio station 101X will bring free live music at Inn Cahoots, featuring a lineup of performers such as The Moss, Circa Wave, and Jane Leo.
- Time & Date: 12 p.m., March 15th
- Location: Inn Cahoots, 1221 E 6th St.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public
- Link: 101x.com
- SXSW Second Play Stage
- Description: Hotel Van Zandt’s Pool Deck will offer live music from 5-6:40 p.m. on March 15th, featuring performers such as Son Rompe Pera, ASHY, and DJ Rakimbeau.
- Time & Date: 5 p.m. – 6:40 p.m., March 15th
- Location: Hotel Van Zandt’s Pool Deck, 605 Davis St.
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public
- Link: hotelvanzandt.com
- FLOODfest
- Description: FLOOD Magazine will host FLOODfest on March 16th at Mohawk, featuring performers such as Sudan Archives, Indigo De Souza, and Sunflower Bean.
- Time & Date: 11 a.m., March 16th
- Location: Mohawk, 912 Red River St.
- RSVP Information: Free with RSVP
- Link: floodmagazine.com
- Coca-Cola Move
- Description: A limited edition Coca-Cola flavor, Coca-Cola Move, will take center stage alongside performers such as Sudan Archives, Isabella Lovestory, and more. The special flavor is a collaboration with Spanish singer Rosalía. Doors open at 1 p.m. on March 17th at Lustre Pearl.
- Time & Date: 1 p.m., March 17th
- Location: Lustre Pearl, 94 Rainey St.
- RSVP Information: Free with RSVP
- Link: eventbrite.com
March 16
- Dillon T. Pickles Austin Throwdown
- Description: Free 21+ event featuring music from Death Valley Girls, Stolen Nova, Sorry Mom, Avalanche Party, and more.
- Time & Date: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m., March 16
- Location: Idle Hands, 85 Rainey St.
- RSVP: Eventbrite
- Dr. Martens Presents
- Description: Music and free tattoos with performances from Danny Brown, Armani White, Joon, and more. Free tattoos provided by local artists Nick Freidline and Michael Williams.
- Time & Date: 1 p.m., March 16
- Location: Clive Bar, 609 Davis St.
- RSVP: Eventbrite
- Coca-Cola Move
- Description: Limited edition Coca-Cola flavor Coca-Cola Move takes center stage alongside performers Sudan Archives, Isabella Lovestory, and more.
- Time & Date: 1 p.m., March 16
- Location: Lustre Pearl, 94 Rainey St.
- RSVP: Eventbrite
- Padded Room Concert Series
- Description: DJ Waffles is hosting various performers from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Those interested in performing can email paddedroomsxsw@gmail.com or text SXSW to 470-400-7732.
- Time & Date: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., March 16
- Location: Peckerheads, 402 E. Sixth St.
- RSVP: Eventbrite
- SXSW Indoor Stage at Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A.
- Description: Free concerts for the general public, featuring Lucky Diaz, Mega Ran, SaulPaul, and more.
- Time & Date: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., March 16
- Location: Austin Convention Center, Ballroom A.
- RSVP: Not required, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure entry.
March 17
- Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion
- Description: This event will feature live music performances from dozens of artists. It takes place on March 17 and 18 at Empire Control Room, 606 E. Seventh St. Admission is free with RSVP, which can be done on the event website. Doors open at 11 a.m. on both days.
- Time & Date: March 17, 11:00 AM onwards
- Location: Empire Control Room, 606 E. Seventh St.
- RSVP: brooklynbowlfamilyreunion.com
- Coca-Cola Move
- Description: Attendees can enjoy limited edition Coca-Cola flavor Coca-Cola Move along with live performances from Sudan Archives, Isabella Lovestory, and more. The special flavor is a collaboration with Spanish singer Rosalía. The event takes place on March 17 at Lustre Pearl, 94 Rainey St. Doors open at 1 p.m.
- Time & Date: March 17, 1:00 PM onwards
- Location: Lustre Pearl, 94 Rainey St.
- RSVP: eventbrite.com/e/coca-cola-move-tickets-558042017697
- FLOODfest
- Description: FLOOD Magazine will host FLOODfest on March 17 at Mohawk, 912 Red River St. Doors open at 11 a.m., and performers include Sudan Archives, Indigo De Souza and Sunflower Bean. Admission is free with RSVP.
- Time & Date: March 17, 11:00 AM onwards
- Location: Mohawk, 912 Red River St.
- RSVP: floodmagazine.com
- Honky Tonk Hangover Brunch
- Description: This free, 21 and older brunch features breakfast foods and Lonestar. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 18 at Hotel Vegas, 1500 E Sixth St. Chasen Wayne, and Gus Clark & The Least of His Problems will perform.
- Time & Date: March 17, 11:00 AM onwards
- Location: Hotel Vegas, 1500 E Sixth St.
- RSVP: texashotelvegas.com
March 18
- Second Annual Honky Tonk Hangover Brunch at Hotel Vegas
- Description: Brunch, drinks, and live music to end SXSW.
- Time & Date: 11:00am – 1:00pm, March 18
- Location: Hotel Vegas, 1500 E Sixth St
- RSVP Information: Free to attend, 21 and older
- Link: https://texashotelvegas.com/
- SXSplash
- Description: An outdoor pool party with music from DJ Skribble, DJ Kalkutta, and more.
- Time & Date: 12:00pm – 6:00pm, March 18
- Location: The LINE Austin, 111 E Cesar Chavez St
- RSVP Information: Free and open to the public
- Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sxsplash-tickets-203444515777
- Hotel Vegas and The Volstead’s 80’s VS 90’s Dance Party
- Description: An 80’s VS 90’s dance party featuring music from DJ Gatsby and DJ Fangz.
- Time & Date: 7:00pm – 2:00am, March 18
- Location: Hotel Vegas, 1500 E Sixth St
- RSVP Information: Free to attend, 21 and older
- Link: https://texashotelvegas.com/
- Barbuto at the Volstead
- Description: Late night pizza, cocktails, and music from DJ Cap’n Tits.
- Time & Date: 12:00am – 2:00am, March 18
- Location: The Volstead, 1500 E Sixth St
- RSVP Information: Free to attend, 21 and older
- Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccru2ySnSsk/
