SXSW 2022: An Unofficial Guide
The best RSVP-only parties, live music, brand activations and more coming to Austin — minus the price tag
By Holly Cowart
Now in its 35th year, South by Southwest has become one of Austin’s largest festivals both in popularity and scale. After its devastating cancellation in 2020, which became an early signifier of COVID-19’s impact on our everyday social lives, the event pivoted to a virtual-only platform for 2021.
Now, the city-wide celebration is back and in-person this March 11-20, ready to once again bring visitors together with incredible live music, film slates, dynamic food and drink collaborations, educational panels and more. And while the schedule is always unforgettable, it can come with a steep price tag. If fest badges aren’t in your budget, there are still plenty of other ways to participate in the fun.
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Talented local and touring musicians are filling up Austin’s best venues with free shows while national brands are utilizing the opportunity to host interesting activations with fun perks (picture: breakfast tacos galore). The best part? All you have to do is show up!
We’ve done the hard part and gathered together a mix of our favorite happenings that are open to the public, helping make plans easy and accessible. Just make sure to check the details, RSVP whenever it’s required and throw your name on the waitlist — you never know what surprises can pop up.
As new events are announced, check back in for updated info and links:
Music
SXSW Outdoor Stage photo by David Brendan Hall.
Galactic Interactive
When: March 11
Where: Hotel Vegas and The Volstead Lounge
Why: Lineup TBA, drinks and more
Lightstream: The Light House
When: March 12–14
Where: Scholz Garten
Why: Sweet Spirit, David Ramirez, Star Parks, Jonathan Terrell and more
Works in Progress: Powered by Patreon
When: March 13 and 14
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Durand Bernarr, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, KevOnStage and Professional Musicians React and more
New Nashville Riverboat Roadshow
When: March 16
Where: Hyatt Regency Dock
Why: Joshua Hadley, India Ramey, Khrys Hatch, The HawThorns and more
FLOODfest
When: March 16 and 17
Where: Mohawk
Why: Perfume Genius, Petey, Girlpool, surprise guests and more
ACL Radio Live Morning Broadcast
When: March 16–19
Where: Hotel Van Zandt
Why: Exclusive performances from SXSW artists, interviews, Make-A-Wish Foundation and more
South by San José
When: March 16–20
Where: Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot
Why: Black Lips, Surfbort, Midlake, Houndmouth, Sinner’s Brunch, local vendors and more
Lucy’s Fried Chicken Revival
When: March 16–20
Where: Lucy’s Fried Chicken – South
Why: Matthew Logan Vasquez, Scott Ballew with Evan Voyles, Shinyribs, Tomar and the FC’s, The Dream Syndicate and more
The Do512 Lounge Sessions
When: March 17 and 18
Where: Do512 Lounge
Why: Matthew Logan Vasquez, Scott Ballew with Evan Voyles, Shinyribs, Tomar and the FC’s, The Dream Syndicate and more
Samsung Galaxy + Billboard Present THE STAGE at SXSW
When: March 17–19
Where: Moody Amphitheater
Why: Young Thug + Gunna, Kygo, Shawn Mendes and Sebastian Yatra
The Austin Chronicle’s Hair of the 3-Legged Dog Day Party
When: March 18
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: TC Superstar, Yard Act, Eldorado Cafe, Austin Pets Alive! and more
Collide on Rainey: Dr. Martens Presents Music Showcase
When: March 16–18
Where: Container Bar
Why: Dawn Richard, MUNA, The Black Angels, Tayla Parx, Free tattoos and more
Collide on Rainey: Pickle Party
When: March 17
Where: Idle Hands
Why: Black Lips, The Aquadolls, Kosha Dillz and more
SXSW Outdoor Stage
When: March 17–19
Where: Lady Bird Lake
Why: Mt. Joy, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Houndmouth & more
The Big One
When: March 19
Where: The Far Out Lounge & Stage
Why: Lineup TBA, drinks and more
Art
Meow Wolf Pop Up
When: March 11–14
Where: Spatial Holodeck next to The Sunset Room
Why: Immersive audio, Colorful installations and more
Art Island: All Day All Night All Right Fest
When: March 15 and 16
Where: The Pink Warehouse
Why: Art, music, drinks and after parties
Flatstock 77
When: March 17–19
Where: Austin Convention Center
Why: Concert posters, artwork, Flatstock 77 Stage and more
Shop
Atelier Beauté CHANEL Pop-Up photo courtesy of Chanel.
Kendra Scott SXSW 2022
When: March 10–13, 18–19
Where: Kendra Scott Flagship Store
Why: Exclusive gifts, live music, drink tastings, aura portrait sessions & more
Atelier Beauté CHANEL Pop-Up
When: March 11 – April 24
Where: South Congress – Music Lane
Why: Master classes, beauty studio access, expert advice, products and more
BXBS Maker’s Market
When: March 12
Where: Broad Studios
Why: 40+ vendors, free beer, live DJ set, Tarot card reading and more
Weird Sisters Day Party
When: March 16
Where: BLK Vinyl
Why: Live music, vintage pop up shop, hard Kombucha and more
Green Botanicals Glow
When: March 19 and 20
Where: Green Botanicals
Why: Infused ice cream, free pre-rolls, store discounts and more
Experience
The Trip: An Atlanta Café image courtesy of FX.
The Ripple House
When: March 11–13
Where: TBA
Why: Crypto industry experts, networking, artwork and more
Food Tank: The Future of Food
When: March 11–18
Where: SXSW Center and Huston-Tillotson University
Why: Interactive experiences, sustainable food discussions and more
Porsche Unseen
When: March 11–20
Where: Installation in downtown Austin
Why: Curated design sketches, sports cars, prototypes and more
The Trip: An Atlanta Café
When: March 12
Where: Higher Ground
Why: FX’s Atlanta, coffee service, surreal full-sensory installations and more
Disney+ Outdoor Movie Screenings
When: March 12
Where: Long Center Terrace
Why: Free outdoor screenings, giveaways, larger-than-life characters and more
SXSW Wellness Expo
When: March 12 and 13
Where: Palmer Events Center
Why: Influential wellness panelists, Fitness Stage, interactive demos and more
Lumos in the Park
When: March 13
Where: Meanwhile Brewing
Why: Donation based outdoor training class, Meanwhile beer & more
Big ID Geraldine’s Brunch
When: March 14
Where: Geraldine’s
Why: Recharge brunch, data-based convos and more
Dell Technologies: The Experience
When: March 11–14
Where: Brazos Hall
Why: Industry innovations, interactive games, surprises and more
Capital Factory House
When: March 11–14
Where: Capital Factory
Why: Networking, engaging programming, tech entrepreneurs and more
EU@SXSW
When: March 12–14
Where: Native Hostel
Why: Climate-focused programming, Euro Pop Night, tech and more
Create & Cultivate Austin Pop-Up
When: March 13
Where: Fair Market
Why: Female-forward networking, live podcasts, keynotes, drinks and more
Icon’s House Zero
When: March 13 and 14
Where: 1700 Riverview Street
Why: 3D-printed modern home tour
Localeur’s 9th Birthday Party
When: March 14
Where: Whisler’s
Why: DJ MICK, Whisler’s cocktails and more
The Phocas House
When: March 15
Where: Phocas House
Why: Viben + the Submersibles, free beer, free tacos and more
Urban Outfitters UO Live
When: March 18–20
Where: Space 24Twenty
Why: TBA
Sans Bar Austin Experience
When: March 19
Where: Sans Bar
Why: Zero proof cocktails, live music, inspirational talks and more
Read More From the Music & Film Issue | March 2022
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