South by Southwest

Name: South by Southwest
Start: 2027-03-15
End: 2027-03-21
Location: Austin, TX

View on map

Arts & CultureAustin

Dates15–21 March 2027Confirmed listing

Duration7 daysListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forPerformance, exhibitionsSXSW began in 1987 when Austin Chronicle

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryArts & CultureFestival type

The story

South by Southwest in Austin

South by Southwest, known as SXSW, is an annual conference and festival held each March in Austin, Texas, since 1987. It combines a major independent film and television festival, one of the world's largest music festivals with more than 2,000 acts, and an innovation and technology conference across dozens of downtown venues. Registrants receive badges or wristbands for access to programming.

SXSW matters because it shows how culture, technology and business collide before they harden into the next mainstream thing.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

SXSW began in 1987 when Austin Chronicle staffers Roland Swenson, Louis Black, and Nick Barbaro, along with booking agent Louis Meyers, organized a local music event after a planned New York expansion fell through

The mystery stays covered

roughly 700 people showed up against an expected 150

The city starts moving

The name plays on Alfred Hitchcock's film North by Northwest

The water draws everyone in

It has since grown into three linked festivals covering film, music, and interactive technology, drawing over 32,000 registrants by 2013 and generating hundreds of millions in economic impact for Austin

The old stones answer

A tragic exception marked the 2014 festival, when a driver fleeing police struck a crowd of attendees, killing four people, an event that prompted lasting safety reforms around the festival's street closures

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

SXSW's defining custom is the badge and wristband hierarchy that governs access: film

Water and renewal

Living ritual

interactive

The sacred route

Living ritual

and music badges each unlock different tiers of programming

The local code

Living ritual

while music wristbands offer a lower-cost path into evening showcases

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a structure that has shaped how the festival scales since its earliest years

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The SXSW Pitch competition

Tradition 7

Living ritual

where startups compete across categories before a live audience

Tradition 8

Living ritual

has become a launchpad tradition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

15–21 March 2027

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Austin to work differently.

What to wear

Austin in March is generally mild, ranging from cool mornings in the 50s Fahrenheit to warm afternoons in the 70s or 80s, with occasional rain fronts passing through, so layering is...

Safety

For South by Southwest, choose safe viewing points, watch weather and leave extra time around starts, finishes or releases.

Where to stay

For South by Southwest, stay near the part of Austin you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.27 N, 97.74 W Open in Google Maps

Austin, TX

Nearest airportAUS — Austin Bergstrom

TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Austin to work differently.

Stay areaFor South by Southwest, stay near the part of Austin you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Austin via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Austin, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare fares Festival gearAustin in March is generally mild, ranging from cool mornings in the 50s Fahrenheit to warm afternoons in the 70s or 80s, with occasional rain fronts passing through, so layering is essential. Comfortable business-casual clothing works for conference sessions and networking, while a change into more casual, walkable gear suits evening music showcases on 6th Street. A light jacket or packable rain shell covers both cool mornings and sudden spring showers.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is South by Southwest?

South by Southwest is listed for 15–21 March 2027. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does South by Southwest take place?

The festival is listed in Austin, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

7 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Austin, TX

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsxsw.com

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed dates15–21 March 2027

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

South by Southwest

South by Southwest in Austin

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The water draws everyone in

The old stones answer

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Tradition 7

Tradition 8

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Austin, TX

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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