Looking to have some SXSW free fun the whole family can enjoy? Finding FREE events to attend isn’t hard to do, but finding family friendly SXSW events can be. Maybe you’re a parent who wants to catch some shows but you’ve got your kids in tow. Or perhaps you’re looking for an event where both you and your child can be inspired. Either way, this one is for you!
Bookmark this page because we will keep updating the list!
Here are the best FREE family friendly things at SXSW 2024!
1 – UPDATED! Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake
Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16 | Doors at 2 p.m., Shows from 3 to 7 p.m. | Lady Bird Lake Stage, 800 W Riverside Drive
The SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake feature three-days of concert events that are free, family-friendly and open to the public. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from local food trucks and beverages in The Beer Garden.
Thursday, March 14 – Spurs Night at the SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake
The San Antonio Spurs are teaming up with SXSW for this free community concert which is a celebration of STEAMBOAT 1874 Austin, the legendary club on 6th Street. Fans can help raise $100,000 for PlayATX and Austin Parks Foundation by participating in the on-site raffle. Plus, there will be games, photo ops, and free swag.
- Joe “King” Carrasco – 3 p.m.
- Patrice Pike & Friends – 3:45 p.m.
- Ian Moore – 4:30 p.m.
- Vallejo – 5:25 p.m.
- Bob Schneider – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 15 – Funk Not Fight Night
- Bootsy Collins
- ZAPP!
- Riders Against The Storm
Saturday, March 16 – KUTX Rock The Shores
Due to inclement weather, the Saturday show originally scheduled for Lady Bird Lake is moving to Palm Door on Sixth.
KUTX Rocks the Shores
Saturday, March 16
Palm Door on Sixth. 508 E 6th Street
Doors at 1:00 p.m.
- 2:00 The Dinosaur’s Skin
- 2:30 Sabrina Ellis & Andrew Cashen (A Giant Dog)
- 3:00 SaulPaul
- 3:30 Storey Littleton
- 4:00 Pepperminte Patti Collins
- 4:30 Parker Woodland
- 5:30 Waco Brothers
2 – SXSW EDU 2024 Expo
Wednesday, March 6 | From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez Street
The SXSW EDU Expo and serves as the central hub for innovations in learning. The dynamic space features discovery-based learning, curated programming, and networking, alongside interactive exhibits showcasing what’s next and new in education. Though it takes place Monday and Tuesday as well, it is free and open to the public on Wednesday, March 6.
3 – We Can Be Heroes Sword Fighting Event
Friday, March 8 | From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, 900 W Riverside Drive
Join the cast of We Can Be Heroes as they teach the fundamentals of LARPing and how to slay in a (foam) sword fight. Ages 8+ welcome. Sneakers suggested. Foam swords will be provided. No real weapons allowed. We Can Be Heroes is an official selection of the SXSW 2024 Film Festival – Documentary Feature Competition.
4 – KMFA: Unofficial SXSW Contemporary Classical Day Party
Saturday, March 11 | From 12 to 6 p.m. | DRAYLEN MASON MUSIC STUDIO, 41 Navasota Street
Austin composer Nathan Felix teams up with KMFA Classical to bring his Contemporary Classical Day Party – Unofficial SXSW Showcase to the Draylen Mason Music Studio on Saturday, March 11 from Noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy free music throughout the afternoon by local contemporary classical artists including student performances by The Akins ECHS Sinfonietta Orchestra and Southwestern University student and composer Monroe Aupperlee. The event is FREE and open to the public. Complimentary beverages by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Still Austin Whiskey & Gin, Reyes Beverage Group, Twisted X Brewery, and BOXT Wine.
5 – Waterloo Records Day Parties
Tuesday, March 12 through Friday, March 15 | From 1 p.m. through 6 p.m. | Waterloo Records, 600 N. Lamar Boulevard
Waterloo Records Day parties are back. Free and all ages. No badge necessary and no RSVP either.
6 – South By San Jose
Wednesday, March 13 through Saturday, March 17 | Daily at 12 p.m. | Hotel San Jose Parking Lot, 1316 South Congress Avenue
Since 2000, we’ve hosted South by San José in the parking lot we share with Hotel San José. Each year, we come together for live music, local vendors, and good times. Music starts at noon each day, rain or shine, and the party is always and forever free to attend. This year’s lineup includes: Alejandro Escovedo, Me Nd Adam, The Tiarras, and many more!
7 – Flatstock 92
Wednesday, March 13 through Friday, March 15 | From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez Street
Flatstock 92 is an art exhibition of the world’s most influential and exceptional gig poster artists, featuring handmade, limited-edition posters from artists around the globe. The best concert posters have always captured both the essence of the music they promoted and the spirit of the time in which they were produced. Flatstock 92 provides an ongoing series of opportunities to see fine poster art in person and to meet the artists who created it. This event is free and open to the public as well as all SXSW registrants.
8 – ACL Radio Live Morning Broadcast ($5)
Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16 | From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis Street
The Live Morning Broadcast during SXSW is back from March 14 through March 16 at Hotel Van Zandt. ACL Radio hosts the original and longest running broadcast during SXSW! For a $5 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, you’ll enjoy four hours of exclusive, live interviews and performances from featured SXSW artists + early morning White Claw specials (for guests 21+)!
9 – Spaceflight Records’ Music and Arts Showcase
Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16 | From 5 to 10 p.m. | Central Machine Works, 4824 East Cesar Chavez
Join Austin-based nonprofit label Spaceflight Records for three evenings of live music, visual art, and local family fun at Central Machine Works. These events are free and open to all ages — no festival badges required. For more information and to RSVP for the showcases, please see here.
10 – Film & Friends: Spring 2024 Showcase
Saturday, March 16 | From 7 to 10 p.m. | Austin School of Film, 2200 Tillery Street
Join for an unforgettable evening at the next installment of the FILM & FRIENDS screening series, highlighting emerging often first-time filmmakers! This showcase features local filmmakers’ narrative short films created in our foundational groundbreaking Digital Filmmaking: Script to Screen course in addition to all analog short experimental films created in our award-winning Avant Garde & Experimental Filmmaking course. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation at the door to support our community-driven initiatives.
