Looking to have some fun while staying away from the madness of SXSW? We get it. That’s why we put together this list of 16 Austin events that are going on during SXSW, but have nothing to do with the fest. In fact, most of them aren’t even located near the downtown area. You’re welcome.
goop MRKT Austin
Event Days Vary | Event Hours Vary | goop MRKT Austin, 1204 S. Congress Ave.
Through April 28 at the Goop shop’s Austin pop-up, consumers are able to sign up for enriching workshops, wellness treatments, workout classes, and conversations as a full immersion into the goop lifestyle. A full calendar gives locals and travelers access to some of goop’s favorite products, trusted experts, and practices. Activations include dance cardio and rope toning workouts with Amanda Kloots, endurance classes with New York Pilates, aura photography by Mood by Moss, clean beauty master classes, and educational workshops such as eye health & vision solutions with LensCrafters, offering doctor-led demos of the brand’s Transitions™ lenses. A first for a goop pop-up, the space also includes built-in treatment rooms for one-on-one appointments like tarot cards and facials.
Hopscotch Light & Sound
Open Thursday through Sunday | from 12 to 11 p.m. (hours vary on Thursdays) | Blue Genie Space, 6100 Airport Blvd.
Light & Sound is a uniquely curated interactive art exhibit featuring 13 distinctive installations that showcase works from a variety of artists, most of which are Austin based. The art installations within the space encourage guests to participate and explore their surroundings in a playful manner. Hopscotch has partnered with HOPE Campaign as their official non-profit partner for the Light & Sound Exhibit. Your ticket to to the exhibit, running through March 31, will help support the brand new HOPE Outdoor Gallery opening near Carson Creek Ranch and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport!
Taco Topia
Open Daily Starting Friday, March 8 | at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. | Taco Topia, 3208 South Congress Ave.
Touted as a taco lovers paradise, Taco Topia will be in Austin for just four weeks, closing on March 31. The interactive experience features more than twenty unique environments with larger-than-life installations ranging from the Goddess of Tacos to an oversized bowl of foam Pico De Gallo in the Pico Pit, an immersive Senorita Needs a Margarita lime swing, a taco teeter totter, and Piñatapoloza. If you happen to have a SXSW badge, you can get a 5% discount on tickets.
Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast
Friday, March 8 | from 6 to 8 a.m. | Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr.
The Cowboy Breakfast is a super-sized Texas breakfast that kicks off the Fair and Rodeo. Come enjoy pancakes, authentic chuck wagon biscuits, doughnuts, brisket tacos and more at this FREE event. Featuring western-themed entertainment, live music, world-renowned trick roper, a longhorn, and two-stepping lessons. The Cowboy Breakfast is fun for all ages.
Mondo Gallery Presents: The Art of GREG RUTH – A TWIN PEAKS Interpretation
Friday, March 8 through Tuesday, March 12 | from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 6 p.m. all other days | Mondo Gallery, 4115 Guadalupe St.
You’re invited to the next Mondo gallery show “The Art of Greg Ruth – A Twin Peaks Interpretation” featuring over 60 new prints by artist Greg Ruth inspired by the iconic SHOWTIME® series from Mark Frost and David Lynch. The 12 print series will be on display through March 12.
Vista Brewing Presents: “Driftwood Nights” (Driftwood)
Friday, March 8 & 15 | from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Vista Brewing, 13551 FM 150, Driftwood
Vista Brewing Presents: “Driftwood Nights,” a Friday night songwriter series. Free show. Rain or shine. 10% of sales during each “Driftwood Nights” show will be donated to HAAM. March 8 artist is Long River, while the March 15 artist is Nichole Wagner Music.
Austin Crawfish Festival
Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9| from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. | S. 2901 Capitol of Texas Hwy.
Better than just a boil! The Austin Crawfish Festival is a festival celebrating two major industries in Texas: crawfish and beer! We are bringing over 10,000 pounds of fresh Louisiana grown crawfish to Central Texas to provide an experience like no other. That’s not where it stops though, in addition to all that delicious mouth-watering crawfish we bring some of Austin’s largest craft beer vendors to provide you beer by the pitcher! Authentic craft beer (wine available too), fresh boiled crawfish served to you in front of live music, what could be better? Fun for the whole family!
Circle Brewing Co. 8th Anniversary Party
Saturday, March 9| from 1 to 5 p.m. | Circle Brewing Co., 2340 W. Braker Ln., Ste. B
Circle Brewing is turning 8 and they’re throwing one helluva party. On Saturday, March 9, join as they celebrate with live music from Stretch Panic and Chandler and The Bings. Food from Farm to Market Co. And Supply, SXSE Food Co and Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs. Raise a glass full of their newest Spring Seasonal, Perfekt Pils! Inspired by the Pilsners of Germany, this refreshing beer is perfekt for any occasion. Entry to the 8th Anniversary Party is completely free! $15 gets you a custom anniversary Pilsner glass and 3 beer pours. Or, feel free to buy beer as you go. Limited quantities of our special anniversary party shirts will be available. They recommend bringing your own chair if you want to hang out and listen to music all day.
Taylor’d Frequency: Independent Sounds & Stand-Up for Independent Thinkers & Drinkers
Saturday, March 9 | from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. | Independence Brewing Taproom, 3913 Todd Ln
Independence Brewing Co. is kicking off a new live music and comedy series, “Taylor’d Frequency: Independent Sounds & Stand-Up for Independent Thinkers & Drinkers” at the Independence taproom. The series will feature a rotating lineup of live musicians and stand-up comedians hosted by Taylor Wallace, KUTX Host and Producer. The program will begin its first installment at 5:30 p.m. with a set by Avery Moore, an Austin comedy mainstay and host of the Velveeta Room’s “no womps given” Sad Trombone Showcase in 2014. At 6 p.m., Slomo Drags a local rock band, will take the stage with a concert incorporating vocal harmonies, intricate musical composition and a love of pop music. Their performance will conclude with a set from Austin’s own grunge, psychedelic rock band The Boleys. Guests are invited to stay after the performances and enjoy open-mic karaoke. Entry is free and all ages are welcome. A variety of Independence beer will be available for purchase to guests 21+. Food will be available for purchase at the taproom’s onsite food truck Crossroads: Farm to Truck. This event is the first in a three part series, followed by events on Saturday, April 13th and Saturday, May 11th.
Cat Video Fest
Sunday, March 10 | at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. | Sky Cinemas, 13201 U.S. Hwy. 290
CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area. Prices range from $8.50 to $10.50.
Nulo Presents: Rescue Me
Sunday, March 10 | from 12 to 4 p.m. | Yard bar, 6700 Burnet Rd.
Nulo Pet Food Presents: Rescue Me! Join at Yard Bar for the 2nd Annual unofficial SXSW Dog-Friendly Day Party that aims to “rescue” us locals from SXSW, while spotlighting, raising funds, and increasing awareness of Austin Humane Society dog and cat rescue. Live music, featured cocktail (the Rescue Me, benefiting Austin Humane Society), beer specials, on-site adoptions from Austin Humane Society, and FREE Nulo starter kit for ALL on-site adoptions.
Deep Eddy Drag Queen Bingo Bus (Dripping Springs)
Sunday, March 10 | at 1 p.m. | Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room, 2250 E. Highway 290, Dripping Springs
Austin Tour Company and the Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery have partnered again to bring you the Deep Eddy Drag Queen Bingo Bus. Ticket includes round-trip transportation to The Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery in a luxury coach (also BYOB), a delicious Deep Eddy Vodka Cocktail at the distillery, drag performances from resident drag queen and Austin favorite, Colleen DeForrest, multiple rounds of Drag Queen Bingo, souvenir cup, and more! All this for $35.
Rodeo Austin Preview Party
Friday, March 15 | at 6:30 p.m. | Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Ln.
Rodeo Austin is excited to announce a brand-new event, Kick Open the Chutes – Party on the Dirt. Rodeo Austin’s Kick Open the Chutes is a new event that will celebrate the opening of Rodeo Austin’s fifteen-day Fair & Rodeo. Attendees will get to experience Rodeo Austin like never before – the event will take place in the Rodeo arena where contestants perform every night and attendees will get the chance to go behind the chutes! Kick Open the Chutes will feature two live music concerts by Wade Bowen with special guest Sam Riggs. Proceeds from Kick Open the Chutes go toward Rodeo Austin’s mission of Promoting Youth Education – Preserving Western Heritage.
Cocktails and Cuddles: Happy Hour with Baby Goats (Manor)
Friday, March 15 | from 6 to 8 p.m. | Bee Tree Farm, 8317 Burleson Manor Rd., Manor
Relax after a crazy work week with a pile of Bee Tree babies and your favorite beverage. Although this event is BYOB (they will provide bottle openers and cups), your ticket will include a few light refreshments (cheese! crackers! fruit!), and ample opportunity to bottle feed and snuggle the baby goats. Folks are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and relax on the lawn while the babies use you as a pillow (or jungle gym. Just depends). Baby goats are scientifically proven to remedy road rage and depression from endless hours in a cubicle, so don’t miss your chance to snag a little after work therapy! You in?
Georgetown Photography Festival (Georgetown)
Saturday, March 16 | from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Historic Georgetown Square, 716 S. Austin Ave.
The first Georgetown Texas Photography Festival hosted by David Valdez and co-host Williamson Museum and Precision Camera will be held on March 16. Featuring Harrison Funk, Carol Hutchison, Rudy Ximenez, Earl Nottingham, Linda Nickell and Todd White on the square in Georgetown, Texas.
Crawfish Boil + Drop it Like it’s Yacht
Saturday, March 16 | from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. | Stay Gold, 1910 Cesar Chavez
Start the day with a crawfish boil at 3 p.m.: Feast with us as Alley Cat boils ALL the CRAWFISH starting at 3pm until it’s gone…DJ Hardtopronounce spinning while you peel! Then stick around for a little am radio fun: Austin’s favorite yacht rock cover band, Heavy Mellow, sails into the night with all your favorite yacht rock hits! 9pm – 1am, 21+ $5 COVER starting at 9pm.
Featured photo by Tendenci, Creative Commons licensed.
