SXSW 2024 is only a few weeks away so here’s your guide to all the best FREE events! As the festival continues to grow so do the opportunities for more non-badge events and unofficial SXSW parties. That said, know that we will continue to add the best and completely FREE events happening at SXSW this year!
But first, if you are looking for the easiest way to RSVP for all of the pop ups and free events happening at the festival, this is for you. RSVP ATX will automatically RSVP you to all the unofficial SXSW showcases and events! Learn how to sign up here.
Your guide to the best FREE events at SXSW 2024!
BHM at SXSW: Experience how Birmingham Has More
March 8 | Arena Hall, 1809 Pearl Street | RSVP
Discover the best of the Magic City and learn why it’s the best place for your startup. Join the City of Birmingham and tech ecosystem partners for a full day of southern hospitality at Arena Hall on March 8th. Grab a drink and signature bite while enjoying cooking demos from James Beard semi-finalist Best New Restaurant Pizza Grace. They’ll end the night with a free performance by the Banditos! They’ll have food and drinks from Birmingham based companies!
Sustainable Action for International Women’s Day
March 8 | REI Co-Op, 601 N Lamar Boulevard | RSVP
Honor International Women’s Day at REI for a SXSW style celebration. The celebration will include DJ sets, panels, free food, free swag and more. They will be serving up Kin Euphorics and Heath-Ade Kombucha at their non-alcoholic bar. The event is free and open to the public!
Tulsa House
March 8 through 9 | Augustine, 86 Rainey Street | RSVP
Join Tulsa at SXSW for panels, happy hours, and late-night music as you connect with entrepreneurs, remote workers, executives, venture capitalists, and more. There will also be FREE beverages from American Solera and Prairie Artisan Ales. You can also fuel your day with coffee and bites from local Tulsa favorites Topeca Coffee and Et Al.
Hook’em House
March 8 through 9 | Antone’s, 305 E 5th Street | RSVP
UT at SXSW is back! This year they’re taking over Antone’s. Expect live music, expert panels, swag and everything Longhorns! More details to come.
The Tide Laundry Experience
March 8 – 10 | Wanderlust Wine Co, 610 N Interstate Hwy 35 | FREE
Did someone say free food, free drinks and free Tide samples? Tide Laundry did! Join them for a special three day event where you’ll be able to learn more about their products and the science behind them.
The LaCroix Water House
March 8 – 10 | 1221 E 6th Street | RSVP
LaCroix is back at SXSW! Try new flavors, grab some merch and mocktails. They’ll also have plenty of colorful photo ops!
Midwest House
March 8 through 11 | Half Step, 75- 1/2 Rainey Street | RSVP
Midwest House, an experiential embassy dedicated to the region’s innovators and creatives, will once again be taking up residence on Rainey Street for four days of future-focused programming and relationship building. They’ll have two stages to feature Official SXSW discussions, a Startup Pitch Stage, and a full schedule of music from Midwest artists.
Porshe: Full Service
March 8 through 12 | Brazos Hall, 204 E 4th Street
Porshe is back for its Collaborations Unseen activation this year. See Porsche history in the making at Porsche Full Service at SXSW. The all-electric Macan will be making its American debut!
Hotel ZaZa’s Rachel Nathan Pop-Up
March 9 | Hotel ZaZa, 400 Lavaca Street
Join Hotel ZaZa for a pop-up with Rachel Nathan, an Austin-based jeweler. The event will take place on March 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. in Perfect Strangers, just off the hotel’s lobby. The event will feature a selection of light bites and a cocktail station. If you attend, you’ll also get a 20% off voucher to use at Group Therapy, Hotel ZaZa’s rooftop restaurant.
Chupie the Chupacabra’s No Meows Given Party
March 9 | Kitty Cohen’s, 2211 Webberville Road
Party with Chupie at Kitty Cohen’s on Caturday, March 9 starting at 1 p.m. Chupie will be onsite for photos, autographs and french fries, and we’ll be raising money all day for Austin Pets Alive! Try the special “I Don’t Give a Meow” cocktail from our sponsors at Haku Vodka. Munch on Chupie-approved french fries and sushi. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a french fry date with Chupie, Chupie swag and more! Proceeds raised from the raffle and cocktail will go to APA. Must be 21+ to join the fun – be there or don’t, Chupie doesn’t give a meow!
Wellness House
March 9 | Other Racquet Social Club, 2717 Manor Road | RSVP
The popular Wellness House is back during SXSW – one day of panel conversations, workout sessions and happy hours. Meet CPG industry entrepreneurs, investors, influencers, and founders.
Equality Lounge
March 9 through 10 | Waller Creek Boathouse, 74 Trinity Street | RSVP
When good intentions meet intentional actions equality is possible! Join the Equality Lounge® at SXSW. Founders, forward thinkers, and forces of the economy are all found here. All are welcome. No exceptions. No badge required.
Poolsuite Yahoo Disco(nnect)
March 10 | Hotel Van Zandt, 605 Davis Street | RSVP
Poolsuite and Yahoo proudly present DiSCO(NNECT) at SXSW. From 2 p.m. to midnight party it up at a rooftop disco. Music by The Knocks, Soul Clap, Shubostar and Wonderosso. Enjoy complimentary cocktails, exclusive merchandise and gifts from sunscreen corporation Vacation. There’s no cover and it’s open to all!
The Meltwater After Party
March 11 | Buenos Aires Cafe, 1201 E 6th Street | RSVP
Get ready to turn up the heat at Meltwater’s SXSW Afterparty, returning to Buenos Aires Cafe on Monday, March 11! Unwind from the SXSW madness in a cozy setting and indulge in Argentinian-inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres that’ll have your taste buds dancing.
Core Purpose Wander By Copperbox
March 11 | Balcones Canyonlands, 24518 Ranch Road (Marble Falls) | RSVP
Join Copperbox in Austin’s serene Balcones Canyonlands for an amazing event that transcends the ordinary boundaries of leadership training. This experience is tailored for CEOs, Founders, and Executive Leaders who aspire to align their values with their company’s vision, driving sustainable success and impactful leadership.
SXSW Freelancer Happy Hour
March 11 | Cosmic Saltillo, 1300 E 4th Street | RSVP
Join an exclusive happy hour hosted by Freelancers Union and HoneyBook. Network with industry professionals, fellow freelancers. Enjoy drinks, bites and musics.
Network & Nails
March 11 | LACQUER Downtown, 210 Guadalupe Street | RSVP
Sit back, relax, and receive a FREE gel manicure or pedicure at LACQUER Downtown whilst chatting with like-minded brands, passionate influencers, and expert agency leaders about the hottest trends in the influencer space, and how YOU can capitalize on them.
This Is Our House with Spin Magazine
March 11 – 15 | 800 Congress Avenue | RSVP
The Army, the Navy and SPIN Magazine walk into a bar…or in this case 800 Congress Avenue. The US Army and US Navy are bringing together creators, explores and doers for an official SXSW event. During the day you’ll find, talks and open forms, hands-on MilTech demos and seamless networking. At night prepare for a party hosted by SPIN Magazine! Find all the details here.
COLLiDE
March 11 through 17 | Various locations Rainey Street | RSVP
Since 2010, COLLiDE has taken over Rainey Street at Austin’s SXSW festival. This year they’re taking residence in multiple venues for the entirety of the festival! More details to come.
Dillion T. Pickle’s Big Texas Cockus
March 13 | Idle Hands, 85 Rainey Street | RSVP
Picture this: brined mascots, flowing drinks, and the coolest bands in town, all with a big dose of Dillon. Join Dillion T. Pickle’s Big Texas Cockus at SXSW.
Pourri’s Camp Funk
March 13 – 17 | Parking lot takeover, 5th and Trinity (1 block from the Convention Center | RSVP
Camp Funk presented by ~Pourri will be providing beats, fresh scents and discussions for an unforgettable event. Experience a 5-star bathroom, product sampling, gifts, acoustic performances and DJ sets. Did we mention the 30-foot-tall Giant Poo that you can go inside.
South By San Jose
March 13 – 17 | Hotel San Jose, 1316 S Congress Avenue | FREE
South By San Jose is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary! It’s always and forever free. It’s local music, local vendors and everything you love about Austin. Music starts every day at noon, get there early to grab a spot!
Casamigos Lobby Experience
March 15 | Hotel ZaZa, 400 Lavaca Street
If you’re a fan of tequila, specifically Casamigos, this one’s for you! You can create your own Ranch Water with Casamigos tequila on March 15 in Hotel ZaZa’s lobby! In addition, Hotel ZaZa will be serving a variety of snacks to pair with the cocktails. This event is happening March 15 from 3 to 6 p.m.
The Austin Chronicle’s Hair of the 3 Legged Dog Day Party
March 15 | Hotel Vegas, 1502 E 6th Street | RSVP
The Austin Chronicle’s back with their ninth annual 3-Legged Dog Party. Enjoy blood marys, drum drink specials, and more! You can also get a one-of-a-kind aura portrait from Moon Aura Nomad! Please note that this is a FREE 21+ event so please leave your little ones at home, both human and canine.
German Music SXSW BBQ
March 15 | Shangri-La, 1016 E 6th Street | RSVP
This daytime showcase has it all, BBQ, drinks, nice people and 5 acts from Germany! SXSW has always been a great place to discover new music and showcases like this one is some of the best places to do it.
West of the Fest
March 15 | Buford’s Backyard, 700 W 6th Street
Mix 94.7 presents West of the Fest, a free annual showcase for discovering new music. The event will have performances by American Idol winner Phillip Phillip, Sam Nelson (X Ambassadors), Sarah Reeves and Cecilia Castleman. Discover artists without long lines, badges, cover charges or RSVP’s. Get more details here.
Get Roasted with Removery and La Colombe Coffee
March 15 and 16 | Recovery Tattoo Removal & Fading, 1400 South Congress Avenue | RSVP
Join Removery and La Colombe for an unforgettable time filled with laughter, tattoos, coffee, and awesome freebies. Hang with Toby Morse of the band H2O and comedian Collin O’Meara of Roast Battle and get ready to turn tattoo stories into comedy gold. Enjoy FREE tattoo removal sessions, FREE mini tattoos, and a plethora of FREE beverages and merch from Removery, La Colombe Coffee and Liquid Death.
With SXSW 2024 only weeks away, we will be updating this list as soon as new events are announced. Make sure to save this page and check back for the latest!
Want more SXSW 2024? Try these:
- Everything We Know About SXSW 2024 So Far
- These Memes Perfectly Illustrate What SXSW Is Like for Locals
- SXSW 2024: Celebrities Confirmed to Attend
Featured photo via SXSW
