Did you know you can do SXSW free? Yes, you do not need one of those pricey badges in order to get wined and dined and a load of free swag. Every year there are tons of free SXSW events and parties, you just have to know how to find them and how to get on the list. Since most of these events require an RSVP, be sure to sign up early. Unfortunately, the popular events and parties can be sold out before South by Southwest even starts! There are still a lot of events that have open RSVP spots and somewhere you can just show up. In addition, there are various ways to get to free SXSW passes and free SXSW badges.
Get access to the Google Calendar with all of these events here. Then, you won’t have to add them one-by-one to your calendar! Next, grab some suggested festival gear to make the week even more fun.
UPDATE: SXSW 2020 is canceled.
How to go to 2020 Free SXSW Events and Parties
Each year I provide a SXSW guide. Here is the 2020 SXSW Guide. Last year, I provided lots of tips and tricks for attending SXSW free events. It is now that time of year again to put together my list of SXSW 2019 free stuff.
How to get SXSW Free Badges
Another way to do SXSW for free is to volunteer. Find out How to Volunteer at SXSW in Exchange for a Free SXSW Badge.
How to get Free Passes
Below, I will keep an updated list of the free SXSW parties and events. If you know of any to add to the list, leave a comment and then, I will add them. Usually, I only post the free events for SXSW interactive. These are your best bet for free food, swag, booze, and more. In order to not miss out, be sure to RSVP right away since many of the spots fill up.
The Guest Pass is your free credential to many SXSWeek® events including Flatstock 65, SXSW Job Market, SXSW Wellness Expo, SXSW Marketplace, an Outdoor Film Screening at the Long Center, and more! Get your SXSW free guest pass.
SXSW Free 2020 Events and RSVP Lists
In order to keep up-to-date, especially during SXSW, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, you can subscribe to my Twitter list, SXSW Free here.
Again this year, I keep hoping the Spredfast Social Suite for SXSW 2o2o will pop up. Does anyone know if they will do anything this year? If you had the opportunity to go in the past, then you’ll know why I keep hoping they will have the social suite again.
Bookmark this page as it will be updated frequently.
2020 SXSW Free Events That Span Multiple Days
Fast Company Grill
Inc. Founders House
Taco-S-x-Tech (sold out)
The Experience by Dell Technologies
Michigan House (the RSVP link isn’t live right now)
House of Modern Beauty at SXSW 2020 – No RSVPs yet
Cisco Innovation Hub at Capitol Factory (access code WEBEXEVENT2020)
Vancouver Day at SXSW 2020 in Austin
Orangetheory Fitness ‘Hypothesis’
March 12 Pre- SXSW Events
March 13 SXSW Free Events
Vets in Tech Happy Hour
Sustainable trust – a Nordic approach to digital trust and sustainability
Linkedin Studio 2020 (need access code)
SXSW Startup Crawl 2020
Nightcrawlers – The SXSW Startup Crawl After Party 2020
LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL ™ SECRET SOC13TY
Good Morning by Milk and Honey
Orangetheory Fitness ‘Hypothesis’
The Non-Obvious 7 Minute Meetup
Create a Care Package with Home Instead
March 14 SXSW Free Events
Established House of Startups and Innovation
PSFK Happy Hour Drinks for ATXRIW
HRetreat during the SXSW Interactive Conference (waitlist)
Ben Lamm | Hypergiant Presents: SpaceCom
Africa House Day Party at SXSW
The Experience by DELL: Technology The Great Equalizer?
Founders Embassy Brunch
The Future Of Food
StackPath Happy Hour
Riveter Fest: Stay Crafty, Austin with eBay
The Experience by DELL: Local Creators
Commerce Party Takes SXSW (click link to request invite)
Comedy Central and Paramount Events (looks like no RSVP needed)
March 15 SXSW Free Events
Create & Cultivate
The Dolphin Tank: Austin
Adweek Austin Brand Stars
Austin Film Festival Hair of the Dog Brunch
Earth Commons Apothecary + Wellness Soft Opening
The Experience by DELL: It’s An Autonomous Life
Australia House Opening Party
March 16 SXSW Free Events
SoDA Happy Hour in Austin 2020 – Public (waitlist)
SXSW Together Digital Summit | Digital Disrupted: Leading Womxn
SXSW Event: Marketers’ Happy Hour w/ Circus Street & Turtl
CI&T Presents Future Ready at SXSW
Africa House Lounge at SXSW – Monday
Backtracks Podcast House
The Experience by DELL: Empathy And AI
KUNGFU.AI presents: AI Live
March 17 SXSW Free Events
The Hustle – Tucky’s & Tacos 2020
March 18
Nashville Live – Riverboat Roadshow
If you want to have a happy South by Southwest experience, then here are some recommended items.
What to bring to SXSW.
For all of your swag, get a lightweight packable backpack such as one of these.
When visiting Austin, you’ll want to bring along a rain jacket. You never know how Texas weather is going to be.
For networking, don’t forget to bring your business cards.
During the festival, you’ll be using your phone a lot for maps, verifying RSVPs, communicating, and more. In order to not run out of battery juice, make sure you have a backup battery option.
For SXSW Freebies March 18 – 22, 2020 click next page.
where arew the rest of the sxsw dayS?
Usually, I only post the free events for SXSW interactive. These are your best bet for free food, swag, booze, and more.
Rachel, thanks for this post. I’d like to give you a shout out in my SXSW post if that’s okay. My blog femrefinery.com is in production. I’m in Austin too! And I’m a cancer survivor. Are you attending or have attended the Thrive conference?
Hi Monique, Yes, that’s great! Thanks. No, I’m not attending Thrive, though I am going to the AdThrive conference, Accelerate Summit in March. Hope you are doing well. Let me know when your site is up and running.
2018 Women in Digital at SXSW: 4:30pm – 8:30pm IS SOLD OUT. but there is a wait list.
Thanks for letting us know.