Free Family Stuff at SXSW

A family approach isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to SXSW, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Finding FREE events to attend isn’t hard, on the other hand, finding SXSW family events. So, if you’re a parent who wants to attend a few shows but your child is home for spring break, this is for you!

Bookmark this page because we will keep updating the list!

Here are the best FREE family items at SXSW

1. Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake

Thursday, March 16 to Saturday, March 18 | Doors at 14:00, showings from 15:00 to 19:00 | Lady Bird Lake Stage
SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake includes three-day concerts that are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Bring a picnic or enjoy a meal from the local food and drink trucks in the beer garden.

Thursday, March 16 – KUTH Rock on the shore

• 15:00 Lucky Diaz
• 15:30 Mega Run
• 16:00 Red Yarn and Aaron Nigel Smith
• 16:30 SolPol
• 17:00 Johnny Langford & Silver Sands Roustabouts + Rosie Flores
• 18:00 Thao Nguyen

Friday, March 17

• 15:30 Baba Kuboe
• 16:30 AJ Smith
• 17:30 Zombies

Saturday, March 18 – Horn! Texas
(performances in alphabetical order)

• Explosion!
• Capital Dead Music Band
• Cocktail hour Mazel Tov
• Marching Band of Minor Failures
• Moon Tower Brass Band
• Yes ma’am brass band

2. Kendra Scott Flagship Store Celebrates SXSW 2022

from 10 to 12, 17 and 18 March | Different times | Kendra Scott flagship store, 1701 S Congress Avenue.
The Kendra Scott Flagship Store at SoCo invites everyone to join them for exclusive pop-ups, giveaways, live music, experiences, drink tastings and more! No badges are required.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 10
ALL DAY | Frosty Friday at Sips & Sweet
from 16:00 to 19:00 | Dry-styling/tinsel hair upon purchase and DJ on the patio

Saturday, March 11
ALL DAY | Beer, mimosa and seltzer for $3 in sips and sweets
from 12:00 to 17:00 | Throwing Shade Hat Personalization and free chainstitch bag personalization with any $100 purchase.
from 13:00 to 16:00 | Free aura readings from Carrie Moss with any purchase over $175.
15:00 | THEBROSFRESH live performance
from 15:00 to 18:00 | Dry styling / hair tinsel upon purchase

Sunday, March 12
ALL DAY | Spend a Sunday at Sips & Sweets
from 12:00 to 17:00 | Free customization of chain stitch bag/bandana with any $100 purchase.
from 13:00 to 16:00 | Live music on the patio

Friday, March 17
ALL DAY | Frosty Friday at Sips & Sweet
from 13:00 to 16:00 | Free Aura Readings by Carrie Moss with purchases over $175.
from 15:00 to 18:00 | Dry styling / hair tinsel upon purchase
from 15:00 to 18:00 | DJ on the terrace

Saturday, March 18
ALL DAY | Beer, mimosa and seltzer for $3 in sips and sweets
from 12:00 to 17:00 | Throwing Shade Hat Personalization and free chainstitch bag personalization with any $100 purchase.
from 13:00 to 16:00 | Free aura readings from Carrie Moss with any purchase over $175.
15:00 | Live performance of Sir Woman
from 15:00 to 18:00 | Dry styling / hair tinsel upon purchase

Sunday, March 19
ALL DAY | Spend a Sunday at Sips & Sweets
from 12:00 to 17:00 | Free customization of chain stitch bag/bandana with any $100 purchase.
from 13:00 to 16:00 | Live music on the patio

3. Flatstock 84

from 15 to 17 March | from 10:00 to 17:00 | Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 5
Presented by the American Poster Institute (API), Flatstock 84 will showcase the work of the world’s best poster artists. The show provides an opportunity for talented artists to showcase their different styles, colors and techniques, and for viewers to purchase beautiful posters and meet the creators. Flatstock is free and open to the public and to all registered SXSWs.

4. Coffee Joe | Amazon classifieds

from 10 to 12 March | From 9:00 to 12:00. | Coffee Joe at the San Jose Hotel, 1300 South Congress Avenue.
Start your morning right with a cup of Jo’s on Amazon. Come in early while the pots are still full. Enjoy any of the following drinks provided by Amazon Ads (while supplies last):

• drip coffee
• cold drink
• Turbo: Joe’s signature sweet creamy coffee drink with chocolate and hazelnuts.
• Belgian bomber: Iced Turbo mixed with cold beer
• Hot iced tea: black, green, or hibiscus

5. Renegade @ SXSW

from 16 to 18 March | from 11:00 to 17:00 | Marriott Downtown, 304 E. Cesar Chavez Street, Moontower Hall
Renegade Craft, today’s leading independent craft and design fair, introduces new and established creative small businesses to a broad audience, championing a symbiotic, sustainable and inspiring buying and selling experience. Expect to find a thoughtful curator of over 100 artists and performers from around the country.

6. Sheraton Backyard

Multiple dates and times for uncovered impressions (see below).

• KUTX The Breaks – Wednesday, March 15 with DreTheGr8, J Rich Tha Don, Kina Love, Skylar T, LHF Lil Ke, J. Mill, Stassney, Skateland, Tribe Mafia and Alesia Lani
• EQ Austin – Thursday, March 16 With Lara Price, Daniel Fiers, Nemegata, Grace Sorensen and We Don’t Ride Llamas
• Austin Music Foundation (AMF) / ATX THE NEXT – Friday, March 17 with Sami & The Engine, Poet Hawkins, The Dead Coats, Jake Lloyd and El Combo Oscuro
• EQ Austin & Latin Music Coalition – Saturday, March 18 With Michi Sans, Destiny Navaira, Como Las Movies, Shiela and Shrt_Lyf

7. DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellbeing in Action)

Tuesday March 14 | Stubb’s, 801 Red River Street.
This year marks the second annual collaboration between DAWA and SXSW and the first launch of Vision:8291. As of 2019, DAWA’s mission is to celebrate and empower the BIPOC community in Austin through direct financial assistance and culturally relevant health-focused programs. Performances by Caramelo Haze, CP Loopy, J Soulja, The Tiarras and Urban Heat.

8. SXSW EDU 2023 Expo

Wednesday, March 8 | From 9:00 to 16:00
South via southwest EDU® which is already 13 years old, on March 8, 2023, opens the doors of its exhibition to the public free of charge. Everyone, including local students, educators, entrepreneurs and more, are invited to attend the conference and the festival’s central hub, where a host of organizations gather to network and share their innovative ideas. At locations like the Evidence Pavilion, Startup Village, Next Stage and Meet Up Village, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with education professionals from around the world while interacting with over 60 unique exhibits. and presentations on a range of topics that affect how we learn, teach and do.

9. City of Roku

from Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 12 | from 11:00 to 18:00 | Riley Building, 315 Lavaca Street.
The two-day pop-up is inspired by Roku City, the TV and movie-inspired brand splash screen that has become something of a viral sensation among its streaming audience. The purple cityscape is full of references to classic Hollywood images, and according to internal data, 2 out of 3 Roku users would go to Roku City if they were offered. The interactive experience will take place inside a high-rise building in downtown Austin with features such as:

• Roku City Style Store for people to choose a new look with creative purple accents, perfect for their journey into a new world.
• Roku City Rooftop Diner where guests can reserve a cabana through OpenTable and find links to their favorite movies and TV meals in the diner’s pop-up menu.
• Roku City Park walk under the trees, watch the monsters and drink the best coffee in the city of Roku.
• Best Home Theater Buy to sit back and relax while checking out the latest Roku devices available at Best Buy, as well as new Roku originals and entertainment on the Roku channel.

Purple City will be open to the public.

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Favorite photo via SXSW