A Texas Girl’s SXSW Events Guide || Updated 2022

Welcome to the Texas Girls’ Guide to SXSW Events in Austin! After five years of living in Austin, I feel like I have learned quite a few tips and tricks to the SXSW whirlwind that takes over the city for a week. I wanted to share everything I know about the festival, and I want to hear some of your advice as well!

SXSW is one of my favorite times in Austin, even though it definitely makes my commute to work 10x more brutal. It’s changed so much over the years, too! When I started a UT nine years ago, it was easy and free to get into major events, you just had to make sure you were on Twitter 24/7 and knew where to look!

Now, the RSVP lists get insane and half the time you have to purchase tickets for major shows. However, old school ATX me refuses to give in.

I’m sharing the events that I personally will be aiming to attend (aka events I don’t have to pay for and I think I will have a blast at!), how to get in, where to eat, and a few other things I have learned! Check it out below!

SEE ALSO: A Weekend in Austin, Texas

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How To Plan for SXSW

RSVP For EVERYTHING
If you do not RSVP then you WILL NOT get in!!! And do not expect your friends to do it for you. Even if you doubt you’ll go, Just RSVP to be safe

Make a New Email for RSVPs
Nobody wants the spam mail that comes after SXSW RSVPs! So make yourself a new email address for SXSW that you can keep everything in one place

Understand That Your Schedule Will Change
You can be the best planner in the entire world, and your plan will not go as you expect! Thats the nature of SXSW. Events you thought you’d get into, you cant. Events move and change. You can’t get there in time or spend too long somewhere else. Just go with the flow!

Make a Calendar + Share With Your Friends
My friends and I have a full SXSW calendar in Google we share! All event details and notices

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What To Bring With You to SXSW

In case you haven’t noticed, Texas gets HOT right about now! And on top of that, Austin is going to be CROWDED so you basically want to go in with everything you need knowing you probably will not be able to run home in between events!!

A Compact Water Bottle
Y’all this is MY BIG RECOMMENDATION. It’s hot in Austin in March and finding water bottles is not easy and also nobody wants to carry one around all day. This easy fits inside a purse or bag when it isn’t full. This is my HOLY GRAIL.

Comfortable Footwear & Clothes
You will be walking miles every day, do not wear shoes you will regret. Trust me. Your feet will thank you.

Portable Charger
You will take a million photos and videos and Instagram stories with zero time to find a plug. Also your phone is gonna be vital to keep your spreadsheets and maps with you. Get yourself a portable charger!!!

Sunscreen + Sunglasses
You will wait in line in the hot sun and you do not want to be a tomato in pain at your events the next day.

Large Bag or Backpack
Think of all the free swag you’re gonna get! Nobody wants to dump it on the ground, so bring an easy bag with your (or a phany pack) to store those gems in!

Swimsuit
Weirdly enough, sometimes you get sick of events because it’s hot and crowded and you just wanna lay by a pool. Sa

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Where Should I Eat During SXSW?

Focusing on convenient downtown or East Austin locations because you bet traffic will be horrendous!

SEE MORE // WHERE TO EAT IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER

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Things To Do in Austin, Texas Outside of SXSW Events

Because honestly, you may get sick of SXSW events, who knows?

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The Best SXSW Events in 2022

I know I know, this was the whole reason you clicked on the post. But had to get the other stuff out of the way first!!!

Again, there are SOOO many more events going on, but these are the events I have personally added to my calendar to check out! 

HOWEVER instead of going back to this every five minutes, submit your email below for excess to the EXCLUSIVE AGFT SXSW EVENTS SPREADSHEET to stay updated with ALL the information you need to know!!! Includes all details + my personal notes!

Events have been updated with times, locations, and how difficult I *think* it will be to get in from my experiences!

The Breakdown For Below:

NAME OF EVENT // WHERE AND WHEN // HOW HARD IT’LL BE TO GET IN

🍹 Indicates Free Drinks expected
🍔 Indicates Free Food expected
💌 RSVP Required
🎟. Good Luck Getting In Without a Wristband
⭐️. One of my favorites, I’ll be there!

* I plan on attending this event myself (if I can get in lol)

SXSW Events Kickoff: Friday, March 11th

Inc Founders House // 🍹 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 11th – 14th from 10:30am to 5:30pm at Cedar Door
Love this event every year! Usually pretty easy to get in with fun activations and food. Recommend linking your LinkedIn though.

Blockchain Labs // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 // March 11th – 13th at Trinity Hall
Do expect this one to be pretty tricky to get into, even if they technically have the RSVP list open!

Midwest House // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 ⭐️ // March 11th – 15th All Day at Half Step on Rainey
I absolutely think this Rainey spot will be a hard one to get into, but absolutely try if you can!!! Going to have great drinks and they’re one of the big sponsors of Startup Crawl (one of my favorite events).

Just Food Foodtank Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th from 2:30pm to 5:30pm at Huston-Tillotson University
Honestly don’t know a ton about this one but it seemed interesting!

Brand Innovators Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th – 15th All Day Long at Lamberts BBQ
So this is definitely an industry style event you would hit if you’re looking to be Networking! I probably won’t hit this one myself since i’m not a networking gal, but seems like a great move for those who are!

Saturday, March 12th

Inc Founders House // 🍹 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 11th – 14th from 10:30am to 5:30pm at Cedar Door
Love this event every year! Usually pretty easy to get in with fun activations and food. Recommend linking your LinkedIn though.

Blockchain Labs // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 // March 11th – 13th at Trinity Hall
Do expect this one to be pretty tricky to get into, even if they technically have the RSVP list open!

Visit Fort Worth // 🍹 🍔 🎟 ⭐️ // March 12th – 14th All Day Long at Container Bar
Oh I am absolutely trying to get into this one and rep my hometown!!! They’ll have free Panther City BBQ and TX Whiskey!

Midwest House // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 ⭐️ // March 11th – 15th All Day at Half Step on Rainey
I absolutely think this Rainey spot will be a hard one to get into, but absolutely try if you can!!! Going to have great drinks and they’re one of the big sponsors of Startup Crawl (one of my favorite events).

Brand Innovators Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th – 15th All Day Long at Lamberts BBQ
So this is definitely an industry style event you would hit if you’re looking to be Networking! I probably won’t hit this one myself since i’m not a networking gal, but seems like a great move for those who are!

Opening Day at EU House // 🍹 💌 // March 12th from 10AM to 11PM at Native Hostel
This is going to be an insane party, if you’re able to get in. Pretty sure the lines will be wild, as they always are for Native Hostel party rooms. But if you live for a good rave, this is the event you wanna be at.

Sunday, March 13th

Inc Founders House // 🍹 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 11th – 14th from 10:30am to 5:30pm at Cedar Door
Love this event every year! Usually pretty easy to get in with fun activations and food. Recommend linking your LinkedIn though.

Blockchain Labs // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 // March 11th – 13th at Trinity Hall
Do expect this one to be pretty tricky to get into, even if they technically have the RSVP list open!

Midwest House // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 ⭐️ // March 11th – 15th All Day at Half Step on Rainey
I absolutely think this Rainey spot will be a hard one to get into, but absolutely try if you can!!! Going to have great drinks and they’re one of the big sponsors of Startup Crawl (one of my favorite events).

eMLS + Coca+Cola // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 // March 13th All Day Event at ACL Live
No clue what’s going on with this event, but always a sucker for a branded event at ACL! I think this one is going to be pretty tricky to get into, but if you make it in then I have no doubt it’ll be a blast!

Brand Innovators Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th – 15th All Day Long at Lamberts BBQ
So this is definitely an industry style event you would hit if you’re looking to be Networking! I probably won’t hit this one myself since i’m not a networking gal, but seems like a great move for those who are!

Monday, March 14th

Inc Founders House // 🍹 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 11th – 14th from 10:30am to 5:30pm at Cedar Door
Love this event every year! Usually pretty easy to get in with fun activations and food. Recommend linking your LinkedIn though.

Algorand in ATX // 🍹 💌 // March 14th from 1pm – 9pm at Bungalow
Unsure how much I know about this one. Seems like a lot of showcases about blockchain but I do thinkkkkk they will have free drinks.

JVN Hair // 🤷🏻‍♀️ // March 14th from 10am – 6pm at Janet St Paul Studio
Adding this more if youre a fan of JVN but this is just a timely event and not really a SXSW event!

Midwest House // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 ⭐️ // March 11th – 15th All Day at Half Step on Rainey
I absolutely think this Rainey spot will be a hard one to get into, but absolutely try if you can!!! Going to have great drinks and they’re one of the big sponsors of Startup Crawl (one of my favorite events).

Brand Innovators Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th – 15th All Day Long at Lamberts BBQ
So this is definitely an industry style event you would hit if you’re looking to be Networking! I probably won’t hit this one myself since i’m not a networking gal, but seems like a great move for those who are!

Tuesday, March 15th

Phocus Hosue // 🍹 🍔 💌 // March 15th from 1-3pm and 8-11pm on Cesar Chavez
A first one on my list but they are expected to have Nomadic Beer and Tacos

Midwest House // 🍹 🍔 💌 🎟 ⭐️ // March 11th – 15th All Day at Half Step on Rainey
I absolutely think this Rainey spot will be a hard one to get into, but absolutely try if you can!!! Going to have great drinks and they’re one of the big sponsors of Startup Crawl (one of my favorite events).

Tulsa Music SXSW // 💌 // March 15th from 12pm to 5pm at Augustine on Rainey
This is going to be a music showcase of artists from Tulsa! If you’re looking to enjoy new music this SXSW, then definitely check this one out

Brand Innovators Event // 🍔 💌 // March 11th – 15th All Day Long at Lamberts BBQ
So this is definitely an industry style event you would hit if you’re looking to be Networking! I probably won’t hit this one myself since i’m not a networking gal, but seems like a great move for those who are!

IFPA presents Global Street Farm at SXSW // 🍹 🍔 💌 // March 15th from 12PM to 8PM at Idle Hands
Going to have some cool musical artists performing! Worth visiting if you’re interested in Produce and/or in music? Another one I don’t know a TON about but could be cool!

Wednesday, March 16th

New Nashville Live Riverboat Show // 🍹 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 16th departing at 1PM and 7PM
So I think this one is going to be a super long line and I have never waited in line for this so can’t personally vouch for it, but if you’re down then this could be fun! Again, it’s limited capacity and the line is going to be LONG so it means you’ll miss other events!

Cybrverse Experience // 🍹 🍔 💌 // March 16th from 6pm to 10pm at the South Congress Hotel
They claim to have an open bar at the hotel for drinks during the showcase, but this is one i’m a little skeptical about so just keep that in mind!

All Together Now Event // 🍹 🍔 💌 // March 16th from 12pm – 5pm at Hotel St Cecilia
Password to RSVP is “Alltogethernow” and it sounds cool! Supposed to have free drinks and free Terry Black BBQ, so might be a fun one to pick up some food off SoCo!

Thursday, March 17th

Friday, March 18th

Austin Chronicle Event // 🍔 💌 ⭐️ // March 18th from 1PM to 5PM at Hotel Vegas
This looks like such a fun event! Basically a day party, more water than drinks, but lots of live music showcases which seems like it’ll be a blast. One I personally want to make sure i’m at!

Saturday, March 19th

How Did We Find These SXSW Events?

There are HUNDREDS more than this, but instead of sorting through those hundreds to figure out what’s worth it and what isn’t I wanted to compile my favorites for you. I’ll also be noting which I am personally going to be at because in my mind they are THE most worth it.

If you want to hunt for more yourself, try these amazing resources. Credit to them for helping me compile this list!!!!

Facebook Events or Eventbrite Events // Literally just search for Austin events the week of SXSW because most companies create these open events here! It’ll be an easy and fast way to find them all.

Chris Keegan Twitter // Gotta give props, Chris is by far the best resource for good SXSW events! I’ve been following him forever and he majorly stepped it up this year with his own APP to track them. Worth the download!

Festival Saviors Spreadsheet // The holy grail. Again, this has HUNDREDS of events which is why I compiled my top favorites below so you guys don’t have to spend hours sorting through it like I did.

The SXSW Guest Pass // Not really a resource, but more a thing you should get ASAP to make sure you can get into the big stuff with no trouble

The SXSW Unofficial Resource Guide // The same as most the stuff above, but just another good resource!