The crowds have cleared, the dust has settled, and at last, we’ve caught up on sleep.
Now that South by Southwest 2025 is in the rearview, it’s time to reflect. Here are 25 big and small moments from our experience at this year’s festival that made it one for the books.
No. 1
Visiting the São Paulo House, where we drank green juice, ordered lattes, and watched artists create spray-painted bucket hats.
No. 2
Gluing our eyes to the screen for the premiere of “The Yogurt Shop Murders"— which follows an Austin cold case — at ZACH Theatre. Afterward, “Dazed and Confused” director Richard Linklater moderated a Q+A with the HBO docuseries director Margaret Brown.
No. 3
Eating Barbie birthday cake mochi for breakfast. The pop-up was in the SXSW Registrant Lounge, where badge holders can get one free drink daily, check out brand activations, and chill between sessions.
No. 4
Chowing down on tacos, chips, and guac at Taqueria 10/10. Though it’s located in an alley adjacent to the Austin Convention Center, we felt like we’d escaped the festival frenzy under its disco ball and green lights. Psst — Blake Lively also ate here during SXSW.
No. 5
Being serenaded by Megan Moroney while eating Terry Black’s BBQ at the Uber x Waymo launch party. Did you know you might call an Uber and be picked up in an autonomous vehicle? Read our Q+A about Uber x Waymo’s partnership in Austin.
No. 6
Seeing life through a bat’s eyes in a mixed reality experience called “EchoVision,” which was executed in part by UT Austin professor Jiabao Li. Using a bat-shaped headset, AI technology, and bat calls, we got a peek into how bats (like our own in Austin) experience the world.
No. 7
Hearing global superstar Kesha‘s take on fighting loneliness in the digital world during a panel with poet Alok Vaid-Menon, mental health educator Minaa B., and Feeld CEO Ana Kirova.
No. 8
Meeting Mirokaï ES, a humanoid robot with the ability to use its arms + hands, follow your eyes, and answer questions, at “Artificial Presences: AI, XR and Humanoid Robots.”
No. 9
Knocking out some of the ATXtoday newsletter at Jo’s Coffee Downtown. We ordered an Arnold Palmer, the spicy BLT, a pistachio latte, and french fries — the perfect festival fuel.
No. 10
Seeing a screening of “The Makings of Curtis Mayfield,” directed by GRAMMY Award-winning artist H.E.R. Violet Crown Cinema, a boutique movie theater in the 2nd Street District, was the coziest venue to enjoy the documentary feature.
No. 11
Listening to live music in the JBL Sound Bodega, a free activation with giveaways, live screen printing, and photo ops inside ACL Live at 3TEN.
No. 12
Satisfying our sweet tooth with The Churro Burro ATX, a dessert catering company serving the greater Austin area. We loved the dulce de leche — their most popular flavor — but we’d also like to try the birthday cake buttercream and cheesecake sauces.
No. 13
Discovering new companies from around the globe at the SXSW Expo. Countless exhibitors filled the convention center’s core, creating an experience where festival goers could wander for hours.
No. 14
Shopping for screenprints and soaking up inspiration at Flatstock, a massive marketplace where artists sell concert posters, original artworks, stickers, and more eye candy.
No. 15
Jamming out with Urban Heat at Mohawk during its annual Marshall Day Party. The Austin-based band puts on an epic show with vocals that remind us of legendary singers like Billy Idol and Brendon Urie.
No. 16
Meeting Die Spitz‘s Kate Halter at the merch table after the local band’s set. The bassist told us it’ll be an exciting year for the alt-rock band, with an album and tour on the horizon.
No. 17
Stopping Brigitte Bandit, a force in the Austin drag performance scene, for a quick conversation and photo in front of Cheer Up Charlies on Red River Street.
No. 18
Rewarding ourselves with Aburi Oshi Sushi + a glass of wine and margarita from Ellis Bar after a long day. Did you know the flame-seared sushi is currently available at Fareground Austin? Now you do.
No. 19
Spotting the Goodyear Blimp in the sky. The iconic blimp was in town celebrating its 100th birthday, marking the first time it had flown over the Capital City in over a decade.
No. 20
Perusing the SXSW 2025 merchandise, which is still available online. Our favorite items were the “Spicy Tee” and the “2025 Loteria Event Tee.”
No. 21
Taking a social media masterclass from Jon Youshaei, an ex-employee of YouTube and Instagram. You can learn the same lessons via his YouTube channel, and while you’re at it, go ahead and follow ATXtoday to see our new skills in action.
No. 22
Fleeing the city for a day to attend Luck Reunion, an annual music festival on Willie Nelson’s ranch in Spicewood. Though it isn’t technically related to SXSW, the event typically falls late during the festival’s second week. In case you missed it, here’s how to score tickets for next year.
No. 23
Sitting in on a conversation between Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. The featured session, dubbed “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” uncovered how the band uses technology to connect with their audiences.
No. 24
Saying goodbye to the Austin Convention Center. On the festival’s final day, we took one last walk through the place SXSW has called home for decades. It was nostalgic and bittersweet knowing the building will be torn down in April, but we’re excited for what’s to come.
No. 25
Taking 120,000+ steps combined during the week. Worth it.
