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Best of the fest: Your ultimate guide to SXSW 2026

It’s the SXS-Best time of year in Austin, and SXSW 2026 is going to look a bit different this time around, so buckle in and let us help you plan.

March 5, 2026 • 
Laura Figi, Morgan O’Neal
Minaa B., Alok Vaid-Menon, Ana Kirova, and Kesha sit down for a panel conversation on the stage at SXSW 2025.

The countdown is on to one of the biggest festivals in the world.

Photo by ATXtoday

Table of Contents
Impact
Conference
Film & TV
Music
Comedy
Badge breakdown

SXSW 2026 is just around the bend, which means the Capital City is preparing to host hundreds of thousands of visitors, celebrities, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and more.

The festival will be held from Thursday, March 12 to Wednesday, March 18 this year. Even though it’s shorter than usual due to the ongoing Austin Convention Center construction, there’s still a lot on the agenda.

While you’re prepping your schedule, don’t miss our guides to all the Austin-based musicians performing and SXSW events that don’t require a badge.

Impact

This isn’t just one festival we’re talking about — it’s several of them wrapped into one.

SXSW has so much programming that it would be impossible to see it all. There’s so much, that the unofficial motto of the festival is “JOMO,” aka “joy of missing out.” The seven-day festival includes keynote sessions, live music, film premieres, love podcasts, comedy sets, and interactive exhibits.

Here are a few fun stats about SXSW’s reach in 2025:

  • 309,327 people attended the SXSW and SXSW Edu
  • 3,409 people spoke during the conference
  • 1,118 musicians performed
  • 28% of attendees came from one of 95 countries outside the US

Plus, SXSW generated $380.9 million worth of economic activity in Austin during the 2023 fest.

Conference

ATX_SXSW2026Tracks

Platinum badge holders can access every track. | Graphic via SXSW

SXSW is on a streamlined schedule this year, condensed down to 21 tracks and four badge types. Here are some of the biggest sessions we’re keeping an eye on.

Note: Programming access prioritizes different badge types — check “badges” under each event to see if your pass allows entry.

We also tune in to the welcoming remarks to set the tone for the festival. See the full conference schedule.

The Paramount Theatre with barricades in front, bikers riding by, and people walking past.

Major movie stars like Elle Fanning, Demi Moore, and Lili Reinhart will come to Austin to promote their films.

Photo by ATXtoday

Film & TV

Don’t touch that dial. There are dozens of world premieres on the SXSW schedule, with more than enough content to consume. Here are six film + TV premieres that we recommend:

Film premieres

  • “I Love Boosters” | Thursday, March 12 + Friday, March 13 | Starring: Keke Palmer, Will Poulter, and Demi Moore
  • “Forbidden Fruits” | Monday, March 16 + Tuesday, March 17 | Starring: Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union
  • “Over Your Dead Body” | Saturday, March 14 + Monday, March 16 | Starring: Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, and Timothy Olyphant

Television premieres

See the full SXSW Film & TV Festival lineup.

A woman wearing flowy, white pants crowd surfing with a big smile on her face. In the background, her bandmate stands on an amp and Dr. Martens logos hand on the walls.

There are hundreds of musicians who will take the stage at SXSW 2026, and 166 of them hail from ATX.

Photo by Adam Kissick via SXSW

Music

You can’t have a festival in the Live Music Capital of the World without some tunes. Read our roundup of all 166 local artists performing at SXSW 2026 — and jot down these big names we’re excited to see:

Plus, this year’s Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival (which has 1,000 wristbands available to reserve or tickets for $65+) lineup includes Calvin Harris, Major Lazer, Christina Aguilera, GROUPLOVE, and Foster the People.

Check out the official SXSW Playlist and the full SXSW Music lineup.

Comedy

The Creek & The Cave and Esther’s Follies will host this year’s SXSW Comedy Festival. Here are some of the biggest performers coming to ATX.

Badge breakdown

Badges for SXSW range in price depending on the level of access:

  • Platinum: $1,995+
  • Innovation: $1,395+
  • Film & TV: $1,170+
  • Music: $820+

That said, volunteers at the festival can receive a free badge. To earn a badge, you’ll need to work between 24 and 56 hours, depending on the badge you’re aiming for, and be at least 18 years old. See the full requirements.