What to bring:

• Water. There will be a lot of free beverages and booze, but not as much free H2O. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking, so make sure you’re staying hydrated.
• Comfortable shoes. This festival takes place all over the city, so you should bank on walking a few miles per day... at least.
• A power bank. Don’t underestimate all the photos, videos, and notes you’re going to take.
• A clear bag, if you’re planning on attending events at the Paramount or State theatres.
• Sunscreen. Temperatures are shaping up to be pleasant, with small scattered chances of rain, so you’ll want to protect yourself from the bright Texas sun.
• Your SXSW GO app, which will keep your schedule at your fingertips, keep you up-to-date on start times, and notify you of any changes in real time.

How to get around

• Take SXSW’s free shuttle service, which runs between 28 venues.
• Take advantage of Austin’s ample micromobility by hopping on a scooter.
• Get those steps in with SXSW’s official walking map, which measures distance from the Austin Convention Center.

• Meet the Mayors: Mattie Parker | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2315 Red River St., Austin | Free | Spend an afternoon with Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker.

• Hotel Vegas & Volstead 12 Year Anniversary | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 2 p.m. | Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. 6th St., Austin | Free | Expect local acts, drink specials, and giveaways at this 21+ celebration.
• Artist Talk with Rejina Thomas | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $20 | Join an intimate talk with the local artist behind “Signs and Symbols: The Trees are Talking,” Rejina Thomas.
• Grey Horse Film & Show | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 9-10:30 p.m. | The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $10 | Catch a showing of the short documentary film, “Grey Horse,” followed by a performance of Sam Grey Horse’s original music.

• SPI Fest 2023 | Friday, Mar. 10-Saturday, Mar. 11 | 5 p.m. | Flamingo Cantina, 515 E. 6th St., Austin | $30-$50 | Expect to see The Skajects, Flip and the Combined Effort, The Toasters, and dozens of other artists at this two-day event.

• We Are Blood T-Shirt Giveaway | Sunday, Mar. 12-Friday, Mar. 31 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | We Are Blood, 4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | Free | Through the month of March, We Are Blood will give all blood and platelet donors a specially designed t-shirt for supporting local patients.

• 82º | Mostly cloudy | 17% chance of rain

• Say goodbye to Hotel San Jose and the Austin Motel, which will be transformed into the fictional city of Prime, TX for SXSW this weekend. Be on the lookout for the gas station market Swarm, three themed pop-up bars, and a barbecue restaurant in the “city” by Amazon Prime. (Eater Austin)
• Not enough festival news for you? Tickets for Aaron Franklin’s Hot Luck Fest are now on sale, starting at $206 for a day pass. The festival, which runs from Thursday, May 25-Saturday, May 27, will feature local music and dozens of restaurants from all over the US. 🔥

• Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s sixth local restaurant is gearing up to open in Northwest Austin. At 14028 N. US 183 near Lakeline Mall, the restaurant will serve the full menu, have a covered patio, and a local mural. 🍜 (Austin Community Impact)
• The Driskill Grill has officially returned to Downtown Austin after closing down in 2020. The new menu will focus on Texas classics, with a historical twist, honoring the hotel’s 137-year history.
• The largest rock climbing gym in the Southwestern US opened its doors in Austin. The Mesa Rim Climbing Center has 50,000 sqft of space, 55-ft-tall climbing walls, a yoga studio, a sauna, and more. 🧗 (KXAN)

• Nau’s Enfield Drug, which shuttered this month after operating in Clarksville since 1951, is hosting a liquidation sale. Everything in the store, including its neon sign, will be up for grabs from Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19. (Eater Austin)

• Austin is the most pet-friendly city in the US, according to a report from Zillow. At least 80.8% of rental listings allow pets in Austin, plus, Dallas and Fort Worth claimed the second and third spots. 🐶