It’s that time of year again. Hundreds of thousands of folks are preparing to descend upon Austin for SXSW, aka one of the biggest festivals on the planet.
The festival will be held from Friday, March 7 to Saturday, March 15 this year. Here are a few fun stats about SXSW’s reach in 2024:
512,722 people attended the festival
3,852 people spoke during the conference
1,248 musicians performed
24.6% of total attendees came from one of 108 countries outside the US
Plus, SXSW generated $380.9 million worth of economic activity in Austin during the 2023 fest. Suffice to say, it’s a big deal, not to mention that SXSW recently expanded to London and Sydney.
Conference
Get ready for nine days of learning, imagining, rocking, and exploring at one of the biggest festivals in the world.
Graphic via SXSW
Here are a few activations to keep an eye out for:
Sports Capital of Texas Motorcycle Rodeo | Now-Saturday, March 1 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Dell Diamond, Round Rock | Free | Law enforcement motor officers from across the US will gather to compete in speed + precision courses — but who will be crowned Mr. Rodeo?
“Jade in America” | Now-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | The VORTEX | $15+ | Comedian Jade Esteban Estrada will bring his one-man comedy show to Austin — you bring the laughs.
Friday, Feb. 28
NASCAR at COTA | Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Circuit of the Americas | $70+ | Drivers, start your engines — this weekend features two NASCAR national series races and off-track entertainment like dance and aerial troupe performances, pig races, and live country music.
Ashes & Arrows | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at 3TEN | $28+ | Spend your Friday night with this musical trio known for their harmonies and lyricism.
Saturday, March 1
Carnival of Orchids Show + Sale | Saturday, March 1-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Zilker Botanical Garden | Free with admission | See blooming orchids from around the globe, shop for plants, and enter to win raffle prizes.
Improvised Jane Austen | Times vary | Fallout Theater | $10 | The improv comedy group performs in the style of the “Sense and Sensibility” author, with a lot of humor in the mix.
Saturday, March 15
Tyler, The Creator | Saturday, March 15-Sunday, March 16 | 7:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $239+ | An “EARFQUAKE” is coming to Austin — don’t miss your chance to see the GRAMMY-Award winning rapper live.
Find candidates who want to work right here, right now. | Gif by 6AM City
Local job boards are a total game-changer — for both job seekers and businesses. Instead of sifting through endless listings, they focus on quality over quantity, connecting employers with candidates who actually want to work in the area. That means fewer relocation headaches and better retention.
For big and small businesses, it’s a smart way to connect with candidates who understand the local community and culture. Plus, hiring locally usually means a faster, smoother hiring process. Whether you’re looking for a job or trying to fill one, ATXtoday Job Board keeps things simple, practical, and close to home.
A second location of cocktail bar The Wheel is now open in south Austin. The bar — which comes from the same team behind Gibson Street Bar, Sign Bar, and Mean Eyed Cat — is located near St. Edward’s University on South Congress Avenue and will soon be joined by Side Eye Pie’s second trailer.
Concert
"Where Is My Mind?” It’s dreaming about seeing Pixies at Moody Amphitheater on Friday, Sept. 5. The rock band will be joined by Austin-based band Spoon and Fazerdaze — tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28.
Edu
Austin Independent School District was accepted into the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program. As a result, eligible teachers could earn an extra $3,000-$28,000 per year. (KXAN)
State
Next time you’re in Galveston, make a note to visit Gaido’s. The seafood restaurant was crowned the winner of the James Beard Foundation’s 2025 America’s Classics: Texas Award and has been a staple in the seaside community for 114 years.
Sports
Kumar Rocker’s start may have been a little rocky, but it showed potential for greatness. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Number
$4,000. That’s how much we’re looking to raise to support our staff and mission here at ATXtoday — and our fundraising ends tomorrow. If you love the free community resource you’re reading right now (we sure do), support us today with a one-time donation. See how close we are to our goal.
Sports
Game, set, match. Don’t miss tennis stars like Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Ajla Tomljanović in action at the 2025 ATX Open, happening now through Sunday, March 2 at Westwood Country Club. Reserve tickets.*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases, helping you save even more while you pay down your debt.*
Number
$2,101. That’s the record-breaking price that car insurance premiums are projected to reach in 2025. Read: It’s more important than ever to make sure you’re not overpaying. Review Money’s best car insurance list to see if you could save (maybe up to $1,300 a year).*
Category
Pets
🐶 The dog days are just getting started
MUTTS Canine Cantina was made with a pup-first mentality. | Photo courtesy of MUTTS Canine Cantina® Austin
Whether you’re in need of a drinking paw-tner at a local brewery, hitting the market, or just dining out, well bone appétit. Get ready to dig into this guide for dog-friendly spots around the 512.
Pro tip: You can use BringFido to find more dog-friendly restaurants, pet-friendly hotels, and events, too.
Jo’s Coffee | Dogs are beloved patrons at this mini-chain (they are front-and-center on the website), which is known to host breed meet-up events.
Barkin’ Creek Dog Kitchen & Bath | Grab pre-packed gourmet meals, baked goodies, snacks, custom cakes, and apparel all made exclusively for dogs at this dog-first bakery and bathhouse.
MUTTS Canine Cantina | The new pet-friendly bar and grill contains two off-leash dog parks and hosts a slew of themed get-togethers, including dog-training workshops, “yappy” hours, and adoption events.
Your two new best friends to speed up blow drys: a really good hairbrush and Kenra Platinum’s time-saving blow dry spray. The Wet Brush hairbrush features a vented design for faster airflow plus heat-resistant bristles, while the 4.7-star rated Kenra spray detangles, smooths, and decreases blow-dry time by 50%.
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