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SXSW 🤝 free events
Flatstock is a poster lover’s paradise. | Photo by ATXtoday
With SXSW 2026 just over a week away, we’re getting excited about one of the biggest festivals in the world returning to Austin for its 39th year.
Even if you don’t have a badge, there are official and unofficial events galore that are completely free to attend. In fact, around 53% of our audience only attends the free events. We’ve rounded up 17 events (so far) to get on your radar.
Lone Star Roadhouse | Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15
Bands like Rattlesnake Milk and Emily Nenni will provide the tunes, Lone Star will supply the beer, and East End Ballroom will host vendor markets for three days.
Flatstock | Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15
Peruse hundreds of music and event posters that are available for purchase, often by the artists who made them.
Future Summit | Sunday, March 15
Lock in for keynotes with Hayley Williams, Jonathan Van Ness, Jaclyn Johnson, and more than a dozen female industry disruptors.
Amplify Austin Day. The annual 24-hour giving event begins at 6 p.m. and invites Austinites to give back to ~800 nonprofits in an effort to raise $10 million. Learn how to participate.
Cause
Austinites came together to make 91 successful blood donations earlier this week in light of the shooting over the weekend. We Are Blood is still seeking O-positive and O-negative donations — make an appointment here. (KXAN)
Opening
Bar Hacienda, a moody cocktail bar that previously served customers inside Tiger Lilly, is setting up shop inside the former Tipsy Alchemist space on Rainey Street. It’s currently in its soft opening phase and plans to host a grand opening in March. (Austin Business Journal)
Concert
Gorillaz, the virtual band known for its four virtual mascots, will stop in Austin for its upcoming “The Mountain” tour. We “DARE” you to get tickets for the Thursday, Oct. 15 show at the Moody Center.
Eat
P. Terry’s is expanding its hours to 24/7 across 11 locations and staying open later at five more. That means 14 P. Terry’s stands are open 24 hours per day.
Coming Soon
The Well, a mini restaurant chain that focuses on clean ingredients, will open its fourth location in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood this spring.
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Category
Food
🔥 Some like it hot
Whether you like it hot or not, Diablo will let guests customize spice levels without compromising flavor. | Photo courtesy Taylor Hannan + ThiccBoyMedia
Reyna and Maritza Vazquez, aka the sister-founders of Veracruz All Natural, have a new concept up their sleeve: Diablo Hot Chicken.
The hot chicken restaurant, which also tapped chef Alejandro Rojas for the original chicken recipe, is expected to open out of a food truck at 2505 Webberville Rd. (which also houses a Veracruz All Natural location) later this month.
Though the motto is “Born in Hell. Built to Burn,” guests will be able to choose the spice intensity, which incorporates Mexican chile into the classic Nashville hot chicken profile. Follow the restaurant’s process on Instagram.
The Buy
A 4.5-star rated practice golf mat. It simulates a real hitting experience with three different mat options so you can practice driving, chipping, putting, and more.
If donating money through Amplify Austin Day isn’t in your plans at the moment, you can always give back to the community by checking out these volunteer opportunities. Plus, It’s My Park Day is coming up this weekend.
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