South by Southwest 2024: Your In-Depth Guide

What could be better than picking the minds of future-shapers? South by Southwest Austin 2024 is your chance to engage with the best thinkers of our time!

Each year, the vivacious city of Austin, Texas, transforms into the ultimate playground for creative minds during the South by Southwest (SXSW). Fondly referred to as “South By,” this festival is an eclectic melting pot of innovation, music, film, and interactive industries.

So, you might be wondering, what is South by Southwest? It’s a question many folks, particularly those new to the creative arts scene, often ask. Well, South by Southwest is a global convergence of diverse minds and talents in the fields of music, film and technology.

SXSW is a smorgasbord of unique encounters and experiences where harmonious tunes, captivating films, and pioneering technology come together to create a thrilling and dynamic environment.

Anticipate losing yourself in an up-and-rising indie band’s performance one minute and marveling at cutting-edge tech advancements the next. Both day and night are equal parts exciting, with the evenings adorned by the glittering presence of celebrities adding their unique sparkle to the event.

Of course, no festival is complete without appeasing your taste buds. SXSW won’t disappoint the food enthusiasts among you, boasting a diverse assortment of food trucks offering alluring culinary delights.

So, gear up for 2024 SXSW. Let your hair down, open your eyes wide, and savour each brilliant, dazzling moment. With a compelling mix of entertainment, enlightenment, and even edibles, SXSW 2024 is a spring celebration like none other.

Follow along as we reveal what’s in store for South by Southwest Festival 2024.

South by Southwest 2024 Schedule

“When is South by Southwest?”

The South by Southwest 2024 (SXSW 2024) kicks off on March 8, 2024, and rounds up on March 16, 2024.

One distinguishing characteristic of SXSW is its multi-faceted nature. It distinctly represents a blend of several festivals. More so, the official and unofficial events of SXSW are hosted across the entire cityscape of Austin, Texas.

The schedule for SXSW 2024 includes:

  • The SXSW Music Festival happens on March 8-16 2024
  • The SXSW Interactive, also set to run from March 8 through to March 16, 2024
  • The SXSW Film Festival, beginning a tad early on March 6 and ends on March 16, 2024
  • The SXSW Comedy Festival, starting on March 8 and ending on March 12, 2024

Austin South by Southwest 2024 Venues

The vibrant city of Austin plays host to the electrifying SXSW festivities, with the pulsating heart at the Austin Convention Center. You’re in luck though: most of the action is just a hop, skip, and jump away! Strap on those comfy shoes, Austin’s treasures are best explored on foot!

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Must-See Events at South by Southwest 2024

SXSW Conferences

South by Southwest 2024 lineup features an assortment of enlightening talks, panel sessions, and special keynote addresses, categorized into 24 diverse thematic tracks.

Be sure to register for the conference events because the South by Southwest registration serves as your gateway to a magnificent conference festival that’s gaining global attention. Experience a unique gathering of brilliant technology partners from across the world, assembling right in the center of Austin, igniting unprecedented innovation and teamwork.

Here’s some exceptional events that are well worth your attention:

Featured Session: “10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2024”

A revealing exploration into what the future holds for technology. This session is recommended for tech enthusiasts craving insights into future trends.

Date: Mar 8, 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Access: Primary – Music Badge, Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge, Film & TV Badge

From Recipes To Revenue With Giada De Laurentiis

Learn the secrets of monetizing your passion for cooking from the famed Chef Giada De Laurentiis. A must-attend for budding entrepreneurs in the culinary industry.

Date: Mar 9, 2024
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am CT
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East 4th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701
Access: Primary – Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge

A Conversation with Daisy Ridley

Join the engaging conversation with beloved actress Daisy Ridley as she shares her experiences in the film industry. Ideal for film buffs and Star Wars fans.

Date: Mar 10, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Access: Primary – Music Badge, Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge, Film & TV Badge

Scaling Up With Mark Cuban & Andrew McCollum

Bring your startup dreams to reality with insights from industry magnates Mark Cuban and Andrew McCollum. Perfect for startups seeking growth and scale tips.

Date: Mar 10, 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East 4th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701
Access: Primary – Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge

Featured Session: AI and Humanity’s Co-evolution with OpenAI’s Head of ChatGPT

Deepen your understanding of AI’s exponential growth and its impact on humanity with the head of ChatGPT. An essential session for anyone intrigued by Artificial Intelligence.

Date: Mar 11, 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Access: Primary – Music Badge, Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge, Film & TV Badge

Olivier Rousteing’s Balmain: Melding Heritage And Innovation

Join Olivier Rousteing as he shares insights into the synergy of preserving heritage while driving innovation at Balmain.

Date: Mar 12, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm CT
Location: Hilton Austin Downtown, 500 East 4th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701
Access: Primary – Music Badge, Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge, Film & TV Badge

Featured Session: “Icons of Impact: A Conversation with Dwyane Wade

Date: Mar 13, 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CT
Location: Austin Convention Center, 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Access: Primary – Music Badge, Platinum Badge, Interactive Badge, Film & TV BadgeIcons of Impact: A Conversation with Dwyane Wade

Delve into a heart-to-heart conversation with Basketball Legend Dwyane Wade as he talks about influence and purpose. An inspiring session for sports enthusiasts and fans.

Explore the entire conference sessions here.

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Film & TV Schedule

“An Army of Women”

“An Army of Women” is a thought-provoking documentary that explores the vital role women play in shaping our societies. An inspiring exploration of fearless women from different walks of life who are creating change.

Date: March 8 and 12, 2024
Locations: ZACH Theatre, Rollins Theatre at The Long Center, and AFS Cinema
Times: 2:00 pm—3:24 pm, 2:45 pm—4:09 pm, and 6:00 pm—7:24 pm respectively
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Babes”

Redefining stereotypes, “Babes” is an enigmatic tale of strong and audacious young women striving for success. The narrative highlights female empowerment and explores its impact on the protagonists’ personal journeys.

Date: March 9, 2024
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:19 pm
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Monkey Man”

With a gripping screenplay, “Monkey Man” is a thrilling exploration of a man’s journey into the cityscape’s underbelly. A not-to-miss tantalizing blend of suspense and surprise, set to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Date: March 11, 2024
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Time: 9:30 pm—11:30 pm
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“The Fall Guy”

“The Fall Guy” is an intriguing narrative capturing the essence of resilience and struggle. The subject grapples with adversity in a chase for aspiration and ambition, an experience bound to resonate with the audience on a profound level.

Date: March 12, 2024
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Time: 6:15 pm—8:20 pm
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Y2K”

Stepping into millennium nostalgia, “Y2K” takes you on a nostalgic ride back to the turn of the millennium. The film artfully narrates an intertwining tale of human emotions and technology, making it a compelling watch for the audience.

Date: March 9, 2024
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Time: 10:00 pm—11:33 pm
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

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Television Premier

“Black Twitter: A People’s History”

Immerse yourself in the rich and engaging three-part documentary series which takes a deep dive into the foundation, people and defining moments that carved out the phenomenon known as Black Twitter.

Date & Time: Mar 8, 20248:45pm—10:19 pm
Location: Stateside Theatre, 719 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Hacks” Season 3

Experience the continued saga of a legacy comedian played by Jean Smart and her mentee, interpreted by Hannah Einbinder.

Date & Time: Mar 9, 202412:00pm—1:04 pm
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Star Trek: Discovery” Final Season

Witness the onset of a climactic journey for Captain Burnham and her team, featuring Sonequa Martin-Green and Doug Jones.

Date & Time: Mar 11, 20245:30pm—6:30 pm
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Photographer: Dan Winters”

Austin-based photographer Dan Winters becomes the highlight of this edition of the National Geographic series.

Date & Time: Mar 11, 20246:00pm—6:55 pm
Location: Rollins Theatre at The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

“Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story”

Thursday, March 14 | Follow the rock legend and see never-before-seen photos in this documentary.

Date & Time: Mar 14, 20243:15pm—4:11 pm
Location: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Primary Access: Platinum Badge, Film & TV Badge

Marvel at the full lineup of film and TV shows by following this link.

Music Festival

The Black Keys

The Black Keys, known for their blues-infused rock, are an American rock band formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. They will surely ignite the night with their electrifying performance.

Date: Mar 16, 2024
Time: 12:30am — 2:00am
Location: Stubb’s, 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Primary Access: Music Badge, Platinum Badge

Jack Van Cleaf

Bringing his unique indie-pop sounds, Jack Van Cleaf is a promising singer-songwriter whose emotionally-charged lyrics communicate with a wide range of audiences.

Date: Mar 13, 2024
Time: 9:00 pm – 9:40 pm CT
Location: The Iron Bear, 301 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Primary Access: Music Badge, Platinum Badge

Hinds

Straight from Madrid, Spain, Hinds will be delighting the audience with their brand of lo-fi, garage rock. Their energetic performances are known to bring refreshing vitality to the stage.

Date: Mar 13, 2024 and Mar 16, 2024

Time: 11:00 pm — 11:40 pm

Location: Shangri-La and Swan Dive

Primary Access: Music Badge, Platinum Badge

Ben Kweller

Ben Kweller, an American musician and former frontman of Radish, delivers a unique blend of indie rock and power pop. His heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies make him a crowd-pleaser at any event.

Date: Mar 15, 2024
Time: 11:10 pm — 12:00 am
Location: Mohawk Outdoor, 912 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Primary Access: Music Badge, Platinum Badge

Shannon and the Clams

Shannon and the Clams is a garage punk band hailing from California. Known for their vintage aesthetic and soulful tunes, they will certainly create a memorable experience for the SXSW attendees.

Date: Mar 15, 2024
Time: 11:00 pm – 12:00 am CT
Location: Stubb’s, 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
Primary Access: Music Badge, Platinum Badge

Find out which artists will be performing by clicking here.

Comedy

The details of the comedians set to grace the SXSW Comedy Festival in this year’s edition have yet to be released. Nevertheless, the last edition saw stellar performances from renowned personalities like Anna Kendrick, Chelsea Handler, Eric André, Patton Oswalt, and Tim Robinson.

Always check the event’s website to be updated with any information about the Comedy South by Southwest Lineup.

SXSW Badges

Are you wondering about the badge requirements for different events at SXSW 2024? You’re not alone, especially if it’s your first time attending the festival. Allow us to clarify this crucial aspect of the event experience for you.

South by Southwest tickets cost differ in price based on the amount of access they grant:

  • Platinum: $1,990
  • Interactive: $1,595
  • Film & TV: $1,495
  • Music: $945

Even without an official SXSW badge, you certainly have the opportunity to take part in SXSW at no cost whatsoever.

As soon as possible, begin following various accounts on Twitter and Instagram, blogs, and apps. Remarkably, some individuals dedicate their entire time during this specific week in March to keep you informed about all the FREE CONCERTS at SXSW. We’ll ensure to keep you in the loop with our regular event updates as well.

Note: It’s important to recognize that South by Southwest are trademarks owned by SXSW, LLC. Our use of the information here is under the purview of state, federal, and international trademark laws.

SXSW Parking Options

When visiting South by Southwest 2024, you’ll discover numerous parking options available. This is crucial to ensure a smooth, hassle-free event experience.

498 San Jacinto Blvd. Parking Lot

Starting from an accessible rate of $15, this parking lot is an affordable option for those planning to drive to the festival. Located conveniently at 498 San Jacinto Blvd., it puts you right at the heart of the action.

Fairmont Site Garage

Another feasible parking choice is found at Fairmont Site Garage, placed strategically at 101 Red River St. You can begin your festival journey here with parking rates starting from $12.

Courtyard Marriott Residence Inn Downtown Convention Center Valet Service

If you’re seeking a mix of convenience and luxury, consider the valet services at the Courtyard Marriott Residence Inn Downtown Convention Center. Located at 300 E 4th St, their services start from a mere $10, offering the festival-goers a lavish experience at an exceedingly affordable price.

Austin Attractions

After soaking in the bountiful creativity and innovation at South by Southwest 2024, we heartily encourage you to explore the charms of Austin itself.

This vibrant Texan city, steeped in a rich cultural milieu, serves as the perfect extension to your festival experience. Savor the taste of Austin’s cuisines, tap your feet to live music echoing from nearly every street corner, and lose yourself in the eclectic local shops of the buzzing South Congress district.

Nearby Hotels and Lodging

After an exhilarating day immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and activities of the South by Southwest 2024 festival, it’s time to take a breather. You deserve to kick back, unwind, and fully digest the sensory feast you’ve been treated to.

Absorb the rich tapestry of experiences you’ve collected, and let the day’s rush of energy gradually melt away as you refuel for the next day.

Book any of these hotels from Tripster.

Navigate the Dynamic Landscape of SXSW Festival 2024

Get set to plunge into the exhilarating world of South by Southwest Austin 2024 – a melting pot of eclectic music, interactive media, eye-catching films, and cutting-edge technology ready for you to explore. More than just a festival, this is your exclusive gate pass to ground-breaking acts amidst a vibrant cultural backdrop.

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Engage yourself in riveting dialogues spearheaded by industry forerunners, nurturing an enriched comprehension and admiration for a wide array of disciplines during the South by Southwest dates. Right beside tech and tunes, the film TV festival conference also lets us be familiar with the federal and international trademark laws.

South by SouthwestFestival in Austin TX is a golden opportunity for you to build connections with industry peers, creative minds, and ardent fans. With a broad range of events staged, there is a myriad of intriguing conferences on diverse subjects, as well as enthralling music festival showcases set to keep you both entertained and inspired.

Each element of the festival is crafted with precision to ignite creativity, encourage innovation, and instill a sense of awe and excitement in you.


Details

Start Date:

March 8, 2024 @ 10:00 am CST

End Date:

March 16, 2024 @ 11:00 pm CDT

Categories:

Venue

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Austin, TX United States

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Written by Anne Joyce Raymundo

Anne is a Filipino writer who formerly managed and created marketing strategies and materials for numerous websites and eCommerce platforms. Now, her voice...


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