Tips and Tricks to Enjoy SXSW

South by South West (SXSW) is one of Austin’s biggest events of the year. From Friday March 7th to Saturday March 15th, downtown Austin will be full of events, activations, and opportunities to try something new. While a city wide festival can be overwhelming to approach, here we have noted a few tips and tricks to make the most of the busiest week in Austin.

Get the SXSW Go App

For full access to a complete schedule, easy to follow maps, and customized plans, the SXSW Go App can serve as the hub for your SXSW plan. Whether you’re a badge holder or just looking for free events, the SXSW Go App allows you to use multiple filters to find events that fit your style. When searching conferences you can look by format or topic. Music and film events can be filtered by genre, age, and country. These features allow you to add events to your plan, receive notifications when they’re upcoming, and have a stress free South By experience.

Volunteer for SXSW

SXSW badges can become pretty pricey as they include a week of events and activations all over the city. To avoid the high cost and still get the most out of the festival, consider becoming a SXSW volunteer. SXSW offers volunteer positions with a range of requirements and badge access. By volunteering, you will have the opportunity to work SXSW events and enjoy them as a patron when your shift is over.

Utilize Bikes, Scooters, and Walking

With over 1,000 people traveling to Austin for the SXSW week, traffic can become quite congested. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft will see price spikes as demand becomes high. Luckily, downtown Austin is equipped with multiple options for rental bikes and scooters. By downloading the Uber app you can rent Lime scooters and bikes. Austin also has multiple CapMetro bike stations that allow you to rent bikes around the city.

Explore Downtown on Foot

Many SXSW opportunities can be found by simply being in the right place at the right time. As the festival takes over the city, many brands will set up activations right on the street, offering samples and experiences to those passing by. Local Austin business will open their doors with activations, trials, and discounts due to the heavy SXSW traffic. East 2nd Street, South Congress, and Rainey Street are all popular places for free events and experiences. While the weather is nice, get outside and explore! You never know what cool experience you’ll find.

Follow SXSW Social Media Accounts

When looking for information or upcoming events, the SXSW social media accounts are great resources for your SXSW needs. The @sxsw Instagram page is updated multiple times a day with the latest event promotions and information launches. The account also highlights showcase events from each section of the festival.

Network and Explore!

The final tip for enjoying SXSW is to really get out there, network and explore! With such a large scale event taking up an entire week all around the city of Austin, there is truly so much to discover. Creatives and intellectuals from all over the country and the world will be throughout the city, making an incredible opportunity to expand your horizons. From a large movie premier with A list actors, to an artist’s very first installation, SXSW has a spot for it all. Taking the time to explore and try something new will be all worthwhile for the SXSW experience.

SXSW is an exciting, fast-paced week full of opportunities to explore, connect, and experience something new. Whether you’re attending panels, discovering new music, or stumbling upon unexpected activations, a little preparation goes a long way in making the most of the festival. By utilizing the SXSW Go App, taking advantage of alternative transportation, and keeping an open mind, you’ll be ready to dive into everything Austin has to offer during this unforgettable event. So get out there, embrace the energy, and make this SXSW week one to remember!