Photo Courtesy: Theresa Dimenno
Founded in 1987 in Austin, South by Southwest has grown into the ultimate gathering spot for creatives from around the world. Journey through its history and discover how speakers, artists, and filmmakers have shaped SXSW over the years, along with a few public events that are free to attend.
SXSW official dates are March 7-March 15, 2025.
It all began with a shared belief among a group of creative Austinites:
some local talent was just as skilled—if not more—than the global icons they all knew and loved. The missing piece, however, was visibility.
There was a gap in exposure, an absence of connection to global audiences.
Thus South By Southwest had its first debut in 1987. The first seven years saw steady growth, but SXSW ’94 marked a turning point, especially with the iconic
Johnny Cash keynote and performance.
That year also saw the introduction of two new events—Interactive and Film—which would fundamentally change how the world saw SXSW. As the internet was still in its early stages of transformation, both the film and digital communities discovered a new home at the festival.
Other iconic performers and speakers include Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Sheryl Sandberg, and many many more.
Today, the annual March event is widely considered a must-attend for global professionals, offering a range of events, music and comedy showcases, film and TV screenings, world-class exhibitions, professional development and networking opportunities, tech competitions, awards ceremonies, and more.
This year’s announced keynote speakers include Mark Cuban, Neil Druckmann, Pedro Pascal, Issa Rae and many more. Beyond speakers SXSW hosts an impressive array of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions all over the city.
Other events include:
Community Concert
The SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake is our biggest stage, offering free, family-friendly shows open to the public. Set at 800 West Riverside Drive., the Austin skyline provides a stunning backdrop for live music performances. Bring your own picnic, or indulge in delicious bites from local food trucks, and enjoy a cold drink at The Beer Garden.
More Information: HERE
Flatstock
Looking for the perfect centerpiece for your gallery wall, a concert poster of your favorite artist, or even a sticker referencing a specific meme from 2011?
Look no further than Flatstock. The best concert posters have always captured both the essence of the music they promoted and the spirit of the time in which they were produced.
More Information: HERE
The SXSW Expo
The convergence of all industries on the cutting-edge of technology, design, social good, entertainment, health + wellness, and more.
Mindfully curated, SXSW spends the year searching for brands, services and products that will take attendees into the 22nd century and beyond.
Hundreds of exhibitors from across the globe meet under one roof to ignite passions, collaborate and share groundbreaking discoveries. The SXSW Expo is open to all badgeholders, open to the public for Austin Industry Day on March 12th.
More Information: HERE
Whataburger
Museum of Art
March 8-9
This exclusive exhibition features a curated selection from the WMOA collection’s 200+ original pieces, blending digital, mural, abstract, and pop culture art—all with a signature Whataburger twist.
More Information: HERE
Mionetta Salone | March 11
From Italy to Austin: Embrace the Italian Orange Soul with Mionetto.
Indulge in the vibrant spirit of Italy with art, music, delicious cuisine, spritzes, and Prosecco. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience and savor the true essence of Italy—right here in Austin!
More Information: HERE
Create and Cultivate: Future Summit 2025 | March 9
The Future Summit is a free, one-day event in Austin, Texas, bringing together top entrepreneurs, industry experts, and creators to shape the future. Dive into a full day of engaging panels, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities—all centered around innovation and upskilling.
More Information: HERE
Pop Up Grocer | March 7-April 6
Catch Pop Up Grocer in Austin, as they pop up on East 6th for the month of March. They are bringing all the best brands with them. Through PUG, you'll discover products that are hard to find or see elsewhere, and that support the growth of independent makers.
More Information: HERE
The Lodge: A Paramount+ Experience | March 9
From the Mountain to Rainey Street, this tour will take you on a journey through the unique world of Paramount+. Fans are invited to harness the potential power of the artifact relic from Halo, step onto the iconic bridge of the U.S.S. Discovery ahead of the Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 premiere at SXSW, and explore interactive experiences inspired by your favorite titles like The Chi, Survivor, Ink Master and many more.
More Information: HERE
Since 1987, the event has evolved in numerous surprising and impactful ways. However, at its heart, SXSW continues to serve as a platform for creative individuals to advance their careers by uniting people from all over the world to connect, learn, and exchange ideas.
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