SXSW Attendee Guide

The SXSW Attendee Guide is your ultimate companion to South by Southwest with a suite of navigation tools and resources to help prepare you for the adventure ahead. If you've bought a badge and are coming to Austin, start here and we'll see you soon!

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Welcome to South by Southwest!

 

South by Southwest (SXSW) refers to all the conferences and festivals that run concurrently for one week in March each year in Austin, TX.

March 12 - March 18, 2026

SXSW Innovation Conference
SXSW Film & TV Festival & Conference
SXSW Music Festival & Conference

March 13 - March 16, 2026

SXSW Comedy Festival (All Badges Welcome)

Platinum Badges access all our Conferences and Festivals, while industry specific badges like Innovation, Film & TV, and Music access their specific events and communities. And our Comedy Festival welcomes all Badgeholders.

For first time attendees, it can feel overwhelming to attend. What if you don’t see all the things? Where do you even start? What does my badge get me into?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The SXSW Attendee Guide is your source to get the most out of your time at South by Southwest.

All Badges Start Here

 

1. Create Your Profile & Link Your Badge

After your SXSW badge has been purchased, you will receive a registration confirmation email. Access your unique link code in your email or your Shopping Cart’s “Purchase History.” Sign into your SXSW ID account at id.sxsw.com and paste your link code. Detailed instructions can be found in our Registration FAQs.

After linking your credential, you can create your profile by adding a headshot, bio, and more in the “My Credentials” section of SXSW ID. Any information you add here to public fields will automatically be synced to the attendee directory in the SXSW Schedule and SXSW GO app where you can find other attendees — and they can find you too!

2. Book Your Hotel

Book your hotel room with SXSW Housing, where you can access exclusive rates at the best downtown hotels closest to official SXSW venues.

3. Build Your Schedule

The SXSW Schedule is live! Customize your own list of must-see events and continue to browse as programming is added leading up to March. Date, time, and venue details will automatically update when that information is available closer to the event.

Explore

Reservations

 

Our events are available to badgeholders with and without Reservations. Reservations are venue-based and account for a portion of the room size, but they don’t mean an event is necessarily full. If you are not able to secure a Reservation for an event, join the walkup line.

You can check the event status for each event on the SXSW schedule or the SXSW GO mobile app to help you plan on the ground.

Reservations for Mentorship Sessions and Workshops are required, but these don’t count against your total advanced Reservations limit.

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I've Arrived! Now What?

 

Badge Pickup

Badge and Wristband Pick-up Locations and Times

Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Road
Great for locals coming by car!

Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Music Festival Wristbands
Dedicated Platinum Badge Lane
Plus support for:

  • Volunteer Managers
  • Event Staff & Contractors

OPEN: SUN MARCH 8 - WED MARCH 11

Omni | Guadalupe Room, Level 1
255 E. 8th St
Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Plus Support For:
Filmmakers
OPEN: WED MARCH 11 - MON MARCH 16

JW Marriott, Griffin Hall, Level 2
110 E. 2nd St

Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Music Festival Wristbands
Dedicated Platinum Badge Lane
Plus support for:

  • Press
  • Event Recording & Licensing
  • Speakers

OPEN THURS MAR 12 - WED MARCH 18

Downright, Capitol View Terrace, Level 3
701 E. 11th St

Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Music Festival Wristbands
Plus Support For:
Showcasing Artists

OPEN: WED MARCH 11 - WED MARCH 18

Fairmont | Manchester Foyer, Level 5
101 Red River St.

Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Plus Support For:
Showcasing Artists

OPEN: WED MARCH 11 - WED MARCH 18

Fairmont | Indigo, Level 4
101 Red River St.
Available at this location:
ALL SXSW Badges
Plus support for:
Clients & Sponsors

OPEN SUN MAR 8 - WED MAR 11

To pick up your SXSW Badge or SXSW Music Wristband, you must present a government-issued ID. To expedite the badge pickup process, please remember to upload your photo to id.sxsw.com ahead of time.

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Badge Secured! Check out these events to jump right in.

Congress Ave Block Party

XR Experience

Exhibitions

Brand Activations

Rolling Stone Future of Music – SXSW 2025 – Photo by Caleb Pickens

Radio Day Stage

The Daily Show Correspondents – Roy Wood Jr., Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta

Comedy Festival

New in 2026! Clubhouses

 

Check out your Badge's Clubhouse

The Clubhouses are basically the heartbeat of each SXSW neighborhood. A home base, a hangout, and a “you had to be there” moment all wrapped into one. Each Clubhouse is built for our Innovation, Film & TV, and Music communities - so find your people or if you're Platinum, try all three.

Clubhouse Hours

Innovation Clubhouse (Brazos Hall): 3/12 - 3/18, 12pm - 10pm

Film & TV Clubhouse (800 Congress): 3/12 - 3/18, 12pm - 10pm

Music Clubhouse (Downright Hotel): 3/13 - 3/18, 12pm - 8pm

SXSW Merch

 

For 2026, we’re proud to partner with AS Colour, a premium merch provider known for creating top-tier apparel designed to last. From their humble beginnings in New Zealand to their global presence today, AS Colour has set the standard for high-quality, sustainably made garments.

Merch Discount

During the festival, Platinum badge holders receive a 10% discount on all SXSW Merchandise.

On The Road Again—SXSW Merch Truck is Back!

Hitting the asphalt again for the third year, the SXSW Merch Truck is rollin’ up around town bringing exclusive drops, limited-edition tees, and must-have swag straight to where all the fun is.

Take a peek at the schedule and see all locations around town where you can grab official SXSW merch on the go. Ready to take in some music showcases? Music Wristbands will also be available to purchase at the SXSW Merch Truck. Find the truck, grab the merch, thank us later!

BUY MERCH

SXSW Merch Truck Schedule: (Hours and locations subject to change.) COMING SOON

Keynotes and Featured Sessions Live Stream

 

During the week, SXSW carries a selection of our Featured Sessions and every day’s Keynote live streaming on SXSW's YouTube Channel. If you’re unable to attend in-person, watch from your laptop, mobile device, or use that daily drink ticket and watch with other badgeholders at the Congress Ave Block Party.

Lost and Found

 

Misplace something important? We have a Lost and Found. Search before you go! Hyatt Place, Meeting Room 1 Hours: 3/9-3/18, 8am-5pm

Don't Forget to Follow Us

 

More Resources