SXSW 2027: what to do in Austin after hours

12 to 21 March 2027 · ExpectedAustin, United StatesTech, film and music festival

SXSW keeps attendees on the show floor all day and leaves the evenings, the day after and partners' days free. This guide covers dinners that need booking, evening outings, a companion day and the day after in Austin.

Tours in Austin Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Many panels and parties are free with RSVP: sign up early in the week.

Airport to Austin Convention Center and venues downtown

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA.

Everything downtown is walkable; scooters and pedicabs fill the gaps.

Public transport directions to Austin Convention Center and venues downtown

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	East Austin and the airport	Rentals and chains.
Mid-range	South Congress	Shops, music and food trucks.
Splurge	Downtown and Lady Bird Lake	High-rise hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 11 March to 22 March. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual show week schedule for 12 to 21 March 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Evening one

Friday 12 March

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.

EveningLive music crawl Evening · Nightlife
Sixth Street and Rainey Street.
EatVeracruz All Natural Migas tacos

Evening two

Saturday 13 March

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.

EatTorchy's Tacos Local chain
After darkSixth Street, Rainey Street and East Austin.

Companion day

Saturday 13 March

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.

Full dayHill Country wine tour Full day · Food
Fredericksburg wineries.

The day after the show

Monday 22 March

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.

Half-dayHamilton Pool and swimming holes Half day · Family
Book Hamilton Pool ahead.
EatFranklin Barbecue Queue from 8 am
FreeZilker Park.

Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.

EatTerry Black's BBQ without the wait
EveningBat watching cruise Evening · Family · Low walking
Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Hamilton Pool and swimming holes

Book Hamilton Pool ahead.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

Paddle under the skyline.

See times and prices

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Thinkery children's museum.
Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Live music crawl

Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

See times and prices

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Full day · Food

Hill Country wine tour

Fredericksburg wineries.

See times and prices

After dark

Sixth Street, Rainey Street and East Austin.

6 tours worth booking for SXSW

Tour	Length	Good for
Hamilton Pool and swimming holes	Half day	Families
Hill Country wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Barbecue tour	Half day	Food lovers
Kayak on Lady Bird Lake	Half day	Families
Live music crawl	Evening	Night owls
Bat watching cruise	Evening	Families, Tired legs

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Franklin Barbecue Queue from 8 am
Terry Black's BBQ without the wait
Veracruz All Natural Migas tacos
Torchy's Tacos Local chain

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Blanton Museum of Art.
LBJ Library.

Getting around on event days

CapMetro buses and rideshare; event weeks have heavy traffic.

Day trips from Austin

Fredericksburg: 1.5 hours
San Antonio: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for SXSW.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is SXSW 2027?

The next edition is 12 to 21 March 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Austin Convention Center and venues downtown?

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA. Everything downtown is walkable; scooters and pedicabs fill the gaps.

Where should I stay for SXSW?

For most visitors the best base is South Congress: Shops, music and food trucks.

What can we do between sessions at SXSW?

Good short outings in Austin include Barbecue tour, Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near SXSW?

Family-friendly picks: Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Bat watching cruise, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. Thinkery children's museum.

How far is Austin Convention Center and venues downtown from Austin centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Everything downtown is walkable; scooters and pedicabs fill the gaps.

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