Austin, October 1, 2025
News Summary
The SXSW 2025 festival will kick off on March 7, offering attendees exclusive accommodation deals and a variety of free events. This year features the newly opened Downright Austin hotel as the clubhouse for the Music Festival, partnering with top hotels for low rates. With interactive art installations, live music, and diverse food options throughout the city, festival-goers can expect a memorable experience. Badge pricing varies, allowing access to numerous showcases and screenings, while community engagement and performances by renowned artists enhance the overall vibe.
Austin, Texas – The highly anticipated SXSW 2025 festival is set to commence on March 7, 2025. This year, attendees can look forward to exclusive accommodation deals, a range of free events, and exciting festival highlights that promise an unforgettable experience.
SXSW Housing partners with top hotels in Downtown Austin to provide registrants with exclusive low hotel rates when booking through SXSW Housing & Travel. Hotel inventory will be available after registration, accessible via custom booking links provided through email or the SXSW Cart. A comprehensive resource page has been compiled for easy attendance planning, including the Hotel Availability page, Getting Around page, and Travel page. Attendees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with reservation policies to clarify booking details ahead of time.
This year’s festival features the newly opened Downright Austin hotel, which will serve as the clubhouse location for the SXSW Music Festival. This modern hotel boasts 367 rooms and will host live performances, demo listening sessions, and mentoring events. With convenient access to most music venues, attendees will find themselves just a short walk from the action. Additionally, the Hilton Austin hotel, located steps from festival venues, offers amenities such as a rooftop pool, restaurants, and meeting spaces, making it an attractive option for visitors.
SXSW 2025 will kick off with numerous free events, including interactive art installations, live music, and pop-up experiences. Attendees can indulge in a variety of food and drink options through free activations offered throughout the city. Exciting highlights include the Museum of the Future presented by the Dubai Future Foundation, featuring chocolate tastings and traditional chai demonstrations. To secure spots for popular experiences, attendees are encouraged to RSVP, as many are first-come, first-served.
For those interested in attending specific showcases, badge prices have been set as follows: the Platinum badge costs $2,295, the Interactive festival badge is priced at $1,695, the Film and Television festival badge is $1,395, and the Music festival badge is $995. For those wishing to experience live music, a Music wristband is available for $189, which grants access to showcases on over 50 stages from March 10-15. Additionally, Film & TV wristbands are priced at $150, providing access to over 300 screenings from March 7-15.
In addition to the festival’s offerings, there will be numerous free food events available, including tastings of Costa Rican bites, Australian-themed cuisine, and local Austin treats. The festival emphasizes community engagement, featuring free immersive exhibits and discussions at various venues, as well as a scavenger hunt for free celebrations. Major performances will include renowned acts like The Killers and The Strokes alongside local rising artists.
Attendees are encouraged to sign up for email updates regarding important festival dates and programming announcements to stay informed and make the most of their SXSW 2025 experience.
FAQ
When does SXSW 2025 start?
SXSW 2025 starts on March 7, 2025.
What are the accommodation options for SXSW 2025 attendees?
SXSW Housing partners with the best hotels in Downtown Austin to offer exclusive low hotel rates when booking through SXSW Housing & Travel.
What are some free events at SXSW 2025?
Free events at SXSW 2025 include interactive art installations, live music, pop-up experiences, and numerous food activations throughout the city.
What are the costs for badges at SXSW 2025?
Badge prices are as follows: Platinum badge: $2,295; Interactive festival badge: $1,695; Film and Television festival badge: $1,395; Music festival badge: $995.
Key Features of SXSW 2025
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | March 7, 2025 |
| Accommodation | Exclusive low hotel rates available through SXSW Housing & Travel |
| Free Events | Interactive art installations, live music, pop-up experiences |
| Badge Prices | Platinum: $2,295, Interactive: $1,695, Film & TV: $1,395, Music: $995 |
| Music Wristband | $189 for access to 50+ stages |
| Film & TV Wristband | $150 for access to over 300 screenings |
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Additional Resources
- SXSW Official News: Austin Industry Day Returns
- Wikipedia: SXSW
- Austin Monthly: The Best Free Day Parties at SXSW 2025
- Google Search: SXSW 2025
- Eater Austin: SXSW 2025 Free Food
- Google Scholar: SXSW
- Austin American-Statesman: SXSW 2025 Free Events Lineup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: SXSW
- Texas Monthly: SXSW Changes
- Google News: SXSW 2025
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
