Austin event guide
Austin Festival Week in March
Nine days of music, film and tech across downtown Austin during South by Southwest (SXSW), now held at venues citywide while the convention center is rebuilt. Pick the days you're going and we'll show where to stay and a three-day plan.
By Cameron HergetEvent dates checked against the official source
- Pick your days
- Groups of up to 16
- Mar 13–21, 2027
Where to stay for festival week
All Austin staysSuggested plan, day by day
These are suggestions, not a package. AvantStay doesn’t book, sell, or arrange any of these activities. Check hours, tickets, and reservations directly with each place.
Day 1 · Arrive: Barbecue, the Capitol & Red River
Settle in, then straight to live music.
Restaurant · Lunch
The most famous brisket in Texas. Line up early or pre-order.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Live music · Evening
One of Red River's long-running live music venues.
Photo: Nash Cook, CC BY-SA 2.0
Day 2 · Festival: Sessions & South Lamar
A day of programming downtown, dinner across the river.
Cafe · Morning
Coffee and the 'I love you so much' mural on South Congress.
Event · All day
Sessions and showcases spread across downtown. Plan walking routes between venues.
Restaurant · Dinner
Seasonal small plates on South Lamar. Book for a group.
Day 3 · Break: Lake, springs & a late show
A morning outside before one more night of music.
Outdoors · Morning
An easy waterside walk with skyline views.
Outdoors · Afternoon
A spring-fed pool at 68°F all year.
Live music · Evening
A South Congress live-music institution.
Good to know
Getting in
Fly into Austin-Bergstrom (AUS). Arrive a day early to miss the event-day rush.
Getting around
Downtown traffic is heavy during the festival. Walk or scoot between venues and keep the car for day trips.
Same weeks
Rodeo Austin runs March 12–27 and spring break traffic is common, so book early.
Optional extras
Through AvantStay concierge you can add fridge stocking or a private chef for the group, booked and paid separately.
Frequently asked questions
Close to downtown, where most festival venues are. The picks above are AvantStay's closest group stays to downtown.
March 13–21, 2027: SXSW EDU runs March 13–16 and the main festival March 15–21.
No. It closed in April 2025 for a rebuild and is due to reopen in 2029, so the festival runs at venues across the city.
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