Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend

Want the lowdown on the best free official SXSW happenings? We've got the details.

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SXSW showcases, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and more spring festivities are on the calendar this weekend. Check out our picks for the top things to do in Austin.

Thursday, March 17

SXSW Music
The SXSW fun continues with music festival programming through March 20. Taking place at more than 100 venues around Austin, this year’s lineup is overflowing with talent. Visit the SXSW Music Festival website for more event and registration information, as well as free official shows.

St. Patty’s Day in the Park at Indeed Tower
This outdoor party, hosted by Kilroy Realty, will feature live music and entertainment from Austin Celtic band The Here & Now and the dancers of the Irish Dance Center. In addition to the evening entertainment, guests can marvel at the tower’s 20-foot-tall light art installation, The Kilroy Star, as the sun goes down. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 19

Infamous Brewing Company presents 9 Years of Infamous Beers
Raise a cold one to nine years of business with the Infamous beers crew in the brewery’s own backyard. Highlights include crawfish, food trucks, giveaways, and live music from Crowtown and The Pendulum Hearts. Wine, Champagne, Hye Cider, and more than a dozen Infamous beers will be on tap for guests to enjoy. Admission to this event is free.

The Cathedral and atxGALS present Babes SpringFest 2022
The festival vibes continue as Babes SpringFest returns to The Cathedral for an all-day showcase of panels, performances, and art from local women. For tickets and a full programming schedule, go to the SpringFest website.

Dreamland presents Coverfest
Venture out to Dripping Springs’ Dreamland for the first-ever Coverfest, a celebration of the best tribute bands in Central Texas. The lineup includes Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda, Journey tribute band Departure ATX, The Watters performing as Return of the Mac (playing the music of Fleetwood Mac), and more all-star cover bands from the region. For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit the festival website.

SXSW is officially back.

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SXSW is officially back.

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Music Notes

The Octopus Project plays for Sims Foundation, plus more Austin music picks

Photo by Spencer Kelly

The Octopus Project to play a benefit for the Sims Foundation

It would be a shame to waste the generally mild winter that Austin is currently experiencing, so get out there and take in a local show or two. Recommendations for the back half of January can be found here.

Modernform at the 13th Floor – Friday, January 17
Modernform will put out a new single, “French 75,” this Friday, January 17, and then play a release show for it on the same day at the 13th Floor. Support for the up-and-coming post-punk act will come from Magic Rockers of Texas and Queen Serene. Tickets are $12.26.

Sonic Guild Ball at the Long Center – Saturday, January 18
The 11th Annual Sonic Guild Ball will take place at the Long Center this Saturday, January 18, and for the first time ever, it will be open to the public. The Point, Parker Woodland, Geto Gala, and more are set to perform at the event, which will see $150,000 in grants awarded to 20 Austin artists. Tickets range from $30 to $130.

Sims Foundation Benefit at Hotel Vegas – Sunday, January 19
Get to Hotel Vegas this Sunday, January 19, for a benefit for the Sims Foundation, which provides mental health care services to thousands of members of Austin’s music industry. The lineup is a big one that features the likes of the Octopus Project, Slomo Drags, Daphne Tunes, and Katie Claghorn (of Redbud). Cover will be a suggested donation of $25 at the door.

Quiet Company at 29th Street Ballroom – Friday, January 24
After a chunk of time off, veteran rock act Quiet Company are back and will be celebrating their “resurrection” — plus the release of a new song — at the 29th Street Ballroom on Friday, January 24. The Kickback and Dossey will get the evening underway. Tickets are $18.

Abortion Access Benefit Series at Hotel Vegas – Saturday, January 25
Ground Control Touring and Noise For Now, a non-profit that specializes in reproductive justice, will put on the Third Annual Abortion Access Benefit Series at Hotel Vegas on Saturday, January 25. The lineup is loaded with some of Austin’s finest artists, including Font, Good Looks, Sun June, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and more. Tickets are $27.88.

Witches Exist at Hotel Vegas – Friday, January 31
Get to Hotel Vegas on Friday, January 31, to ring in the arrival of an anticipated new EP from Witches Exist, who released a great 90s rock-leaning single, “Drown,” in the back part of 2024. Support for the evening includes A.L. West and Amelia’s Best Friend. Tickets are $15.

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