SXSW 2024 is here! If you have a badge or a wristband, then there’s a ton of shows to choose from. And if you’re not sporting a credential at all? Well, there’s still a ton of shows to choose from. See here for some of the best (and largely FREE) parties happening across the festival.

Hotel Vegas & Volstead – March 8-13
For those who like a solid routine, you really can’t go wrong with just waking up and heading to Hotel Vegas & Volstead for the first chunk of SXSW. There’s a ton of great local and touring acts playing there, and you can’t miss no matter what day or time that you show up.

• Friday, March 8 – The Smoke Show with A Giant Dog, Como Las Movies, Susannah Joffe, and more. There will also be comedy acts, a pop-up by KG BBQ, and free THC gummy samples from Hometown Hero. This is a free show.
• Saturday, March 9 - SX Soundcheck with Golden Dawn Arkestra, Annabelle Chairlegs, Chief Cleopatra, and others, plus a whole roster of cumbia acts. You can also expect a punk rock vintage market. This show is free until 7pm.
• Sunday, March 10 - Side One Track One vs Austin Town Hall with TC Superstar, Font, Dossey, Club Coma, and more on an all-local bill that features nearly 30 artists. This is a free show.
• March 11-13 - Spring Break Boogie
  Monday, March 11 features Die Spitz, Urban Heat, Ringo Deathstarr, Richshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, and more.
  Tuesday, March 12 features Hinds, Redbud, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and others.
  Wednesday, March 13 features Daiistar, Omni, Body Meat, Sextile, and more.
  *All three shows are free until 5pm.

Marshall Funhouse – March 13-15
Head to the Parish from March 13-15 to get in on the Marshall Funhouse. Each day there’s essentially two parties: a day one that’s free with an RSVP, and then another at night that prioritizes SXSW credentials. Even in just looking at the day lineups, they’re stacked with the likes of The Black Angels, Being Dead, Dry Cleaning, Shannon And The Clams, Sparta, and plenty more noteworthy names.

South By San Jose — March 13-17
South by San Jose is set to ring in its 25^th anniversary from March 13-17 in the Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot. The free day parties will feature a variety of sounds from Alejandro Escovedo, Gruff Rhys, Madi Diaz, Sinkane, Cumgirl8, Snooper, and others. There will also be various vendors and pop-up shops across the event.

Floodfest — Thursday, March 14
The Mohawk will once again host Floodfest on Thursday, March 14. Chromeo will be putting on a DJ set (it’s their only performance at SXSW), and the rest of the lineup includes Hinds, Kneecap, Caleb Landry Jones, and more. The show is free with an RSVP.

Pooneh Presents at Radio East — March 14-15
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, local photographer extraordinaire Pooneh Ghana will be putting on a pair of shows at Radio East on March 14 & 15. The former will feature Shannon And The Clams, A Giant Dog, Big Bill, and others, and the latter’s lineup has Dry Cleaning, Bodega, Font, and more on it. Both day parties are free.

Rock The Shores — Saturday, March 16
For a family-friendly SXSW experience, get to Rock The Shores at Auditorium Shores on Saturday, March 16. The free event has a lineup that includes Sabrina Ellis & Andrew Cashen (from A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit), Parker Woodland, The Dinosaur’s Skin, and more.

The Big One — Saturday, March 16
Bring your SXSW to a close with The Big One at The Far Out Lounge & Stage on Saturday, March 16. The free with an RSVP show has a bill that includes Hinds, Urban Heat, Bodega, Remo Drives, Girl & Girl, and others.