Concerts, Posters, and Expos Open to the Public at SXSW 2026

It’s a year of tradition-bending for the multifaceted festival – as you may have heard. Still, South by Southwest community events, open to the Austin community and badge-holders alike, will continue this year, if on a different schedule.

The annual Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake will return Sunday, March 15, with a 5:30pm performance by eclectic duo and music festival stalwarts Tune-Yards. The Lumineers continue the series over at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park the following night, Monday, March 16.

Other free and open-to-the-public events include the Congress Avenue Block Party (formerly known as the Registrant Lounge), where Orville Peck will perform Saturday, March 14, at 7pm. The block party holds court at 900 Congress throughout the fest, with daily activations and sponsored pop-ups for badge-holders and the public. 

Local nonprofit EQ Austin will present seven nights of all-local showcases, all starting at 7pm at the recently rebranded Lefty’s Day and Night (formerly Lefty’s Brick Bar). Must-see Austinite acts include indie rockers Gummy Fang and Big Bill on Thursday, March 12, and a sampling of Texas rappers and hip-hop artists organized by KUTX’s The Breaks on Friday, March 13. Saturday welcomes R&B singers Mélat, Maya Sampleton, Smooth Nature, and Chief Cleopatra, among others. Sunday features surf-rock vibes with Eddie Angel and deCasa, while Monday leans into guitar-forward, genre-bending songwriters with Elijah Delgado, Julie Nolen, Marley Hale, and Montclair. Tuesday, March 17, is a true grab bag, pairing pop-influenced rapper promqueen and world-blending group Cazayoux, and Wednesday, March 18, wraps up the festivities with a Latin-forward showcase including Joel Loredo and R&B-inspired eydrey.

The Downright Hotel, which serves as the Music clubhouse in this year’s Downtown-spanning SXSW map, will host local and national acts during the day on their Radio Day Stage and international performers on their evening Global Stage – both of which are open to the public. 

If your ears need a break from all the cutting-edge music, feast your eyes on Flatstock’s iconic concert posters and pop-culture art pieces, hosted in the Austin Marriott Downtown’s Moontower Hall from March 13-15. 

Tech is as central to the festival as ever, and the public is welcome to explore exhibitors and businesses innovating in technology, design, entertainment, health and wellness, and more at the SXSW Expo at the Fairmont’s Manchester Ballroom on Saturday, March 14, and Wednesday, March 18, from 9am-4pm.

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