Have Clothes, Will Travel
The annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, offers an unforgettable sensory experience with activities catering to all interests and backgrounds through the blend of technology, music, film, food, health, and culture.
In 2024, SXSW runs from March 4th through 16th, starting with the educational conference and ending with music showcases.
Attending SXSW comes with a hefty price tag, as badges for festival access can be quite expensive. For instance, the walk-up rate for entry to the EDU portion alone is $795, while primary access to all events is $2095 for walk-ups. However, there are many free SXSW events, parties, and shows each year.
SXSW EDU is an international education conference with daily keynotes, hundreds of sessions, 12 thematic tracks, film screenings, and opportunities to receive continuing professional education credits.
The festival’s interactive portion offers various sessions, panels, meet-ups, and workshops covering a vast spectrum of topics from technology, science, culture, design, transportation, energy, and more.
Initially, it served as a launching pad for emerging independent artists, helping launch the careers of several musicians, such as John Mayer and The White Stripes’ Meg and Jack White.
It draws attention to sustainable and healthy eating while exploring the impact of technology and innovation on the way we grow, process, cook, and consume food. Pro tip: The length of the line often indicates how amazing the offering is.