Want to take advantage of all the excitement during SXSW? Check out these events today!
Family Friendly Festival Picks for Thursday, March 17:
— SXSW Gaming Expo @ Austin Convention Center, 12-8 p.m.
The gaming Expo is free and open to the public with Guest Pass wristbands, which can be found here. The expo combines well-loved elements of geek culture with the cross-console video game world.
— SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake, 2-9 p.m.
Free, all ages, outdoor shows return to the SXSW Outdoor Stage (located at 800 W Riverside Dr.) with three nights of entertainment. Gates open at 2 p.m. and Carson McHone is first to take the stage at 4 p.m. followed by Parker Millsap, Brian Fallon, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down and Ray LaMontagne Deftones finishing the night at 8 p.m. Free with Guest Pass.
— Flatstock 53 @ Austin Convention Center, 2-6 p.m.
Presented by the American Poster Institute (API), Flatstock 53 will display the works of the world’s top gig poster artists. The show runs March 17-19 and will feature posters of varying styles, colors and techniques for sale by the talented artists who created them. You can stop in, browse and shop for cool concert posters and more. Free with Guest Pass.
— One x One @ TOMS Austin
kids activities from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. & all ages concerts from 5-8 p.m.
TOMS Austin is opening its doors to you and the kids a series of parties, craft sessions, concerts and more. Each day from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., you can bring the whole family for activities geared towards kids. From 5-8 p.m., enjoy live music for all ages. All of this entertainment is FREE with RSVP!
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — (for ages 12+) Hip Hop and Poetry Saved My Life is a performance workshop using Hip Hop as a medium of communication. Throughout the workshop we will discuss the power of Hip Hop and all it’s elements. Participants will get a chance to build on thier public speaking skills through freestyle and musical timing through DJing.
- 5-8 p.m. — Music from Decora, Thaddeus Anna Greene, Jovi Rockwell and the Relatives
— Free Music for Kids & Families @ The Little Yoga House, 1 p.m.
Families are welcome to the deck at The Little Yoga House for free music daily during Spring Break from 1-2 p.m. Music on Thursday is from Mr. Simon from the Que Pastas.
— MyMusicRx: YOU WHO Rock Show For Kids @ The Fader Fort
March 17, 10 a.m. – noon
This morning Rock Show for Kids will benefit MyMusicRx, the only “kid-prescribed” in-hospital and online music medicine program in the nation. One hundred percent of proceeds will help fund MyMusicRx’s bedside and online programs that deliver the healing power of music to seriously ill kids and teens. Enjoy art activities and music from Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Cody Chesnutt and more. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Kids 10 & under are free. Buy tickets in advance online here.
— KUTX Live Broadcasts @ Four Seasons, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
98.9 will air four early morning broadcasts live from the Four Seasons hotel. These shows are a great opportunity to let your kids see some amazing music in a calm environment. Admission is $10 on a first-come, first served basis, and includes a breakfast taco, granola bars and coffee. Today’s line-up includes White Denim and Twin Peaks. Click here for the day’s schedule.
— KGSR Live Broadcast @ W Austin, 6 a.m.
For a $5 donation to the Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas, you’ll enjoy 4-hours of exclusive, live interviews and performances from featured SXSW artists, and the first 300 guests through the door each morning will receive a complimentary breakfast treat. Today’s line-up includes CHVRCHES and many others. Click here for the full line-up.
— Waterloo Records Day Party @ Waterloo Records, 12-6 p.m.
Free shows, all ages, no wristbands required. Autograph signings after the shows. Lineup includes Yuck, White Reaper and much more.
— South X San Jose @ Hotel San Jose, starts at 12 p.m.
South By San Jose (SXSJ) is an annual 5 day festival concurrent with SXSW Music Festival in which the hotel parking lot is transformed into a live music venue with bands, local vendors and concessions. The event is always free and open to everyone. Line-up for the day includes Hayes Carll, Bombino and more.
— Quantum Collective Southwest Invasion 2016 @ Whole Foods , 12-7 p.m.
An amazing 3-Day event on the Whole Foods Rooftop Plaza during featuring over 30 artists. Music lineup for the day includes Made of Oak, Little Hurricane and more. Free with RSVP.
— SouthBites Trailer Park
March 11-19
Want to try some new food during Spring Break? Stop by the SouthBites Trailer Park, presented by Favor. Located at 604 Driskill St., it’s a showcase of noteworthy food trucks form Austin and all over the U.S. Click here to view the full list of trucks you’ll find there.
–> Looking for more fun ideas for the day? Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
For more ideas, check out our list of Spring Break Ideas for Families and take a peek at our Daily Calendar.
–> Want more ideas of what to do during SXSW? Check out our big list of family-friendly festival fun.
