While “family-friendly” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when we think of SXSW, there are always a handful of all-ages events at this massive ATX festival. The bulk of SXSW events require a paid badge, but we’ve rounded up the free and low-cost concerts and exhibits for families to attend.

SWSW is March 7-15, 2025 and if you’re interested in attending sans kiddos, check out the content our friends at Do512 are slingin’ about the festival here. Get more info on age recommendations and SXSW events here.

Save this page and circle back as SXSW draws closer as more events may come in!  Find more festival events here.  

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— NASA House: CreateSpace @ Austin Central Library |Saturday, March 8 from 10 am – 4 pm | Sunday, March 8 from noon – 4 pm
Visitors will get to help “shape space” at this immersive, free (no badge required) event by NASA and Austin Public Library. All six floors of the library will be transformed with hands-on experiences, interactive exhibits, and cutting-edge technology showcasing NASA’s full spectrum of discovery. At CreateSpace, you’ll also have an opportunity to meet NASA scientists and engineers, see robots, VR experiences & interactive simulators, and so much more. Get all the details here.

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— SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake |Sunday, March 9 | 3-7 pm
For more than 25 years, the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake has hosted free concerts for the community. The concerts are free and family-friendly. Attendees can bring a picnic or purchase food from local food trucks and cold drinks from The Beer Garden. This annual tradition is supported by KUTX, EQ Austin and the City of Austin, Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.

Here’s the 2025 Lineup:

• Sir Woman
• Geto Gala
• Pedal Steel Noah
• Lesly Reynaga
• And More!

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— KUTX Live @ Scholz Garten | March 12 – 15 | 8 am – 12 pm
KUTX Live is back again this year welcoming in audiences for the live broadcast at Shult Garten during SXSW. A $10 daily entry donation goes directly to Central Texas Food Bank, and kids 5 and under get in free. Get the guest schedule for each day here.

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— Flatstock | March 11-13 | 10 am – 5 pm
Flatstock displays and sells the works of the world’s top concert poster artists. The show features posters and stickers of varying styles, colors, and techniques for sale by the talented artists who created them. Flatstock is free and open to the public as well as SXSW registrants. Check here for more info.

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— Museum of the Future @ The Museum of the Future House at 3rd and S. Congress| March 7 – 11 | 10 am – 7 pm
Dubai’s iconic museum makes its debut at SXSW taking visitors from outer space to inner space and the world of tomorrow, according to the SXSW site. The Museum of the Future is free to the public, however, priority entrance is given to badge holders. Highlights include viral food experiences, immersive art, notable speakers, and so much more. Check the SXSW site here. 

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Header photo via SXSW Facebook Page.

Know of more family-friendly events?  Let us know in the comments below!