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 beloved 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 12-18, 2026, and if you’re interested in attending sans kiddos, check out the content our friends at Do512 are slingin’ about the festival here. You can 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!  

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— SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake |Sunday, March 15 | 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, family-friendly, and always feature an eclectic artist lineup. 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.

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— KUTX Live @ Scholz Garten | March 12 – 14| 8 am – 12 pm
KUTX Live is back again this year, welcoming audiences for the live broadcast at Shult Garten during SXSW. A $10 daily entry fee 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 13 – 15  | 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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— Internation Innovations| March 14  | 9 am – 4 pm
The SXSW Expo: International Innovations is a free, public showcase at the Fairmont that brings together global startups and exhibitors across tech, design, health and wellness, and social impact. Wander through interactive booths, hands-on displays, and future-focused exhibits in a come-and-go format that is easy to explore at your own pace. While it is not a kid-specific event, the visual demos and innovation showcases make it one of the more approachable daytime SXSW experiences to pop into without a badge, especially for kids interested in science, technology, or how things work.

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More: 

• Congress Avenue Block Party

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Header photo via SXSW Facebook Page.

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