The 40th edition of SXSW will be returning to Austin, Texas in 2026 with major changes. The festival will take place March 12th through March 18th with a fully “reimagined” format. For the first time in its history, the Conference, Film & TV Festival, and Music Festival will all take place concurrently. 2026 invites and attendees now get the chance to dive into an immersive week of music showcases, film premieres, cutting-edge tech and culture panels, exhibitions, networking, and more.
40 Years of Memorable Moments
SXSW has grown since its 1987 debut from a regional music gathering to one of the most world renowned festivals. Its combination of film, music, technology, and culture allows for creatives of all facets to shine. The event has become a haven for all creatives to network and indulge in various activitions around the city to help promote the importance of art. With this year’s festival taking an all-inclusive approach, it’s important attendees note what’s to come.
For their 40th anniversary celebration, SXSW wants to do it big. They’ve added an extra night to the music festival portion, a crossover day mixer, and badge improvements,that gives attendees better chances at attending desired activities. Organizers are also adapting to broader changes in downtown. This is due to the current convention center being under construction. Organizers are curating “themed neighborhoods,” and a more integrated city-wide festival experience.
The perk of attending an event like SXSW is simple; Exposure. Some of the most talented creatives in the world will be showcasing their talented in hopes of being discovered and recognized as the next big thing. Austin will be a playground for ongoers to immerse themselves into new rooms no other festival provides. The only way to experience it, is by attending.
How To Attend SXSW 2026
Registration for SXSW opened back in October for potential attendees. All purchases will have to made directly through the events official website. SXSW offers a tier system of badges that includes the following:
PLATINUM: ($1495) – All-Access to everything SXSW
INNOVATION ($995) – Primary access to all conference related events & activations
MUSIC ($550) – Primary access to all music related events
FILM & TV ($825) – Primary access to all television and film events
SXSW 2026 is shaping to be one the most exciting festivals to attend early next year. With all creative world’s intertwined into one action packed week, attendees will receive an experience never seen before in Austin.
For more SXSW news, schedules and travel information be sure to stay interlocked with Respect My Region.
