How To: Go to SXSW Events for Free

{free fun at Prize in Austin, TX}

One of the many reasons I love Austin, TX is because of fun events like SXSW. Luckily for me, I live in this awesome city for school. I had an extra day to spare here for spring break, so I partook in some of the fun. What a lot of people don’t know about SXSW is that you don’t need a badge to attend many of the events; there are tons of free + fun things to do! Though I’m no expert, here are some tips that helped me get around the hustle and bustle of SXSW without a badge:

1. Check local websites.
A friend of mine referred me to sites like Do512 and Free Fun in Austin to find free SXSW events online. These websites are great resources to find fun things to do and see around the city that don’t require money or a badge. Though the interactive and film parts of SXSW are over, there are tons of parties, performances, and guest speaker events to attend for the music portion of SXSW. If I wasn’t in Chicago right now, I would totally be watching BØRNS perform at Waterloo Records today!

2.  Follow your favorite brands through social media.
By following your favorite brands and influencers on places like Twitter and Instagram, there’s a good chance they’ll announce their whereabouts if they’re in town for SXSW. For example, Carly Blair of Margot Blair Floral (@margotblair) announced a DIY fresh flower crown workshop with this picture in partnership with Laurel & Wolf. I immediately jumped on the idea, because I’ve interned with Carly before, and I’ve seen her gorgeous work firsthand. Plus, aren’t flower crowns so pretty?! Attending events like these allowed me to meet other great ladies and discover even more brands to love.

{my DIY fresh flower crown from the #camplaurelandwolf event}

3. RSVP to events.
While many events for SXSW are free, some do require RSVP. It’s best to plan ahead by looking online and checking out events early at Do512, so you can secure a spot if you’re wanting to see specific people perform in the next few days. If you can’t manage to RSVP, there are still many fun things to do that are open to the public, like live mural paintings, guest speakers, and the SouthBites Trailer Park full of yummy food trucks!

{Salt & Straw roasted strawberry and toasted white chocolate ice cream melting in 90 degree weather}

If you’re in Austin for this weekend, get out and have fun! I recommend a good pair of walking shoes to walk around the city, since SXSW traffic is still busy. Austinites, did you get to attend any SXSW events this year?