With the million + things happening in Austin during SXSW, it can be really tough to decide on which events to attend. When I even think about wading through all of the choices, my chest starts to get a little tight. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to a handful of events that we think will be worth your time! Here it is: Top SXSW 2015 Kid-Friendly Events.
Multi-Day Events
KUTX Music Broadcasts at Four Seasons Hotel Austin – Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, March 19, Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. Shows begin at 7 and 8 
a.m. The Four Seasons Hotel Austin and KUTX-FM 98.9 present live morning broadcasts featuring music and interviews with several of SXSW’s most anticipated performers. These broadcasts include intimate 25-minute sets by 16 artists, giving locals and out-of-towners alike unprecedented access to many of this year’s festival favorites. If you can’t make it in person…. listen live on 98.9. Four Seasons Hotel, $10 donation to the Seton Shivers Cancer Center, with a breakfast taco and unlimited coffee as part of admission.
KGSR Live Broadcasts – Wednesday, March 18, Thursday, March 19, Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. 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! Check out lineup here. The W Austin from 6-10am, $5 donation to Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas.
Central Concerts- Join the Library for three official SXSW Day Shows featuring homegrown music from:Convict Hill on Thursday, March 19, Lacy Rose on Friday, March 20, and Ricky Stein on Saturday, March 21. FREE! Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe.
Eco Light Garden– Join SXSW Eco at Republic Square Park from Sunday, March 15 – Saturday, March 21 to celebrate the intersection between innovative lighting technology and interactive public art. This annual project provides a peaceful escape from the crowd and offers a chance to interact with the latest efficient LED technologies. This year, explore projects from Aerosol Warfare Studios, Barco, Crash Alchemy, Charles Gadeken, Gavvot Productions, Houndstooth, Ink Tank Art Collective, Lumenpulse, and Praxis Creatives. FREE! Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe Street.
SXSW Gaming Expo- Friday, March 13, Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15 from noon- 8 p.m. Drawing developers, manufacturers and fans from all facets of the community, the Gaming Expo is the epicenter for gaming culture at SXSW. This diverse range of events combines well-loved elements of geek culture with the cross-console video game world. And it all happens in Austin, Texas, a true hotbed for the expanding gaming industry. With panels at the Geek Stage, a free expo, rocking parties, demos, and networking opportunities, no event bridges the gap between industry insiders and the general public quite like SXSW Gaming. The Gaming Expo is open to the public with free Guest Pass wristbands, available in advance or onsite at the event. Visit guestpass.sxsw.com for more information. SXSW Badge and Wristband holders do not need a Guest Pass to attend. Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Road.
SXSW Outdoor Stage at Auditorium Shores- Thursday, March 19, Friday, March 20 (gate opens at 3 p.m.) and Saturday, March 21 (gate opens at noon). The SXSW Outdoor Stage at Auditorium Shores features a three-day series of free-to-the-public, charity beneficiary concert events with the beautiful Austin skyline serving as the backdrop. It is SXSW’s largest stage with more than 50,000 attendees over three days. The lineup includes Spoon, Ryan Bingham, and many more.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls Party– 6:45 p.m. Join Sarah Ortiz, SowleSisters.com, and Charlie Belle for a night of fun — ending in true Smart Girls style — with a dance party with DJ Lauren Larose! FREE! Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, 79 Rainey Street.
Wednesday, March 18 , 2015
Family Music Meltdown– 3-7:30 p.m. Gather the entire family and head down to east Austin to rock out with Gina Chavez, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, The Not-Its!, The Jellydots, Big Don and Ralph’s World for the 2nd Annual Family Music Meltdown. FREE and open to the public. Pack a picnic or bring some money to order delicious food from Uncle Louie G’s and Lambert’s Foodapalooza food trucks. There will be plenty of entertainment on hand as well. Oswaldo A.B. Cantu/ Pan American Recreation Center Gym, 2100 E. 3rd Street.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
My Music RX– 10 a.m. – noon. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is among over a dozen bands performing at this 3rd Annual Rock Show for Kids with 100% of proceeds benefiting kids with cancer. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Fader Fort, 1101 E. 5th Street.
Do512 Family Picnic– (Originally planned for Tuesday– this event has been rescheduled to Thursday) 2-8:30 p.m. Do512Family and It’s Time Texas have teamed up to bring your family a fun and relaxing day of music and kids activities at Midway Food Park. Music from Wino Vino, The Tontons, The Suffers, Boss Street Brass Band, Austin School of Rock, The Groundwork Music Orchestra. In addition to the live music, there will also be a magic show with Magician Black Bert from Fantastic Magic Camp, balloon animals, face painting and other kid-friendly activities and games. FREE! RSVP here. The Midway Food Park,
Friday, March 20, 2015
Girls Rock Austin SX Day Party– 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. See over a dozen girls rock the Cherrywood Coffeehouse stage. FREE Admission. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1401 E. 381/2 Street.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Rock + Chalk at The Domain– 3-7:30 p.m. Five bands including Ralph’s World, Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Elizabeth McQueen, Joe McDermott, and Groundwork Music Orchestra will rock on stage while the kids create chalk art in the Chalk Art Zone, presented by All Things Kids. FREE Admission. Register here to win VIP Passes– some include free valet parking at The Domain the day of event! The Domain, Amy Donovan Plaza.
Mad Tiger Festival 2015– 1-5 p.m. Peelander-Z, Mother Falcon and Koo Koo Kanga Roo are performing at this family-friendly, FREE unofficial SXSW showcase at Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater, Mueller Blvd. and Aldrich Street.
Bonus Special Deal!
Birds by Barbershop Fest (offering $10 hair cuts!)- Starting Friday, March 13 through Saturday, March 21. This year we are excited to announce nine days of fun, taking place during the annual South by Southwest interactive, film and music festival. Open daily, attendees can enjoy complimentary Shiner beer, play classic arcade games and enjoy works by artists Gerardo Arellano (Austin, TX) and Ellen Rutt (Detroit, MI). We will also be livestreaming performances from the Fader Fort during the music portion of the festival, so you won’t miss out on any of the action. RSVPers will receive a $10 credit towards any haircut for the duration of the event. While we are open to the public, badgeholders who RSVP will also receive a FREE Verb hair product with their cut (for more information, visit www.verbproducts.com). Be sure to snag your tickets, there is a limited supply!
Interested in hearing some SXSW music without the kids? Check out our Monthly Music Mama Special SXSW Edition Music Roundup for ideas.
