SXSW 2026 is set to transform downtown Austin into a vibrant hub for global creatives, running from March 12-18, 2026. This year, SXSW will feature seven consecutive days of music, film & TV, and innovation programming, offering unprecedented opportunities for cross-industry collaboration. With the expansion of the Music Festival to seven nights, artists will have more chances than ever to showcase their talents to a global audience in Austin’s most iconic venues.
SXSW 2026 will look different than ever before, with the festival condensed from its traditional nine-day run to a streamlined seven days, taking place March 12–18 in downtown Austin. Instead of splitting the event into separate phases for Music, Film & TV, and Innovation, all programming will run concurrently for the full week, creating a more immersive and interconnected experience. While the overall schedule is shorter, music fans can look forward to an expanded lineup with seven full nights of showcases—one more than in recent years. The change comes as the Austin Convention Center undergoes redevelopment through 2029, prompting SXSW to reimagine its layout with “themed neighborhoods” dedicated to each creative community, transforming downtown into a vibrant hub for collaboration and spontaneous encounters.
Those looking to contribute to the conversations shaping the future applied to speak at SXSW 2026. Through the PanelPicker platform, they submitted proposals for sessions and panels, giving the SXSW community the chance to vote on the topics they wanted to see. The application period ran from June 24 to July 27, 2025, and voting took place from August 5–24, 2025. It was a unique opportunity for participants to share their expertise with an engaged, creative audience.
For musicians, SXSW 2026 presents an incredible opportunity to take your career to the next level. With seven nights of showcases, the festival is an ideal platform for artists to perform in front of industry professionals and music lovers from around the world. If you’re ready to make your mark in Austin, don’t miss the chance to apply for a showcase. Applications for SXSW’s Music Festival are open now and provide artists with the platform to get their sound heard by a global audience.
sxsw.com • Facebook • Instagram
