Your Ultimate Guide to March Events in Austin
Written by: Enjoli Henderson
Austin is heating up this March. Music, festivals, and a little bit of adrenaline await. With mild days, cool nights, and that perfect springtime breeze, it’s the ideal time to get out and explore the city. Ready to experience Austin like never before? March has something for everyone, if you know where to look.
SXSW 2026: Downtown is the Playground
Photo Credit: SXSW
Big changes are coming to SXSW this year! With the Austin Convention Center offline for renovations, the festival is spreading out across downtown, turning the city itself into your SXSW playground. Organizers are setting up three themed “Clubhouses” as home bases for different parts of the festival. These Clubhouses will serve as spots to grab your bearings, meet other festival-goers, and recharge before diving back into the action.
And this year, it’s all happening in one jam-packed week: March 12–18. Every panel, film screening, music showcase, and tech demo will run concurrently throughout the week, giving downtown a nonstop, city-wide creative energy you won’t want to miss.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned SXSWer, this year is all about exploring, discovering, and experiencing Austin like never before.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Photo Credit: Jack and Ginger’s Irish Pub
Join the festive, free celebration on Rainey Street at Crazy Conchaz, featuring live music, green beer specials, and a lively holiday vibe from 2pm until 2 am on Tuesday, March 17th.
For those who want to make the most of the holiday, the Austin Official St. Patricks Day Bar Crawl starts at Coyote Ugly Saloon and includes several downtown bars. There are versions of the crawl on both March 14th and March 17th, so you can join the fun whenever it fits your schedule.
Rodeo Austin & Fair
Photo Credit: Rodeo Austin
Y’all, it’s Rodeo Austin season! From March 13-28, the city comes alive with a mix of classic Texas charm and big city excitement. Whether you are rolling in with the family, heading out with friends, or just want to soak in some Texas Culture, Rodeo Austin has something for everyone!
Pro tip: Plan ahead for your favorite shows and rides as this is one of Austin’s most popular spring events, so tickets fill up fast!
Grand Prix of the Americas
Photo Credit: Gold & Goose
Start your engines, Austin because MotoGP is back at the Circuit of the Americas! From March 27-29, the world’s top motorcycle racers hit the track for a weekend of high octane action, adrenaline, and speed that you can feel from the stands.
Even if you’re not a hardcore racing fan, the festival-like atmosphere makes it a fun outing. Think food trucks, fan zones and live music. Book your tickets early, plan your parking or shuttle options, and get ready for a full throttle Austin experience you won’t forget.
Ways Austin is Supporting the Community
Photo Credit: Brandon Bell
In light of the tragic mass shooting on West Sixth Street, several local businesses and community initiatives are stepping up to support victims, families, and healing efforts in Austin. These efforts are part of how the city has rallied together following the incident that left multiple people injured and claimed several lives.
- Marfa Lights Bar announced it would donate 100% of its sales on Friday, March 6th starting at 4pm to families of the victims. Located on 718 W. Sixth Street.
- JABS will donate all proceeds on Saturday March 7, from its Fairground location to Night Owl Therapy, a nonprofit providing free therapy to nightlife industry workers, artists, and entertainers.
- We Are Blood – a local blood bank has asked donors who are O positive and O negative to give blood to help victims who were injured during the shooting.
Conclusion
Austin’s March lineup is too good to sit out. The city is alive with energy, adventure, and community this month. March in Austin is more than events; it’s an invitation to get out, explore, and truly experience everything this city has to offer.