How Music Wristband Access Works

The SXSW Music Festival takes place March 13-18, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Nearly 1,400 Showcasing Artists representing a comprehensive mix of brand new, up-and-coming, international, and legendary artists of all musical genres take the stage for six nights across the city of Austin.

A SXSW Music Festival Wristband guarantees you will not pay a cover charge to see official SXSW Music Festival and Comedy Festival Showcases at over 75 stages from March 13-18, 2023. Music Wristbands do not have guaranteed admission to every SXSW event. Admission is subject to legal venue capacity and age restrictions in compliance with state and local laws.

SXSW Music and Platinum Badges have priority entry over wristbands. Music Wristbands have secondary access to Music Festival Showcases with Interactive and Film & TV Badges. Review Wristband Rules below for further details. Music Wristbands do not have access to SXSW Conference programming, SXSW Film & TV Festival Programming, the International Day Stage, the Radio Day Stage or guaranteed access to activations.

Wristband holders can catch a ride on the SXSW Festival Shuttle – a free circulating shuttle running between the Austin Convention Center, Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake, and SXSW Film & TV Festival Theaters. Learn more on the Getting Around page.

Purchase In-Person at SXSW

Purchase Music Festival Wristbands in-person at the SXSW Merch Truck which will be cruising around downtown Austin from March 13-18. To find the most up-to-date location, click the links below and you'll find a 3 word address for the exact location of the truck

Schedule:
3/13: Paramount Theater / Congress Ave»
3/14: W 4th Street »
3/15: Red River / Stubbs »
3/16: Red River / Stubbs »
3/17: Onion Street »
3/18: Waterloo Park / Old Red River »

Music Festival Wristbands can also be purchased at the Stubb's box office located at 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701. Music Festival Wristbands will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, March 14 until Saturday, March 18 from 6pm to 10pm.

Purchase Online

An individual can buy up to six Music Wristbands and up to six Film & TV Wristbands while supplies last. Unique emails must be used when purchasing two or more wristbands of the same type. The discount wristbands will only be sold over the internet, and will require a valid credit card with an Austin area billing address. View the list of approved zip codes.

There will be no refunds or name transfers after purchase. If you buy more than the number of wristbands permitted, you will not be able to give or sell them to other people. Before purchasing additional wristbands, make sure each recipient has not made other arrangements and is definitely able to attend SXSW. You will be sent a confirmation email which will include instructions for picking up your wristband. You must bring a valid form of photo ID to redeem your wristband. Your wristband will be placed on your wrist at time of pick up. Learn more about Official Rules.

Prepare for your SX adventure! Download SXSW GO, the official mobile app, and begin building your SXSW Schedule.

Only people whose credit cards have billing addresses in the following Greater Austin Area Zip Codes are eligible to buy wristbands online for the SXSW Music Festival and SXSW Film & TV Festival. Click below to expand the list of approved zip codes.

All SXSW attendees agree to adhere to the safety and hygiene guidance and mitigation recommendations with respect to communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) established by relevant health authorities, including Austin Public Health, Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control, and as provided in our Attendee Safety Resources. The Attendee Safety Page will be updated as the date of the Event approaches.

Each individual will need to present a drivers license or valid government-issued photo ID to claim their SXSW Wristband. An individual may not pick up a wristband for someone else. The wristband will be fastened on the individual’s wrist at time of pick up and may not be removed until the festival is over to receive entry to events.

Wristband Pickup Times

Music Wristbands can be picked up on the following dates and times at the Austin Convention Center (500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701) in Exhibit Hall 1:

Monday, March 13 | 9:00am-10:00pm

Tuesday, March 14 | 9:00am-10:00pm

Wednesday, March 15 | 9:00am-10:00pm

Thursday, March 16 | 9:00am-10:00pm

Friday, March 17 | 9:00am-10:00pm

Saturday, March 18 | 9:00am-3:00pm

This online system is being implemented to ensure that the majority of wristbands sold go to Austin’s music fans (rather than scalpers and resellers), and to save them the inconvenience of getting in line hours before they go on sale to be sure of getting one.

Purchase Requirements

1. You must provide a valid credit card with funds available to purchase the number of wristbands you request (up to six).
2. The purchaser will provide their name, email, valid credit card number and expiration date and billing address. The billing zip code must be listed in the approved greater Austin area list.
3. Additional wristbands may be purchased by providing separate names and email addresses. These wristbands are non-transferable and non-refundable.
4. Each named person must personally pick up their wristband (which will be put on their wrist at that time) at the Austin Convention Center.
5. By purchasing and obtaining wristbands you are acknowledging and agreeing to the Participant Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Disclaimers

1. A SXSW Music Festival Wristband guarantees you will not pay a cover charge to see official SXSW Music Festival and Comedy Showcases at over 75 stages. Admission subject to legal capacity. Many venues fill up. SXSW Music and Platinum Badges get priority entry.
2. All SXSW Wristbands are non-transferable/non-refundable.
3. Tampering with the SXSW Wristband will invalidate the wristband. Stretching, tearing, taping or cutting of SXSW Wristbands is not permitted. If wristband tampering is evident, the wristband will be voided and the wearer will be refused entry to any/all SXSW venues.
4. When purchasing multiple wristbands, the authorized purchaser must be one of the wristband recipients.
5. Most SXSW Music Festival venues have minimum age requirements. Authorized SXSW Wristband holders are not exempt from venue-specific age restrictions.
6. By purchasing a wristband, you consent to being placed on our SXSW Music email list for news, updates, promotional and other materials from SXSW. You may update or change your email preferences and unsubscribe at the bottom of any email.

PARTICIPATION AND CREDENTIALS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Want the latest on SXSW 2024 Wristbands? Sign up for notifications about wristband events for the SXSW Music Festival and SXSW Film & TV Festival as well as alerts about future sales.