Most of the festival events are in downtown Austin, centered around the Convention Center and the bars and music venues that line Sixth Street. It is relatively easy to walk from location to location or take public transportation. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and have cash on hand for buses or taxis. The Dillos, the trolleys that have limited downtown and central Austin routes, are free.
Thousands of locals and tens of thousands of visitors attend SXSW each year. Plan your lodging as soon as possible, keeping in mind that many people return to the festival every year and plan their lodging a year in advance. Some downtown hotels, especially those adjacent to the Convention Center, are completely booked months before the festival. If you're traveling with a group, you might look into renting a condo or apartment for the week and splitting the cost.
Badges come in five levels and grant access to all official events within that level: Platinum grants access to all three sections; gold grants access to the film and interactive sections. You can also buy a separate badge for each section of the festival. Wristbands grant access to all official music showcases, although they do not guarantee entry if the show is sold out. Individual tickets are also available for each music showcase and film screening, although many frequently sell out.
Many record labels, music magazines and other industry companies host free day showcases during the festival as well. Day parties are a great way to see more bands during the hectic week, and most day parties are free to everyone. The Austin Chronicle and the SXSW official site frequently list day party information, as do many music blogs.
SXSW.com offers a MySXSW feature that allows you to create a profile and map out your schedule for the week. Sched.org is another site that compiles lists of all events, official and otherwise, and lets you create a profile and manage your own schedule of events. Otherwise, all official events are listed on the SXSW website and in the print and online versions of the Austin Chronicle.
The festival occurs in mid-March every year, which is typically sunny and mild. Be sure to check the weather before you travel though, as spring in Texas is as unpredictable as a squirrel in the road. Pack comfortable shoes, light layers and an umbrella. You might want to bring a backpack or other small bag to carry essentials around with you during the day, as it may be challenging to get back to your hotel room.