City leaders say Austin is ready as the annual South by Southwest festival kicks off Thursday, bringing tens of thousands of visitors downtown and launching what officials call the city’s busy “spring festival season.”
During a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Kirk Watson and public safety officials detailed plans for security, traffic management, and emergency response as the week-long festival gets underway.
This year’s SXSW will look somewhat different than past events. Because the Austin Convention Center is undergoing redevelopment, the festival will be shorter—lasting seven days—and spread across a wider footprint in downtown Austin with multiple venue hubs.
Mayor Watson acknowledged the strain large events can place on the city but emphasized the importance of preparation.
“We are ready. We are excited. We are prepared,” Watson said during the city’s Spring Festival Season press conference. “When you see the traffic congestion, road closures, and additional public safety presence, please know this is to ensure everyone coming to Austin can have a great time in the safest way possible.”
Officials also noted that SXSW planning this year comes less than two weeks after a deadly shooting on West Sixth Street that left multiple victims dead and injured, adding an additional layer of concern as the festival begins. Watson said the incident has left “a little bit of anxiety” surrounding large gatherings downtown.
Austin Police say they will maintain a strong and visible presence throughout the event. Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers will be strategically deployed around downtown entertainment districts and festival venues.
“Officers are going to be strategically placed, and we are prepared,” Davis said.
Davis also announced a new dispatch procedure designed to speed up emergency response during the festival. If someone calls 911 from the SXSW area, the information will be routed directly to the event command center to reduce delays in coordinating police, fire, and EMS resources.
Street closures will begin daily around noon in some areas and remain in place into the early morning hours, particularly around popular downtown corridors such as Sixth Street, Red River, and Congress Avenue. Officials are urging residents to expect heavy traffic and plan alternate routes where possible.
Along with increased police patrols, city departments including Austin Fire, EMS, and code enforcement teams will also be operating throughout the festival to monitor safety conditions and respond to incidents.
City officials are urging drivers to expect heavier-than-normal traffic downtown during the festival. Several streets will have daily closures or limited access.
Key things to know:
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Daily street closures: Some downtown streets will close beginning around noon each day and remain closed into the early morning hours, particularly around the Sixth Street entertainment district, Red River corridor, and Congress Avenue.
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Heavy pedestrian traffic: Large crowds are expected around music venues, pop-up events, and official SXSW locations. Drivers should slow down and watch for pedestrians crossing streets unexpectedly.
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Increased police presence: Austin Police will have officers stationed throughout the downtown area to manage crowds, traffic flow, and respond to incidents quickly.
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Expect delays: Officials recommend avoiding downtown if possible, especially during the evening hours when festival events are at their busiest.
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Plan alternate routes: Drivers traveling through central Austin may want to use alternate corridors such as MoPac or I-35 instead of surface streets through downtown.
City leaders are also encouraging residents and visitors to consider rideshare, CapMetro transit, biking, or walking when traveling to SXSW events.
SXSW runs March 12 through March 18 and is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors for its music, film, and technology events across Austin.
