A Very Weird & Unofficial SXSW

Tea Cup Candles

6:00 PM–8:00 PM @ Captain Quack’s - $39.19

You'll make and decorate candles inside thrifted tea cups, choosing your own color palette, scent, dried flowers, and charms; essentially making a little artifact of yourself to take home. It's the kind of workshop that sounds completely reasonable until you realize you've been happily hot-gluing botanicals onto porcelain for two hours. A genuinely lovely Tuesday evening for $39.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Trivia

7:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Bouldin Acres (South Lamar) - FREE

Five rounds of trivia themed entirely around the reality TV phenomenon, costumes welcome, prizes up for grabs, and teams of 1–6 competing for glory. Registration opens at 6:30 PM; come early, snag a patio spot, charge your phone (you'll need it for scoring), and prepare to discover how much you actually know about the Hulu series you claim to watch ironically. Free to play, all ages, food and drinks available.

Portraits After Dark

9:00 PM–2:00 AM @ RICHESART GALLERY - $15–$20

Not just a party. This is a curated three-day art and film festival extension designed explicitly for real artist-to-audience connection, and Tuesday night is where it gets social. The pass covers the art reception plus film screenings featuring work by Paul Sapiano (Driving While Black, The Boy & Girl's Guide to Getting Down) and the short Princess of Nowhere by Nina Kaze. Press-friendly, immersive, running until 2 AM; grab the 3-day pass while they last.

Nerdcore Dayz: Day 1

4pm – Close @ Kick Butt Coffee, FREE!

Three days of chiptune, VGM, and nerd music culture kicks off tonight with a lineup that includes Junepiter, STARLONG, Swerdmurd, Star Fighter Dreams, and more; plus visuals by Drip_Cuts, prizes, and giveaways. Free entry at a coffee shop that also serves booze. Genuinely one of the more delightful subculture gatherings happening this week.

Pierogi Class at Ovenbirdatx

6 – 8pm @ OvenbirdATX - $10

Ten dollars. Chef Sarah teaches you to make the dough, hand-shape the pierogis, and presumably eat them. Probably the best value-per-skill-gained event happening in Austin tonight; and a genuinely fun way to spend a Wednesday.

Bizarre Bazaar

6pm @ The Raven Room, FREE!

The name says it all: a rotating collection of weird, wonderful, and offbeat items for sale in a room that knows how to hold that energy. Drop by The Raven Room for a browse-and-buy that skews toward the eccentric. Perfect for the person who already has everything normal.

The Do512 Smoke Show w/ Tropa Magica, The Sophs, Sunshine Spazz & Sun Atlas

5pm–midnight @ East End Ballroom - Free with RSVP

Do512's annual festival kick-off party is a whole thing: free Mediterranean brisket rice bowls from Michelin Gourmand semifinalist KG BBQ for the first 100 people starting at 5pm (then $13.50 all night), THC treats from T.H.C Dispensary, and a stacked lineup of cumbia, grunge, and psych rock. RSVP for free entry; first come, first served; and come early enough to score that free brisket bowl.

Eco-Printing and Dyes

7 – 9pm @ Buzz Mill - $39 (includes free drink token)

Spring is here and it's time to get your hands colorful. This hands-on workshop teaches you to dye natural fabrics using flowers, leaves, and plants, plus eco-printing techniques that press unique leaf patterns directly onto cloth. Ticket includes a free drink token and a Lumber Society Eco-Printing and Dyes badge; grab your spot here. This pairs nicely with a post-workshop pint at the Mill.

Peligrosa House 2026

8pm – 2am @ Coconut Club Rooftop, $10

Peligrosa is back for its 18th consecutive unofficial SXSW party; one of the longest-running Latin and world club music nights in the United States. This year they're celebrating from the rooftop of Coconut Club with local, national, and international artists bringing world-class cultural exchange to downtown Austin. Eighteen years in and the vibe is still unmatched.

The Rave on Rainey

10pm – 2am @ Crazy Conchaz, 87 Rainey Street - $7.18 (includes one free taco)

For just over seven bucks you get all-night dancing plus a free taco when you walk in the door at Crazy Conchaz. Five of those dollars is cover and you're already getting your money's worth. It's billed as the wildest party on Rainey and honestly the taco situation alone justifies the ticket price.

Monster's Ball

9pm @ 4211 Todd Lane - $25

Billed as a "decadent, dazzling dance den of delicious debauchery," Monster's Ball promises funky fun, flirty games, and full-throttle floor-shaking. At $25 this is the kind of event that shows up on your camera roll months later and makes you say "wait, THAT happened?"; dress accordingly.

Ritual to the Sun King

7pm @ Sahara Lounge; $25

The Golden Dawn Arkestra's annual solar celebration is one of Austin's most transportive rituals; part concert, part cosmic ceremony. This year's gathering features Bright Light Social Hour, Starflake, and Club Coma in a night that reliably blurs the line between performance and transcendence. Sahara Lounge is the perfect vessel for it.

Campy Horror Picture Show

7–10pm @ 6134 E Hwy 290; $15+

A dance tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show told across two nights; tonight's show is Part One of a story you'll need to come back for. Equal parts theater, dance performance, and participatory chaos, this is exactly the kind of weird, campy, boundary-blurring event that deserves a Friday the 13th premiere. Dress accordingly.

Friday the 13th Paranormal Investigation

7pm - 9:30pm @ Pioneer Farms - $45

Dare to explore the unknown at Pioneer Farms' after-dark paranormal investigation, led by guide Namara on this final Friday the 13th of 2026 (March only; don't miss it!). Guests get hands-on access to paranormal equipment to detect activity beyond the five senses, set against the backdrop of one of Austin's most historic sites. Tickets are limited and all sales are final, so grab yours now.

Outer Heaven Disco Club; 6th Anniversary

11pm @ Brushy Street Commons- $13.47+

Six years of one of Austin's most singular dance nights, and they're celebrating properly. Outer Heaven has built a reputation for curating the kind of late-night dance floor experience that feels genuinely underground; not a club night performing the idea of one. Anniversary editions always bring something extra.

Reefer Madness The Musical

7:30pm @ ACC (6101 Highland Campus Dr), $8

The campy cult classic gets the full musical treatment; a gleefully absurd, over-the-top stage production that turns 1930s anti-marijuana propaganda into high comedy. On a Friday the 13th during SXSW, this is the kind of thing you tell people about. Check the venue for tickets and pricing.

Do512 Presents: The Big One

3:00 PM @ Radio/East - RSVP Encouraged

This annual bash is widely considered the "biggest one of them all," pulling out all the stops for a massive community celebration. The event always delivers high-energy performances and local vibes. Remember that an RSVP does not guarantee entry, so arrive early at Radio/East as it is first-come, first-served.

South By South Emo

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM @ Fast Friends Beer Co., FREE! 🔥

Relive your favorite alternative era at this gathering dedicated to the "emo" subculture featuring themed music and community vibes. It is a perfect alternative to the more mainstream festival chaos, offering a unique space for nostalgia and craft beer. Registration is free, providing an affordable way to connect with fellow fans of the genre.

Fiesta Destructo

1:00 PM - 7:00 PM @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge - 21+

Experience raw, unpolished energy at this high-octane party for the people featuring legendary punk and garage rock acts like Rocket from the Crypt and The Mummies. Hosted by Sputnik Slovenia, this unfiltered day is inspired by the chaos of underground bridge parties. Check the event listing for a chance to win skip-the-line passes and a bar tab.

Unofficial SXSW Puppy Party

3 PM - 6 PM @ 5020 East Cesar Chavez Street - $10.38

If you need a break from the human crowds, head to this dog lovers' meet-up at BARk House Social. It’s the ultimate networking event for those who prefer four-legged friends and casual outdoor networking.

Pinoy Potluck (Unofficial) SXSW Block Party

3 PM - 7 PM @ 1106 East 11th Street, FREE!

The 4th Annual SXSW Block Party returns with a collaboration between Pinoy Potluck and the East Austin Creative Coalition. This community-driven event celebrates Filipino culture and local creativity in the heart of East Austin.

Lipstick & Lyrics: Mu Mu’s & Margaritas

2 PM - 6 PM @ 7408 Cameron Road - $17.85

Grab your best mu mu for this sing-along brunch designed for ultimate "girls' day" energy. It’s a playful, low-stakes afternoon of margaritas and music that perfectly captures Austin’s penchant for themed dress-up.

Beats x Beers 11th Annual Show

1 PM - 7 PM @ Emo’s, FREE (for a limited time!)

This long-running annual showcase returns to East Riverside for an afternoon of hip-hop and community. It’s a staple of the unofficial festival season, offering high-energy performances without the price tag of a badge.