It's a new year and new volunteer experience! Attending SXSW and SXSW EDU just got a little easier. Check out our new volunteer opportunities and get ready for an exciting new year!
SXSW 2024 Volunteer – Photo by Tico Mendoza
Be sure and check out the new volunteer opportunities at SXSW Conferences and Festival and get ready for an exciting new year! All Volunteer Requirements and SXSW Volunteer Badge Access are detailed in the graphs below.
Explore more information about SXSW Volunteers including Volunteer Crews, Out-of-Town Volunteers, and Volunteer Registration information.
| Volunteer Type | Min. Age | Time Commitment | Volunteer Event Access Opportunities | Required Training | Dates |
| SXSW Volunteer | 18+ (Some crews require 21+, see crew descriptions) | 24-36+ Hours | SXSW Volunteer EDU Badge (Available upon request with Platinum Badge) Volunteer Innovation Badge (24+ hours) Volunteer Film & TV Badge (24+ hours) Volunteer Music Badge (24+ hours) Volunteer Platinum Badge (36+ hours) |
Online training In-person training Venue walkthrough, as needed (see crews) |
SXSW EDU March 9 - 12, 2026 SXSW March 12-18, 2026 |
HOURS REQUIRED FOR EACH BADGE
SXSW Volunteer Music Badge: 24+ hours
SXSW Volunteer Film & TV Badge: 24+ hours
SXSW Volunteer Innovation Badge: 24+ hours
SXSW Volunteer Platinum Badge: 36+ hours
SXSW EDU Volunteer Badge: Available upon request with a Platinum Badge at 36+ hours
Volunteer Platinum | Volunteer EDU | Volunteer Innovation | Volunteer Film & TV | Volunteer Music | |
SXSW Keynotes | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Featured Speakers | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Sales Activations & Lounges | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
SXSW Expos | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
SXSW Bookstore | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Expo Programming | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
XR Experience | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Flatstock | ✓ | Open to Public | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Partner Programming | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Comedy Festival Showcases | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Registrant Lounge | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Street Closure Activations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Shuttles | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Radio Day Stage & International Night Stage | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Sips & Sounds Friday/Saturday | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Sips & Sounds Sunday | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
EDU Monday-Wednesday Sessions | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Thursday Sessions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
SXSW + EDU Crossover Day Mixer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
EDU Socials | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Performances | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Film | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
EDU Competitions | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Mentors & Roundtables | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Beats & BBQ Closing Party | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
EDU Expo | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Innovation Clubhouse | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
Innovation Conference Sessions, Mentors, Workshops | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
Integrated Innovation Partner Programming | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
SXSW Pitch | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
Innovation Opening Party | ✓ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ |
Film & TV Clubhouse | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Film & TV Conference Sessions, Mentors, Workshops | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Integrated FTV Partner Programming | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Film & TV Opening Party | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Film & TV Intermission Party | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Film & TV Roundtables | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Film & TV Screenings | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ | ✖ |
Music Clubhouse | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
Music Conference Sessions, Mentors, Workshops | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
Integrated Music Partner Programming | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
Music Opening Party | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
Music Closing Party | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
Music Festival Showcases | ✓ | Thursday Only | ✖ | ✖ | ✓ |
With few exceptions, volunteer badges have access to most events and areas that SXSW produces. Some sponsors or clients, at their discretion, may restrict access to their events. SXSW Volunteers will have access to the SXSW Registrants Lounge.
SXSW EDU Badges have full access to everything that SXSW EDU has to offer. SXSW EDU Badges do not have access to SXSW events outside of limited programming on Crossover Day (3/12/2026).
