Austin Highlights: Mar. 9 To 12 – Food, Music, Arts & More

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The best free and fun events in Austin, March 9 – 12, include Draylen Mason Remembrance Concert, SXSW Music Festival, and more!

Austin turns up the energy long before the weekend hits, and this list rounds up the can’t-miss events keeping the city buzzing all week long. Explore what’s happening from March 9 – 12 and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

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Top Pick – Austin Soundwaves presents Draylen Mason Remembrance Concert

Austin picks Mar 9 to 12 2026 - Draylen Mason Remembrance Concert

Image Credit: austinsoundwaves.org

Join the Austin community in a moving tribute to the life and legacy of Draylen Mason, a talented young bassist and beloved member of the local arts scene. This annual remembrance concert brings together student musicians, professional artists, and community members to celebrate the power of music as a force for healing and unity.

Experience a diverse program that reflects Draylen’s passion and spirit, featuring performances from Austin Soundwaves ensembles alongside special guest appearances. It is a powerful evening of reflection and inspiration that honors the past while investing in the future of Austin’s young creatives.

When: Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 7 pm
Where: AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
How Much: Free (Donations encouraged to support the Draylen Mason Scholarship Fund)

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, March 9, 2026

Charlotte’s Web

Watch this classic story of friendship take flight at the Main Street Theater through a unique production featuring live bluegrass music and stunning aerial performances.

After Fern rescues Wilbur, the tiny runt of a litter of pigs, Charlotte the spider uses her extraordinary weaving skills to protect him in a heartwarming display of hope and loyalty. Experience this imaginative staging of a beloved tale that promises to enchant audiences of all ages with its blend of music and circus arts.

Where: Zach Theater, 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Monday, March 9 – 17, 2026
How Much: Starts at $31

Hyde Park Theatre presents Witch

Watch a darkly clever performance of Witch, a sharp and modern take on a classic village legend, and see the mystery unfold as a charming, affable Devil arrives to tempt the locals, only to find that the outcast Elizabeth is the only one who might be truly beyond his reach.

Where: Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751
When: Monday, March 9 – 21, 2026
How Much: Starts at $25

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Broadway in Austin presents The Great Gatsby

Austin picks Mar 9 to 12 2026 - The Great Gatsby

Image credit: Texas Performing Arts

Step back into the high-stakes world of the Roaring Twenties as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel explodes onto the stage in a whirlwind of love, wealth, and tragedy. Prepare to be swept away by an original jazz- and pop-influenced score that perfectly captures the era’s frantic energy and deep longing.

With electrifying choreography by Dominique Kelley and a compelling book by Kait Kerrigan, this production brings Gatsby’s extravagant parties to life with modern flair.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, March 10 – 15, 2026
How Much: Not stated

The Paramount Theatre presents Pete Souza: Eyewitness to History

Gain a rare perspective on the American presidency as Pete Souza reveals the private moments of two era-defining leaders through his lens.

From the quiet tension of the Oval Office to the personal side of Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, these iconic behind-the-scenes photographs tell a story of leadership that the public seldom gets to see.

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $47

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Paws for Public Art

Image credit: Landmarks, The Public Art Program of the University of Texas at Austin

Escape the stress of midterm exams and recharge your mental health by joining Landmarks for a unique afternoon of art and animal therapy. Wander to any of the four iconic campus art installations to find miniature goats, hedgehogs, and fluffy bunnies waiting for a visit.

Where: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 11 am – 2 pm
How Much: Free

Women in Jazz Association, Inc. presents Celebrating Women in Jazz

Honor Women’s History Month by immersing yourself in the soulful rhythms and sophisticated harmonies of Austin’s premier female jazz instrumentalists and vocalists.

This all-star ensemble features the captivating voices of Shawnda Birch and Pamela Hart, backed by a powerhouse band including saxophonist Lauryn Gould and pianist Peggy Stern.

Where: Monks Jazz Club, 310 E St Elmo Rd STE A, Austin, TX 78745
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 8 pm – 9:30 pm
How Much: Starts at $20

Cap City Comedy Club presents Kristin Key

Prepare for an evening of rapid-fire wit and musical brilliance as viral sensation Kristin Key takes the stage at Cap City Comedy Club.

Known for her hilarious “Lesbian National Anthem” and standout performances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, she seamlessly blends high-energy guitar playing with relatable, inclusion-focused storytelling.

Where: Capitol City Comedy Club, Bldg B, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Unit 100, Austin, TX 78758
When: Wednesday, March 11 – 12, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, March 12, 2026

SXSW Music Festival

Image credit: SXSW

Dive into one of the world’s most influential cultural takeovers as the SXSW Music Festival turns Austin into a sprawling stage for seven consecutive days and nights.

Prepare to discover thousands of acts, ranging from emerging international talent to legends like The All-American Rejects and Gogol Bordello, performing in iconic clubs, historic churches, and local parks across the city.

Running alongside the live performances, the SXSW Music and Media Conference offers you a chance to learn directly from visionaries like Michelle Obama and industry leaders through workshops and mentor sessions.

Where: Multiple locations around Austin
When: Thursday, March 12 – 18, 2026
How Much: Varies

SXSW Film & TV Festival

Dive into the vanguard of storytelling at the SXSW Film & TV Festival, where high-profile premieres meet groundbreaking independent cinema.

Start your week with the opening night world premiere of Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters, starring Keke Palmer, or head to the Paramount Theatre for the debut of Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Trouble with Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.

The lineup continues to push boundaries with must-see screenings like Jorma Taccone’s dark comedy Over Your Dead Body and the time-traveling heist Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice.

Beyond the screen, you are invited to a rare keynote conversation where legendary director Steven Spielberg discusses his upcoming project, Disclosure Day.

Where: Multiple locations around Austin
When: Thursday, March 12 – 18, 2026
How Much: Varies

Austin Playhouse presents Carmela Full of Wishes

Image credit: Austin Playhouse

Step into a world where a simple sidewalk dandelion transforms a mundane afternoon of errands into a whirlwind of dreams and discovery.

Follow young Carmela on her birthday as she finally joins her older brother in the vibrant streets of her neighborhood, finding magic in the most unexpected places.

Where: Austin Playhouse, 405 W 22nd St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Thursday, March 12 – 15, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Already planning your days off? Browse our latest picks for Friday through Sunday in Austin — concerts, food festivals, date ideas, and more await!

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Lacey Morris

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.