SXSW 2027 Shirts: Austin Dates and Trademark Rules

SXSW 2027 runs March 15 to 21, 2027 in Austin, Texas, and SXSW EDU runs just before it, March 13 to 16, according to the two events' own websites. For a Texas print shop, the week is a cluster of orders that have little to do with the festival's own merchandise: bands printing tour shirts, startups dressing booth staff, agencies hosting parties, and Austin bars and venues running their own shows. The festival names are also registered trademarks for shirts, and so is one of Austin's most famous slogans. Here is what is confirmed for 2027 and how to keep those orders clean.

SXSW 2027 at a glance

Dates are from sxsw.com and sxswedu.com, checked Nov. 12, 2026.

Who orders shirts for SXSW week

• Bands and artists. Showcasing acts need merch for the week's shows. These orders are usually small runs in several sizes, with a fast turnaround because lineups and showcase slots firm up late.
• Startups and tech companies. Booth staff shirts, giveaway tees, and event hoodies. These are often the largest orders of the week and come with brand guidelines.
• Agencies and unofficial party hosts. Day parties around Austin order staff and volunteer shirts.
• Austin venues, bars, and restaurants. Staff shirts for the busiest week of the year.
• SXSW EDU attendees. Teachers and education organizations attending the first half of the week.

Most of these customers own their own brand, which keeps the trademark question simple: the shirt carries their name, not the festival's. The DTF design ideas guide and the booth display and packaging guide help with the rest of the order.

The trademarks a shop should know

From the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's trademark search, checked Nov. 12, 2026:

Three points for a shop:

1. The festival name is registered for shirts in both forms. "SXSW" and "South by Southwest" both appear on live registrations that list T-shirts and sweatshirts. A shirt that sells the festival name needs SXSW's permission.
2. "Keep Austin Weird" is not a free slogan. Customers often ask for it during SXSW week. Registration 2,775,504 covers T-shirts and sweatshirts and is owned by private companies, not the city, so treat it like any brand name.
3. A sponsor or showcase customer is a different case. If a company tells you it is an official SXSW partner and wants the festival logo on its shirts, ask for the written approval before printing. That protects the shop as well as the customer.

Designs that stay clear of the marks

• Guitars, amps, cassette tapes, and gig-poster style art you draw yourself
• "Austin," "ATX," "512," and Texas skyline or river art
• "March in Austin," "Showcase week," or "Live music capital" in your own wording
• Band names and logos the band owns
• The customer's own company or event branding

The licensed character and trademark guide covers the general rules for event and brand names.

Timing for Texas shops

SXSW lands in the middle of Texas rodeo season, so it competes with the orders covered in the Texas rodeo 2027 guide. Band and startup orders tend to come in late. A shop that wants this work should publish a firm cutoff, around March 5, for delivery before the 15th, and offer a rush tier after that. Local options are listed on the Austin custom shirt page and the San Antonio page. Pricing for rush jobs is covered in the DTF pricing strategy guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is SXSW 2027?

SXSW 2027 runs March 15 to 21, 2027 in Austin, Texas, according to sxsw.com. SXSW EDU, the education conference, runs March 13 to 16, 2027.

Is SXSW a registered trademark for shirts?

Yes. SXSW, LLC owns registrations for SXSW (Reg. Nos. 7,298,989 and 2,509,383) and SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (Reg. No. 4,885,868) that cover T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel. Selling shirts with those names needs SXSW's permission.

Can I print Keep Austin Weird on shirts?

Not freely. KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD is a live federal registration, No. 2,775,504, for caps, T-shirts, and sweatshirts, owned by Nobonz, Inc. and Brand Builders Co. Use your own Austin-themed wording instead.

Can I print shirts for a band playing SXSW?

Yes, as long as the shirt uses the band's own name and artwork. A band's merch is its brand. Adding the SXSW name or logo, for example "Official SXSW Showcase," requires SXSW's permission, so leave it off unless the band has it in writing.