Attending SXSW 2026 for the first time was a unique experience. For years, I’ve heard stories from long-time attendees about how everything used to be centered in the convention center and how easy it was to jump from one event to the next. This year felt different. Things were much more spread out across downtown Austin, which meant a lot more walking and planning between events. Nevertheless, there was a lot of electricity in the city.

These are my most beautiful moments at SXSW 2026

Through Spill the ATX I had the opportunity to attend several red carpet premieres throughout the week including Seeker of Infinite Love, Pretty deadly, Mike & Nick & Nick & AliceSeason 3 of HBO The comeback and the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards. The carpets moved quickly, but they still provided a fun way to watch actors, directors and producers celebrate their projects. Some of my favorite interviews of the week included conversations with Justin Theroux, Lisa Kudrow, Eiza González, Ella Stiller and Millicent Simmonds.

Off the carpet, celebrity sightings are just as fun… around town or on panels I’ve also seen John Goodman, Dakota Fanning, Serena Williams, Andy Cohen, Shay Mitchell, Mark Duplass and Rider Strong (pictured below), Billie Lourde, Britt Lower, Maks Chmerkovskiy, Sam Nivola and Colin Jost!

My biggest takeaway

However, one of the biggest realizations for me happened away from the red carpets. Spill the ATX received special invitations to parties and private events. These settings offered opportunities for relaxed conversations with actors and creative people. Being able to talk to people in a more casual atmosphere and without the hustle and bustle of the carpet made the experience feel much more personal. A special shout out to Alexandra Barretto (actress at The Fosters And Everything Americanproducer, director and SXSW Roundtable mentor) for taking the time to chat with me and helping make some of these moments possible.

Of course, there were also a few events that I missed that would have been fun to follow, such as basic Carpet that featured actresses Ashley Park and Leighton Meester. With so much happening at once, it’s impossible to do everything. I also haven’t seen any of the concerts or film premieres or attended as many panels as I would have liked, but the opportunities are plentiful!

Best immersive experience

One thing SXSW does well is providing immersive experiences. That was an outstanding feature Peaky Blinders Pop-up bar that recreated the world of the show in downtown Austin. Even though I’ve never seen the series, it was fun to immerse myself in this atmosphere. The space featured themed drinks, vintage styling, and even themed haircuts and tattoos for fans who really wanted to get into the moment.

Another standout experience was the Paramount+ Lodge, which took over the three-story Clive Bar on Rainey Street. The space was packed with activations related to some of the platform’s biggest shows, such as Countryman And Survivorsplus lots of thematic swag. It felt like a photo playground for TV fans and a fun break from the busy SXSW schedule.

After five days of film and television events, I can now confirm that SXSW truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re here for film, television, podcasts, tech/innovation, music or just the parties, the city offers plenty of creative events. And if this was my first experience, I can only imagine what the coming years would bring (and the eventual return of the convention center).

The post My First SXSW: Red Carpets, Parties and Lots of Steps appeared first on Spill the Daily Sparkz.