SXSW is held in March. Thousands of musicians, filmmakers, and fans descend on the city. The media covers the event closely. Because of this, most people associate Austin with SXSW and nothing else. However, there are plenty of other events in Austin.



In November, the Asian American Film Festival takes place at area cinemas. It has become one of the most popular showcases for Asian American filmmakers in the US. The festival has grown to include Asian-made films from all around the world. Most of the films have an art house, cutting edge flavor.

In August, the Austin Bamboo Festival is held at the Japanese Gardens of the Zilker Botanical Garden. The event focuses on traditional Japanese music and dance.

Town Lake is the home of the Dragon Boat festival in April. Similar to the traditional races held in Hong Kong and Taipei, the Austin version features decorated boats powered by a mass of paddlers. The festivities include plenty of food and other cultural activities. It is free to watch the races.

In early February (or late January, depending on the lunar calendar), Austin is filled with the sounds and sights of Chinese New Year. The center of the celebration takes place at the Chinatown Center Austin Chinese New Year Festival. Like the Dragon Boat races held later in the spring, the Lunar New Year festivities are free to attend. There are performances featuring dancing, martial arts, and traditional Chinese music. Food is everywhere. Though the festival's title suggests that it focuses on Chinese culture, in reality, all East Asian cultures are somehow represented in the festivities. All the restaurants and shops are open to the public during the festival and some offer special deals.