How to experience SXSW for free

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It is not difficult to drop piles of cash on a hotel, food, drinks and shows surrounding South by Southwest. But the world-renowned festival is easy to enjoy even for those in a financial crunch.

"All the wristbands and badges are taken over so all the free people are left taking what we can get," said Bryan Ray.

Cheap and short lines is the name of the game for Bryan. Many turn to unofficial SXSW guides for less expensive options. Dozens of bars, clubs and shops open their doors to the public free of charge and provide a long line-up of bands.

Thursday thru Saturday no cover is required for the nightly concert series at Auditorium Shores. Fans can cruise over on a bike for free and hassle-free parking in a secure, fenced-in area provided by Bicycle Sport Shop.

For another sweet deal, look for the madCakes mobile. The local bakery will be set up Friday and Saturday on 4th and Trinity St. from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. giving away 700 free cupcakes each day.

"People didn't believe you at first, you'd say 'free cupcake' and they'd be like 'whatever' and keep walking," said Donovan Miller with madCakes.

The freebie we first spotted on Twitter was no lie, but by 5 p.m the dessert was wiped out. A half eaten cupcake was all that was left of the new double chocolate chip and vanilla concoction they were serving called "fusion." It was a tasty way to promote new software that runs Windows applications on a Mac.

To cash in on more deals before South by Southwest ends Sunday, one tip is to search for "free food SXSW" on Twitter.