The Top Spring IRL NFT Events in 2023

It's a brand new year, and nobody really knows what's going to happen with the monetary value of crypto and NFTs in 2023.

We could go sideways. We could go up. We could still go down. But regardless of the market, when it comes to IRL events, we just can't help ourselves.

Here are a few of the top Web3 conferences for Spring 2023, including ticket details, tips, and when prices go up. Mark your calendars and save your ETH.

After all, we've got neon tracksuits to wear.

NFT PARIS

When: February 24-25, 2023

Where: The Grand Palais Éphémère, Champs de Mars, Paris

Tickets: From €350 (Prices go up Jan 15). Discounts are available for holders of certain NFTs.

This multi-day event in one of the best cities in the world already has an impressive speaker list. Some include: Snowfro (Art Blocks), Tom Sachs, Greg Solano (BAYC), Julian Hoguin (Doodles), Inna Modja (World of Women), Betty (Deadfellaz), Punk6529, Farokh, Josh Hackbarth (WB) & many more.

SXSW

When: March 10-19, 2023

Where: Austin, TX

Tickets: Platinum Badge $1,395 (Prices go up Jan 5). Buy here.

Okay, so SXSW isn't technically a Web3 conference. This iconic week celebrates tech, film, music, and culture. But I'm hoping to see even more of a Web3 presence here this year. The tech track takes place earlier in the week, and the music track is later on. A badge is helpful to get into satellite events, but not all require one.

Last year, several NFT projects and communities came together during SXSW. There were speakers on NFTs and the metaverse as well. Cool Cats has announced they're planning to have a presence at SXSW in 2023.

NFT LA

When: March 20-23, 2023

Where: LA Live, Downtown Los Angeles

Tickets: From $249 (Prices go up Jan 15). Buy here.

In 2022, the Azuki Garden Party during NFT LA week stunned the crowd with "check your wallets." What will happen this year? Well, I can't promise thousands of dollars in airdrops... but I can promise a lot of fun. Although I didn't go to the actual conference, the side meetups were really great last year.

For those interested in attending the conference, the speaker lineup is looking pretty strong so far.

NFT NYC

When: April 12-14, 2023

Where: Times Square & Hudson Yards

Tickets: From $599 (Prices go up March 1). Buy here.

If you're going to one US-based NFT event, this one may be the most popular. It normally offers many fun satellite events and parties. Just try not to stay in Times Square... it's kind of a nightmare.

Check out my recaps of both 2021 and 2022 NFT NYC. I didn't attend the actual event; just the side events.

Update Jan 5: ApeFest will not be in NFT NYC this year.

It's important to note there has been talk of skipping NFT NYC this year by some collectors in the space, including Betty from Deadfellaz, who is working to organize a different NYC event in June 2023.

PROOF OF CONFERENCE

When: May 11-13, 2023

Where: Skylight Row, Downtown Los Angeles

Tickets: NFT tickets will be released mid January in ETH (Price TBA). Purchased NFT tickets can be freely traded on the secondary market. All NFT ticket transfers will be frozen at the start of the event. PROOF, Moonbirds and Oddities holders are eligible for free or discounted tickets, respectively.

This is a new single-track conference put on by PROOF Collective. It's billed as "a celebration of art, culture, community, and technology."

Food and drinks are included with entry. I'll be going since I already live in LA, and am hopeful there will be some amazing community side events during these days as well.

VEECON

When: May 18-20, 2023

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

Tickets: VeeCon 2023 Tickets are issued as NFTs and will be released in early 2023 to the holders of VeeFriends Series 1 NFTs. No snapshot has been taken. Any tickets for purchase will be available on secondary markets such as OpenSea.

My game plan: Wait to buy a ticket-- I'm aiming to attend this year. The cost of these tickets on OpenSea just before VeeCon 2022 was around 0.2 ETH, and I'm expecting it to be around the same in 2023. You can also check with any friends who hold a VeeFriends Series 1 NFT to see if you can use their ticket.

But don't wait to book accommodations-- VeeCon 2023 is the same weekend and location as the Indy 500 Qualifying Races. Indy's gonna be packed!

Which events are you planning to go to this Spring?

IRL Web3 events are some of the best ways to meet new people in the space, and connect with others who you've met online.

They changed the whole game for me, and I hope you'll be able to attend at least one in 2023-- bear market or not.

If you enjoyed this, subscribe or follow me on Twitter.