Moontower Comedy Festival.

If you’ve never experienced Moontower, think of it as SXSW for comedy.

Comedians take over theaters, comedy clubs, bars and other venues around Austin, with big-name headliners sharing the city with local comedians, rising performers, podcasts, special shows and completely unpredictable late-night comedy.

And the best part?

You don’t have to be a hardcore comedy fan to have a great time.

MOONTOWER IS AUSTIN’S COMEDY FESTIVAL

Moontower began in 2011 as the Moontower Comedy and Oddities Festival and has grown into one of Austin’s biggest annual comedy events.

In 2025, the festival ran April 9-19, bringing more than 100 comedians to venues around the city. The final four days, April 16-19, became the heart of the festival, with a huge collection of comedy-club shows, parties and special events.

That means you aren’t simply buying a ticket to one comedy show.

You’re entering an entire comedy scene.

THE PARAMOUNT IS STILL THE CLASSIC MOONTOWER EXPERIENCE

One of the best things about Moontower is getting to see a comedian in a historic Austin theater.

The Paramount Theatre is right in the middle of downtown and gives the festival some of its biggest-name performances.

There is something pretty cool about walking into the Paramount, sitting in a beautiful old theater and watching a comedian who normally sells out theaters around the country.

Then you can walk outside afterward and immediately find a bar, restaurant or another comedy show.

That’s Austin.

BUT DON’T SPEND THE WHOLE FESTIVAL AT THE PARAMOUNT

This is probably the biggest Moontower tip.

The big theater shows are great.

But the club shows are where the festival really comes alive.

The smaller rooms allow comedians to experiment.

You get shorter sets.

More comedians.

More interaction with the crowd.

And sometimes surprise appearances.

The festival’s 2025 club series featured more than 100 comics across multiple Austin venues.

THE CLUB SERIES IS THE SECRET WEAPON

If you’re a comedy fan, this is where you want to spend some of your time.

During the 2025 festival, club shows were held at places including The Creek and the Cave, Sunset Strip, The Velveeta Room and other Austin comedy venues.

You can bounce from one room to another and see completely different styles of comedy.

One show might be polished stand-up.

The next could be a podcast.

Then you might find an experimental show.

Then a comedian you’ve never heard of.

That’s the fun.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW THE COMEDIANS

This is another reason Moontower is so good.

If you’re going to see a famous comedian, you already know what you’re getting.

But some of the best festival experiences happen when you walk into a show because the name looks interesting.

You don’t know who the person is.

You sit down.

They start performing.

And suddenly you’re thinking:

“Why have I never heard of this person?”

That’s how you discover comedians.

2025 BROUGHT SOME BIG NAMES

The 2025 lineup included major names such as Maria Bamford, Big Jay Oakerson, Josh Johnson and Brad Williams, along with a huge collection of emerging comedians and Austin performers.

That combination is what makes Moontower different from a traditional comedy tour.

You’re not just seeing famous comedians.

You’re seeing what’s happening in comedy right now.

MARIA BAMFORD

Maria Bamford was one of the major returning names on the 2025 lineup.

If you’ve never seen her live, she’s a great example of why Moontower works.

Her style isn’t generic stand-up.

She has a completely distinctive voice and approach to comedy.

And seeing somebody like that during a festival gives you an opportunity to experience something different from the standard comedy-club routine.

BIG JAY OAKERSON

Big Jay Oakerson was another major name returning to Moontower.

If your comedy preference leans toward brutally honest, dark and unapologetic material, he’s exactly the type of performer you want to see.

And Moontower is a perfect environment for comedians with different styles.

JOSH JOHNSON

Josh Johnson brought another style to the festival.

His comedy often mixes observations, storytelling and commentary on current life.

He’s also the type of comedian who can appeal to people who don’t necessarily consider themselves hardcore stand-up fans.

BRAD WILLIAMS

Brad Williams is another comedian who has become a major comedy headliner.

His energetic style makes him a natural fit for a festival atmosphere.

And because Moontower brings such different comedians together, you can easily see somebody like Williams one night and a completely different style the next.

THE BEST PART: AUSTIN COMEDIANS ARE EVERYWHERE

Don’t make the mistake of assuming Moontower is only about people flying into Austin.

Austin has a huge comedy community.

Local comedians are part of the festival.

Some are established.

Some are newer.

Some are performing in the same week as comics who have Netflix specials.

That’s one of the best things about the event.

You’re getting a snapshot of Austin comedy.

THE CREEK AND THE CAVE

If you’re trying to experience the club side of Moontower, The Creek and the Cave should be on your radar.

During the 2025 festival, it hosted shows including “Some of This Is Bad,” Industry Showcase, Beth Stelling and other performances.

This is exactly the type of venue where you want to experiment.

Don’t just go for the biggest name.

Pick something that sounds interesting.

THE VELVEETA ROOM

The Velveeta Room is another important part of Austin’s comedy scene.

During Moontower, it hosted shows including Best of the Fest and other late-night performances.

And late-night comedy is where things can get especially interesting.

THE LATE-NIGHT SHOWS ARE A MUST

If you can handle staying up late, do it.

A show at 11 p.m. can be a completely different experience from a theater performance at 7 p.m.

The comedians are looser.

The crowd is different.

And the performers may be willing to take more chances.

For example, The Goddamn Comedy Jam was scheduled for 11 p.m. at Antone’s during the 2025 festival, combining comedy and music with Josh Adam Meyers.

That’s a perfect example of why you shouldn’t think of Moontower as simply a series of traditional stand-up shows.

COMEDY AND MUSIC

This is Austin, after all.

Of course somebody was going to combine comedy and music.

The Goddamn Comedy Jam is built around comedians who also perform music, creating something that feels more like a comedy concert than a normal stand-up set.

If you’ve never seen a comedy show like that, it’s worth trying.

THE “BEST OF THE FEST” SHOWS

One of the easiest ways to discover comedians is to attend a Best of the Fest-style show.

Instead of committing to one comedian, you get a collection of performers.

That’s perfect if you’re new to Moontower.

You might walk out with three new favorite comedians.

THE INDUSTRY SHOWCASES

Moontower also has shows designed around showcasing comedians.

The 2025 Industry Showcase at The Creek and the Cave featured a collection of performers and was available as a club event. Single tickets were also available at the door.

These kinds of shows are great because you aren’t relying on one comedian carrying the entire night.

You’re getting variety.

THE MOONTOWER BAR CRAWL

Here’s how to turn Moontower into a full Austin night.

Start with dinner.

Go to an early comedy show.

Walk downtown.

Grab a drink.

Find a second comedy show.

Then finish with a late-night set.

You can easily make an entire night out of it.

DON’T EAT AT THE SAME PLACE EVERY NIGHT

This is Austin.

Use Moontower as an excuse to explore the food scene.

Before the show, grab tacos.

Another night, get barbecue.

Another night, try a burger.

Another night, find a food truck.

Don’t make the mistake of spending the entire festival eating inside the same downtown restaurant.

THE DOWNTOWN FOOD STRATEGY

If you’re going to the Paramount or another downtown venue, eat early.

Don’t wait until 6:45 p.m. to look for dinner when your show starts at 7.

You’ll be fighting everybody else attending the same show.

Eat around 5.

Then walk to the theater.

You’ll be relaxed instead of rushing.

THE AFTER-SHOW FOOD STRATEGY

This is where Austin really shines.

If your comedy show ends late, you still have options.

Tacos.

Pizza.

Burgers.

Food trucks.

Late-night restaurants.

And because you’re downtown, you’re never too far from something.

Just expect the popular places to be busy.

MOONTOWER IS ALSO A GREAT DATE NIGHT

This might actually be one of the best Austin date ideas in April.

You don’t have to spend the entire night sitting across from somebody at a restaurant.

Get dinner.

See a comedy show.

Walk around downtown.

Grab a drink.

Talk about the comedians.

Then see another show.

It’s casual.

It’s entertaining.

And if the comedian isn’t funny, you have something to laugh about afterward.

THE BEST DATE-NIGHT COMBINATION

Here’s a good formula:

5:30 p.m.

Dinner.

7:00 p.m.

Main comedy show.

8:30 p.m.

Walk downtown.

9:00 p.m.

Drinks.

10:00 p.m.

Club show.

11:30 p.m.

Late-night food.

That’s a pretty good Austin date.

MOONTOWER WITH FRIENDS

Comedy is even better with a group.

Pick different shows.

Meet up between them.

Compare comedians.

Argue about who was funniest.

Grab drinks.

Then find another show.

The festival gives you plenty of opportunities to split up and regroup.

THE SOLO MOONTOWER EXPERIENCE

Going alone can actually be fantastic.

You don’t have to convince anybody to see a comedian they don’t know.

You can buy one ticket.

Walk in.

Sit down.

Laugh.

Leave.

Go somewhere else.

And if you discover a comedian you love, you don’t have to listen to your friend complain that they weren’t funny.

DON’T ONLY SEE THE BIG NAMES

This is worth repeating.

If you spend your entire Moontower experience seeing famous comedians, you’re only getting half the festival.

Go see somebody you’ve never heard of.

That’s the point.

THE BIGGEST MOONTOWER MISTAKE

Trying to schedule too many shows.

Comedy isn’t like music.

If you leave a concert after 20 minutes, you’ve still heard a few songs.

If you leave a comedy show after 20 minutes, you might miss the comedian’s best material.

Give yourself enough time between shows.

Don’t schedule things on opposite sides of downtown.

THE SECOND BIGGEST MISTAKE

Underestimating Austin traffic.

April isn’t SXSW.

But downtown can still be busy.

And if you’re trying to get from one venue to another during peak hours, give yourself time.

Walking is often easier.

WALK BETWEEN SHOWS

One of the best things about Moontower is that many venues are relatively close together.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Walk.

Enjoy downtown.

Stop for a drink.

Grab a snack.

Then head to your next show.

Don’t spend 20 minutes trying to find parking just to move five blocks.

THE COMEDY CLUB HOP

Here’s a fun Moontower strategy.

Pick three different comedy venues.

See one show at each.

That way you’re not just attending the festival.

You’re experiencing Austin’s comedy-club scene.

And you’ll get a feel for how different rooms create different audiences.

THE BEST WAY TO SAVE MONEY

You don’t have to buy the biggest festival package.

Moontower offers different ways to attend, including individual tickets and festival badges.

For the 2025 festival, the Club Badge provided access to the four-night club series and other benefits, while theater headliner tickets were sold separately.

If you only want to see one or two comedians, individual tickets may make more sense.

If you want to spend several nights bouncing between clubs, the badge can make more sense.

DON’T ASSUME A BADGE MEANS YOU WALK INTO EVERYTHING

Festival badges can provide priority access, but popular shows can still fill.

The 2025 club-show information specifically noted that badge holders received priority access, while single-ticket holders were seated from remaining availability.

So if there’s a show you absolutely want to see, don’t arrive at the last second.

THE BEST MOONTOWER STRATEGY

Pick:

One big-name comedian.

One Austin comedian.

One comedian you’ve never heard of.

One late-night show.

That gives you a little bit of everything.

APRIL IS PERFECT FOR A COMEDY NIGHT OUT

Austin’s weather makes this even better.

You can have dinner outside.

Walk around downtown.

Sit on a patio.

Go to a comedy show.

Grab drinks afterward.

You don’t have to spend the entire evening indoors.

And unlike SXSW, you aren’t battling thousands of people trying to attend every event.

THE BAR SCENE DURING MOONTOWER

Downtown bars get a different crowd during the festival.

Instead of everybody talking about bands and startups, you’re surrounded by comedians, comedy fans, writers and people who just want to laugh.

That creates a completely different energy.

And you never know who might be sitting at the bar next to you.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO COMEDIANS

If you see a comedian at a bar or after a small show, don’t immediately treat them like a celebrity.

They’re usually just people hanging out.

Say hello.

Tell them you enjoyed the show.

Then let them enjoy their night.

THE BEST MOONTOWER EXPERIENCE IS A LITTLE RANDOM

That’s the same principle that makes SXSW fun.

Don’t plan every second.

Plan your major show.

Then leave room for something unexpected.

You might find a comedian at a small club.

You might hear about a last-minute show.

You might end up at a bar where comedians are hanging out.

You never know.

THE BALLER ATX MOONTOWER GAME PLAN

Pick one major show.

Pick one smaller club show.

Find one comedian you’ve never heard of.

Eat before the show.

Walk between venues.

Have a backup show.

Don’t overbook yourself.

Check out a late-night performance.

Try a local restaurant or food truck.

Grab a drink after the show.

And don’t spend the entire festival watching people you already know.

THE PERFECT MOONTOWER DAY

5:00 p.m.

Early dinner.

6:30 p.m.

Walk downtown.

7:00 p.m.

Big comedy show.

8:30 p.m.

Drink and people-watch.

9:30 p.m.

Club show.

11:00 p.m.

Late-night comedy.

12:30 a.m.

Tacos.

1:00 a.m.

One last drink.

2:00 a.m.

Home.

That’s how you do April in Austin.

THE PERFECT MOONTOWER WEEKEND

If you really want to get into it:

Thursday: Big headliner.

Friday: Club shows.

Saturday: Comedy during the day and late-night comedy.

Sunday: Recover.

You don’t need to attend every day.

Two nights can be plenty.

WHAT MAKES MOONTOWER DIFFERENT FROM SXSW

SXSW is chaos.

Moontower is controlled chaos.

SXSW has music everywhere.

Moontower has comedy everywhere.

SXSW is about discovering artists.

Moontower is about discovering comedians.

SXSW has day parties.

Moontower has late-night shows.

And both are excellent excuses to explore Austin.

THE BIGGEST SECRET

The biggest Moontower secret isn’t necessarily the biggest comedian.

It’s the smaller club.

That’s where you’re most likely to find somebody who isn’t famous yet.

And Austin has a long history of comedians using local rooms to develop their material.

You might see somebody in a tiny club this April and later see them performing on television or touring nationally.

That’s the kind of experience you remember.

WHY APRIL IS ONE OF AUSTIN’S BEST MONTHS

By April, the city has moved past the winter slowdown.

SXSW has come and gone.

The weather is getting better.

Patios are alive.

Restaurants are busy.

The music scene is still going.

And now comedy takes over downtown.

You can spend the afternoon outside and the evening laughing.

That’s a pretty good combination.

THE BALLER ATX MOONTOWER CHECKLIST

Buy your tickets early for must-see comedians.

Consider a club badge if you’re planning multiple nights.

Don’t rely exclusively on the biggest names.

Check out local comedians.

Try a club show.

See a late-night show.

Eat before your show.

Walk between nearby venues.

Give yourself plenty of time between performances.

Grab a drink afterward.

Don’t overbook yourself.

And leave room for something unexpected.

THE BOTTOM LINE

April is when Austin gets funny.

Moontower Comedy Festival brings national stars, Austin favorites and rising comedians into venues all over the city.

You can sit in the Paramount and watch a major headliner.

Then walk a few blocks and see a comedian you’ve never heard of in a tiny comedy room.

You can eat tacos before a show.

Grab drinks afterward.

Listen to music somewhere downtown.

And turn a comedy festival into a full Austin night out.

That’s what makes Moontower so much fun.

You aren’t simply buying a ticket to a comedian.

You’re getting a reason to explore the city.

So this April, skip the couch.

Grab your friends.

Pick a comedian you love.

Pick one you’ve never heard of.

Find a comedy club.

Get something to eat.

Grab a drink.

And spend a night laughing your way through downtown Austin.

Because SXSW may be Austin’s biggest March party, but when April arrives, the city belongs to the comedians.

It’s SXSW.

And if you don’t have a badge, wristband or industry credentials, don’t worry.

You can still have an incredible SXSW experience.

In fact, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking you need a badge to enjoy SXSW.

You don’t.

The trick is knowing where to go, what to look for and how to navigate the city when thousands of other people have the exact same idea.

And if you’ve been around Austin long enough, you know the unofficial rule:

SXSW is happening everywhere.

THE FIRST RULE: DON’T PAY FOR EVERYTHING

SXSW can get expensive very quickly.

Badges cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Hotels raise their prices.

Rideshares surge.

Restaurants get crowded.

And suddenly what started as “I’m just going to check it out” turns into a very expensive weekend.

But Austin has always had another side to SXSW.

Free concerts.

Outdoor stages.

Brand activations.

Pop-up events.

Parties.

Food.

Art.

Street performances.

And events happening around downtown that don’t require a badge.

That’s where you should focus.

SXSW 2025 RAN MARCH 7-15

The official 2025 SXSW festival ran March 7-15 in Austin.

The music portion ran March 10-15, while the film and television festival ran March 7-15. (sxsw.com)

That means Austin basically spends the middle of March operating under a completely different set of rules.

The downtown streets become crowded.

Hotels fill up.

Bars are packed.

Restaurants get lines.

And music comes out of almost every doorway.

THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE SXSW WITHOUT A BADGE

Don’t think of SXSW as one event.

Think of it as a citywide scavenger hunt.

Your job is to find the free stuff.

And there is a lot of it.

The official SXSW Community Concerts program has historically included free performances, and Austin’s streets and surrounding venues also fill with unofficial showcases and brand-sponsored events.

The exact lineup changes every year, which is why you should start looking at event announcements in the weeks leading up to SXSW.

START DOWNTOWN

The easiest strategy is to start around downtown.

Sixth Street.

Congress Avenue.

Red River.

Rainey Street.

The Convention Center area.

These are the places where you’re most likely to run into something unexpected.

You might be walking to one event and discover another happening across the street.

That’s normal during SXSW.

SIXTH STREET IS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL DURING SXSW

If you normally think of Sixth Street as a bar district, forget that.

During SXSW, it becomes a giant festival corridor.

Music is coming out of venues.

People are walking everywhere.

Pop-up stages appear.

Brands take over spaces.

Restaurants are packed.

And the street itself becomes part of the show.

You don’t necessarily need a plan.

Walk.

Look.

Listen.

Stop when something catches your attention.

RED RIVER IS WHERE MUSIC FANS SHOULD GO

If your primary goal is music, spend time around Red River.

This is one of Austin’s most concentrated live-music districts, and during SXSW it becomes even more intense.

The Mohawk.

Stubb’s.

Cheer Up Charlies.

Elysium.

Valhalla.

Empire.

And other venues become magnets for musicians and fans.

You can spend hours walking around the neighborhood.

THE BEST SXSW STRATEGY: FIND THE UNOFFICIAL SHOWCASES

This is where Baller ATX-style SXSW comes in.

Don’t just search “SXSW schedule.”

Search for free SXSW parties, SXSW unofficial showcases, free concerts, SXSW day parties and SXSW free events.

Many unofficial events are hosted by record labels, local businesses, radio stations, magazines, brands and individual venues.

Some are free.

Some require RSVPs.

Some have capacity limits.

Some are completely open.

And some fill up immediately.

That’s why you need a backup plan.

RSVP WHEN YOU CAN

This is one of the biggest free-SXSW secrets.

If a free event has an RSVP option, use it.

It doesn’t necessarily guarantee entry.

But it can put you in a much better position than simply showing up.

And don’t assume “free” means “walk right in.”

During SXSW, free events can have huge lines.

SHOW UP EARLY

If there’s a band you absolutely want to see, get there early.

This is especially important for small venues.

A free showcase can reach capacity quickly.

And once the room is full, the fact that you didn’t pay doesn’t matter.

You’re still outside.

DON’T BUILD YOUR DAY AROUND ONE EVENT

This is the biggest mistake.

If you have one free showcase at 4 p.m., don’t spend the entire afternoon standing in line.

Give yourself options.

Have three or four potential events.

If one is packed, move.

If one isn’t what you expected, leave.

There’s always something else happening.

THE BEST PART OF SXSW IS WALKING

Seriously.

Walk.

This is one of the few times of year when you can leave one venue and stumble into something completely different five minutes later.

Maybe there’s a band.

Maybe there’s a food truck.

Maybe there’s a pop-up art installation.

Maybe there’s a celebrity.

Maybe there’s a giant inflatable whatever.

You never know.

That’s SXSW.

DON’T DRIVE DOWNTOWN

This should be obvious.

But every year people try it.

Don’t.

Parking gets expensive.

Traffic gets ugly.

Road closures happen.

Rideshare prices surge.

If you’re going downtown, park outside the core and walk, use public transportation or use a rideshare strategically.

The less time you spend sitting in traffic, the more time you have to enjoy SXSW.

IF YOU DO DRIVE, PARK ON THE EDGE

If you absolutely have to drive, look for parking outside the most congested area.

Then walk.

You might save money.

You might save time.

And you won’t have to deal with trying to move your car every time you want to go somewhere.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES

This is not optional.

You’re going to walk.

A lot.

SXSW can turn into 15,000 or 20,000 steps before you even realize it.

Don’t wear brand-new shoes.

Don’t wear uncomfortable boots because they look cool.

Wear something you can walk in all day.

BRING A PORTABLE CHARGER

Your phone is going to be working overtime.

Maps.

Instagram.

Event schedules.

Texts.

RSVP confirmations.

Pictures.

Videos.

Rideshares.

Your battery can disappear quickly.

Bring a portable charger.

It might be the most important thing in your bag.

WATER IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

March weather in Austin can be unpredictable.

It can be cool.

It can be warm.

It can rain.

It can feel like summer.

You’re walking.

You’re standing outside.

You’re drinking.

Stay hydrated.

Don’t let SXSW turn into a dehydration competition.

EAT BEFORE YOU GET HUNGRY

This is another rookie mistake.

You wait until you’re starving.

Then you realize every restaurant is packed.

Don’t do that.

Eat early.

Find a food truck.

Grab tacos.

Get a sandwich.

Eat something substantial.

Then keep moving.

SXSW IS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES TO EAT AUSTIN FOOD

The food scene gets crazy during SXSW.

Restaurants create special menus.

Food trucks get busy.

Pop-ups appear.

Chefs host events.

Brands bring in food.

And you can find something happening almost everywhere.

But remember:

You don’t need a celebrity chef dinner to have a great SXSW meal.

Sometimes the best meal is a taco from a food truck while you’re walking to the next show.

THE FREE FOOD TRAP

Here’s a Baller ATX warning.

You’ll see signs advertising free food.

Free tacos.

Free drinks.

Free snacks.

Free everything.

And suddenly you’re standing in a line that takes an hour.

Don’t spend an hour in line for a free taco.

If the line is ridiculous, move on.

Austin has thousands of tacos.

THE FREE DRINK TRAP

Same thing.

A party offering free drinks sounds fantastic.

Until you realize 500 people are waiting outside.

If the line is short, go.

If it’s two blocks long, find another bar.

Your time is worth more than one free cocktail.

THE BRAND ACTIVATIONS CAN BE FUN

SXSW is filled with companies trying to get your attention.

Some activations are boring.

Some are incredible.

You might find a photo installation.

A gaming experience.

A food pop-up.

A music stage.

A celebrity appearance.

A weird interactive exhibit.

Don’t automatically skip them.

If something looks fun, go inside.

Just don’t spend your entire day standing in line because a company promised you a free T-shirt.

THE BEST FREE SXSW EVENT IS SOMETIMES THE ONE YOU DIDN’T PLAN

This happens constantly.

You walk down the street.

Hear music.

Look inside.

Find a band.

Stay.

Then realize you’re watching somebody who ends up becoming much bigger later.

That’s one of the reasons Austin locals love SXSW.

The city is full of discoveries.

MUSIC IS STILL THE HEART OF SXSW

SXSW has become enormous.

Film.

TV.

Technology.

Startups.

Brand events.

But music is still a huge part of what makes the festival feel like Austin.

And you don’t need a badge to hear it.

You can hear music spilling out of venues all over downtown.

THE BEST MUSIC STRATEGY

Don’t only chase famous artists.

If you see a huge name playing somewhere free, absolutely check it out.

But also find an unknown band.

Walk into a small venue.

Listen to 15 minutes.

If you like it, stay.

If you don’t, leave.

That’s how you find something new.

SXSW AND THE BAR SCENE

This is where Austin becomes completely insane.

Every bar wants your attention.

Some have live music.

Some have DJs.

Some have pop-up parties.

Some have themed events.

Some have celebrity appearances.

Some just have a packed patio.

Don’t feel like you need to visit the “coolest” bar.

The best bar is the one where you can actually get a drink.

RED RIVER AFTER DARK

Once the sun goes down, Red River becomes one of the best places to be.

Live music.

Crowds.

Bars.

Food.

People everywhere.

It’s loud.

It’s crowded.

It’s chaotic.

And it’s exactly what SXSW should feel like.

RAINEY STREET IS ANOTHER OPTION

If you’re looking for a more bar-focused night, Rainey Street is an obvious choice.

But during SXSW, it gets extremely busy.

If you don’t like crowds, go earlier.

If you want the full SXSW chaos, go later.

DON’T FORGET EAST AUSTIN

East Austin can be a great alternative to the downtown madness.

Restaurants.

Bars.

Pop-ups.

Music.

And plenty of unofficial events.

If downtown becomes too much, move east.

You’ll still feel like you’re in SXSW.

You’ll just be able to breathe.

THE PERFECT NO-BADGE SXSW DAY

Here’s the Baller ATX version:

10:00 a.m.

Breakfast tacos.

11:00 a.m.

Walk downtown and check out free activations.

12:30 p.m.

Free showcase or day party.

2:00 p.m.

Lunch.

3:00 p.m.

Find another free event.

5:00 p.m.

Happy hour.

6:00 p.m.

Walk Red River.

7:00 p.m.

Live music.

9:00 p.m.

Another showcase.

11:00 p.m.

Late-night tacos.

Midnight

One more venue.

1:30 a.m.

Go home.

You don’t need a badge.

You need comfortable shoes and a willingness to explore.

THE FREE WEEKEND VERSION

If you don’t want to deal with SXSW every day, pick one Saturday.

That’s enough.

Arrive early.

Do a few daytime events.

Eat.

Take a break.

Come back downtown around 6 p.m.

Then stay out late.

One well-planned day can give you the entire SXSW experience without destroying your wallet.

THE DATE-NIGHT VERSION

SXSW can actually be a fun date.

You don’t need a reservation.

You can wander.

Find music.

Try food.

Have a drink.

Watch people.

And if you don’t like the event you’re at, move.

The entire city is your backup plan.

THE FRIEND GROUP VERSION

Have everyone choose one thing.

One person chooses a band.

One person chooses food.

One person chooses a bar.

One person chooses an activation.

Now everybody gets to contribute.

And nobody gets to complain that the entire day was planned around somebody else’s favorite band.

THE SOLO VERSION

Going alone is even easier.

You can move faster.

You don’t have to wait for anybody.

You can squeeze into smaller spaces.

And you can leave whenever you want.

Just stay aware of your surroundings and keep your phone charged.

THE BIGGEST SXSW MISTAKE

Trying to do too much.

You don’t need 15 events.

You don’t need 10 bands.

You don’t need 12 free drinks.

You don’t need 50 pictures.

Pick a few things.

Actually enjoy them.

Then wander.

THE SECOND BIGGEST MISTAKE

Thinking SXSW is only for people with credentials.

It isn’t.

Credentials give you access to certain official programming.

They don’t give you exclusive access to Austin.

The city itself is still here.

And during SXSW, the city becomes the festival.

THE THIRD BIGGEST MISTAKE

Spending your entire day in line.

Don’t.

If a line is ridiculous, move.

There is something else happening.

The people standing in that line may spend two hours waiting for a party.

You could walk three blocks and discover an amazing band.

USE PREVIOUS BALLER ATX TIPS

The Baller ATX approach to SXSW has always been simple:

You don’t have to have credentials to have a good time.

You need to know where to look.

Find free events.

Find unofficial showcases.

Look for day parties.

Check local bars.

Look for food events.

Follow the music.

Walk downtown.

And don’t be afraid to leave something that isn’t worth your time.

YOUR PHONE IS YOUR BEST SXSW TOOL

Before leaving home, save your important event information.

Have addresses.

Have RSVP confirmations.

Have screenshots of event information in case your phone service becomes unreliable.

And don’t rely on one website.

Event information changes.

Shows get added.

Times change.

Venues change.

Check the latest information before leaving.

THE AUSTIN WEATHER RULE

Never trust the morning forecast completely.

SXSW can give you sunshine in the morning and rain in the afternoon.

Bring a light jacket.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Have a rain plan.

And don’t wear anything you would be devastated to ruin.

THE SXSW FOOD RULE

Don’t eat the same thing twice.

You have too many options.

If you see tacos, try them.

If you see barbecue, try it.

If you find a food truck you’ve never heard of, give it a shot.

March is one of the best months to explore Austin’s food scene.

THE SXSW MUSIC RULE

See something you’ve never heard before.

That’s mandatory.

If you leave SXSW having only watched artists you already knew, you missed half the point.

THE SXSW BAR RULE

Don’t spend the entire night at one bar.

Austin has too many options.

Walk.

Explore.

See what’s happening.

And remember that a packed bar isn’t necessarily a good bar.

Sometimes the empty place with a band playing in the corner is exactly where you should be.

THE BALLER ATX SXSW CHECKLIST

Wear comfortable shoes.

Bring a portable charger.

Bring water.

Eat before you’re starving.

RSVP for free events.

Show up early for must-see shows.

Have backup plans.

Walk between events.

Check out Red River.

Explore East Austin.

Try a food truck.

See at least one band you’ve never heard of.

Don’t spend all day in line.

Don’t drive downtown if you can avoid it.

Don’t assume free means unlimited access.

And don’t think you need a badge to enjoy SXSW.

THE BIGGEST SECRET

The biggest SXSW secret isn’t a particular party.

It isn’t a secret bar.

It isn’t a celebrity event.

It’s simply this:

Austin itself is the event.

During SXSW, you can walk down the street and hear a band you’ve never heard.

You can walk into a restaurant and find a special menu.

You can stumble into an art installation.

You can meet somebody from another country.

You can watch a movie.

You can hear a startup pitch.

You can see a famous musician.

And you can do all of that without ever showing a badge.

THE BOTTOM LINE

SXSW can be overwhelming.

It can be expensive.

It can be crowded.

It can be frustrating.

But it can also be one of the most exciting weeks of the year in Austin.

And you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to experience it.

Skip the expensive credentials if they aren’t your thing.

Find the free concerts.

Find the unofficial showcases.

Explore the food scene.

Check out the brand activations that actually look interesting.

Walk Red River.

Explore Sixth Street.

Hit East Austin.

Drink some water.

Eat some tacos.

And most importantly, follow the music.

Because the best SXSW experience isn’t necessarily the event you planned three weeks ago.

It’s the thing you stumble into while walking to something else.

That’s the real Austin SXSW experience.

And the best part?

You don’t need a badge to be part of it.

There are a lot of things people associate with Austin: live music, tacos, SXSW, Barton Springs, bats, barbecue and the University of Texas.

But there is one Austin tradition that somehow still feels like a secret to a lot of people.

It’s BBQ Austin, the barbecue competition that kicks off the Rodeo Austin season at the Travis County Expo Center.

And if you’ve never been, you’re probably picturing a bunch of guys standing around smokers while judges walk around tasting brisket.

That’s only part of it.

BBQ Austin is more like somebody took an old-school Texas barbecue cook-off, dropped it onto a giant fairground, added dozens of tents, live music, cold drinks, Western culture and thousands of people, and then told everybody to come hang out.

And the best part is that your admission gets you into the public tasting areas, where barbecue teams offer samples as part of the competition. Rodeo Austin describes the BBQ Austin ticket as providing access to all public tasting tents and onsite vendors.

This is one of those Austin events where you can spend an entire day wandering around, eating barbecue, drinking, listening to bands and feeling like you’ve temporarily left the city.

THIS IS AUSTIN’S OLD WEST

If you’re looking for something that feels completely different from downtown Austin, this is it.

You pull into the Expo Center and suddenly the atmosphere changes.

Cowboy hats.

Boots.

Smokers.

BBQ pits.

Western decorations.

Huge tents.

Live music.

The smell of wood smoke everywhere.

People carrying plates of barbecue.

And teams that have spent days preparing for the competition.

It doesn’t feel like a restaurant.

It doesn’t feel like a normal festival.

It feels like an old-fashioned Texas gathering that somehow survived into modern Austin.

And that’s exactly why it’s so much fun.

THE SECRET IS THE TASTING TENTS

This is the part I wish more people knew about.

The teams aren’t simply cooking barbecue for themselves.

Public tasting tents are part of BBQ Austin, giving attendees the opportunity to sample what teams are cooking.

That means you aren’t walking around looking at smokers wishing you could taste something.

You’re actually participating.

And if you’re smart about it, you can turn the entire event into a barbecue tasting tour.

DON’T JUST EAT AT THE FIRST TENT

This is the biggest rookie mistake.

You walk through the entrance.

You smell brisket.

You see a tent.

You stop.

You eat.

You’re full.

Then you realize there are dozens of other teams.

Don’t do that.

Take your time.

Walk around first.

Look at the tents.

See who’s cooking.

Then start sampling.

You don’t have to eat a full plate at every stop.

Small samples add up quickly.

BBQ AUSTIN IS NOT JUST BRISKET

Yes, brisket is going to be everywhere.

But don’t limit yourself.

You’re going to encounter ribs.

Sausage.

Chicken.

Pulled pork.

Sides.

Desserts.

Different rubs.

Different sauces.

Different cooking styles.

That’s what makes a competition like this interesting.

Two people can cook the same cut of meat and produce something completely different.

THIS IS WHY AUSTIN BARBECUE IS SO SERIOUS

Austin has become one of the most important barbecue cities in the country.

People fly here to eat brisket.

They wait in line for hours.

They plan entire vacations around barbecue.

But BBQ Austin gives you something different from the famous restaurant experience.

Instead of going to one legendary restaurant and ordering one plate, you get to sample barbecue from a large number of teams in one place.

That’s a pretty good deal.

THE MUSIC IS A HUGE PART OF IT

This isn’t a quiet barbecue competition.

There are stages and tents with live entertainment throughout the event.

You can walk around listening to different bands while you’re eating and drinking.

One tent might have country music.

Another might have rock.

Another might have a local singer.

And somewhere nearby, somebody is probably playing something that makes you stop and listen.

This is where BBQ Austin starts feeling like an Austin event instead of simply a barbecue contest.

EVERY TENT HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY

This is probably my favorite part.

Don’t assume all the tents are going to feel the same.

They’re not.

Some teams go all-in on the decorations.

Some have elaborate setups.

Some feel like giant backyard parties.

Some are more polished.

Some are loud.

Some are relaxed.

And some look like somebody decided they were going to build a temporary bar in the middle of a barbecue competition.

Walk around.

Explore.

That’s the experience.

THE DRINKING IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

Let’s talk about the part everybody wants to know about.

BBQ Austin is definitely a social event, and beer and other beverages are part of the festival atmosphere.

But don’t confuse access to public tasting tents with an official “all-you-can-drink” admission benefit. The official Rodeo Austin information specifically describes the admission as access to public tasting tents and onsite vendors; beverages are not described as unlimited with admission.

That said, there are plenty of opportunities to grab a drink, settle into a tent and make an afternoon of it.

And once you’ve been walking around smelling barbecue for a couple of hours, sitting down with a cold beer feels pretty perfect.

MAKE A DAY OF IT

Don’t treat BBQ Austin like a quick lunch stop.

That’s another mistake.

If you’re going to go, give yourself several hours.

Arrive.

Walk around.

Taste.

Listen to music.

Drink something.

Visit another tent.

Eat again.

Watch people.

Find another band.

Then do it all over again.

This is one of those events where the whole point is hanging around.

THE COWBOY HAT IS OPTIONAL

But highly encouraged.

Seriously.

You don’t have to dress like a cowboy.

But this is one of those Austin events where you’ll fit right in wearing boots, jeans and a hat.

And if you’re taking pictures, the Western atmosphere makes for some pretty good ones.

DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BBQ COMPETITIONS

You don’t need to understand judging categories.

You don’t need to know which smoker is best.

You don’t need to know the difference between every competition rule.

Just eat.

Listen.

Ask questions.

If you see somebody doing something interesting with a smoker, ask them about it.

Barbecue people generally love talking about barbecue.

THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS GOING TO FRANKLIN BARBECUE

That’s an important distinction.

At a famous Austin BBQ restaurant, you’re going specifically for the food.

At BBQ Austin, you’re going for the entire experience.

The barbecue is obviously the star.

But the music, tents, people, drinks, competition and Western atmosphere are what turn it into an event.

It’s barbecue as entertainment.

THE SOCIAL SIDE IS HALF THE FUN

BBQ Austin is a great place to bring a group of friends.

It’s easy to split up.

One person can go check out a band.

Another can find barbecue.

Someone else can grab drinks.

Then everybody meets back at a tent.

You don’t have to spend the entire day together.

That makes it a particularly good group event.

IT’S ALSO A GREAT DATE

If you’re looking for something different from the standard Austin dinner-and-drinks date, try this.

Go to BBQ Austin.

Walk around.

Taste barbecue.

Listen to music.

Grab a beer.

Find a tent.

Talk.

It’s casual.

Nobody has to dress up.

There’s always something happening.

And if the date goes badly, there are enough people and enough things happening that you can escape into the crowd.

If it goes well, you’ve got an entire afternoon together.

THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH THE FOOD

Think of yourself as a barbecue sampler.

Don’t eat like you’re at lunch.

Eat like you’re judging.

Small portions.

Taste.

Compare.

Move on.

Maybe one team has incredible brisket.

Another has amazing sausage.

Another has ribs that completely surprise you.

By the end of the day, you’ll have your own personal BBQ Austin ranking.

And that’s half the fun.

MAKE YOUR OWN BBQ RANKINGS

After you’ve tried several tents, start keeping track.

Best brisket.

Best ribs.

Best sausage.

Best side.

Best dessert.

Best overall tent.

Best music.

Best atmosphere.

Best place to hang out.

By the end of the day, you’re basically running your own barbecue competition.

DON’T FORGET THE SIDES

This is where people get distracted by brisket.

Don’t.

Some of the best barbecue experiences are about the sides.

Beans.

Potato salad.

Coleslaw.

Mac and cheese.

Corn.

Bread.

Pickles.

Whatever the teams are serving.

Try them.

You may find something you like almost as much as the meat.

COME HUNGRY

Obviously.

But don’t arrive starving and immediately eat a giant plate.

You need stamina.

BBQ Austin is a marathon.

Not a sprint.

Start with smaller portions.

Walk.

Drink water.

Listen to music.

Then eat again.

WATER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Especially if you’re drinking.

You’re outside.

You’re walking.

You’re eating salty food.

You’re drinking.

Stay hydrated.

There is no prize for being the person who gets completely destroyed by barbecue and beer before the afternoon is over.

PARKING IS SOMETHING TO PLAN FOR

The event is held at the Travis County Expo Center, northeast of downtown Austin.

That means you’re not casually walking there from Sixth Street.

If you’re driving, plan ahead.

Rodeo Austin’s official information lists parking as a separate expense, and the organization recommends purchasing tickets ahead of time to avoid entry delays.

If you’re drinking, designate a driver or use a rideshare.

Don’t turn a fun barbecue day into a bad decision.

THIS IS WHY FEBRUARY IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START TALKING ABOUT BBQ AUSTIN

Even though the main BBQ Austin event occurs in March, February is when you should start making plans.

Rodeo Austin’s BBQ Austin event is the opening act for the larger Rodeo Austin season.

In 2025, BBQ Austin ran March 7-9, followed by the main Rodeo Austin Fair & Rodeo March 14-29. The 2025 BBQ Austin event drew nearly 51,000 people over its two-day competition period, according to Rodeo Austin’s post-event report.

That’s not some tiny neighborhood cook-off.

That’s a major Central Texas event.

THE BBQ COMPETITION IS SERIOUS

Behind all the partying, these teams are actually competing.

BBQ Austin is sanctioned by the Champions Barbeque Alliance, and teams compete under formal barbecue competition rules.

So while you’re walking around eating and listening to music, the people cooking the food are taking it very seriously.

That’s part of what makes the event fascinating.

You get the party.

They get the pressure.

YOU’RE WATCHING PEOPLE COMPETE FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS

These teams aren’t just trying to make good barbecue.

They’re trying to make the barbecue that beats everybody else.

That means they’re thinking about temperature.

Smoke.

Seasoning.

Timing.

Texture.

Presentation.

Every little detail matters.

And you’re getting a chance to taste some of the results.

THE OLD-WEST FEEL IS WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL

There are plenty of food festivals in Austin.

There are plenty of music festivals.

There are plenty of places to drink.

But BBQ Austin feels different because it combines all of those things with a distinctly Texas atmosphere.

Smokers.

Cowboys.

Boots.

Western music.

Barbecue.

Big tents.

Cold drinks.

And people who are genuinely proud of what they’re cooking.

It feels like stepping into another version of Texas.

BRING YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN

This is the person you want to take.

The friend who thinks they’ve done everything in Austin.

The friend who has been to SXSW 20 times.

The friend who thinks they’ve eaten at every BBQ restaurant in town.

Take them to BBQ Austin.

Walk them through the tents.

Let them taste the food.

Watch them realize they had never experienced this side of Austin.

IT’S ONE OF THOSE EVENTS THAT TOURISTS MISS

Tourists know Franklin.

They know Terry Black’s.

They know South Congress.

They know Sixth Street.

They know Barton Springs.

But events like BBQ Austin are where you can show somebody what Central Texas actually feels like.

It’s not polished.

It’s not fancy.

It’s not designed around Instagram.

It’s people gathering around food.

And that’s about as Texas as it gets.

THE BALLER ATX BBQ AUSTIN GAME PLAN

Arrive early enough to beat the biggest crowds.

Walk the entire area before eating.

Pick several tents to try.

Sample instead of filling up immediately.

Check out the live music.

Grab a drink.

Drink plenty of water.

Find a tent where you can sit and hang out.

Try more barbecue.

Compare the teams.

Take pictures.

Talk to the cooks.

Stay for the music.

And don’t forget that you’re at a competition, not just a food festival.

THE PERFECT BBQ AUSTIN DAY

Here’s how I would do it.

11:00 a.m.

Arrive and walk around.

11:30 a.m.

First barbecue tastings.

12:30 p.m.

Explore more tents.

1:00 p.m.

Grab a drink.

1:30 p.m.

Listen to live music.

2:00 p.m.

More barbecue.

3:00 p.m.

Find a tent and hang out.

4:00 p.m.

Start comparing your favorites.

5:00 p.m.

More music.

6:00 p.m.

Final food run.

7:00 p.m.

One last drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

Then head home before you’re too full to move.

THE BIGGEST TIP: DON’T RUSH

This is not an event you should rush through.

The whole point is wandering.

You’re supposed to see a tent that looks interesting.

You’re supposed to hear a band you didn’t expect.

You’re supposed to smell barbecue and follow it.

You’re supposed to sit down with friends and lose track of time.

That’s the experience.

WHY I CALL IT AUSTIN’S BEST-KEPT SECRET

Maybe it’s not technically a secret anymore.

Nearly 51,000 people attended the 2025 BBQ Austin competition.

But compared with Austin’s giant nationally famous events, it still feels like something many locals haven’t discovered.

And that’s what makes it special.

You get a huge Texas experience without the overwhelming feeling of SXSW.

You get barbecue without spending $40 on one plate.

You get music without buying a festival wristband.

And you get an atmosphere that feels like old Texas rather than modern downtown Austin.

FEBRUARY’S HOMEWORK

If you’ve never been, put BBQ Austin on your March calendar now.

Don’t wait until the last minute.

Get your friends together.

Decide who’s driving.

Buy your admission.

Come hungry.

And leave plenty of room in your schedule.

Because once you walk through those gates and smell all that smoke, you’re probably going to want to stay a lot longer than you planned.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Austin has plenty of famous food events.

But BBQ Austin is different.

It’s a barbecue competition.

It’s a music event.

It’s a drinking-and-socializing event.

It’s a Western festival.

It’s a giant outdoor gathering.

And it’s a chance to taste barbecue from competition teams while walking through a collection of tents that each have their own personality.

It’s the kind of event where you can show up wearing jeans and boots, eat barbecue, listen to a band, drink a cold beer, meet new people and spend the entire day feeling like you’ve been dropped into an old Texas town.

And that’s exactly why it deserves more attention.

**Forget the fancy dinner for one weekend.

Put on your boots.

Head to the Expo Center.

Follow the smoke.

Find the tents.

Taste everything.

Listen to the music.

And experience one of Austin’s best-kept secrets before everybody else figures it out.

Free Week is back.

Every January, Austin’s Red River Cultural District turns the traditionally slow winter stretch into one of the best free live-music experiences in the city. Instead of charging cover at participating venues, Free Week gives people the opportunity to see dozens of local bands without paying at the door — while musicians and venue workers are still compensated through the program. In 2025, the main Free Week showcase ran January 3-4, with more than 70 local acts performing across 13 venues.

For somebody who claims to love Austin music, there really isn’t a better excuse to get out of the house.

And the best part is that you don’t have to know the bands.

In fact, not knowing the bands is half the fun.

WHAT EXACTLY IS FREE WEEK?

Free Week is basically Austin’s answer to the winter blues.

The Red River Cultural District and participating venues put together a huge collection of free shows designed to showcase local musicians during a time of year when live music traditionally slows down.

The tradition has been around for more than two decades.

It’s not one giant festival where everybody stands in one field.

Instead, the festival is spread across Austin’s music venues.

That means you can walk from one show to another, see several bands in one night and completely change your plans as you go.

That’s what makes Free Week so much fun.

2025 WAS A BIG DEAL FOR FREE WEEK

The future of Free Week wasn’t always guaranteed.

The Red River Cultural District had spent 2024 dealing with funding challenges, and there had been serious questions about whether the event would continue.

But in late 2024, the city secured an immediate aid package that helped make the 2025 Free Week possible.

The agreement provided the district with up to $150,000 for the first year, with additional renewal options.

So when you walked into a Free Week show in January 2025, you weren’t just getting a free concert.

You were participating in a tradition that had been fighting to stay alive.

THE 2025 LINEUP WAS HUGE

More than 70 local acts were included in the 2025 Free Week lineup.

That included Austin favorites such as Being Dead, Ringo Deathstarr, Geto Gala, Queen Serene, Felt Out, Rattlesnake Milk, The Crack Pipes, Megafauna and many others.

And the genres were all over the place.

Indie rock.

Shoegaze.

Punk.

Country rock.

Garage rock.

Hip-hop.

Psych rock.

Electronic music.

Post-punk.

That’s important because Free Week isn’t really about one particular Austin sound.

It’s about discovering what’s happening across the city’s music scene.

START WITH RED RIVER

If you’re new to Free Week, make Red River your home base.

This is where you’ll find many of the participating venues clustered together, including the Mohawk, Empire Control Room & Garage, Cheer Up Charlies, Stubb’s, Elysium, Valhalla and others.

The advantage is obvious.

You can walk.

See a band.

Walk down the street.

See another band.

Grab a drink.

Walk somewhere else.

Repeat.

You don’t have to spend the night sitting in one venue.

THE BEST FREE WEEK STRATEGY

Here’s the mistake everybody makes the first time:

They look at the schedule and try to see their favorite band.

That’s fine.

But if that’s all you do, you’re missing the best part.

Instead, pick one band you know and then choose two bands you have never heard of.

That’s your Free Week formula.

You get something familiar.

Then you gamble.

Maybe one of those unknown bands is terrible.

Maybe one is incredible.

Maybe you discover the next Austin band you’re going to follow for the next five years.

That’s the whole point.

RINGO DEATHSTARR

If you’re looking for a name from the 2025 lineup that already has a history in Austin’s music scene, Ringo Deathstarr was an obvious choice.

The Austin shoegaze band has been part of the local music landscape for years and was one of the recognizable names on the 2025 Free Week bill.

If you’ve never seen them live, this is exactly the kind of opportunity Free Week is designed for.

You don’t have to spend $30 on a ticket.

You can simply show up.

BEING DEAD

Being Dead was another major Austin name on the 2025 lineup.

The local trio had become one of the city’s better-known indie acts and represented exactly the kind of band Free Week is good at highlighting.

If you haven’t seen them before, put them on your list.

And if you already have, you know why.

GETO GALA

If you’re looking for something beyond guitar-heavy indie rock, Geto Gala brought another side of Austin’s music scene to Free Week.

The 2025 lineup included hip-hop acts such as Geto Gala, Ben Buck and Kydd Jones.

That’s an important reminder:

Don’t assume Free Week means nothing but rock bands.

Austin’s music scene is much bigger than that.

RATTLESNAKE MILK

For something completely different, check out Rattlesnake Milk.

The Austin group brings country rock and Americana into the Free Week mix.

If you’re spending your entire night bouncing between indie and punk shows, switching over to a country-rock set can be a great change of pace.

And that’s one of the best things about Austin.

You don’t have to pick one music scene.

You can experience several in the same night.

THE CRACK PIPES

The Crack Pipes were another interesting addition to the 2025 lineup.

The longtime Austin garage-rock veterans had returned to releasing music after years away, giving Free Week attendees a chance to see a piece of Austin music history alongside newer bands.

This is one of the things that makes local music festivals interesting.

You get the new.

You get the established.

And sometimes you get musicians who were part of an earlier version of Austin that younger audiences never experienced.

FREE WEEK IS NOT JUST ABOUT FREE DRINKS

Let’s get one thing straight.

The music is free.

The drinks aren’t.

And this is where people can accidentally turn “Free Week” into a very expensive weekend.

You go into the first bar thinking you’re saving money.

Then you buy a beer.

Then another.

Then somebody orders a round.

Then you get hungry.

Then you order food.

Then you take an Uber home.

Suddenly your free concert cost $75.

The solution isn’t complicated.

Set a budget before you go.

EAT BEFORE YOU START DRINKING

Austin has plenty of food around the Red River district, so don’t make your first meal a $16 order of bar fries at midnight.

Eat beforehand.

Grab tacos.

Pizza.

A burger.

Whatever fills you up.

Then start your music night.

If you’re hungry later, get something cheap.

This is much easier on your wallet.

THE FOOD TRUCK STRATEGY

One of the best things about Austin’s nightlife is that food trucks and quick-service restaurants are often close to the music venues.

Use them.

You don’t need to sit down for a two-hour dinner.

Grab something quick.

Eat.

Get back to the music.

That’s particularly useful when you’re trying to see several bands.

DRINK WATER

This sounds boring.

It isn’t.

You’re walking between venues.

You’re standing in crowds.

You’re drinking.

It’s January, but you can still get dehydrated.

Have a water between drinks.

Your head will thank you the next morning.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DRINK AT EVERY VENUE

This is another good Free Week trick.

Go inside.

See the band.

Listen.

Leave.

You don’t have to buy a drink every time you enter a venue.

If you want one, get one.

But don’t feel like you’re obligated to spend money because you’re getting into the show for free.

THE FREE WEEK BAR CRAWL

If you want to make a night of it, here’s a simple route.

Start at Cheer Up Charlies.

See a band.

Walk to Elysium.

Catch another set.

Head to Valhalla.

Grab a drink.

Walk toward Mohawk.

See the next band.

Finish at Stubb’s or another venue depending on the schedule.

The exact lineup changes every year, so build your route around the bands you want to see.

The important thing is keeping the walking distance reasonable.

DON’T TRY TO SEE EVERYTHING

This needs to be repeated.

You cannot see everything.

And you shouldn’t try.

If you’re running from venue to venue every 20 minutes, you’re going to spend the entire night watching the last two songs of every set.

Instead, pick a few shows and actually watch them.

Three full sets are better than eight partial sets.

GET TO THE POPULAR SHOWS EARLY

Some Free Week performances can get crowded.

If there’s a band you absolutely want to see, don’t show up at the last minute.

Get there early.

You’ll have a better chance of getting inside.

And you can watch the opening act.

Which brings us to another Free Week rule:

Don’t ignore the opening band.

THE OPENING BAND MIGHT BE THE BEST BAND

This happens all the time.

You arrive because you want to see the headliner.

The opening band starts.

You have no idea who they are.

Then 30 minutes later you’re standing there thinking:

“Where have these guys been?”

That’s how you discover bands in Austin.

USE FREE WEEK TO FIND YOUR NEXT FAVORITE BAND

This should be the goal.

Not getting drunk.

Not taking 100 Instagram pictures.

Not saying you went to 12 venues.

The goal should be discovering something.

Maybe it’s a band.

Maybe it’s a singer.

Maybe it’s a DJ.

Maybe it’s a venue.

Maybe it’s a new bar.

Maybe it’s a restaurant you end up eating at every week.

Free Week gives you permission to experiment.

Take advantage of it.

JANUARY IS ACTUALLY A GREAT MONTH FOR THE BAR SCENE

The weather can be unpredictable, but January has one major advantage:

Austin isn’t nearly as overwhelmed as it is during SXSW.

You can actually get into places.

You can talk to bartenders.

You can find parking more easily.

And you can walk around without feeling like you’re fighting a million people.

Free Week is busy.

But it isn’t SXSW busy.

That’s a good thing.

THE RED RIVER DISTRICT IS THE PLACE TO BE

If you’re trying to experience Austin’s music culture in January, spend time in Red River.

This is one of the best concentrated music districts in the city.

You can hear completely different styles of music within a few blocks.

And because the venues are close together, you can improvise.

That’s something Austin does extremely well.

DON’T FORGET THE SMALLER VENUES

The big venues get the attention.

But the smaller rooms are where you’ll often find the most interesting performances.

Don’t be afraid to walk into a place you’ve never heard of.

That’s the whole Free Week philosophy.

JANUARY IS ALSO A GREAT MONTH FOR DIVE BARS

After the holidays, everybody is trying to get back into normal life.

A dive bar is perfect.

No dress code.

No complicated reservation.

No giant production.

Just a cold beer and a place to sit.

You can easily combine a Free Week night with a couple of Austin’s classic neighborhood bars.

Just don’t forget that you’re there for the music.

THE BEST FREE WEEK NIGHT

Here’s how I would do it:

6:00 p.m.

Dinner.

7:00 p.m.

First band.

8:15 p.m.

Walk to another venue.

9:00 p.m.

Second band.

10:15 p.m.

Drink and talk.

11:00 p.m.

Third band.

Midnight

Late-night tacos.

12:30 a.m.

One last drink.

1:30 a.m.

Go home.

That’s enough.

You don’t need to stay out until 4 a.m. just because the shows are free.

THE BUDGET VERSION

Want to do Free Week for almost nothing?

Eat at home.

Walk or take public transportation.

See two or three shows.

Drink water.

Buy one drink.

Go home.

That’s it.

You could spend very little and still have an excellent Austin night.

THE DATE-NIGHT VERSION

Free Week is also a surprisingly good date night.

It’s casual.

There’s no pressure.

You don’t have to sit across from each other at an expensive restaurant for two hours.

Get tacos.

See a band.

Walk around.

Get a drink.

Talk about the music.

If the date isn’t going well, you have an easy excuse to move to another venue.

If it is going well, you have plenty of places to keep the night going.

THE FRIEND GROUP VERSION

This might be the best way to experience it.

Get five or six friends together.

Everybody chooses one band.

Build the night around those choices.

Now everybody gets to introduce the group to something they like.

That’s much better than one person controlling the entire night.

THE SOLO VERSION

And don’t be afraid to go alone.

Seriously.

Free Week is one of the easiest Austin events to attend by yourself.

You can walk into a venue.

Stand near the back.

Listen to a band.

Leave when you want.

Nobody cares.

And because everybody is there to discover music, it’s surprisingly easy to talk to people.

THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY KEEP

Instead of saying you’re going to “get out more” this year, make a better resolution:

See one Austin band you’ve never heard before every month.

That’s 12 new bands in a year.

Some will be terrible.

Some will be okay.

And one or two might become favorites.

That’s a pretty good resolution.

DON’T FORGET THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SIDE

Free Week isn’t only entertainment.

It’s part of how Austin’s music ecosystem survives.

Musicians need audiences.

Venues need customers.

Bartenders need shifts.

Sound engineers need work.

Promoters need people to show up.

And local music needs people willing to take a chance on artists they don’t already know.

So when you attend Free Week, you’re doing more than getting something for free.

You’re participating in the local music economy.

WHY FREE WEEK MATTERS

Austin has changed enormously.

Rents have gone up.

Venues have closed.

New developments have transformed neighborhoods.

The cost of going out has increased.

But Free Week is one of those traditions that still creates an opportunity for almost anybody to participate.

You don’t need a $100 festival ticket.

You don’t need VIP credentials.

You don’t need to know somebody.

You can just walk into a participating venue and listen to Austin musicians.

That’s pretty special.

THE BALLER ATX FREE WEEK CHECKLIST

Pick three bands.

Pick one band you’ve never heard of.

Start in Red River.

Eat before drinking.

Bring a water bottle when practical.

Get to your must-see show early.

Don’t try to see everything.

Walk between venues.

Check out at least one small venue.

Talk to people in line.

Try something outside your normal music taste.

Set a drink budget.

Grab late-night tacos.

And remember that the music is the reason you’re there.

JANUARY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BORING

The holidays are over.

The Christmas lights are gone.

The weather is cooler.

Your bank account might be recovering.

That’s exactly why January is the perfect time for Free Week.

Instead of sitting at home complaining that there’s nothing to do, go downtown.

Find a band.

Find a bar.

Find some food.

Walk around.

And let Austin remind you why it earned its reputation as a live-music city in the first place.

THE BEST PART IS NOT KNOWING WHAT COMES NEXT

That’s the real Free Week experience.

You don’t know which band you’re going to discover.

You don’t know who you’re going to meet.

You don’t know which venue you’re going to like.

You don’t know where you’re going to end up eating.

And you don’t know whether the band you accidentally walked into will become your new favorite.

That’s exactly how it should be.

**January in Austin doesn’t need fireworks.

It needs a stage, a microphone, a good local band and a crowd willing to listen.**

So grab your friends, head toward Red River and go find your next favorite Austin band.

And remember: if the music is free, there’s really no excuse not to go.

November is one of the best months to be in Austin.

The brutal heat is finally gone, the leaves are starting to change, football season is in full swing, patios are actually enjoyable again, and downtown Austin gets ready for one of the city’s biggest literary events of the year: the Texas Book Festival.

For one weekend, the Capitol grounds and surrounding downtown streets turn into a giant celebration of books, authors, food, ideas and Texas culture.

And the best part?

The Texas Book Festival is free.

You don’t need to be a literary expert.

You don’t have to be a writer.

You don’t even have to be somebody who reads hundreds of books a year.

You can show up, walk around, listen to an author talk about their new book, browse the vendors, grab some food and spend the rest of the day exploring downtown.

The 2024 Texas Book Festival took place November 16-17 and featured more than 250 authors and nearly 300 programs throughout the Capitol area and downtown Austin.

That’s a lot of books.

But it’s also a lot of Austin.

THE TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN

The Texas Book Festival is one of those Austin events that can be easy to overlook if you’re not already a reader.

That’s a mistake.

For one weekend, the area around the Texas State Capitol becomes one of the busiest cultural districts in the city.

There are author talks.

Book signings.

Panel discussions.

Food vendors.

Book sellers.

Family activities.

Live programming.

And thousands of people wandering between venues trying to decide which event they want to attend next.

The festival was founded in 1995 by former First Lady Laura Bush and has grown into one of the largest literary festivals in the country.

That’s pretty impressive for an event that happens right here in Austin.

THE BEST PART: IT DOESN’T COST ANYTHING TO ATTEND

This should be the first thing every Austin newcomer knows.

The Texas Book Festival is free.

You can spend an entire Saturday downtown without paying an admission fee.

That’s especially valuable in Austin, where it can be surprisingly easy to spend $50 just by going out for a few hours.

At the Book Festival, your biggest expenses can simply be food, drinks and whatever books you decide to buy.

And let’s be honest:

You’re probably going to buy a book.

2024 BROUGHT A HUGE AUTHOR LINEUP

The 2024 festival featured an enormous collection of authors across fiction, nonfiction, politics, history, food, children’s literature, Texas history and many other categories.

The lineup included nationally recognized writers as well as Texas authors and emerging voices.

That’s one of the things that makes the festival worth attending even if you don’t know what you want to see.

Walk around.

Look at the schedule.

Find a name you recognize.

Then find somebody you’ve never heard of.

Go to both.

DON’T JUST SEE THE BIGGEST AUTHORS

This is one of the best Texas Book Festival tips.

The biggest author isn’t necessarily going to give you the best experience.

Sometimes the most interesting panel is a smaller conversation about a subject you know almost nothing about.

Maybe it’s Texas history.

Maybe food.

Maybe true crime.

Maybe a novel.

Maybe a biography.

Maybe politics.

Maybe a children’s book that your kids are obsessed with.

The festival covers so much ground that you should use the event as an opportunity to discover something.

MAKE A PLAN BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

You don’t have to plan every minute.

But you should look at the schedule before you get downtown.

The 2024 festival had hundreds of programs, so trying to decide what to attend after you arrive can become overwhelming.

Pick three or four things you definitely want to see.

Then leave gaps between them.

That way, you have time to wander.

DON’T SCHEDULE EVENTS BACK-TO-BACK

This is another rookie mistake.

You might see a panel scheduled at 11:00 and another at noon and assume you’ll have plenty of time.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

You have to walk.

Lines form.

Some events fill up.

You may want to stay after a panel to ask a question or get a book signed.

Give yourself breathing room.

THE CAPITOL IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

One of the coolest things about the Texas Book Festival is the setting.

You’re not walking around a convention center.

You’re surrounded by the Texas State Capitol, downtown buildings, historic streets and Austin landmarks.

It gives the festival a completely different feeling.

You can walk out of an author discussion and be standing on the Capitol grounds.

That’s a very Texas version of a literary festival.

GO TO A BOOK SIGNING

Even if you aren’t planning to buy a book, check out the signing opportunities.

There’s something different about hearing an author talk about their book and then actually meeting them.

If you do want a signed copy, buy the book through the official festival bookstore or participating bookseller and pay attention to the signing schedule.

Don’t wait until the last minute.

Popular authors can attract long lines.

THE BOOKSTORE IS DANGEROUS

You have been warned.

You walk in thinking you’re going to buy one book.

You walk out carrying four.

It happens.

The festival bookstore is one of the easiest places to discover something you didn’t know you wanted.

And if you are shopping for Christmas gifts, November is perfect timing.

Buy books for everybody.

You look thoughtful.

You support authors.

And you don’t have to figure out what to buy somebody two days before Christmas.

NOVEMBER IS ALSO FOOTBALL SEASON

Of course, Austin isn’t going to let a weekend happen without football being part of the conversation.

The Texas Longhorns are in their first season in the SEC in 2024, making the college football season particularly significant for Austin.

By November, the season is getting serious.

Every game matters more.

The weather is perfect for tailgating.

And sports bars around town are packed.

COMBINE THE BOOK FESTIVAL WITH FOOTBALL

Here’s a very Austin way to spend your Saturday:

Start downtown at the Texas Book Festival.

See an author.

Grab lunch.

Walk around the Capitol.

Go to another panel.

Then head somewhere to watch football.

That’s the kind of combination that makes November so much fun.

Culture during the day.

Football at night.

Tacos somewhere in between.

WHERE TO EAT AFTER THE BOOK FESTIVAL

The easiest mistake is leaving downtown because you think you need to find somewhere else to eat.

You don’t.

Austin has plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the Capitol and downtown.

You can find tacos.

Pizza.

Burgers.

Barbecue.

Mexican food.

Asian food.

Coffee.

Desserts.

And plenty of bars.

The best strategy is to decide what kind of meal you want and pick something close to your next activity.

GO FOR TACOS

It’s Austin.

You already know the answer.

If you’re walking around downtown all day, tacos make an excellent festival meal.

They’re quick.

They’re portable.

They’re filling.

And you don’t have to spend an hour sitting down.

Save the long dinner for later.

OR MAKE IT A FOOD FESTIVAL

If you’re not in a hurry, November is a great month to actually sit down and enjoy a meal.

The weather is finally good enough to eat outside.

Find a patio.

Order something you haven’t tried.

Have a drink.

And enjoy the fact that you aren’t sweating through your shirt.

After months of summer heat, that’s an event in itself.

NOVEMBER IS PATIO SEASON

This is one of the biggest reasons locals love November.

You can finally sit outside without feeling like you’re being punished.

Breakfast outside.

Lunch outside.

Happy hour outside.

Dinner outside.

Coffee outside.

Austin’s patio culture becomes much more enjoyable once the temperatures drop.

So take advantage of it.

TRY A NEW AUSTIN RESTAURANT

November is a great time to explore the city’s constantly changing food scene.

Don’t automatically go to the restaurant you’ve been to 20 times.

Pick somewhere new.

Try a neighborhood you’ve never explored.

Check out a food truck.

Find a new taco trailer.

Austin’s food scene changes so quickly that there is almost always something new to discover.

EAST AUSTIN AFTER DARK

If you’re done with the Book Festival and want to keep the night going, head toward East Austin.

It’s one of the easiest areas to combine dinner, drinks and music.

You can start with food.

Walk to a bar.

Listen to music.

Find another bar.

Then grab late-night food.

You don’t need to plan every stop.

That’s part of the fun.

RED RIVER FOR LIVE MUSIC

If you want music instead of a quiet night, Red River is still one of the best places to go.

The weather makes walking between venues much more enjoyable.

Pick a show.

See who else is playing nearby.

And keep the night moving.

Austin’s live-music scene is at its best when you don’t have a rigid schedule.

THE BOOK FESTIVAL IS GREAT FOR FAMILIES

If you’re looking for something to do with kids, the Texas Book Festival is one of the easiest recommendations.

There are children’s authors.

Family programming.

Activities.

Books.

And plenty of things happening throughout the weekend.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on an elaborate family outing.

You can simply go downtown.

Walk around.

Listen to an author.

Buy a book.

Get lunch.

Go home.

IT’S ALSO GREAT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T READ MUCH

This might sound strange, but it’s true.

The festival isn’t just about sitting in a chair listening to somebody read.

Authors talk about history, movies, food, politics, culture, science, current events and their personal experiences.

There is probably something you’re interested in.

You just have to find it.

THE TEXAS ANGLE MAKES IT SPECIAL

Of course, this is the Texas Book Festival.

That means Texas history and culture are everywhere.

You can learn about Texas politicians.

Texas cities.

Texas food.

Texas music.

Texas history.

Texas writers.

Texas communities.

And the complicated stories that make the state what it is today.

Even if you’ve lived here your entire life, you’re likely to learn something new.

BRING A BAG

This sounds like a minor tip.

It isn’t.

You’re going to collect stuff.

Books.

Programs.

Free promotional materials.

Maybe a poster.

Maybe something for the kids.

Bring a reusable bag.

Your arms will thank you.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES

The festival is spread across multiple venues.

You’re going to walk.

A lot.

This is not the day for brand-new shoes.

Wear something comfortable.

Austin in November is usually perfect for walking around downtown, so take advantage of it.

ARRIVE EARLY

If there’s a particular author or panel you really want to see, get there early.

Popular sessions can draw large crowds.

You don’t want to discover that your favorite event is full after you’ve spent 20 minutes walking across downtown.

Give yourself time.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE A BREAK

There’s a temptation to treat the festival like a scavenger hunt.

Panel.

Panel.

Signing.

Panel.

Bookstore.

Panel.

Stop.

Get coffee.

Sit down.

Eat.

Talk to your friends.

Look at the Capitol.

Then go back.

You’re going to enjoy it more.

THE PERFECT TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL DAY

Here’s the Baller ATX version:

9:00 a.m.

Breakfast tacos and coffee.

10:00 a.m.

First author session.

11:30 a.m.

Walk around the Capitol and browse the festival.

12:30 p.m.

Lunch.

1:30 p.m.

Second panel.

3:00 p.m.

Book signing or bookstore.

4:00 p.m.

Coffee break.

5:00 p.m.

Head to happy hour.

7:00 p.m.

Dinner.

9:00 p.m.

Football or live music.

11:30 p.m.

Late-night tacos.

That’s an Austin Saturday.

NOVEMBER IS ALSO A GREAT MONTH FOR DIVE BARS

After spending the day talking about literature, you may want the exact opposite.

Find a dark bar.

Order a beer.

Sit down.

Don’t think about anything.

Austin has plenty of places where you can do exactly that.

And after months of summer heat, there’s something particularly enjoyable about sitting in a neighborhood bar on a cool November night.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

This is the theme of November.

Try a book you wouldn’t normally read.

Go to a panel about a subject you don’t know.

Eat at a restaurant you’ve never tried.

Visit a neighborhood you don’t normally visit.

See a band you’ve never heard.

Order something you’ve never eaten.

That’s how you find new favorites.

THE BALLER ATX NOVEMBER CHECKLIST

Go to the Texas Book Festival.

Attend at least one author panel.

See an author you’ve never heard of.

Buy a book from a local bookseller.

Get something signed.

Walk around the Capitol.

Eat tacos.

Find a patio.

Watch Texas football.

Have a drink after the festival.

See live music.

Try a new restaurant.

And don’t forget to bring a bag for all the stuff you’re going to buy.

THE BIGGEST TIP OF ALL

Don’t treat the Texas Book Festival like something you have to understand before you attend.

Just go.

Walk around.

Look at the schedule.

Find something interesting.

Sit down.

Listen.

Maybe you’ll discover an author you love.

Maybe you’ll buy a book you wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.

Maybe you’ll meet somebody who gives you a recommendation that becomes your favorite book of the year.

Or maybe you’ll spend two hours talking about books with a complete stranger before heading to a bar for a beer.

All of those are good Austin experiences.

NOVEMBER IS AUSTIN AT ITS BEST

The heat is finally gone.

Football is everywhere.

Restaurants are packed.

Patios are alive.

Live music is going strong.

And downtown has the Texas Book Festival.

You can spend your Saturday surrounded by books and authors and finish your night with tacos and live music.

That’s what makes Austin different.

You don’t have to choose one thing.

You can have all of it.

**Start with a book.

End with a beer.

And make a whole Austin day out of it.**

October might be the best month of the year to be a movie fan in Austin.

The weather is finally starting to cooperate, patios are becoming enjoyable again, downtown gets busy with people carrying festival schedules and coffee cups, and for eight days Austin becomes one giant gathering place for filmmakers, screenwriters, actors, movie lovers and people who simply want to see something they haven’t seen before.

The big event this month is the Austin Film Festival, running October 24 through October 31 in 2024. The 31st annual festival brings together feature films, documentaries, shorts, world premieres, screenwriting panels, industry guests and networking events throughout downtown Austin.

But here’s the thing about Austin Film Festival: you don’t have to be a filmmaker to enjoy it.

You don’t even have to know anything about screenwriting.

You just have to love movies.

And if you know how to work the festival — where to go, what to see, where to eat between screenings and what to do after the movies — you can turn a single screening into an entire Austin night.

WHAT MAKES AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL DIFFERENT?

Austin has plenty of film events.

The Austin Film Society has year-round programming.

Fantastic Fest brings the horror, science-fiction and genre crowd.

SXSW has become a massive entertainment industry event.

But Austin Film Festival has its own personality.

It’s about storytelling.

The festival’s Writers Conference is a major part of the event, with more than 150 panels, more than 200 industry panelists and more than 20 networking events in 2024.

That means you’re not just watching movies.

You’re hearing writers and filmmakers talk about how those movies actually got made.

For anyone interested in film, television or writing, that can be just as interesting as the screenings themselves.

THE 2024 FESTIVAL RUNS OCTOBER 24-31

The 2024 Austin Film Festival runs from Thursday, October 24 through Thursday, October 31.

That means the festival overlaps with Halloween, which is basically perfect for Austin.

The festival’s registration and information center was based at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, with screenings and conference events spread throughout downtown venues.

This is important because you shouldn’t think of AFF as one location.

It’s a downtown festival.

You’re going to be walking.

You’re going to be checking your schedule.

You’re going to be figuring out how long it takes to get from one theater to another.

And you’re going to be making decisions about which movie you want to see next.

DON’T TRY TO SEE EVERYTHING

This is the biggest beginner mistake.

You open the festival schedule.

You see hundreds of possibilities.

Suddenly you’ve scheduled eight movies in one day.

Don’t do it.

You’re going to get tired.

You’re going to miss meals.

You’re going to spend the entire day looking at your phone.

And eventually you’ll start wondering why you paid money to sit in a dark room for 14 straight hours.

Pick the movies you’re genuinely excited about.

Then leave some space.

The best festival experience isn’t necessarily the one where you see the most movies.

It’s the one where you discover something you didn’t expect.

LOOK FOR THE MOVIES THAT AREN’T ON EVERYONE’S LIST

This is one of the best Austin Film Festival strategies.

Everybody knows about the big centerpiece movies.

Everybody wants to see the major premieres.

But the smaller films are where you can sometimes find the real surprises.

The 2024 lineup included world premieres such as Crossword, The Fetch, Operation Taco Gary’s, Subtopia: The Story of Hueco Canyon, Texas Cult House and The Ego Death of Queen Cecilia.

You may not recognize those titles.

That’s okay.

That’s the point.

Look at the description.

Look at the filmmaker.

Look at the cast.

If something sounds interesting, take the chance.

OPERATION TACO GARY’S

Even the title tells you that AFF doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Operation Taco Gary’s, starring Simon Rex, Dustin Milligan, Jason Biggs and Brenda Song, was among the 2024 world premieres.

A title like that is exactly the kind of thing you should pay attention to when building your festival schedule.

Maybe it’s great.

Maybe it’s completely insane.

Maybe you love it.

Maybe you hate it.

At a film festival, either outcome can be entertaining.

THE ORDER WAS ONE OF THE BIG FILMS OF 2024

The 2024 festival featured The Order as its centerpiece film.

The film was one of the major titles AFF highlighted in its full schedule announcement, alongside The Brutalist and September 5.

This is where having a festival pass can make a difference.

The big screenings can attract major crowds, so don’t assume you can stroll in five minutes before showtime and get a great seat.

Plan ahead.

ARRIVE EARLY FOR THE BIG SCREENINGS

This is one of the most important festival rules.

If you really want to see a particular movie, don’t arrive at the last second.

Austin Film Festival has multiple venues, different screening capacities and heavily anticipated films.

A big movie can fill up.

And nothing is more frustrating than having a ticket or pass and discovering that you still need to plan your arrival carefully.

Give yourself time.

Get there early.

Find the theater.

Use the bathroom.

Get a drink.

Then relax.

THE WRITERS CONFERENCE IS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Even if you aren’t trying to become a professional screenwriter, some of the Writers Conference panels can be fascinating.

You’re getting people who actually work in the industry talking about storytelling, television, movies, characters, pitching, writing and the realities of getting something made.

In 2024, the conference featured more than 150 panels and more than 200 panelists.

That’s an enormous amount of information packed into one week.

And some of the best lessons aren’t necessarily about writing.

They’re about how movies actually get made.

DON’T JUST GO TO PANELS ABOUT WRITING

If you’re attending the conference, don’t feel like you have to choose only panels that sound directly related to your job or hobby.

A panel about producing might teach you something about writing.

A panel about television might explain why certain movies are structured differently.

A conversation with a director might completely change the way you watch movies.

The festival is about storytelling.

That’s much broader than screenwriting.

THE NETWORKING IS A BIG PART OF IT

Austin Film Festival has always had a reputation for bringing writers and filmmakers together.

But you don’t have to be some Hollywood insider to talk to people.

You’re already surrounded by people who love movies.

Talk to them.

Ask what they’ve seen.

Ask what they’re excited about.

Ask where they’re from.

Ask which screening they’re heading to next.

Somebody standing in line next to you may know more about independent film than almost anyone you’ve ever met.

And they may give you the recommendation that becomes your favorite movie of the festival.

THE LINE IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

This is another thing new festival attendees don’t always understand.

You’re going to stand in lines.

Use them.

This is where people talk.

It’s where you find out which movies were surprisingly good.

It’s where people tell you which panel you should attend.

It’s where you hear about parties.

And it’s where you can meet people without having to force a networking conversation.

Don’t stare at your phone the entire time.

Talk to somebody.

PLAN YOUR FOOD AROUND THE FESTIVAL

This is where Austin comes in.

You don’t need to eat at the theater between every screening.

Downtown Austin has enough restaurants, bars, coffee shops and quick-service options that you can build food into your festival schedule.

The key is don’t choose a restaurant that’s going to take 90 minutes when you have a movie in 45 minutes.

Fast casual is your friend.

Tacos.

Pizza.

Sandwiches.

Burgers.

Food trucks.

Quick coffee.

Save the long dinner for after your last screening.

BREAKFAST TACOS ARE YOUR FRIEND

If you’re going to spend all day watching movies, start with breakfast.

And this is Austin.

So obviously that means breakfast tacos.

Get something filling.

Eggs.

Potatoes.

Bacon.

Sausage.

Whatever you like.

You’re going to be sitting in dark theaters for hours.

You don’t want to be starving halfway through the second movie.

COFFEE BEFORE THE FIRST SCREENING

You’re probably going to need it.

Especially if you’re doing early panels.

October is finally cool enough that getting coffee before starting your day actually feels enjoyable.

Find a downtown coffee shop.

Get there early.

Look over the schedule.

Decide what you’re actually going to see.

Then start your festival day.

LUNCH SHOULD BE QUICK

Don’t make lunch complicated.

You have movies to see.

Find something close to your next venue.

Tacos are perfect.

Pizza is perfect.

A sandwich is perfect.

You don’t need a three-course meal at 2 p.m.

Save that for later.

DINNER IS WHEN YOU CAN SLOW DOWN

After your final movie, that’s when you can actually enjoy Austin.

Find a restaurant.

Order a real meal.

Get a cocktail.

Talk about the movies.

Argue about which one was best.

And then figure out what you’re doing afterward.

This is one of the best parts of the festival.

You’re not just going home after the movie.

The city is right outside.

CONGRESS AVENUE IS YOUR PLAYGROUND

Many festival activities take place around downtown Austin, making Congress Avenue and the surrounding streets a natural base for your evening.

You’re close to theaters.

Bars.

Restaurants.

Hotels.

Coffee shops.

Music venues.

That makes it easy to turn the festival into a full night out.

GO TO A BAR AFTER THE MOVIE

This is an Austin Film Festival tradition worth adopting.

Don’t immediately go back to your hotel.

Find a bar.

Order a drink.

Talk about what you just watched.

You’ll quickly find out that movie people have opinions.

Strong opinions.

Somebody will tell you the movie you loved was terrible.

Somebody else will tell you the movie you hated was a masterpiece.

That’s part of the fun.

THE PARAMOUNT IS PART OF THE MAGIC

Seeing a film at the Paramount Theatre is one of those Austin experiences that makes a festival screening feel different.

The historic theater itself is part of the experience.

If you get the opportunity to see one of the festival’s major screenings there, take it.

You aren’t simply watching a movie.

You’re watching a movie in one of Austin’s most recognizable theaters.

STATE THEATRE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT STOP

The State Theatre on Congress is another major part of the downtown film experience.

In 2024, festival screenings included films such as Party People at the State Theatre, with another screening at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center.

That makes the downtown theater district particularly convenient.

You can move between venues without having to spend your entire day driving.

DON’T FORGET THE AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY

Austin’s film culture doesn’t begin and end with Austin Film Festival.

The Austin Film Society runs programming throughout the year at AFS Cinema.

In October 2024, AFS was also presenting its Frederick Wiseman series and other special programs, including the October 11-13 To the Front series featuring independent films from the 1990s and appearances by the filmmakers.

So if you’re a serious movie fan, October is basically Christmas.

There’s something happening everywhere.

THE BEST FANTASTIC FEST VS. AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL COMPARISON

If you’ve been to Fantastic Fest, here’s the easiest way to think about it:

Fantastic Fest: genre movies, horror, science fiction, cult films, midnight insanity and a more chaotic atmosphere.

Austin Film Festival: screenwriting, storytelling, filmmakers, independent movies, industry panels and a broader range of cinema.

Both are great.

They’re just different.

And if you love movies, you should experience both.

THE BEST WAY TO DO AFF ON A BUDGET

You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune.

If you’re trying to save money, prioritize the movies.

Eat cheaply.

Walk between venues.

Use public transportation when practical.

Skip expensive festival parties if they’re not included.

Find bars with happy hour.

And don’t feel like you need to buy something every time you sit down.

Austin is expensive enough without turning every coffee break into a $20 purchase.

WALK BETWEEN VENUES

This is one of the biggest advantages of Austin Film Festival.

A lot of the festival activity is concentrated downtown.

That means you can walk.

Walking saves money.

It saves time compared with trying to find parking.

And it gives you a chance to experience downtown Austin while the festival is happening.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Seriously.

BRING A BACKUP PLAN

Your first-choice movie might be sold out.

A panel might fill up.

You might discover that you don’t actually want to sit through the movie you thought you wanted to see.

That’s normal.

Have a second choice.

Then a third.

The best festival attendees aren’t rigid.

They adapt.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE A MOVIE

This is controversial.

But it’s true.

If you’re absolutely miserable 45 minutes into a movie, you don’t have to stay.

There are hundreds of other things happening.

Go find another screening.

Go to a panel.

Get food.

Get a drink.

Take a walk.

You’re at a film festival.

You have options.

THE HALLOWEEN CONNECTION

One of the fun things about the 2024 festival schedule is that it runs all the way through Halloween.

That means the final days of AFF overlap with one of Austin’s biggest party nights.

You can spend Halloween watching movies and then head into the city’s nightlife afterward.

That’s a pretty good Austin combination.

OCTOBER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO EXPLORE AUSTIN’S BAR SCENE

The temperatures are finally becoming manageable.

That means you can actually sit outside.

East Sixth becomes more comfortable.

Rainey Street is busy.

Downtown rooftops become appealing again.

Red River is packed with live music.

And neighborhood bars start opening their patios.

After spending the day indoors watching movies, getting outside for a drink feels even better.

THE BALLER ATX AFF DAY

Here’s how I’d do it.

9:00 a.m.

Breakfast tacos and coffee.

10:00 a.m.

First panel or screening.

12:30 p.m.

Quick lunch.

1:30 p.m.

Second screening.

4:00 p.m.

Coffee or a drink and a break.

5:30 p.m.

Third movie.

8:00 p.m.

Dinner.

9:30 p.m.

Bar.

11:00 p.m.

Another drink or late-night food.

Midnight

Decide whether you’re actually going to sleep or whether you’re going to a midnight screening.

That’s the beauty of Austin Film Festival.

You can make the day whatever you want.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: DON’T OVERPLAN

You can’t predict which movie will become your favorite.

You can’t predict who you’re going to meet.

You can’t predict which panel will be unexpectedly great.

And you can’t predict which bar you’re going to end up at afterward.

That’s why you leave room for the unexpected.

Have a plan.

But don’t let the plan control you.

OCTOBER IN AUSTIN IS ABOUT DISCOVERY

That’s really what Austin Film Festival represents.

Discovery.

A new filmmaker.

A new writer.

A new movie.

A new restaurant.

A new bar.

A new part of downtown.

Maybe you’ll watch a movie you’ve never heard of and absolutely love it.

Maybe you’ll hear a screenwriter explain how they came up with an idea and suddenly understand why the movie worked.

Maybe you’ll meet somebody who tells you about another film festival.

Maybe you’ll walk out of a theater and discover a bar you didn’t know existed.

That’s Austin.

THE BALLER ATX OCTOBER CHECKLIST

See at least one Austin Film Festival movie.

See a movie you know nothing about.

Attend a Writers Conference panel.

See a screening at a historic downtown theater.

Eat breakfast tacos.

Find a good downtown happy hour.

Walk between venues.

Talk to somebody in line.

Go to a bar after a movie.

Try something outside your normal movie preferences.

Check out Austin Film Society programming.

And leave room for something unexpected.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Austin Film Festival is one of those events that makes Austin feel like Austin.

It brings movies into the middle of downtown.

It brings writers and filmmakers into local bars and restaurants.

It gives audiences the chance to discover movies before everybody else is talking about them.

And it gives regular Austinites another reason to spend an entire day downtown.

You don’t have to be a filmmaker.

You don’t have to be a screenwriter.

You don’t have to understand the film business.

You just have to like movies.

So grab your schedule, put on comfortable shoes, get some breakfast tacos and prepare to spend the day bouncing between theaters, panels, restaurants and bars.

And when somebody asks you which movie they should see, don’t automatically recommend the biggest one.

Tell them about the weird one you found.

Because that’s usually where the best stories begin.

Welcome to Austin Film Festival season.

November might be one of the best months of the year to be in Austin.

The brutal summer heat has finally backed off, patios are enjoyable again, the holiday madness hasn’t completely taken over, and the city’s restaurants, chefs and bars are coming off another busy year of feeding one of the country’s most food-obsessed cities.

And then there is the weekend that brings all of that together.

The Austin Food + Wine Festival.

On November 4 and 5, 2023, Auditorium Shores will once again turn into one of the biggest food-and-drink playgrounds in Austin as chefs, pitmasters, bartenders, winemakers and food lovers gather for two days of eating, drinking and showing off what makes the Central Texas food scene so good. The 2023 festival was the 12th edition of the event and featured chefs from Austin and around the country.

For Baller ATX, this is one of those November events that is almost impossible to skip.

Austin has plenty of food festivals, but Austin Food + Wine is different.

This is the weekend when you can walk into one area and sample dishes from dozens of chefs without having to drive across the city.

You can eat barbecue.

Then tacos.

Then oysters.

Then pasta.

Then chocolate.

Then something you can’t pronounce.

Then wash it all down with wine, beer or a cocktail.

And then, because you are apparently making excellent decisions, you go back for another plate.

That’s the festival.

THIS IS NOT JUST A WINE FESTIVAL

The name can be a little misleading.

If you hear “Austin Food + Wine Festival” and assume you’re going to spend the weekend standing around sipping Chardonnay, you’re missing half the experience.

Actually, you’re missing most of it.

The food is the star.

The 2023 festival’s Chef Showcase brought together an enormous group of Austin-area chefs and restaurants, including Alma Alcocer of El Alma, Tano Avila of Grizzelda’s, Ji Peng Chen of Wu Chow, Jason Dady, Barrett Black of The Original Black’s BBQ, Joseph Gomez of Con Todo, Roberto Espinosa of Tacodeli, Liz and Stephanie Everett of Ensenada, Anthony Sobotik and Kendall Melton of Lick Honest Ice Cream, Paul Qui and the East Side King team, Jam Sanitchat of Thai Fresh and many more.

That’s what makes the event so fun.

You don’t have to pick one restaurant.

You don’t have to make a reservation six weeks in advance.

You don’t have to decide between tacos and barbecue.

You can eat all of them.

THE CHEF SHOWCASE IS THE MAIN EVENT

If you’re going to Austin Food + Wine, the Chef Showcase is where you want to spend serious time.

Imagine walking through a giant outdoor food festival and seeing restaurant after restaurant represented by the chefs actually cooking the food.

Instead of ordering one entrée at one restaurant, you get small bites from a huge selection of kitchens.

That means you can sample something from a restaurant you’ve been meaning to try without committing to an entire dinner.

And that’s one of my favorite things about the festival.

It turns the entire city into a tasting menu.

You can find established Austin institutions alongside newer restaurants that are trying to make a name for themselves.

You might discover your next favorite restaurant simply because you liked one bite.

And that is exactly how Austin’s food scene should be experienced.

THE FIRE PIT IS WHERE THINGS GET SERIOUS

Then there is the Fire Pit.

If barbecue and live-fire cooking are your thing, this is probably where you’re going to spend most of your time.

The Fire Pit features chefs and pitmasters cooking over open flames, giving attendees a chance to watch the cooking process and, more importantly, eat the results.

In 2023, the lineup included chefs such as Adrian Abella and Camille De Los Reyes of Sari-Sari Supper Club, Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia, Jason Dady, Leo Davila of Stixs & Stone, Harold Marmulstein of Salty Sow and Esaul Ramos of 2M Smokehouse BBQ.

And Esaul Ramos being part of the lineup is exactly the kind of thing that makes the festival worth attending.

2M Smokehouse has become one of the names people associate with serious Austin barbecue, and getting to taste food prepared by chefs and pitmasters like these in a festival setting is a completely different experience from going out for a normal Saturday lunch.

The Fire Pit also captures something important about Texas food.

Cooking over fire isn’t a gimmick here.

It’s part of the culture.

Barbecue.

Grilling.

Smoking.

Roasting.

Open-fire cooking.

Texas has built an identity around it, and Austin Food + Wine gives chefs an opportunity to put their own spin on those traditions.

WINE, BEER AND COCKTAILS

Obviously, the wine part matters.

The festival brings together wine and spirits producers, giving attendees the opportunity to taste things they may not normally find at their neighborhood restaurant or bar.

And that’s another reason you need a strategy.

Do not start drinking heavily the moment you walk through the gate.

You’re going to be there for hours.

There is food everywhere.

There are wine samples.

There are cocktails.

There are beers.

There are demonstrations.

There are people offering you things.

And eventually, if you aren’t careful, you’re going to be sitting underneath a tree wondering why you thought drinking your way through an entire festival was a good idea.

Pace yourself.

Drink water.

Eat.

Then drink some more.

The Austin Chronicle’s 2022 preview gave essentially the same warning, describing the festival as a particularly boozy event and recommending that attendees alternate alcohol with water or mocktails and plan transportation in advance.

It’s good advice.

THIS IS WHERE YOU FIND YOUR NEXT RESTAURANT

One of the best strategies at Austin Food + Wine is to stop thinking about what you already know.

Yes, go to the chefs and restaurants you’re excited about.

But leave room for something new.

If you’ve never tried a particular restaurant, this is the perfect opportunity.

Maybe you see a dish that looks interesting.

Try it.

Maybe somebody recommends a chef you’ve never heard of.

Go.

Maybe the line at your favorite restaurant is ridiculous.

Walk somewhere else.

The entire point of a festival like this is discovery.

And Austin has enough restaurants that you could spend the rest of your life trying to eat at all of them.

The festival gives you a shortcut.

THE 2023 LINEUP IS A SNAPSHOT OF AUSTIN’S FOOD SCENE

Look at the 2023 chef list and you’ll see just how diverse Austin’s food scene had become.

There were Mexican restaurants.

Barbecue.

Italian.

Chinese.

Thai.

Japanese.

Seafood.

Bakeries.

Ice cream.

Chocolate.

Cocktails.

And plenty of restaurants that don’t fit neatly into one category.

Chefs from places such as Wu Chow, Intero, Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar, Thai Fresh, Ensenada, Con Todo, Lick Honest Ice Cream, Tacodeli and East Side King were represented.

That is a pretty good snapshot of modern Austin.

The city still loves tacos and barbecue.

Obviously.

But the food scene has expanded dramatically.

Austin has become a city where you can eat incredibly well across a huge range of cuisines without needing to leave town.

And Food + Wine is one weekend where you get to see all of it at once.

DON’T MISS THE CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS

If you’re someone who actually likes cooking, don’t spend the entire weekend standing in food lines.

Check out the chef demonstrations.

These are one of the more interesting parts of the festival because you aren’t just eating.

You’re learning.

Chefs demonstrate techniques, recipes and cooking methods, and some of the most interesting information comes from watching how professionals approach ingredients that you might normally ignore.

Even if you don’t cook, they’re entertaining.

And if you’re the person who always says, “I could make that at home,” this is where you get to find out whether you actually can.

Probably not.

But it’s worth trying.

THE BEST PART: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A FOODIE

There is sometimes a perception that Austin Food + Wine is only for hardcore food people.

It isn’t.

You don’t have to know who every chef is.

You don’t have to understand wine.

You don’t need to know the difference between every type of olive oil.

You don’t need to watch cooking shows.

You don’t need an Instagram food account.

You just need to like eating.

That’s pretty much the only qualification.

If you like food, you’re going to have a good time.

If you like drinks, you’re going to have a good time.

If you like watching people cook, you’re going to have a good time.

And if you like all three?

You’re probably going to need somebody to roll you home.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN QUALITY AND QUANTITY

There is one problem with the festival.

There is too much food.

That’s a good problem.

But it’s still a problem.

The first hour is easy.

You’re excited.

You see a taco.

You eat it.

Then you see barbecue.

You eat it.

Then you see pasta.

You eat it.

Then dessert.

You eat it.

Then another taco.

Then something else.

Suddenly you realize you’ve been at the festival for three hours and you’re completely full.

And there are still dozens of things you haven’t tried.

That’s why small portions are your friend.

Take your time.

Share.

If you’re with friends, don’t have everybody get the same thing.

Get different dishes and try everything.

The goal isn’t to eat the most.

It’s to eat the best.

COME HUNGRY. BUT DON’T COME STARVING.

This sounds contradictory, but it’s important.

Don’t eat a giant breakfast before you arrive.

But don’t show up completely empty either.

Have something light.

Then start tasting.

You’re going to be drinking too, and drinking on an empty stomach at a food festival is a terrible strategy.

You’ll feel great for about 45 minutes.

Then you won’t.

WHAT TO WEAR

November is one of the best months for an outdoor Austin festival.

The weather is usually much more forgiving than the summer months, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re walking around Auditorium Shores eating all afternoon.

Still, check the forecast.

Wear comfortable shoes.

You’re going to walk.

A lot.

And don’t wear your nicest white shirt.

This is a food festival.

Something is going to fall.

Something is going to drip.

Someone is going to hand you a sauce you weren’t expecting.

Accept it.

THE FOOD FESTIVAL DATE NIGHT

If you’re looking for something different to do with a date, Austin Food + Wine can actually be a great option.

You’re not sitting across from each other at a restaurant trying to come up with conversation.

You’re walking around.

Trying food.

Talking about what you like.

Making fun of each other’s wine choices.

Finding new restaurants.

Watching chefs.

It gives you something to do.

And if the date goes badly?

There is enough food there to distract you.

That’s a win either way.

GO WITH FRIENDS

The festival is also better with a group.

Four people is probably the sweet spot.

Everybody can grab different dishes and share.

One person can go get barbecue.

Someone else can get tacos.

Another person can grab dessert.

Then everybody meets back up and compares.

It’s basically a giant culinary scavenger hunt.

And because the event is spread out over a large area, having friends makes it easier to divide and conquer.

Just don’t lose anybody.

You’ll spend the rest of the afternoon trying to find them.

AUSTIN FOOD + WINE IS A SNAPSHOT OF WHERE THE CITY IS GOING

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the festival isn’t any individual dish.

It’s what the event says about Austin.

Twenty years ago, Austin was already known for barbecue, Tex-Mex, breakfast tacos and a handful of iconic restaurants.

Today, the food scene is much broader.

The city has become a destination for chefs from different culinary backgrounds.

The festival reflects that.

You can eat a classic Texas barbecue bite and then walk over to a chef making something inspired by Southeast Asia.

You can try a taco and then eat handmade pasta.

You can have chocolate from a local chocolatier and then taste wine from somewhere you’ve never heard of.

That’s Austin in 2023.

AND YES, THE WINE FLOWS

Let’s not pretend otherwise.

This is Austin Food + Wine.

There is plenty of it.

Wine tastings are one of the festival’s major attractions, and if you enjoy exploring different producers, this is a good opportunity to taste your way through different styles without buying an entire bottle.

But the same rule applies:

Pace yourself.

Especially if you’re spending the entire afternoon at the festival.

Eat something.

Drink water.

Take breaks.

And if you’re drinking, don’t drive.

Plan your ride home before you arrive.

That makes the entire experience better.

THE FESTIVAL THAT AUSTIN FOOD LOVERS WAIT FOR

By November, Austin has already been through another year of restaurant openings, closings, chef changes, new food trucks, new bars and new culinary trends.

Austin Food + Wine gives everybody an opportunity to take a breath and celebrate it.

For one weekend, you don’t have to chase down every new restaurant.

The chefs come to you.

And that’s what makes this event so special.

It is a celebration of the people who make Austin’s food scene what it is.

The established chefs.

The new chefs.

The pitmasters.

The pastry chefs.

The bartenders.

The winemakers.

The local restaurants.

The people standing behind the food.

THE BALLER ATX PLAN

If you’re going to the festival this November, here’s our strategy:

Come early.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Start with food before drinking.

Try things you’ve never tried.

Share everything.

Visit the Fire Pit.

Watch at least one chef demonstration.

Taste something new.

Drink water.

Take a break.

Don’t try to eat everything.

Because you can’t.

Trust us.

You can’t.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Austin Food + Wine Festival is one of those events that perfectly captures the city.

It’s big without being impersonal.

It’s sophisticated without taking itself too seriously.

It’s packed with nationally recognized chefs, but the Austin food scene remains at the center of it.

And most importantly, it’s fun.

You get to spend a weekend eating food from some of the city’s best restaurants, discovering chefs you may not know, drinking wine and cocktails, watching live-fire cooking and hanging out with thousands of other people who apparently thought spending an entire weekend eating was a good idea.

They were right.

So if you’re looking for something to do this November, head down to Auditorium Shores.

Come hungry.

Bring friends.

Wear comfortable shoes.

And prepare yourself for a weekend where the biggest question isn’t “Where should we eat?”

It’s:

“How much more food can we possibly eat?”

The answer, in Austin, is always:

A little more.

The first weekend of ACL Fest 2023 was not only filled with amazing music and fun times for all, but we had what was probably the BEST weather in Central Texas in six months! A very welcome change indeed, and the perfect atmosphere for our favorite music festival.

But there was so much more than just live music, great weather, and amazing food at ACL. So if you’re planning to be out there for weekend 2, don’t forget to check out all the sponsor activations going on around the park. Did we mention FREE swag?!

Let’s start with Tito’s Stardust Experience (Located just to the right of the Tito’s Tent stage)

Test your skills and win Tito’s swag playing their infamous claw machine. Or take a break and set a meet-up spot for your pals just outside the activation area on some comfy chairs under shady umbrellas. And remember… for the FIRST TIME EVER, all festival goers (21+) can purchase liquor, including a refreshing Tito’s Sparkling Lemonade at ANY of the bars around the park! No longer is the booze reserved for the VIPs, y’all!

Don’t forget to stick around and enjoy some amazing bands under the shady Tito’s Tent stage.

HULU at ACL!

Head into the Hulu House for that free Hulu gear AND a cool spot to catch all the live streaming ACL Fest content from the best seat in the house.

Party with T-Mobile at “Club Magenta”

Chill out and charge up at the ultimate FREE backstage experience located behind the T-Mobile Stage (entrance is to the right of the stage). Gain instant access if you’re a current T-Mobile customer by adding your “Club Magenta” pass to your mobile device via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app (an amazing baller way to get exclusive discounts btw!). When you get inside, you’ll find charging stations, upgraded (A/C!) restrooms, a private (cash) bar, and a chance to see your favorite bands playing the T-Mobile stage with exclusive side-stage access!

…and more!

Be sure to check out the AMEX lounge and get access to the VIP upstairs viewing area (for AMEX cardholders), or the Honda Retreat (across from the Honda stage) to recharge with friends and enter for a chance to win a 2024 Honda HR-V Sport! There’s also the Coke Studio, the Wrangler Ranch, and the Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Experience (21+) where you can score all the swag and recharge in between sets. All of these spots are easy to find on the festival map, and provide far less populated areas to meet up with friends when those crowds get CRAZY! Hey, you paid a lot for those wristbands, so take advantage of everything ACL (and its sponsors) have to offer! Happy Weekend Two everyone!

There are a lot of great events in Austin. But if you ask me what event I look forward to the most every year, there is really only one answer:

Fantastic Fest.

I’ve been volunteerings and attending Fantastic Fest since 2008, and with one exception—the year the festival temporarily moved to the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline while South Lamar was being renovated—I have made my way back to the festival year after year.

At this point, Fantastic Fest isn’t just another Austin event on my calendar.

It’s a tradition.

It’s one of those weeks that makes Austin feel like Austin.

And in September 2023, Fantastic Fest is returning to its home at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, running September 21 through September 28.

The festival’s 18th edition is once again bringing horror, science fiction, fantasy, action and just about every other strange corner of cinema to Austin for eight days. The 2023 lineup includes 29 world premieres, along with numerous North American and U.S. premieres.

But if you’ve never been, it’s difficult to explain what makes Fantastic Fest different.

Because it isn’t simply a film festival.

It’s an experience.

THE FIRST TIME I WENT

My Fantastic Fest history starts in 2008.

That year, I walked into a festival that already had a reputation among serious genre-movie fans, but it still felt much smaller and more mysterious than the event it would eventually become.

Fantastic Fest 2008 ran September 18–25, and the lineup included movies such as The Chaser, Deadgirl, Alien Raiders, The Burrowers, Sauna, Chocolate and Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds.

But the movies were only part of the reason to be there.

The Alamo Drafthouse atmosphere was completely different from going to a normal movie theater.

People weren’t quietly walking into a theater, watching a movie and immediately leaving.

There were parties.

Guests.

Filmmakers.

Actors.

Food.

Drinks.

Costumes.

Surprises.

And the constant possibility that something completely ridiculous was about to happen.

That’s what hooked me.

And I’ve been going back ever since.

THIS ISN’T SUNDANCE

Fantastic Fest has always had its own personality.

Other major film festivals can feel formal.

Fantastic Fest feels like somebody took a movie convention, a Halloween party, a rock concert, a food festival and an eight-day movie marathon and threw them into the same building.

The festival specializes in genre films, but that’s almost too narrow a description.

You might see a horror movie one afternoon, a science-fiction film that night, an insane action movie afterward and then stumble into a party where one of the filmmakers is standing at the bar.

That’s normal at Fantastic Fest.

And the festival has developed a reputation for events that are just as memorable as the movies.

2008: BILL MURRAY AND A VERY STRANGE CLOSING NIGHT

One of my favorite things about having attended for so many years is being able to look back at how many unbelievable moments have happened at this festival.

The 2008 festival is a perfect example.

A secret screening of City of Ember ended up featuring a surprise appearance by Bill Murray.

And that wasn’t even the end of the night.

Murray later appeared at the closing-night afterparty at Longhorn Caverns, where he famously showed up about 35 feet underground.

That is the kind of thing Fantastic Fest does.

You don’t just watch a movie.

You have no idea what the night is going to turn into.

2009: ZOMBIELAND

Then came Zombieland.

The 2009 Fantastic Fest premiere brought Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and director Ruben Fleischer to Austin.

The movie would go on to become a major hit and one of the most recognizable zombie comedies of its generation.

But at Fantastic Fest, festival attendees got to experience it before the rest of the world really knew what it was going to become.

That has always been one of the biggest attractions of Fantastic Fest.

You aren’t necessarily watching movies that are already famous.

You’re watching movies that might become famous.

And sometimes you are watching them with the filmmakers sitting a few rows away.

2010: GETTING BURIED WITH RYAN REYNOLDS

If you want one story that perfectly explains the insanity of Fantastic Fest, look no further than Buried.

Ryan Reynolds stars in the movie as a man trapped inside a coffin.

Fantastic Fest decided that simply watching the movie wasn’t enough.

Four fans were actually placed inside coffins while watching the film on screens mounted inside.

They were then able to meet Reynolds afterward.

It was uncomfortable.

It was ridiculous.

It was completely unnecessary.

And it was absolutely Fantastic Fest.

The stunt became one of the festival’s most famous events and demonstrated that the organizers weren’t interested in simply showing movies.

They wanted people to experience them.

2011: THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE AND A FESTIVAL THAT KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS

By 2011, Fantastic Fest had fully embraced its reputation for being the place where mainstream movie events and completely bizarre genre cinema could coexist.

The festival opened with The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence, a movie that was obviously not going to appeal to everyone.

That’s the point.

Fantastic Fest doesn’t apologize for being weird.

It celebrates it.

The 2011 festival also featured filmmakers and movies from around the world, continuing to establish Austin as an important destination for genre filmmakers.

2012: FRANKENWEENIE TAKES OVER SOUTH LAMAR

Then came one of the festival’s biggest Hollywood moments.

Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie opened Fantastic Fest in 2012.

The event was so large that Disney transformed the exterior of Alamo South Lamar for the premiere, and Burton, Winona Ryder and Martin Landau were among the talent connected to the event.

The Austin Chronicle described the 2012 festival as the year Fantastic Fest “went Hollywood.”

And that’s an important part of the festival’s history.

It proved that a festival built around strange, independent and genre films could also attract major studios and some of the biggest names in filmmaking.

THE YEAR THE FEST MOVED NORTH

There is one year that stands out differently in my own Fantastic Fest history.

The festival temporarily moved away from South Lamar and up to Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline while the South Lamar location underwent renovation.

Lakeline had just opened as a massive 10-screen, 944-seat theater, and Fantastic Fest moved there for the 2013 edition.

For me, it just wasn’t quite the same.

Fantastic Fest belongs at South Lamar.

The building.

The neighborhood.

The restaurants.

The bars.

The lobby.

The people wandering around between screenings.

The entire atmosphere.

Lakeline was a perfectly good theater, but Fantastic Fest felt different there.

When the festival came back to South Lamar, it felt like coming home.

And that is why, all these years later, I still associate Fantastic Fest with that theater.

2014: A FOOD FIGHT

If you’ve noticed a theme here, you’re probably starting to understand Fantastic Fest.

It isn’t afraid to get weird.

For the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2014, the opening-night party reportedly turned into an actual food fight.

Not a metaphorical food fight.

An actual food fight.

Because apparently a normal anniversary party wasn’t enough.

This is another reason Fantastic Fest has such a loyal following.

People don’t just attend to watch movies.

They attend because they know something unexpected might happen.

THE MOVIES THAT BECAME CULT CLASSICS

Over the years, Fantastic Fest has also become a launching pad for movies that eventually developed huge followings.

The Babadook.

It Follows.

John Wick.

Zombieland.

The Chaser.

I Saw the Devil.

The Host.

Troll Hunter.

And countless others have passed through the festival.

In 2014 alone, movies such as John Wick, The Babadook and It Follows helped make that era of Fantastic Fest especially memorable for genre fans.

And that’s why picking movies at Fantastic Fest is so much fun.

You never really know which movie you’re going to be talking about five years later.

2019: PARASITE

One of the biggest moments in the festival’s modern history came in 2019 with Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite.

The movie would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

But Fantastic Fest audiences got to experience the film during its festival run, before it became one of the most celebrated movies of the year.

After a screening, the South Lamar Alamo was even ceremonially renamed Bong Joon Ho Cinema.

That’s the kind of Austin weirdness that makes the festival special.

THEN 2020 HAPPENED

And then, of course, everything stopped.

Fantastic Fest could not operate as the normal in-person event in 2020.

The festival instead put together virtual programming, including online screenings, events, Fantastic Feud and retrospectives.

For people who had made the festival an annual tradition, it was strange.

No crowds.

No packed lobby.

No running from theater to theater.

No standing around talking about the movie you just watched.

No random celebrity walking past you.

No late-night conversations about whether the movie you just watched was brilliant or completely terrible.

It was a reminder that Fantastic Fest isn’t really just about movies.

It’s about being there.

BACK TO SOUTH LAMAR

By 2023, Fantastic Fest had returned to the physical experience that makes it so special.

And this year’s lineup is a pretty good reason to get excited.

The festival opens with The Toxic Avenger, Legendary’s new take on the cult classic, starring Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Elijah Wood and Kevin Bacon.

The festival is also presenting The Creator, Gareth Edwards’ major science-fiction film, along with Eileen, The Book of Solutions, a prequel to Pet Sematary, and Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher.

And then there are the movies you don’t necessarily know about yet.

That’s where Fantastic Fest gets interesting.

A movie you’ve never heard of can suddenly become the movie everyone is talking about.

SECRET SCREENINGS ARE PART OF THE FUN

And then there are the secret screenings.

This is one of the reasons Fantastic Fest can be frustrating for somebody who wants to plan every minute.

You don’t know everything.

That’s intentional.

The festival has historically used secret screenings to surprise audiences with major films before release.

In 2023, secret-screening speculation was already running rampant among fans before the festival, with titles such as Saltburn, Dream Scenario, DogMan and Saw X eventually appearing among the secret screenings.

That is part of the experience.

You hear rumors.

You look at clues.

Someone says they heard a studio is bringing something.

Another person swears they know.

Nobody really knows.

Then the theater goes dark.

And suddenly you’re watching something that won’t be widely available for months.

FANTASTIC FEST IS ALSO A BAR SCENE

For Baller ATX, we can’t talk about Fantastic Fest without talking about the nightlife.

The festival is centered around South Lamar, which means the event naturally spills into the surrounding restaurants and bars.

People need food between movies.

People need drinks after movies.

People need somewhere to sit and argue about whether the movie they just watched was genius or terrible.

That’s part of the culture.

Fantastic Fest can easily turn into an all-day Austin experience.

Start with breakfast.

Watch a movie.

Grab lunch.

Watch another.

Get a drink.

Watch another.

Dinner.

Another movie.

Then drinks.

Then a party.

Then maybe another movie.

Then somehow it’s 2 a.m.

And you have to wake up and do it again.

For eight days.

This is not a festival for people who need eight hours of sleep.

THE PARTIES ARE AS IMPORTANT AS THE MOVIES

Fantastic Fest has developed some legendary parties and events over the years.

There have been zombie parades.

Wild premieres.

Costume events.

Celebrity karaoke.

Food events.

The famous Fantastic Debates.

And parties where the distinction between movie promotion and complete chaos becomes difficult to identify.

Celebrity karaoke has become part of the festival tradition, with stars and filmmakers taking the stage alongside festival attendees.

And the Fantastic Debates have become another signature event, combining trash talk, debate and physical competition.

According to recent retrospectives, participants over the years have included Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, Michelle Rodriguez and even Keanu Reeves.

Again:

Only at Fantastic Fest.

WHAT TO WATCH IN 2023

If you’re heading to Fantastic Fest this year, the obvious big titles are worth checking out.

The Toxic Avenger is the big opening-night draw.

The Creator is another major theatrical title.

The Fall of the House of Usher is especially interesting for horror fans because it comes from Mike Flanagan.

But don’t spend your entire festival watching movies you already know about.

That’s the wrong way to do Fantastic Fest.

Pick a couple of big titles.

Then gamble.

Find something you’ve never heard of.

Read the description.

Look at the director.

Take a chance.

That’s how you find the movie you’ll be recommending to everyone six months later.

MY FAVORITE PART OF THE FESTIVAL

After attending since 2008, the best part isn’t even necessarily the movies.

It’s the people.

You start seeing the same faces every year.

People who you only see during Fantastic Fest.

People you’ve met in line.

People you recognize from previous years.

People who know that when you say, “I’ll see you at the festival,” you mean you’ll probably see them ten times over the next week.

The festival creates its own little temporary community.

For eight days, everyone is obsessed with movies.

Everyone has an opinion.

Everyone has a schedule.

Everyone is tired.

Everyone is drinking too much coffee.

And everyone wants to know:

“What did you see?”

That question gets asked constantly.

And it never gets old.

IF YOU’VE NEVER BEEN, THIS IS YOUR YEAR

If you’ve lived in Austin for years and have never attended Fantastic Fest, 2023 is a good time to change that.

You don’t have to be a hardcore horror fan.

You don’t have to know every obscure director.

You don’t need to understand Japanese horror cinema.

You don’t need to dress like a movie character.

Just be willing to try something different.

Start with one movie.

Then another.

Check out a party.

Walk around South Lamar.

Grab a drink.

Talk to people.

See what happens.

You might become hooked.

I did.

Back in 2008.

And I’m still going.

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

That’s probably the strangest part for me.

When I went to my first Fantastic Fest in 2008, I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I’d still be talking about the festival 15 years later.

I certainly wasn’t thinking about writing an article about it.

I was just there to watch movies.

But that’s what great Austin traditions do.

They become part of your life.

You remember the movies.

You remember the parties.

You remember the celebrities.

You remember the weird stuff.

You remember the people you met.

You remember sitting in a theater at midnight wondering what the hell you had just watched.

And then you come back the next year.

And the next.

And the next.

Except for that one Lakeline year.

Even after all these years, Fantastic Fest remains one of the events that makes me proud to call Austin home.

Because it isn’t trying to be polished.

It isn’t trying to be normal.

It’s loud.

It’s weird.

It’s creative.

It’s unpredictable.

It’s obsessed with movies.

And it embraces exactly the kind of strange energy that has always made Austin special.

So as September approaches, start getting your schedule together.

Pick your movies.

Leave some room for surprises.

Find something you’ve never heard of.

Grab dinner.

Get a drink.

Talk to strangers in line.

Stay up too late.

And prepare yourself for the inevitable question:

“What are you watching next?”

Because once Fantastic Fest starts, you don’t really have a schedule anymore.

You have a mission.

Watch as many movies as humanly possible.

And hope you survive the week.

Fantastic Fest 2023 runs September 21–28 at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.

I’ve been going since 2008.

And if you’ve never experienced it, there’s really only one thing left to say:

Welcome to Fantastic Fest.

If there is one weekend Austin music fans should have circled on the calendar this July, it is Hot Summer Nights.

From Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23, the Red River Cultural District is once again turning downtown Austin into one giant free music festival, bringing hundreds of local and regional musicians into venues throughout the district. The best part isn’t just the lineup. It is the fact that you can walk into venue after venue without buying a festival ticket.

For a city that has built much of its identity around live music, Hot Summer Nights is one of the best examples of what makes Austin different.

This isn’t ACL.

This isn’t SXSW.

There aren’t massive stages in a giant field.

There isn’t a $400 wristband.

Instead, the festival takes over the neighborhood that has been at the heart of Austin’s independent music scene for years. More than a dozen venues participate, with shows happening throughout the district and bands representing multiple genres.

And yes, it is free.

That makes Hot Summer Nights one of the easiest Austin festivals to recommend because you don’t have to spend months planning it.

You can simply show up.

FOUR NIGHTS. DOZENS OF VENUES. HUNDREDS OF MUSICIANS.

The 2023 edition is the sixth year of Hot Summer Nights, and the festival is scheduled to run Thursday through Sunday.

The idea behind the festival is simple: get people into Austin’s music venues during the traditionally slower summer months while creating paid opportunities for musicians and staff.

That mission is important.

Austin has built an international reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World, but keeping that music ecosystem alive takes more than putting “Live Music Capital” on a bumper sticker.

Musicians need to get paid.

Bartenders need to get paid.

Sound engineers need to get paid.

Door staff need to get paid.

Independent venues need customers.

And local businesses surrounding those venues need people walking through their doors.

Hot Summer Nights brings all of those pieces together.

The Red River Cultural District describes Hot Summer Nights and its sister winter festival, Free Week, as admission-free, all-ages festivals designed to provide additional revenue to musicians and staff during traditionally slower periods.

So when you walk into a free show, you’re not simply getting something for nothing.

You’re participating in an event specifically designed to support the local music economy.

RED RIVER IS THE PLACE TO BE

If you have never spent a night exploring the Red River Cultural District, Hot Summer Nights is probably the perfect introduction.

The district is compact enough that you can walk between venues, which means you don’t have to commit to one band for the entire night.

That’s the beauty of it.

You might walk into one venue because you recognize the name of the band.

You stay for twenty minutes.

Then someone tells you there is a great act playing down the street.

You leave.

Walk a few blocks.

Go inside another venue.

Discover a band you’ve never heard of.

Then another.

By midnight, you may have seen four or five completely different artists.

That’s the Hot Summer Nights experience.

The participating venues in 2023 included places such as Mohawk, Stubb’s, Cheer Up Charlie’s, Empire Control Room & Garage, Flamingo Cantina, Swan Dive, Elysium, The Creek and The Cave and The 13th Floor, among others.

That gives you a ridiculous amount of variety packed into a relatively small area.

Rock.

Punk.

Indie.

Hip-hop.

Electronic.

R&B.

Singer-songwriters.

Metal.

Experimental music.

Whatever your taste, there is probably something happening within walking distance.

THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT THE BIG NAMES

One of the biggest mistakes you can make at Hot Summer Nights is trying to build your entire weekend around the most recognizable band.

Don’t.

This festival is about discovery.

Sure, if there is a band you absolutely want to see, put them on the schedule.

But leave room for surprises.

The best Hot Summer Nights story isn’t necessarily, “I saw the band I already knew.”

It’s:

“We walked into this tiny venue because we had no idea who was playing, and they were incredible.”

That is how Austin’s music scene works.

You don’t always know what you’re going to find.

And that’s what makes a multi-venue festival so much more fun than a traditional festival where you spend the entire day staring at a schedule and trying to figure out which stage you can physically reach in time.

Here, you can improvise.

THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE PARTY

One of the events worth putting on the July 2023 schedule is the Austin Chronicle’s Hot Summer Nights party at The 13th Floor on Saturday, July 22.

The Chronicle-curated lineup features JaRon Marshall + the Collective, Felt Out and Jane Leo, with DJ Jake Garcia opening the night.

Doors are scheduled for 7 p.m., with music beginning at 8 p.m.

And yes, admission is free.

JaRon Marshall is particularly interesting for music fans because of his work with Grammy-nominated Austin group Black Pumas.

The show is a good example of what makes Hot Summer Nights different from an ordinary free concert.

You’re getting an actual curated lineup in a real Austin music venue in the middle of a citywide music festival.

And you aren’t paying $40 or $50 to get through the door.

DON’T JUST GO FOR THE MUSIC

One of the best things about Hot Summer Nights is that you don’t have to spend the entire weekend inside a concert venue.

The Red River neighborhood is full of restaurants, bars and food options, which means the festival can easily become an entire night out.

Start with dinner.

Catch a show.

Walk to another venue.

Grab a drink.

See another band.

Get something to eat.

Find another show.

Repeat.

The festival’s 2023 promotion specifically highlighted local restaurant and bar specials happening throughout the weekend, giving people another reason to explore the district instead of simply going from venue to venue.

And that is exactly how we recommend doing it.

Don’t treat Hot Summer Nights like a concert.

Treat it like a neighborhood-wide party.

THE PERFECT HOT SUMMER NIGHTS PLAN

If you’re new to the festival, here’s how we would approach one of the nights.

Start around 6 p.m.

It’s still hot outside, so don’t feel like you need to arrive at 3.

Get dinner somewhere in or around the Red River area.

Grab a cold drink.

Then head toward your first venue.

Stay for a set.

If you love the band, stay longer.

If you don’t, leave.

That’s the beauty of a free festival.

You don’t have to feel guilty about walking out.

Head to the next venue.

Listen to another band.

Maybe stop for a drink.

Then keep moving.

Around 10 or 11 p.m., you’ll probably have a completely different idea of what you want to hear than you did when you arrived.

That’s when Hot Summer Nights gets really fun.

THE BAR SCENE IS PART OF THE FESTIVAL

For Baller ATX readers, there is another reason Hot Summer Nights deserves attention.

The bar scene.

Red River isn’t simply a collection of music venues.

It is one of Austin’s most concentrated nightlife districts.

During Hot Summer Nights, the bars become part of the overall festival experience.

You can see a band and then walk into a bar for a drink.

You can grab food between shows.

You can find a patio.

You can stop somewhere for a frozen cocktail.

You can meet friends who are attending a completely different show.

And because so much is happening within a relatively small area, you don’t have to spend your night sitting in traffic.

That’s a huge advantage in July.

THE HEAT IS REAL

Of course, there is one problem.

It’s July in Austin.

It’s going to be hot.

Very hot.

And you’re going to be walking.

So dress accordingly.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Bring water.

Don’t underestimate the heat.

Take breaks inside air-conditioned venues.

If you’re drinking, remember that alcohol and Texas summer temperatures aren’t exactly best friends.

Drink water throughout the night.

And don’t try to prove that you’re tougher than the weather.

The weather doesn’t care.

YOU DON’T NEED A WRISTBAND

This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about Hot Summer Nights.

You don’t need a traditional festival wristband.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars.

You don’t even have to RSVP to attend.

The 2023 festival information specifically noted that RSVP was encouraged and could provide access to giveaways, but RSVP was not required and did not guarantee entry.

The festival’s fundraising component is also worth understanding.

Hot Summer Nights exists in part because the Red River Cultural District is trying to support the independent music economy.

So if you enjoy the free shows, consider supporting the organization.

You can donate.

You can buy food and drinks from participating businesses.

You can tip the musicians.

And most importantly, show up.

A free festival only works if people actually attend.

GO SOMEWHERE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN

Our biggest recommendation for Hot Summer Nights 2023 is simple:

Go somewhere you’ve never been.

Austin has plenty of people who say they love live music but spend every weekend at the same two venues.

Don’t do that this weekend.

Walk into a venue you’ve never visited.

Watch a genre you normally wouldn’t listen to.

See a local band you’ve never heard of.

Talk to somebody.

Ask what they’re watching next.

Then follow the crowd.

You might discover your new favorite Austin band.

And that’s worth far more than the price of a ticket.

Because the ticket is free.

THE REAL REASON HOT SUMMER NIGHTS MATTERS

Austin has changed a lot.

The skyline is different.

Downtown is different.

Restaurants have changed.

Bars have changed.

Entire neighborhoods have changed.

But the independent music scene remains one of the city’s defining characteristics.

Hot Summer Nights is a reminder of that.

It puts local musicians at the center of downtown.

It fills small venues.

It brings people together.

And it gives Austinites a reason to explore the Red River district during one of the toughest times of year for outdoor events.

Most importantly, it doesn’t require you to be wealthy to participate.

You can literally show up with $20 in your pocket, walk around, listen to music and have an entire night.

That’s becoming increasingly rare.

And it is exactly the kind of event Austin should continue supporting.

OUR BOTTOM LINE

If you only do one free music event in Austin this July, make it Hot Summer Nights.

Come Thursday.

Come Friday.

Come Saturday.

Come Sunday.

Or pick one night and explore.

Start with food.

Find a band.

Walk to another venue.

Grab a drink.

Discover somebody new.

Then finish the night with late-night food somewhere around Red River.

You don’t need a VIP pass.

You don’t need a festival outfit.

You don’t need a complicated plan.

You just need comfortable shoes and an open mind.

Because for four nights in July, downtown Austin becomes one giant free concert.

And in a city famous for live music, there may not be a better deal all summer.

Hot Summer Nights runs July 20–23, 2023, throughout the Red River Cultural District.

Four nights. Dozens of venues. Hundreds of musicians.

And absolutely no excuse not to go.