Hot Summer Nights, a free, three-day music festival, starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
Get Familiar With Red River Cultural District
The festival takes over Austin’s Red River Cultural District downtown, which runs along Red River Street from East 12th Street to East Seventh Street. You don’t need a ticket or a badge — just show up after RSVPing online!
Thirteen venues in the area are participating in the festival:
- Chess Club
- The Creek and The Cave
- Elysium
- Flamingo Cantina
- Kingdom
- Liberty Lunch
- Marlow
- Mohawk
- Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
- Stubb’s BBQ
- Swan Dive
- The 13th Floor
- Valhalla
It’s a Local Event
Obviously yes, this festival is happening locally, but it’s local in another way. Dozens of Austin bands and artists are on the lineup, showcasing what the Live Music Capital of the World has to offer. Blakchyl, Libby and the Loveless, and Big Wy’s Brass Band are among the artists slated to play.
Shows start around 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and closer to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and run past 1 a.m.
In addition to some homegrown music, you’ll also have your pick of local food vendors including Ditty Dog, Jo’s Coffee, and Hoboken Pie. Food specials, like 10% off all food at Stubb’s BBQ, are available during the festival.
If music and food isn’t enough, a night market featuring Austin creatives is happening on Saturday.
Go With a Plan
I applaud you Type B people who can just go with the flow, but for an event like this, I prefer to go in with as much information as possible. Peruse the festival’s schedule online and map out who you want to see and where. Leave a gap or two in your schedule for exploring, too!
👋 See you out there!
