Austin Insider Blog

This blog, written and curated by Visit Austin staff, shares the things that visitors love and locals can't get enough of.

How to Experience Free Week 2025

Looking to shake off those post-holiday blues? Red River Cultural District’s Free Week has your cure. This year’s festivities will take place January 2025 and will feature a myriad of local bands in nearly 20 venues around the city. With so many performances to hear and venues to see, here’s an…

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LEVITATION Music Festival 2024

LEVITATION is bringing four packed days of music Red River Cultural District and East Austin. Originally created as a way to showcase local music and visual arts, Levitation has grown to include a record label, clothing and art, online sessions and more. Experience the best year of LEVITATION yet…

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Hot Summer Nights 2023

Hot Summer Nights is bringing four packed days of music to Austin's own Red River Cultural District. Originally created to bring awareness to local businesses and artists during the slower summer months, Hot Summer Nights has grown to be a marquee event for locals and visitors alike. Along with the…

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Austin’s Best Live Music Brunches

In the Live Music Capital of the World®, live music always adds to the full brunch experience. Here in Austin, there are tons of options for live music brunches, so here are just a few we’ve selected that you should try out this season. Courtesy of Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden. Banger’s…

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Your Guide to the Coolest Neighborhoods in Austin

Looking for the best places to explore and stay while visiting Austin? We’ve put together a hit list of the city’s most happening neighborhoods. Just pick an area of town and discover the unique districts that are home to some of the hippest restaurants, shops and live music venues in Austin…

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Best Music Venues in Austin

From intimate listening venues to packed dance floors, dive bars to the bright lights of the big stage, Austin has a musical experience for every taste. Austin’s live music scene pervades every corner of the city, day or night. Gritty blues bands, indie rockers, solo singer-songwriters, reggae…

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Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival

Experience the hottest new chefs and inventive culinary creations May 23-26, 2024 at Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival. This annual event—created by James Beard Award-winner Aaron Franklin, Mohawk owner James Moody and Mike Thelin, co-founder of Feast Portland—is a melting pot of the culinary and…

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Top Things To Do & See on Red River

Red River crackles with feverish energy and a bone-deep appreciation for live music. Discover local artists or catch a touring band on the verge of breaking through. There's a little something for everyone in the Red River Cultural District - from vegan-friendly spots to tasty barbecue joints, and…

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