We Austinites love a good festival and next year's calendar is shaping up to be a bonanza for Central Texas music lovers. Whether you're into dance music, psych rock, Tejano or reggae, we've got a fest for that. Here's your 2024 Austin festival calendar:
Jan. 5-6: Free Week in Red River Cultural District
There are no tickets to Free Week. There are also no huge name acts. Instead, the annual bash — once a sprawling week-long affair, now pared back to a weekend in the Red River Cultural District — offers a wonderful opportunity for the Austin music-curious to explore the city's scene. Thirteen venues in the walkable district will throw open their doors for two nights of no cover shows. This year's acts include singer-songwriter Abram Shook, electro-prog dream twisters, Nolan Potter's Nightmare Band and rising Latin rock trio, the Tiarras. redriverculturaldistrict.org/free-week
March 2: Besame Mucho Festival at COTA (technically sold out)
Launched in L.A. last year, the massive celebration of Latin music finds a second home in Texas for year two. The inaugural Austin event presents music on four stages, each representing a different style of Latin music from pop to banda. The expansive lineup pulls together stars from each genre with notable names like Los Tigres del Norte, Caifanes, Gloria Trevi and Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga. Tickets are sold out, but you can get on the waitlist to buy tickets at the (very steep) final pricing tier of $399. besamemuchoaustin.frontgatetickets.com
March 9-10: Illfest at Concourse Project
Beyond the music, this two-day dance bash features extravagant art installations and light displays. Canadian DJ and producer Rezz leads a night one lineup that also includes SIDEPIECE, Champagne Drip and Valentino Khan. On night two, Canadians Black Tiger Sex Machine top a bill that features Dab the Sky, Virtual Riot and a DJ Fresch House Call Records takeover. Single-day $69.95 and up, Two-day $119.95 and up. illfest.com
March 11-16: South by Southwest Music Festival
If trends from the past few years continue, expect a festival focused on emerging artists and top talent from around the world. Music badges that grant access to all music festival and conference programming are on sale now for $835. Much more affordable wristbands will be made available closer to the festival. sxsw.com
April 5-7: HonkTX! at various venues
The community street band festival will march through Austin once again. Details for the 2024 festival are forthcoming, but expect Austin hosts Minor Mishap Marching Band to shepherd DIY street bands from across the country and around the world through multiple popups around the city. The fest traditionally includes several free family shindigs and a big revue in a local park on the closing day. honktx.org
April 7: CMT Awards at Moody Center
While this is not technically a festival, the 2023 Country Music Television Awards were accompanied by a week-long Austin "takeover" with free public performances from hitmakers at the Texas Capitol, show tapings and a free two-day block party featuring emerging country music talent outside the arena. Performers, hosts and nominees have not yet been announced for this year's event. Tickets will be made available closer to the event. moodycenteratx.com
More:Check out winners, red carpet fashion and more highlights from the CMT Austin takeover
April 12-13: Cattle Country Festival in Gonzales
Eric Church, Whiskey Myers and Koe Wetzel take top billing at the inaugural Hill Country music and camping (and glamping) festival. Weekend passes start at $215. cattlecountryfesttx.com
April 19-21: Austin Reggae Festival at Auditorium Shores
The celebration of laid back island vibes and cannabis culture celebrates its 30th year at Auditorium Shores. The only artist announced so far is Italy's Mellow Mood, but expect a fine selection and national, regional and international reggae talent. The event is also one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the Central Texas Food Bank. Friday $20, Saturday $38, Sunday $26, Weekend pass $74. https://www.austinreggaefest.com
April 20-21: Two Step Inn at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown
Texas singer-songwriter Cody Johnson leads the bill on day one while Central Texas' favorite Okies, the Turnpike Troubadours take top billing on day two on the country music fest's second swing around San Gabriel Park. Other artists set to perform include Hank Williams, Jr., Clint Black, Ryan Bingham with the Texas Gentleman, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Megan Moroney and (checks notes) rapper Ludacris. Single-day tickets start at $189. Two-days start at $349 and up. twostepinn.com
April 26-28: Austin Psych Festival at Far Out Lounge
The Black Angels-founded indie fest returns to South Austin for three-days of scuzzy guitars, dreamy synths and experimental groove science. Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett headlines day one alongside L.A.'s psych-soul outfit Chicano Batman and fellow Aussies, Psychedelic p*rn Crumpets. On day two, host band, the Black Angels, takes the top spot with Nashville's All Them Witches and fellow spellbinders Frankie and the Witch Fingers also performing. Canadian dream-pop outfit Alvvays and rockers Kurt Vile and the Violators and Dehd close things out on day three. Tickets and more information at levitation.fm.
April 27-28: Austin Blues Festival in Waterloo Park
The celebration of the blues and the many genres spawned by the American roots music form returns for a second year with a fantastic lineup featuring Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Robert Glasper, Big Freedia, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Dumpstaphunk and more. $80 single-day, $130 two-day. austinbluesfestival.com
May 4: Fiesta Austin Cinco de Mayo at Fiesta Gardens
There's no lineup available yet for the annual eastside Cinco de Mayo bash, but expect a roster that honors the neighborhood's rich Hispanic heritage. In addition to music, the family bash includes food vendors, shopping, traditional arts groups and more. $5 adv. ($7 at gate), 12 and under are free. fiestaaustin.org
June 13-16: Oblivion Access Festival in the RRCD
Over the past few years, the tooth-rattling exploration of metal and noise music has evolved to include hip-hop, ambient sounds and more. Lineup and tickets are coming later this year. oblivionaccessfestival.com.
Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13: Austin City Limits Music Festival
We don't know the lineup for the festival yet. That announcement generally comes in late April or early May. But the mega-fest — which draws 75,000 people daily to the crown jewel of Austin's park system — programs over 100 bands on nine stages each weekend. Early bird sales have closed, but watch the festival's social media sites for the next round of tickets. aclfestival.com
Oct. 31-Nov. 4: Levitation at various venues around Austin
The autumn edition of Austin Psych Fest stages a multi-venue takeover during spooky season. Originally centered around the clubs in the Red River Cultural District, the fest has spread across the city. The 2023 installment featured shows at the South Austin outpost Far Out Lounge and Southeast dance music complex Concourse Project. Lineup and tickets coming in the summer.
