Dates announced for Free Week 2026; Festival performance applications open for local acts
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Free Week will be back in 2026.
The Red River Cultural District announced dates for the annual, free-to-attend, all-ages, winter music festival on Wednesday morning, following what it said was a successful run of Free Week's counterpart, Hot Summer Nights.
Free Week will take place next year on January 9 and 10.
The Red River Cultural District also issued an open call for musicians to apply to perform at the 2026 festival. More than 100 bands and DJs perform across 10+ venues for Free Week each year. Artists interested in performing can apply online.
While the festival is free to attend, all performers are paid as a way to support Austin's live music economy, according to the District. Free Week started in 2003 as a way to keep clubs’ lights on and staff working during the slower winter months, according to the District's website.
“Free Week is a celebration of Austin’s vibrant music community and the local artists and venues that make this city so special,” Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director of Red River Cultural District, said in a press release. “This festival brings people together to explore, discover, and connect through a shared love of live music, creating a weekend that’s as much about community as it is about performances. We can’t wait to continue the tradition in 2026.”
Red River Cultural District said a new venue lineup will be announced in the coming weeks, and the music lineup and a list of food and drink promotions, schedules, maps, and more will be released at a later date.