Plus, a longtime Austinite is looking for someone to carry on a decades-old tradition.
 
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From our friends at KVUE

 
🎶 Hot summer nights, mid-July
A singer and guitarist in a cowboy hat sings into a microphone with a bassist and drummer in the background.
Texas native Angel White took the stage at Swan Dive during last year’s festival.  |  Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III
A free festival? Music to our ears. Hot Summer Nights is back Thursday, July 18 through Saturday, July 20, featuring admission-free live music performances at myriad venues near Red River Street.

An Austin tradition since 2017, Hot Summer Nights is produced by local nonprofit the Red River Cultural District with the goal of bringing Austinites together to support venues during historically slower summer months.

The annual event is perfect for those looking to dip their toes into Austin’s vibrant music scene or for seasoned supporters to vibe to their favorite acts under the roofs of some of the city’s most cherished venues.

A photo of Jonathan Fox performing during Free Week.

You can see Foxtales perform live on Saturday, July 20 at Empire Control Room & Garage.

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Photo courtesy Foxtales

Shows start around 7-8 p.m. each night. Here’s where you can see them:
  • The 13th Floor
  • Cheer Up Charlies
  • Chess Club
  • The Creek and The Cave
  • Elysium
  • Empire Control Room & Garage
  • Flamingo Cantina
  • Liberty Lunch
  • Mohawk Austin
  • Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
  • Swan Dive
  • Valhalla
  • Vaquero Taquero
  • Waterloo Park
So, who’s going to be on the stage? More than 140 local musicians will perform over three days, including Foxtales, The Tiarras, Daniel Fears, Moody Bank$, Street Peach, and many, many more. See the full schedule to map out your experience.

A crowd of people stand and dance at the barricade at a live music stage with phones in the air with flashlights on.

Would you rather be in the front row or vibe in the back of the crowd? No wrong answers.

|

Photo by Ismael Quintanilla III

But wait — you’ll need some fuel to keep dancing for three nights in a row. That’s where the festival’s food and beverage lineup comes in, featuring deals at nearby bars + restaurants to keep bellies full while fists bump.

Finally, the fun extends beyond live music. From themed parties to yoga sessions and vendor markets, the Hot Summer Nights schedule is packed with unique happenings at no cost. Whether you want to swap vinyls or learn something new at a nature workshop, there’s something for everyone at this district-wide extravaganza.
 
Asked
 
The Red River Cultural District also produces Free Week each winter. Where did the tradition begin in 2003?
A. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
B. Barbarella
C. Emo’s Austin
D. Mohawk Austin
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, July 18
  • Little Texans: Honey Bee | Thursday, July 18 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave., Austin | Free with admission | Take the kids to roll beeswax candles, try on beekeeping suits, taste honey, and enjoy more buzz-worthy activities.
  • Cosmic Convoy | Thursday, July 18 | 8:30 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | The Austin-based band of longtime friends will take the outdoor stage for an all-ages show.
Friday, July 19
  • Float Films: Boots + Suits | Friday, July 19 | 5 p.m. | Austin Motel, 1220 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $25 | Watch “Twister” in the iconic motel’s pool with a themed cocktail in-hand.
  • Peso Pluma | Friday, July 19 | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $64-$265 | Catch the "Éxodo” tour from this singer, who pulls inspiration from traditional Mexican music.
Saturday, July 20
  • Greater Austin Comic Con | Saturday, July 20-Sunday, July 21 | 10 a.m. | H-E-B Center, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $45-$65 | Put on your best costume and celebrate all things pop culture with cosplay artists, game developers, comic book creators, artists, and more.
  • Global Connections Art Opening | Saturday, July 20 | 1-4 p.m. | Old Bakery and Emporium, 1006 Congress Ave., Austin | Free | The historic venue’s new exhibition features pottery, masks, and textiles from across the globe.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Plan Ahead
 
Snag tickets to see “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at ZACH Theatre
a gif featuring images from a performance of "Beautiful"
It’s time to celebrate an icon, Austin. | Photos by Melissa Taylor; GIF by ATXtoday
Before she became a pop icon, she wrote songs that shaped a generation. From writing pop classics for renowned artists to her chart-topping success with the album “Tapestry,” relive Carole King’s incredible journey in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

With timeless hits, like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” this international phenomenon combines beloved songs with an unforgettable story.

Austinites can catch this captivating, Tony-winning musical on stage at ZACH Theatre from Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, Sept. 8, plus these special events + performances:
  • PRIDE Night | Thursday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Champagne Opening | Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
  • ASL interpreted show | Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2:30 p.m.
Pro tip: ZACH’s Pay-What-You-Will Week is happening from Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 4, with 50 tickets available for each performance. Explore show times and secure your spot below before it sells out.
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • After an extensive search, the City of Austin has announced two finalists for the next chief of police: Lisa Davis, the assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, and Jeffrey Norman, the chief of the Milwaukee Police Department. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates. (KXAN)
Travel
  • It’s a turbulent time for Allegiant Air flyers — the low-cost airline will close its $75 million operations base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in January. It will keep 11 routes from Austin and drop six or seven, exclusively flying to cities with an Allegiant base. (KUT)
Arts
  • Months after the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum revealed its expansion plan, Austin’s Arts Commission is seeking Austin City Council’s endorsement. UMLAUF staff maintain a need for more physical space and additional programs to increase accessibility. (KVUE)
Austinite
  • Chris Riley, a former City Council member and co-founder of the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, has been hosting giant chess games in Wooldridge Square on Saturdays since 2002. His cancer diagnosis has reached an incurable stage, and he’s seeking someone to carry on the tradition. Could it be you? (Austin Towers)
Announced
  • New show alert — singer and songwriter Clairo is set to perform at The Moody Theater at ACL Live on Monday, September 30, and Tuesday, October 1. Tickets for the ATX stops on the “Charm Tour” start at $71 and will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 26.
Pets
  • Amid ongoing capacity issues at local shelters, the City of Austin’s Animal Services Office is developing a new strategic plan. You can help determine animal welfare priorities by providing feedback in a new survey, which is open through Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Sports
  • The Texas Longhorns are participating in SEC Media Days for the first time — what do they have to say? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Finance
    • If your Saturday consisted of mowing the lawn, deep-cleaning the patio, or heading to Home Depot, here’s one more responsible task to add to your to-do list: Move your credit card debt. This card offers 0% interest on a balance transfer until nearly 2026, plus 2% cash back on purchases.*
    Number
    • ~Three hours. That’s the estimated drive time to your next charming weekend getaway destination. If you’re in need of a change of scenery from the Capital City, head to Conroe to explore a 22,000-acre lake, hike trails in a national forest, and more. We’ve done the planning for you.*
     
     
    Real Estate
     
    💧 Reduce, reuse, rebate
    ATX_oscarhome
    Improve your pool, irrigation system, and landscape with tools that will cut costs and save water.  |  Photo courtesy of Compass
    If you’re a longtime Austinite, you’re familiar with drought regulations, conversation efforts, and water rate hikes.

    What you may not know: Austin Water offers free home upgrades and rebates, which simultaneously helps the planet and saves customers money.

    Home improvements

    • Request free conservation tools like a water-efficient showerhead, kitchen faucet aerator, and bathroom faucet aerator.
    • Get up to $200 for a new pool cover and up to $250 for a cartridge pool filter.

    In the yard

    • Request a free soil moisture meter.
    • Check out a water saver hose meter or sunlight calculator at Austin Public Library.
    • Apply for landscape rebates to convert turf grass into a native bed, upgrade landscaping to retain rainwater, and harvest rainwater.
    • Apply for up to $1,000 for improving your irrigation system’s efficiency.
    • Get up to $40 back on hose timers and up to $150 back to reuse laundry water to water landscape.
     
    The Buy
     
    Dreo’s oscillating tower fan for your bedroom, which is ultra-quiet, circulates cool air, and is still on sale for Prime Day.
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    ATXtoday-morgan-headshot.jpg Today’s edition by:
    Morgan
    From the editor
    City Editor Figi and I will be at Chess Club tonight to celebrate the kickoff of Hot Summer Nights. If you see us, come say hi in between sets + let us know what you’d like to see more of in ATXtoday.
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