Austin's chillest music festival is back on the books — even if the weather is sweltering. Hot Summer Nights (HSN) 2025, a weekend of donation-based music in the Red River Cultural District (RRCD), will be held July 24-26. New this year, more venues than ever and daytime programming for families turns this nightlife festival into a well-rounded hang for all.
The Red River Cultural District is the area around Red River Street downtown, where many of the city's music venues are concentrated. The area near Sixth Street does cater to tourists, but it's also Austinites' best bet at finding up-and-coming local music any day of the week, making this a great chance to get to know Austin's music scene no matter where attendees come from.
This year, more than 150 local bands are performing in more than 15 venues.
New venues this year include Kingdom, known for its EDM crowd and serving the late-night revelers at HSN; Marlow, a fashionable industrial cocktail bar; The Side Bar, a longtime neighborhood dive offering special Saturday shows; and Feels So Good (FSG), an apparel company new to the area but well-established in Austin, which will be hosting shows and hangs.
The 13th Floor & Chess Club have both hosted HSN events in the past, but this year they're also adding early evening matinees.
In addition to the music, Hot Summer Nights helps promote neighborhood restaurants with special food and drink deals. There will also be a night market at Liberty Lunch in partnership with Future Front Texas, and family-friendly events during the day at Waterloo Park.
Hot Summer Nights has been around since 2017, when it was created as a way to keep up business up during a historically slow period. Although it's technically free to attend, thanks to attendee donations and sponsors, RRCD is ensuring that performers get paid when they may normally have fewer gigs. It's also a good time to get to know local venues through the acts they book and the crowds they draw.
If Austinites have been to Hot Summer Nights' sister festival Free Week, they're basically one and the same; the only difference is that Free Week takes place in the winter.
“Hot Summer Nights is more than just music — it’s a celebration of our city’s creative spirit and a boost to our local economy," said RRCD interim executive director Nicole Klepadlo in the release. "By supporting small businesses, local musicians, venues, and makers, this festival helps our community thrive and provides paid opportunities for Austin’s favorite musicians."
Fans can keep up-to-date with Hot Summer Nights by making a "micro-donation" of $5 or more when RSVPing using this special link. They'll receive a chance to win two Homie Badges, which allow guests expedited entry, plus other prizes.
Beyond supporting Hot Summer Nights, donations will aid RRCD in operating year-round, with local business grants, creative worker relief, other festivals throughout the year, and more. The nonprofit is also supported in part by the City of Austin.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2025, and has been updated June 11 to include new information about venues and extended programming.
