Lights Out and Away We Go

Everything you need to know about the 2025 F1 U.S. Grand Prix at COTA

Start your engines, Austin: the Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix is returning to Circuit of The Americas (COTA) October 17–19, and this year’s lineup proves why it’s the biggest weekend of the year for racing fans, music lovers, and anyone looking for a Texas-sized spectacle.

Expect 36 hours of nonstop entertainment over three adrenaline-fueled days, offering everything from the roar of the world’s fastest cars taking on COTA’s legendary 20 turns to chart-topping concerts and even Lucha Libre wrestlers.

COTA F1 Photo courtesy of COTA

The musical headliners

COTA’s Germania Insurance Super Stage is where the party ignites each night, and this year’s music lineup is as thrilling as the F1 action on the track.

KYGO, Friday, October 17: The Norwegian EDM superstar, known for hits like “Firestone” and “It Ain’t Me,” will kick off the weekend with his uplifting, festival-ready beats.
Garth Brooks, Saturday, October 18: The country music icon and seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year takes center stage for what promises to be a show-stopping night under the Texas stars.
Turnpike Troubadours, Sunday, October 19: After the checkered flag waves, the beloved Red Dirt band closes out the weekend with their mix of country, folk, and rock.

All concerts are included with event admission, so your ticket gets you both heart-pounding races and unforgettable performances.

Rodeo meets racing

Only in Austin could F1 weekend also feel like a rodeo. This year’s Grand Prix introduces roping and racing activations that bring Texas flavor to the festivities. Expect rodeo-style demonstrations, interactive fan zones, and plenty of photo-worthy moments alongside all the high-octane racing.

A feast for the senses

No Austin event is complete without incredible food, and COTA is upping the ante with award-winning barbecue, unique fan villages inspired by Texas culture, and 20-plus local musicians playing across the grounds. Wander the immersive villages to find everything from live music to Austin-made goods, local brews, and bites that will keep you fueled all weekend.

COTA F1 Photo courtesy of COTA

Photo courtesy of COTA

The world's best drivers are coming to Austin.

Racing’s biggest stars

The real stars of the weekend — the drivers — will battle it out across the 20 turns of COTA’s state-of-the-art track, the only permanent, purpose-built Formula 1 circuit in the United States.

With its uphill Turn 1 and thrilling straightaways, the course is known for producing some of the season’s most exciting overtakes and dramatic finishes. Be there to watch Max, Lando, Oscar, Charles, and the rest of the world's top drivers compete for trophies and precious points.

Tips for planning your weekend

Buy tickets early: Grounds passes, reserved seating, and hospitality packages are available now. Remember, concert access is included with all admission tickets.
Consider multi-day passes: With so much to experience — races, music, food, fan villages — a two- or three-day pass lets you make the most of the weekend.
Arrive early: Gates open before the first track sessions, and you’ll want time to explore the villages, grab some chow, and snag a good concert spot.
Follow COTA: Stay updated on schedules, maps, and insider tips by following @COTA on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.

Whether you come for the thrill of the track, the festival-like atmosphere, or the chance to sing along to “Friends in Low Places” under the Austin night sky, the 2025 F1 Grand Prix at COTA is set to be a can’t-miss experience.

Secure your tickets now and get ready for a weekend where the Lone Star State’s love for speed, music, and big-time fun takes center stage.

f1 grand prix f1 weekend circuit of the americas cota garth brooks kygo turnpike troubadours promoted

The Blues Live On

Austin Blues Fest announces 2026 lineup with Parliament-Funkadelic

Photo courtesy of George Clinton

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Austinites who feel the winter blues setting in have something else to look forward to when spring arrives: The Austin Blues Festival returns April 25 and 26, with Parliament-Funkadelic ft. George Clinton, BadBadNotGood, and Eric Johnson at the top of the lineup.

The festival is a revival of an old effort by Antone's Nightclub that's now in its fourth year back. It follows a big year for Antone's, which just celebrated its 50-year anniversary and signed a lease for the next 50 in its current location. However, the festival isn't at Antone's; it'll be held at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. A portion of proceeds from the festival will benefit the park via the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy.

In addition to the big headliners, attendees will see a mix of notable blues, psych, folk and other musicians from home and afar. That includes: Larkin Poe, Adrian Quesada's Boleros Psicodélicos, The War and Treaty, Chaparelle, Los Amigos Invisibles, D.K. Harrell, Annie & The Caldwells, Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra. There will also be second line parades (New Orleans street processions) by Pinettes Brass Band & New Breed Brass Band.

The full lineup is as follows:

Austin Blues Festival 2026 lineup.Graphic courtesy of Austin Blues Festival

"Each year, Austin Blues Festival brings together generations of music lovers and introduces new audiences to our amazing and unique lineup of artists," said Antone's and Blues Fest co-owner Will Bridges in a press release. "Our 2026 programming represents the incredible depth and diversity of music today—from its traditional roots to its modern innovations—and we're thrilled to share this experience with the Austin community and music fans from around the world."

Tickets for two-day entry will go on sale Friday, December 5, at 10 am via austinbluesfestival.com. There will also be add-ons for a private lounge and rooftop terrace, plus garage parking. More details about single day tickets are "coming soon."

“The energy these musicians bring, combined with the emotion and history of the Blues, will make Waterloo Park come alive in ways you simply have to feel to believe," said Waterloo Greenway Conservancy CEO Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette. We are thrilled to welcome the community for a weekend that’s powerful, joyful, and deeply Austin."

blues festivals lineup