Drink, Eat, Celebrate Live Music
Free Week started in 2003 at the legendary Emo’s (at 6th and Red River St) as a way to keep the club’s lights on and staff working during the dead winter when business was historically slow. What started as a one-venue annual event grew into a movement, with venues Austin to Nashville participating, with tens of thousands attending city-wide.
FREE WEEK 2025
We couldn’t have done it without you! Check out our Free Week 2025 Impact Report.
FREE WEEK 2025 SCHEDULE
FREE WEEK EATS + DRINKS
FREE WEEK 25 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT IS FREE WEEK?
Free Week is an admission-free winter music festival featuring local music performances across over a dozen venue spaces found in downtown Austin, Texas.
HOW DID FREE WEEK START?
To support the local music economy, Free Week started in 2003 at the legendary Emo’s original location at 6th and Red River Street as a way to keep the club’s lights on and staff working during the historically slower winter months.
Today, our Red River Cultural District team currently serves as a principal local organizer with its multi-venue downtown fest, although many venues across Austin regularly participate each winter.
HOW DOES FREE WEEK WORK?
All Free Week concerts organized by the Red River Cultural District are admission-free for attendees, although each is a paid performance opportunity!
Throughout the weekend, music lovers like yourself can also enjoy free concerts and parties each night, plus special promotions at our local restaurants & bars.
Our local nonprofit team works year-round alongside the network of venues and businesses found within the District to raise funds through corporate sponsors and individual donors.
Dozens of FREE Performances
Performances take place across the district’s 12 live music venues and focus on performances by local and regional talent.
2025 participating venues include:
- Barbarella
- Chess Club
- Cheer Up Charlies
- Elysium
- Empire Control Room and Garage
- Flamingo Cantina
- Mohawk
- Stubb’s
- Swan Dive
- The 13th Floor
- Valhalla
- Vaquero Taquero
Start Every Year With A Bang
Free Week generally takes place over the first weekend of the first week of the year. Free Week 2025 is scheduled for January 3RD – 4TH, 2025.
VENUE ACCESSIBLITY
RRCD is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, including persons with disabilities and individuals with specific needs. Should you require advance accommodations to access the venues hosting RRCD’s Free Week, please contact our venue partners directly. During the festival all venue partners will accommodate needs at the door.
- Cheer Up Charlies: cucbooking@gmail.com
- Chess Club: bookingchessclub@gmail.com / Instagram Direct Message
- Barbarella: Instagram Direct Message
- Elysium: Isi / 512-803-6685
- Empire Control Room and Garage: Steve Flynn gm@heardent.com / bookingassistant@heardent.com
- Flamingo Cantina: Angela Tharp / angeal@flamingocantina.com
- Mohawk: booking@mohawk.com
- Stubb’s: ryan@stubbsaustin.com
- Swan Dive: booking@swandiveaustin.com / Instagram Direct Message
- The 13th Floor: the13thflooratx@gmail.com
- Valhalla: Instagram Direct Message @valhalltavern
- Vaquero Taquero: info@vaquerotaquero
The Red River Cultural District is a creative community providing authentic Austin experiences through diverse local music, art & food for every fan & guest.
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