A Free Festival Of Community Street Bands
March 27 - 29, 2026
Thursday, March 26
Inn Cahoots
1221 E 6th St
Austin, Texas 78702
6 PM -10 PM
$10-20 Suggested donation
All ages
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4550 Mueller Blvd
Austin, Texas 78723
11 AM - 6:45 PM
Free
All ages
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The 2026 Honk!TX festival takes place Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th with a special kickoff party on Thursday. Each day occurs at a different venue in Austin. The Honk!TX is a free and family friendly event. Please note that Jackelope Southshore is 21 and up only and the Thursday Kickoff Party has a $10-20 suggested donation.
FAQ
What is HONK!TX?
HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from our local community, around the country, and outside the United States to perform for free in the public spaces of Austin, Texas. Mobile and unamplified, HONK! bands transform everyday locations into organic stages, dissolving the line between crowd and performers and inviting everyone to celebrate the joys of music and community. HONK! is a celebration of community, collaboration and creative expression. Join the revelry!
When is the HONK!TX Festival 2026?
March 27th, 28th, and 29th are the main dates for 2026, but we also have fundraisers, and community shows leading up to the festival as well as a Thursday night Kickoff Party featuring only out of town bands. All donations go towards the out of town bands.
Where is the HONK!TX Festival?
Austin, Texas. In 2026, Friday will be during the evening at Jackalope South Shore, Saturday will be during the day at Mueller Lake Park, and Sunday the festivities will culminate with a band revue during the day at Pan Am Park. Thursday night there will be a Kickoff Party at Inn Cahoots.
How much does it cost and where do I buy tickets?
HONK!TX is 100% free for all to enjoy! Just show up and enjoy yourself! HONK!TX is entirely volunteer run, so if you love HONK!TX, please show your support through a donation, volunteering, or sponsorship. For the Thursday night Kickoff Party at Inn Cahoots, there is a $10-20 suggested donation that goes towards out of town bands.
Is HONK!TX family-friendly?
Yes! Music-lovers of all ages can enjoy HONK! There is also no age limit to be a volunteer. However, our Friday evening venue, Jackalope South Shore, is 21 and up only.
What kind of music will I hear?
A range of genres will be represented: New Orleans second-line brass, European Klezmer and Balkan, Brazilian, West African and more. HONK!TX showcases a different band lineup every year, featuring local favorites, a variety of bands from around the country, and the occasional international band. Who are you excited to see this year?
Things to know for the best possible festival experience
Plan for the weather
Texas in the spring is variable between quite cool to very hot, sometimes in the same day. Dress for the weather. The festival is rain or shine, however, events may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Know where to find shade, water, and cool drinks
Have a plan to avoid overheating and what to do should you start to become affected by the heat. HONK!TX is almost entirely outdoors and does not provide climate-controlled environments nor sell concessions, however vendors may be available on premises or nearby on some festival days. Water is available at parks and private venues. Coolers and food may be brought to public spaces.
Sun protection is vital
Even on a cool spring day sunscreen and SPF lip balm are highly recommended. Shade is limited near most stages. Consider a hat or parasol/umbrella to provide personal shade (please be conscientious of the performers and other festivalgoers). HONK!TX has a limited number of umbrellas to lend.
See something, say something
In the event of an emergency or imminent threat, please dial 911. Notify venue management, staff, or a HONK!TX volunteer for other concerns. Feel free to visit the info booth, present all 3 days of the festival or email us at contact@honktx.org
Lost and found
Please turn in all found items to venue staff or a HONK!TX volunteer. If you are missing something, please visit the info booth, present all 3 days of the festival.
Housing
Hosting a band in your home is one of the best and most rewarding ways to get involved with HONK!TX, and the friendships and memories you make with your musical guests will be treasured for years to come. Proximity to central Austin and/or reliable bus stops and/or bike lanes are key factors in housing success. If you're ready to move forward with filling out our housing questionnaire you can find it HERE
Food
Many hands make light work when it comes to feeding hundreds of musicians and volunteers! Whether you are an individual, restaurant, or catering company, we welcome your food donation. Contact us to find out what we need.
Volunteer
So you want to help out but still enjoy the festival? Volunteering is a great way to do that! From carrying around a tip bucket, to organizing food for the musicians, to manning the HONK!TX merch table, we've got jobs for any music-lover of any age. Sign up with a friend or family member and join the fun! Sign to volunteer HERE
Sponsor
HONK!TX loves to support local businesses! A sponsorship is mutually beneficial to HONK!TX and your business or organization; you'll enjoy opportunities for community outreach, exposure of your business, and a weekend of music and culture like nothing else in Austin! Give back to your community by sponsoring HONK!TX through a monetary or in-kind sponsorship.
Get Involved!
Donate
HONK!TX is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-driven, volunteer-run festival, and could not happen without the generous support of individuals like you. Help us continue to bring our amazing free festival to the streets of Austin, Texas by making a tax-deductible donation to HONK!TX through PayPal. Your donation will go to cover permits, band travel costs, equipment rental, and more. Thank you so much for your support!
ABOUT
HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from within our community, throughout the country, and abroad to perform for free in the public spaces of Austin, Texas. Mobile and unamplified, HONK! bands transform everyday locations into spontaneous stages, dissolving the line between crowd and performers and inviting everyone to celebrate the joys of music and community. A range of genres will be represented: New Orleans second-line brass, European Klezmer and Balkan, Brazilian, West African and more. HONK! is a celebration of community, collaboration and creative expression. Join the revelry!
Supporters
This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
