Free Week 2023

Free Week takes place January 5-7, 2023. The festival, hosted by Red River Cultural District, acts as creative outlet to support service industry folks during slower months.

2023 celebrates the twentieth anniversary of Free Week. Twenty years ago, the original Emo’s started the festival as a way to generate revenue during the slower months for Red River Cultural District. Since then, the festival inspired a secondary event in Summer (Hot Summer Nights) and has spread to other cities, including Nashville.

Free Week showcases local and regional musicians at various venues across Red River Cultural District, with over 100 artists participating. Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jack Daniels, Lone Star, Red Bull, EQ Austin, and Downtown Austin Alliance, the weeklong event benefits some of our favorite Austin venues and artists.

The party begins at the new Red River venue, The 13th Floor, with a kickoff party hosted by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, featuring Semihelix, Et Ceteras, Shared Walls, Lunar Gold, and A. Sinclair on January 5th. Tito’s will match donations made to Red River Cultural District (up to $1,000). Attendees must RSVP to this 21+ event (link).

Austin local booking agency Resound Presents will take over Mohawk and Empire Control Room & Garage with Bright Light Social Hour, BFF, Disko Cowboy, and Ringo Deathstar. At Cheer Up Charlie’s KUTX present “Love Austin Music Month, Free Week Edition ” with Como Las Movies, Skateland, Redbud, Skateland, and 10pm to close.

To learn more, visit Red River Cultural District’s site here, follow on Facebook, or on Instagram at @Redriverculturaldistrict, or Twitter at @defendredriver. Red River Cultural District is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations made are tax deductible.