Texas Music Office

The 2nd Annual Villapalooza Lokal Music & Art Fest returns to The Villa at Gruene (1190 Gruene Road) in New Braunfels on July 18–19, 2026, for a free, two-day celebration of the community's homegrown music, art, food, and craft beverages. The festival features 20 local and regional acts performing across two stages, alongside art vendors, live demonstrations, wine, craft beer and spirit tastings, and a curated selection of local food trucks. Created to showcase the best of the New Braunfels and Gruene creative scene, Villapalooza offers an immersive weekend experience centered on local talent, community, and culture.

Among the featured performers are Jamey Johnson, Josh Abbott Band, Cody Canada, William Clark Green, and Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, joined by standout Texas artists including Kayla Jane and numerous New Braunfels-area musicians performing throughout the weekend. In addition to the music, festivalgoers can browse handcrafted works from local artists and makers while enjoying tastings from area wineries, breweries, and distilleries. With free admission and an emphasis on supporting local musicians, artists, and businesses, Villapalooza has quickly established itself as one of New Braunfels' signature summer music and arts festivals.

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Presented by the Red River Cultural District, Hot Summer Nights 2026 returns to downtown Austin July 16–18 with three nights of free live music, art, food, and community events celebrating the city's renowned local music scene. More than 130 Austin-area musicians, bands, and DJs will perform across some of the city's most iconic venues, including Mohawk, Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Flamingo Cantina, Chess Club, Elysium, Kingdom, Swan Dive, The 13th Floor, Valhalla, The Creek and the Cave, Liberty Lunch, Marlow, and the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. The festival also features the Hot Summer Nights Market at Liberty Lunch on July 18, presented in partnership with Future Front Texas, showcasing local artists, makers, and vintage vendors.

Among the festival's standout performers are Blakchyl, Glass Mansions, Heavy Velvet, Kylie Hernandez, Saint Judas & The Black Hymns, Creeping Death, Parker Woodland, Whisk, Two-Legged Dog, Big Wy's Brass Band, Azurah Vibez, Chicoselfie, Cody Brandell, Geto Gala, and Annabelle Chairlegs, representing Austin's diverse rock, indie, metal, country, hip-hop, Americana, and Latin music communities. Additional highlights include a free family-friendly performance by the Austin Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet at Stubb's and numerous partner events throughout the district, making Hot Summer Nights one of Austin's signature summer music festivals while providing paid performance opportunities for local musicians and supporting the city's live music economy.

Red River Cultural District