Updated April 28 at 6:40 p.m.
Editor’s note: UT Austin has ordered major changes to the inaugural KUT Festival days before the event, citing safety concerns. Many of the details below are now out of date. Find updates here.
The first-ever KUT Festival kicks off this weekend. The community celebration runs Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2 — with a limited paid jazz brunch on Sunday, May 3. All events take place on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
Already made plans to go, or just curious? This guide is for everyone. Get details about the lineup, ticket options, transportation and more below.
What is the KUT Festival?
The festival features live music, author talks, family-friendly activities and panels with local leaders on the biggest issues facing Austin.
Here are a few program highlights:
- A keynote event featuring a discussion on the future of public radio journalism — with Maria Hinojosa, Leila Fadel and Domenico Montanaro — and a conversation with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker on his new book Stand and living in a time of division
- An interview with Austin actor and director Ben McKenzie, known for shows like Gotham, Southland and The O.C. and movies like Junebug and Line of Duty
- A panel on Austin’s food scene featuring Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin, Antonelli’s Cheese founder Kendall Antonelli and Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group partner Tavel Bristol-Joseph
- An interview with Adriene Mishler, aka Yoga With Adriene, on how she’s created a global health movement rooted in Austin
- Multiple conversations with our representatives — including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Congressmen Greg Casar and Michael McCaul, Austin City Council members and state legislators — on a wide range of issues, from the I-35 expansion to immigration enforcement to elections
- Performances by musicians Shakey Graves, J’cuuzi, BLK ODYSSY and Melissa Carper on the festival’s main stage
On top of these events, there will be dedicated space for author readings and signings at the Texas Book Talks Tent organized in partnership with the Texas Book Festival, programming dedicated to kids via KUT for Kids at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, and a Saturday street fair with food trucks and local vendors.
If you’re a fan of KUT News, KUTX or Texas Standard, many staff members will be at the street fair’s KUT Public Media booth throughout the day to chat with people. We’ll also have a pop-up recording studio for attendees to record their thoughts on local issues. We’re at Booth 1 on the fair map. Come say hi!
You can look through the full lineup and filter events by topic and date on the KUT Festival website. Seating is generally first come, first served; some sessions have reserved seating for passholders. Speaking of passes …
How much does it cost to attend?
The festival has a mix of free and paid events. The schedule page has a filter you can use to find the panels and performances everyone can attend at no cost. The street fair and the Texas Book Talks Tent are also completely free.
You don’t have to register to go to the free events, but we would appreciate it if you did so we can send you important information about the festival.
There are a handful of paid pass options ranging from $29 to $329 that give you access to more panels, KUT for Kids events, priority seating and Sunday’s jazz brunch. Discounts are available for KUT members and government or military workers. If you’re a KUT member, just register using the same email that’s on your membership account and the discount code KUTMember.
Students from local colleges and universities can get a paid pass for free — register as a student and bring your student ID when you pick up your pass.
Attendees can pick up passes (or purchase them on the spot) at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs main lobby starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Just show your pass at the door for any paid event.
How do I get to the festival?
All events are within a handful of blocks at UT Austin, near the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. If you’re driving, we’ll have updates on parking on the website as the festival gets closer.
There are many CapMetro bus routes that run through the UT campus, plus Bikeshare stations. Rideshare apps can also get you to the festival and back.
Campus is always busy with concerts, sports games and other events, so keep in mind you may need extra time to navigate traffic!
Anything else I should know before I head out to the festival?
There are no bag restrictions, so bring whatever size or shape you need. But security will be on site, and there may be bag checks at some locations.
There will be free water stations to fill your bottle, plus paid food and drink options.
And finally, only service animals are allowed at the festival — so please keep your pet dog or cat at home!
Keep up with updates as the festival gets closer by registering with your email (even for a free pass), checking the KUT Festival website or following KUT News on social media.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kut.org ’
