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FREE Arts & Performance in Austin

Austin's stages, galleries, concerts and public art offer a lot of FREE ways to enjoy the arts. From museum FREE days and campus recitals to outdoor concerts, open studios and murals, start here for places and programs that cost nothing. For history museums and cultural centers, see Culture & Heritage.

FREE days and Museums for All

Many of Austin's bigger museums charge admission most days but open their doors FREE on set days or with an EBT card.

Know before you go

  • Museums for All gives families with an EBT card FREE or very low-cost admission, so bring your card and a photo ID.
  • Days and hours can change, so check the museum's site before you go.

Always FREE museums and galleries

These museums and galleries never charge for general admission.

Know before you go

  • Hours change around holidays and new exhibitions, so check the site before you go.

Music and live performance

FREE concerts and live music happen all over Austin, from campus recitals to community sing-alongs.

Know before you go

  • Some series run only in certain seasons, and a few use a FREE RSVP or a waitlist at the door, so check the organizer's page first.

  • Austin Symphony Orchestra: Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park

    Sunday evening concerts by Austin Symphony ensembles at Hartman Concert Park, in front of the Long Center City Terrace. No tickets are required and all ages are welcome, pets included. This is a summer series, and 2027 dates are not posted yet.

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  • Conspirare Big Sing

    A community sing-along that happens four times a year in public spaces like libraries, schools and museums. Conspirare says the Big Sing is always FREE for everyone, and no singing experience is needed. The Holiday Big Sing is Sunday, Dec 13, 2026, 4pm to 5pm, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th St.

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  • UT Butler School of Music

    Many student and faculty recitals and ensemble concerts are tagged "FREE admission" on the Butler calendar, for example doctoral recitals at 6pm in Jessen Auditorium. Look for the tag, because other concerts cost $5 to $15.

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  • KUTX Studio 1A Live Sessions

    Watch live sessions at KUTX's studio. Most are open to the public, space permitting: join the FREE waitlist at the door, arriving no earlier than 20 minutes before. Concert Club members get early RSVP.

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  • Austin Classical Guitar Open Mic Nights

    Open mic nights for guitarists of all levels and ages at The Rosette. Doors open at 6:30pm and music starts at 7pm on Nov 18, Dec 2, Feb 3, Mar 10, Apr 7 and May 5. Sign-up is FREE, with an optional donation.

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Dance, theater and outdoor stages

Austin's outdoor stages and dance studios open up for FREE shows, classes and movie nights, many of them in season.

Know before you go

  • Bring a blanket for the outdoor ones, and check the date and RSVP details before you go.

  • Ballet Austin: Get Fit! FREE Day of Fitness & Pilates

    One day a year of FREE fitness, dance and Pilates classes at Ballet Austin, sponsored by H-E-B. The next one is Sunday, January 17, 2027, 10am to 3pm. Sign up online for each class. It is for adults, and Pilates Reformer is for new clients only.

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  • Zilker Theatre Productions: Zilker Summer Musical

    An Austin tradition since 1959: a big family musical on the hillside at Zilker Hillside Theater, with FREE admission. Bring a blanket and claim a spot between 6pm and 8pm. This is a summer show, and 2026 dates are not on the page.

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  • Zilker Hillside Theater

    The City's outdoor amphitheater in Zilker Park. The City page says performances and events here are always FREE and open to the public. The performance season runs March through October.

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  • The Drop-In at the Long Center

    FREE outdoor concerts on the Long Center lawn every Thursday evening in summer. Tickets cost nothing, but you RSVP first. The 2026 series ran May 21 to Aug 14, and 2027 dates are not posted yet.

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  • Austin Parks Foundation: Movies in the Park

    FREE outdoor movie nights in Austin parks, starting at dusk, with 100 FREE bags of popcorn at each one. Dates and parks change each year. Next up: Toy Story, Saturday, Nov 21, 2026, at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park.

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  • Pease Park Conservancy events

    Family events in Pease Park labeled FREE and open to the public, such as the Small Wonders puppet show (Nov 14) and toddler yoga (Nov 18). Check each listing, since not every event states a price.

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Public art, murals and studios

You can see a lot of Austin's art without buying a ticket, from murals and sculpture to campus collections and open artist studios.

Know before you go

  • Outdoor art is open any time, and indoor pieces follow the building's hours.

  • Austin Art in Public Places

    The City's public art program, with more than 400 artworks in parks, libraries, recreation centers and along streets. Use the interactive map at explore.publicartarchive.org/austinaipp to plan your own route. Indoor pieces follow the building's hours.

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  • UT Landmarks public art

    More than 40 works of public art across the UT campus. Outdoor art can be viewed at any time, and a campus map is FREE. The James Turrell skyspace "The Color Inside" takes a FREE reservation.

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  • The graffiti park has reopened at a new home, 741 Dalton Lane near the airport. Open Thursday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm, and the site says it remains FREE and open to all, including pulling up to paint. The bar, cafe, gift shop and indoor gallery are separate.

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  • Downtown Mural Walking Tour

    A self-guided 4.5 mile walking route past Downtown Austin's murals and green spaces, with the route map linked on the page. No ticket or sign-up needed.

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  • Austin Studio Tour

    A FREE, self-guided citywide celebration of art, now in its 24th year: visit 815 artists and groups at 309 locations. The 2026 weekends are Nov 14, 15, 21 and 22, 11am to 5pm. A printed guidebook costs $12 at the tour hubs, and a FREE guidebook is at Austin Public Library branches while supplies last.

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  • Open Canopy at Canopy

    Artist studios and galleries at 916 Springdale Rd open to the public the first Saturday of every month, 1pm to 4pm. Canopy calls it family friendly, pet friendly and FREE to attend.

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FREE seats, streaming and access

A few arts programs open the door to people who might not otherwise get in, like FREE seats through a nonprofit or FREE streaming with a library card.

Know before you go

  • Each one has its own sign-up, so read the details first.

  • Ballet Austin: Night of Community

    A FREE seat at the final dress rehearsal of each of Ballet Austin's five productions, for clients of Central Texas nonprofits serving people with low income, disabilities or other needs. The nonprofit applies for its group, not individuals. Dates are Dec 3, 2026, and Feb 11, Mar 18 and May 6, 2027, all at 7:30pm.

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  • Kanopy through Austin Public Library

    Stream movies and documentaries FREE with your Austin Public Library card. The card is FREE for Austin residents, and non-residents pay for a card.

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    Hours and programs change often. Call ahead before you go. Know something that belongs here? Email freeinaustin@gmail.com.