HONK!TX - a free festival of community street bands

April 5-7, 2024 in Austin, Texas

HONK!TX April 5-7, 2024 in Austin, Texas

HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from around the country 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!

HONK!TX 2024 Schedule

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HONK!TX returns for our 12th live festival since 2011!

Google map of festival locations: https://tinyurl.com/HONK-TX-2024-Map

Thursday, April 4th Doors at 7:00 PM, Bands 8:00 to Midnight at the Ballroom at Spiderhouse (2906 Fruth St. Austin, TX 78705).

Friday, April 5th 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Central Machine Works (4824 Cesar Chavez St E Austin, TX 78702)

Google map of festival locations: https://tinyurl.com/HONKTX-2024-Friday

Saturday, April 6th 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM at Mueller Lake Park (4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723)

Google map of festival locations: https://tinyurl.com/HONKTX-2024-Saturday

Sunday April 7th 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Pan Am Park ( 2100 E 3rd St, Austin, TX 78702)

Google map of festival locations: https://tinyurl.com/HONKTX-2024-Sunday

All festival locations: https://tinyurl.com/HONK-TX-2024-Map

HONK!TX 2024 Bands

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Cimarrona La Original - Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

9th Avenue Brass Band - Pensecola, Florida

Black Sheep Ensemble - Atlanta, Georgia

Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band - Somerville, Massachusetts

Greenbelt HONK! Situation - Greenbelt, Maryland

Human Band - New Orleans, Louisiana

Neon Brass Party - Seattle, Washington

TMB Brass - Seattle, Washington

ACC Afro Cuban Music Ensemble - Austin, Texas

Apollo Percussion - Austin, Texas

Austiner Klezmer Bund - Austin, Texas

Austin Samba - Austin, Texas

Bat City Brass Band - Austin, Texas

Batristas Do Corazao - Austin, Texas

Blowcomotion - Austin, Texas

Bramaya West African Music & Dance - Austin, Texas

Dead Music Capital Band - Austin, Texas

Grupo Ladeira - Austin, Texas

La Murga de Austin - Austin, Texas

Laura Freeman Music - Austin, Texas

Mafaro Marimba - Austin, Texas

Minor Mishap Marching Band - Austin, Texas

Moon Tower Brass Band - Austin, Texas

Queens of HONK - Austin, Texas

Yes Ma'am Brass Band - Austin, Texas

FAQs

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What is HONK!TX?

HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from around the country 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?

April 5 – April 8, 2024 are the main dates, but we also have fundraisers and community shows leading up to the festival.
View the full schedule here.

Where is the HONK!TX Festival?

Austin, Texas. In 2023, Friday was in the evening at Central Machine Works on Cesar Chavez St, Saturday was during the day at Mueller Lake Park, and Sunday culminated with a band revue at Pan Am Park.
Get addresses and maps here.

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!, please show your support through a donation or sponsorship.
Find out more about how to give.

Is HONK!TX family-friendly?

Yes! Music-lovers of all ages can enjoy HONK! There is also no age limit to be a volunteer.
Learn more about getting involved.

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?
Check out the band lineup here!

Get Involved!

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So you want to get involved with HONK!TX…that’s music to our ears! There are multiple ways to get involved; choose your own adventure:

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!

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.

or

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!

or

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.

or

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.

Preschool of Honk

All toddlers love to whack pans or blow on a recorder, and HONK!TX is just the place for it. Join Laura Freeman for an all-preschool jam session, complete with instrument building, song singing, and drum banging.

Contact Us

Want to get involved but not sure how?

Supporters

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City of Austin Economic Development Department

This project has been financed in whole or in part by the City of Austin's Elevate Grant Program.

Texas Commision on the Arts
Mueller
The RK Group
Eldorado
GROW Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
The Soup Peddler
The Soup Peddler
Home Slice Pizza
Juice and Joe
Ruta Maya
Industry Print
Texas Coffee Traders
Weird Water

Media

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Our Mission Statement

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HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from around the country 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!