Austin’s beloved summer tradition, Blues on the Green, returns to Zilker Park Aug. 5-6 for two nights of live music, local flavor and laid-back summer vibes.

Set against the downtown skyline, the free outdoor concert invites music lovers to roll out picnic blankets, kick off their shoes and enjoy performances by Austin-based artists starting at 7 p.m. each night.

Getting there

The city’s Transportation and Public Works Department advises attendees to plan ahead, as the event is expected to impact traffic and recreational use around Zilker Park.

Several nearby roads will be closed, including the northbound MoPac service road, eastbound lanes under MoPac and Lou Neff Road, which circles the park.
Austin residents should expect several road closures and adjustments surrounding the Blues on the Green event in August. (Courtesy city of Austin Transportation and Public Works Department)
For those driving, limited parking is available at Zilker Park with advance reservations. Parking passes cost $25 and can be purchased online.


Organizers encourage alternate transportation:
  • CapMetro: Routes 3, 30, and MetroRapid 803 all stop near the park. Riders 18 and under ride free.
  • Biking: Bike racks are located throughout the park. CapMetro Bikeshare e-bikes are also available downtown.
  • Rideshare: Use 2107 Veterans Drive as your drop-off/pick-up point. From there, cross the pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake to reach the concert area.


2025 Lineup
  • Aug. 5: Ruthie Foster, Sue Foley, The Peterson Brothers, Blakchyl, Bob Schneider
  • Aug. 6: Elijah Delgado, Next of Kin, Chaparelle
Longtime local staple

Presented by Waterloo Media, Blues on the Green is Austin’s longest-running free concert series. It began at the Arboretum in North Austin before moving to Waterloo Park and eventually to Zilker Park, where it now draws crowds of up to 50,000.

The event was nearly canceled for the first time in decades last year.


Blues on the Green organizers announced in January 2024 that rising costs had halted their plans to once again hold summer shows at Zilker Park.

Weeks later, City Council members voted to explore whether Austin could work with Blues on the Green to sustain it into the future through city co-sponsorship of the event. On Feb. 16, organizers announced the event was back on.

“Having a place for the community to gather that doesn’t require buying an expensive ticket is invaluable," Jeff Miller, owner of Blues on the Green's production company Event Production Services, told council members last February. "It provides access to all and brings people from all walks of life together to enjoy free live music in the park, and enjoy the company of their neighbors, make new friends, listen to great music, and discover genres and artists they might not have had exposure to previously."