Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival

Hot Luck Live Food & Music Festival returns to Austin on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17, 2026. This year it's split across two venues: Franklin Barbecue and Assembly Hall. Friday runs from 5:30 to 9 PM, and Saturday from 6 to 9 PM.

The festival was started by Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Mohawk owner James Moody, and Feast Portland co-founder Mike Thelin. They built it as a chef-driven, a la carte, eat-with-your-fingers picnic and party centered on open-pit cooking and live music — a combination they describe as a "casserole of the culinary and music worlds."

There are two main food events to work around: "Giddy Up" at Franklin Barbecue and "House Party" at Assembly Hall on Saturday. The music spans Americana, bluegrass, indie, and R&B. For the first time, the festival is happening in the autumn instead of the summer, so you'll be eating and listening in October weather rather than the Texas heat. In previous years, it's drawn on Austin venues like Mohawk, Antone's, and Hotel Vegas, and the proceeds benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Hot Luck is meant to honor the soul, sweat, and DIY diversity of Austin's food and music scene, drawing on the spirit of friendly tailgates, family reunions, and potlucks. It's a casual, a la carte affair rather than a seated meal, so you can pick your way through the food and music at your own pace. Friday is 5:30 to 9 PM; Saturday is 6 to 9 PM.