Hot Summer Nights festival returns to Austin

How it works: Over 150 artists will perform across 18 venues Thursday to Saturday, including Barbarella, Cheer Up Charlies, Empire Control Room, Stubb's, Vaquero Taquero and Waterloo Park.

• Plus, attendees can find food and drink specials at each venue, along with a vintage market at Liberty Lunch 6-11pm Saturday.
• Find the full schedule online.

What's new: Kingdom, Feels So Good, Marlow, and The Side Bar join the festival's roster of participating venues, and organizers have expanded daytime, family-friendly events at Waterloo Park and Mohawk.

• And there are now early evening matinee concerts at The 13th Floor, FSG and Chess Club.

Between the lines: This year's Hot Summer Nights comes after the Austin City Council in November solidified funding for at least four more years.

• In November, City Council approved $150,000 annually for up to four years for Red River Cultural District funding.

What's next: The festival kicks off with shows at Cheer Up, Empire, Mohawk, Stubb's, Swan Dive, Elysium, Flamingo Cantina and Valhalla on Thursday.