How to Get Tickets to Popular Austin Shows

Austin is, pound for pound, the entertainment capital of Texas, live music being the top draw. Here's where to get tickets for the most popular attractions.

Instructions

1. Stampede over to your nearest Texas Box Office location if you're interested in attending any University of Texas-related events. This includes anything happening at the Bass Concert Hall, Bates Recital Hall, Hogg Auditorium, the UT Performing Arts Center and the Frank Erwin Center or involving any Longhorn athletic team. Oddly enough, Texas Box Office also handles tickets for the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. If the event is really popular and you don't have season tickets, you'll need to get a wristband to secure a place in the ticket line. Competition can get especially fierce for football tickets.

2. Order full-price and discounted tickets to shows by any of 130 area performing arts organizations through AusTIX, which is affiliated with the Austin Circle of Theaters (ACoT). AusTIX is a non-profit service and any revenue it takes in is distributed to the local performing arts community. Depending on the show you can get tickets at 25% or even 50% off. Tickets are available for the VORTEX, Zachary Scott Theater Center, Hyde Park Theater, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin Civic Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera and One World Theater, to name a few venues and organizations. Purchase AusTIX tickets through the Austin Visitor's Center.

3. Get tickets to hot musical, sporting and cultural events through Star Tickets. Popular venues and organizations served include the Austin Ice Bats, Round Rock Express, Ballet Austin, Bass Concert Hall, the Paramount Theatre, La Zona Rosa, Austin Music Hall, The Backyard, Stubb's BBQ and Antone's. Tickets may be purchased at Waterloo Records--one of the most respected independent record stores in the country.

4. Exercise speed and a clear mind if you want to attend South By Southwest: order a badge online. You can get a badge for the music, film or interactive portions of the convention, or get an all-access platinum pass. If a musical act or film is popular enough the gatekeepers will only allow people with badges inside--those with mere cash are left out on the sidewalk.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're a season ticket holder and can't attend a certain event, you can sell them through the Texas Ticket Marketplace.

• Texas Box Office outlets can be found at any area HEB supermarkets, as well as the UT Athletics Ticket Office, the Frank Erwin Center or over the phone.