The Blanton Museum of Art is launching Sound Break, a new live-music series featuring choral and instrumental performances by leading Austin ensembles. Held in the museum’s atrium on select Thursday afternoons, the hour-long concerts invite visitors to pause and enjoy music in a light-filled setting. The series expands on the Blanton’s tradition of spotlighting local musicians through programs like Blanton All Day and B Scene.

Sound Break debuts Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. with the Austin Baroque Orchestra, presented in conjunction with “Spirit & Splendor: El Greco, Velázquez, and the Hispanic Baroque.” Additional concerts are scheduled for March 19, June 18 and Aug. 13, 2026. Admission is included with regular museum entry.

The DroneArt Show will bring a large-scale aerial light performance to Austin on Dec. 5–6 at Circuit of the Americas. The 65-minute outdoor event features hundreds of synchronized drones forming animated shapes in the night sky, choreographed to live classical string music. A special presentation with more than 1,000 drones will headline the weekend.

The family-friendly show begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening 90 minutes prior. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy food and beverage offerings on-site. The event is ADA-accessible, and children ages 3 and under receive free admission.

The DroneArt Show will bring a large-scale aerial light performance to Austin on Dec. 5–6 at Circuit of the Americas. The 65-minute outdoor event features hundreds of synchronized drones forming animated shapes in the night sky, choreographed to live classical string music. A special presentation with more than 1,000 drones will headline the weekend.

The family-friendly show begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening 90 minutes prior. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy food and beverage offerings on-site. The event is ADA-accessible, and children ages 3 and under receive free admission.

The Red River Cultural District will bring back its midweek concert series, Why Not Wednesdays, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, offering evening performances across four downtown venues.

Launched in November as a new monthly fundraiser and preview of Free Week 2026, the series gives ticket holders access to shows at Stubb’s (indoors), The 13th Floor, Chess Club and Feels So Good starting at 5 p.m. One ticket covers all participating venues for the night.

The Dec. 17 lineup features 12 local artists spanning multiple genres, with all-ages and 21-and-up shows throughout the district. In addition to live music, the evening will include pop-up activations from local businesses, including a Waterloo Records vinyl pop-up at The 13th Floor, Fitted Vintage at Stubb’s and a Goose Gore Tattoos flash tattoo pop-up at Chess Club.

Tickets are $12 and include re-entry at each venue, with proceeds benefiting local musicians and the Red River Cultural District. Wristbands may be picked up beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the event at Feels So Good.