Batman in Concert at the Long Center Oct. 16–17: Seat Prices, Parking and the Riverside Drive Closure

The Austin Symphony Orchestra plays Danny Elfman's complete score live while Tim Burton's 1989 Batman runs on a big screen in Dell Hall at the Long Center, Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, both at 7:30 p.m. The film is rated PG-13 and runs about two hours, according to the symphony's listing, and "guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite DC Superhero."

According to ATX Things' read of the symphony's ticketing page and the Long Center's own parking page on Oct. 12, the part that needs planning isn't the show. It's the drive. The Long Center is working around a Riverside Drive lane closure that took effect Sept. 1, and its directions page lists turn bans for people coming from South Lamar and South First.

The image above is an AI illustration, not a photo of Dell Hall or of this production.

What exactly is "Batman in Concert"?

It is the full 1989 film, projected, with the orchestra performing the entire score in sync. The symphony's description says the dialogue and action stay on screen and the music "comes to life right in front of you." Peter Bay conducts. It is part of the symphony's Butler Pops Series.

The cast the symphony lists: Michael Keaton as Batman and Bruce Wayne, Jack Nicholson as the Joker, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent and Jack Palance as Carl Grissom.

Two details from the Long Center's event page matter if you're bringing anyone under 18: "all patrons, regardless of age, require a ticket," and the film is PG-13. I have not seen this production and can't tell you how loud the full orchestra gets against the film's dialogue. The listing doesn't say whether there is an intermission, so ask an usher when you get there.

What do tickets cost?

I read the Saturday, Oct. 17 seat map on the symphony's ticketing site on Oct. 12. Friday's seat map would not load for me, so I can't confirm Friday's prices. These are Saturday's:

The Long Center says its ticket prices are all-in, "what you see is what you will pay," which means no surprise fees at checkout. Tickets for this show are sold through the symphony, not the Long Center box office, so buy at my.austinsymphony.org. The Long Center warns that it can't confirm tickets bought from resellers.

Where do you park, and what's the Riverside Drive problem?

The Long Center's directions page, read Oct. 12, lists the Palmer Events Center garage as the main option at $12, cashless (900 Barton Springs Rd.). It has two entrances, one at Riverside Drive and South First Street, one on Barton Springs Road. The Long Center says that during the construction, "we recommend utilizing the Barton Springs entrance... it may require a longer walk but will help reduce congestion."

Here's what the page says about the closure, in the Long Center's words where I can quote them:

• A "Phase 1" closure started Sept. 1: the northernmost westbound lane of Riverside Drive is closed.
• There is "NO left turn onto Riverside Dr. from southbound S Lamar Blvd."
• There is "NO right or left turn onto Riverside Dr. from S First St."
• The valet, the circle drive and the garage's Riverside entrance are reached by driving eastbound on Riverside Drive.
• The closure is "tentatively scheduled to change on 10/21/26," so it should still apply on both show nights.

The page doesn't say what the construction is. I haven't driven the detour, and the Long Center doesn't publish drive times, so I can't give you one. Plan for extra time and have a second route in your head.

One discrepancy: the Long Center's FAQ page still lists valet at "$20–$40" and the One Texas garage at lower figures. The directions page is newer and shows the numbers above, so I used those. Bring cash if you plan to valet.

When do doors open, and what can you bring?

The Long Center's FAQ says that "typically, lobby doors will open 90 minutes prior to the performance start time and theatre doors usually open 30 minutes prior." For a 7:30 p.m. show that points to about 6 p.m. for the lobby and 7 p.m. for the hall. That is the Long Center's general pattern, not a time published for this show, so confirm in the pre-show email.

AI illustration, not a photo of the Long Center terrace.

What the Long Center's event page says you can't bring: outside food or drinks, weapons of any kind, professional cameras (cameras with detachable lenses), video cameras, tents and vending or soliciting. The FAQ adds that bags "will be checked at gates but clear bags are not required." The FAQ also says the Long Center is a TABC 51 percent establishment, so firearms are not allowed on its property. One caution: that FAQ page still carries an old COVID notice at the top, so I'd trust the event page for this show's rules and call the box office if a detail matters to you.

Inside, the FAQ says the Long Center sells cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, water and light snacks before the show and at intermission, and you can pre-order intermission refreshments to enjoy on the Terrace overlooking downtown. Whether this show has an intermission isn't stated.

What will the weather be?

Open-Meteo's Oct. 12 forecast for Austin shows Friday at a high of 78°F and a low of 67°F, with about an 8 percent chance of rain, and Saturday at 75°F and 59°F with about 1 percent. That is a model forecast a few days out and it will shift. The show is indoors; the weather matters for the walk from the garage and the Terrace before the lights go down.

What locals should know

• Two nights, same time: Fri., Oct. 16 and Sat., Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. Pick the one that avoids your other plans.
• Tickets: symphony site, all-in pricing, Saturday prices read Oct. 12.
• Parking: $12 at the Palmer Events Center garage, cashless; use the Barton Springs entrance.
• Riverside Drive: a lane is closed and turns from South Lamar and South First are banned, per the Long Center; tentatively changes Oct. 21.
• Box office: the Long Center lists Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and says it opens 90 minutes before weekend shows. Call (512) 474-5664.

More Austin show-night logistics: Gorillaz, Modest Mouse and Bright Eyes on Oct. 15, Kacey Musgraves at Moody Center and our running list of things to do in Austin. Sources: the Austin Symphony Orchestra's ticket page, the Long Center event page and its directions and parking page.

This desk publishes twice a day, mornings and afternoons, on what's open, what's happening and what's worth the drive. Follow @austintexasthings if that's useful.

FAQ

Is Batman in Concert the whole movie? Yes, per the Austin Symphony Orchestra: the complete 1989 film is projected while the orchestra performs Danny Elfman's entire score live. It is rated PG-13 and runs about two hours.

How much is parking at the Long Center? The Long Center's directions page, read Oct. 12, lists the Palmer Events Center garage at $12, cashless, and RiverSouth at $25. Valet on the circle drive is $25–$50, cash only. The One Texas Center garage is $12–$20 on special events.

Can kids go? The Long Center says all patrons regardless of age need a ticket. The film is rated PG-13. Whether to bring a younger child is your call; the listing sets no minimum age.

Can I wear a costume? Yes. The symphony encourages dressing as a favorite DC superhero. The Long Center bans weapons of any kind, so leave prop weapons at home and ask the box office about anything borderline.

Is the Riverside Drive closure still on Oct. 16 and 17? Per the Long Center, the Phase 1 closure began Sept. 1 and is "tentatively scheduled to change on 10/21/26," so yes, as of Oct. 12. Check its directions page before you leave.