Levitation Festival Returns to Austin Sept. 10-13 — Here's What $185 Still Buys You

Levitation returns to Austin September 10–13, and the festival's own 4-day passes are already sold out. What's left is a 3-day Far Out Lounge pass starting at $185, and a lineup that puts New Order's Peter Hook, riot-grrrl godmothers Bikini Kill, and a solo set from Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes within walking distance of each other in South Austin.

That's not a typo, and it's not a coincidence. Levitation started in 2008 as Austin Psych Fest, thrown by members of the Black Angels and their friends. It became Levitation in 2015, named for a 13th Floor Elevators song, in honor of the band Austin claims as the actual birthplace of psychedelic rock — not San Francisco. "Everything from metal to electronic and all things interesting, and out there, and weird," is how festival co-founder Rob Fitzpatrick described the booking philosophy to KXAN last year. This year's edition is back at its South Congress home base, The Far Out Lounge, spilling out into Red River and East Side club shows the way it has most years since.

According to ATX Things' review of Austin, Texas venue records and the festival's own ticketing site, this is the same weekend the desk already covered Sony Music's scouting trip to Antone's — a reminder that Austin's music-discovery machine runs on more than one gear at a time, from major-label scouts to a homegrown psych fest now in its 18th year.

What is Levitation, and why does an Austinite care?

It's the closest thing this city has to an official psych-punk-noise family reunion. Levitation isn't a festival built to be everyone's first Austin music festival — that's ACL Fest, happening three weeks later in Zilker Park. This one is built for people who already own the record. Fitzpatrick has described the booking approach as "bringing the record collection of our community to life here on our stages" — asking longtime fans which of their favorite bands they want to see, then going and getting them.

That's how you end up with a 2026 lineup spanning goth (Cabaret Voltaire), post-punk (Peter Hook and The Light, playing New Order and Joy Division catalog), riot grrrl (Bikini Kill), doom metal (Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Elder, Kylesa), darkwave (Nitzer Ebb, Molchat Doma) and a Butthole Surfers founder doing his own thing — all under one weekend banner, at a South Austin venue known for food trucks and picnic tables more than pyrotechnics. It's the same spirit that keeps Austin's tribute-band scene alive on smaller stages year-round: a city that will show up for the deep cut, not just the headliner everyone already knows.

Who's actually playing, and where

The festival now runs two parallel tracks: ticketed Far Out Lounge headline shows (the 3-day pass), and individually-ticketed downtown club shows at Stubb's, Mohawk, Empire, Hotel Vegas, Elysium and 13th Floor.

At The Far Out Lounge (8504 S Congress Ave):

Downtown/East Side club shows (separate tickets, not covered by the Far Out Lounge pass) include Arlo Parks and Temples at Mohawk on Thursday 9/10 — the one night that isn't part of the 3-day pass window — The Garden at Stubb's Friday, Kylesa at Mohawk Saturday, and El Ten Eleven and Nitzer Ebb closing out Sunday at 13th Floor and Elysium.

What does a ticket actually cost, and what's left

Levitation's own site confirms 4-day passes are fully sold out — both the $360–395 general admission tier and the $750–1,195 deluxe/super-deluxe tiers. What's still available, as of this week:

Prices rise as tiers sell out, and there are no refunds — the festival's own policy is rain or shine. Downtown club shows (Kylesa, The Garden, El Ten Eleven, etc.) are priced and sold separately through each venue.

The parking situation, which will actually ruin your night if you don't plan for it

Levitation's own guidance is blunt: there is no general parking at Far Out Lounge, and public parking nearby is limited. The festival recommends rideshare (pickup/drop-off at the venue's northwest corner, off South Congress and Ralph Ablanedo Dr.), the CapMetro 801 Rapid bus from downtown, or one of three Park & Ride lots — Southpark Meadows, South Congress, and Westgate. A limited paid valet lot exists for early arrivals but fills fast.

What locals should know before they go

• No outside food or drink — but Far Out Lounge runs food trucks and two bars on-site, so you won't go hungry, you'll just pay venue prices.
• Bag policy is strict: no backpacks or standard bags. Small clutches, fanny packs, one-gallon clear zip bags, and single-pocket record totes (16"x16" max) are allowed.
• No chairs, coolers, umbrellas, or lawn setups — this isn't a picnic festival despite the picnic tables.
• The Line Hotel on South Congress is the official 2026 hotel partner, offering 25% off with code LEVITATION for anyone driving in.
• Re-entry is allowed for guests 21+, so a food run off-site is possible if you don't want truck prices.

Far Out Lounge itself carries a 4.6 stars from 962 Google reviews (checked today), with Google's own summary calling it a "buzzy alfresco venue offering food trucks, 2 bars & picnic tables, plus a stage for live music" — which tracks with a venue built to host a psych festival rather than a downtown arena show.

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"Great outdoor venue with a lot of space, multiple bars, and good sound. Come early to grab a good spot and enjoy the food trucks before the show." — one Google reviewer

Will the heat be a problem?

Almost certainly, yes. According to ATX Things' own weather check this afternoon, Austin is sitting at 94°F with a heat index near 99°F today, and the forecast for Thursday, September 10 — night one of the festival — is already tracking toward 100°F. Far Out Lounge is an outdoor venue with covered stage areas but no full-building air conditioning outside the Deluxe lounge tier. Bring water (free water is provided at all venues, per the festival), sunscreen if you're arriving before dusk, and earplugs — Levitation sells them at the merch booth if you forget yours, but your ears will thank you either way.

FAQ

Is Levitation the same as Austin Psych Fest? No, not anymore. They split into two separate, annual events in 2024: Austin Psych Fest runs in spring at a single South Austin venue; Levitation runs in fall (next week, Sept. 10–13) as a multi-venue festival spanning Far Out Lounge and downtown club shows.

Can I still get a 4-day pass? No — Levitation's own ticketing page confirms 4-day passes (all tiers) are sold out as of this week. Your remaining option is the 3-day Far Out Lounge pass or individual downtown club show tickets.

Is there parking at the venue? No general public parking. Levitation directs attendees to rideshare, the CapMetro 801 Rapid bus, or nearby Park & Ride lots.

Are kids allowed? Yes, with a parent or guardian at all times; kids 8 and under don't need a ticket. Everyone else must be 18+.

What if it rains? The festival is rain or shine with no refunds, per Levitation's own policy.

Levitation runs Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13. Full daily set times are posted directly on levitation.fm. If you need a warm-up before four days of psych-punk, this coming weekend already has its own arena calendar — Malcolm Todd and Brandi Carlile both play downtown Saturday and Sunday, days before Levitation even loads in. Either way, check ATX Things' full guide to things to do in Austin before you lock in a weekend.