Every November, you can catch one of my favorite Austin events at Waterloo Greenway. Creek Show! It’s part art installation, part light show, part festival. Walk along Waller Creek to enjoy light-up art pieces, and end the night with live music, food, and activities.
I’ll be updating this post once Creek Show 2024 starts so you know exactly what you can expect this year!
In This Post
What is Creek Show?
Creek Show is an annual event in Downtown Austin featuring bright and imaginative light-up art installations along Waller Creek. Each year features different art pieces meant to explore themes related to Waterloo Greenway. There are always fun pieces, beautiful pieces and sometimes silly pieces, like light-up portapotties or glowing pants.
After walking through the installations, you can typically find booths with activities, live music, food and drinks in Waterloo Park (though it looks like this year, that may take place at the Creek Show Lounge at Swim Club).
And 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Creek Show!
All proceeds from Creek Show benefit Waterloo Greenway, whose mission is to create and maintain a new 35-acre urban park system in partnership with the City of Austin.
When is Creek Show?
Creek Show happens every November for about a week. For 2024, the Creek Show dates are November 8 to November 16.
It runs from 6 pm to 10 pm each night (6 pm is Early Access, and General Admission starts at 7).
Where is Creek Show?
Creek Show takes place in downtown Austin near the State Capitol, at Waterloo Greenway, including Waller Creek and Waterloo Park.
In past years, the entrance to Creek Show was near 10th and Red River, and it ended at Waterloo Park. This year, it appears to be the opposite, with the entrance near Moody Amphitheater in Waterloo Park and the end of the show near the Red River District at 10th and Red River.
Where do I park for Creek Show?
We normally park in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (or those right next to it). They’re located right between Waterloo Park and the Capitol, near San Jacinto and 12 St. They charge $10-$20 to park.
You can also find parking (typically paid) between Waterloo Park and the Red River District, and all over downtown, depending on how far you’d like to walk.
Is Creek Show free?
In 2024, Creek Show is only free on Sunday, November 10 (you still need an online reservation ahead of time). The other nights require paid reservations. Ticket prices range from $15 for opening night to $6 for general admission. Kids 5 and under are free.
And if you’re thinking that it used to be free to attend and wondering if you’re remembering right, you are! Creek Show was free in the past, and you could pay for priority access to skip the line. I know the line was crazy long last year, so maybe they are trying something new to make it a more pleasant experience?
Should I bring a stroller to Creek Show?
There is a lot of walking for Creek Show! Walking from wherever you park to the entrance, then around Waterloo Park, by the creek to see the installations, and then back to your car will add up. If you have small kids with you, a stroller might be a good option (and they are allowed at Creek Show).
On of my other favorite Austin events is happening during November: Fortlandia! It runs from October to January: see all the info here.
For more November events, check here.
