Head over to Austin’s iconic Congress Avenue for Open Congress at The Texas Tribune Festival, a one-of-a-kind full-day mini-fest featuring big conversations with political stars, top-notch programming from powerful media brands in partnership with the Tribune, fun interactive experiences from TribFest partners and supporters and so much more.
Join us on Saturday, Sept. 24, for Open Congress at The Texas Tribune Festival — a full day of must-see interviews and provocative discussions with names you know and others you should. Happening along Congress Avenue between 7th and 11th streets, Open Congress brings Texas’ breakout politics and policy event to downtown Austin’s main thoroughfare for all to enjoy.
Hear from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy; U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios; Amna Nawaz, chief correspondent for the PBS NewsHour; Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine; and many others in one of five tents on Congress Avenue.
Big thanks to the presenting sponsor of Open Congress, PepsiCo, and to tent sponsors Arnold Ventures, Curative, Punchbowl News and Texas Monthly. All of our Open Congress programming is free and open to the public — no festival ticket required!
While finding parking in downtown Austin can be a challenge, getting there via public transportation is easy. Plan your trip and buy transit passes.
On the north end of Open Congress closest to the Capitol building is the Lone Star tent, which will host discussions with Chris Bosh, two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer; Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett on how Texas shaped his life and career; and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Alex Moffat on how the legendary show comes together each week, his career in comedy and what’s funny about politics right now. The Lone Star tent will also feature key panels on the growing future for HBCUs and how communities are dealing with increasing homicide rates.
See programming in the Lone Star tent.
Just south of 10th Street is the Punchbowl News tent, which will host some of the biggest names in politics participating in Open Congress on Saturday with panels featuring U.S. Rep Adam Schiff, D-California; Mayors LaToya Cantrell, Ron Nirenberg and Sylvester Turner; and other leading congressional candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
See programming in the Punchbowl News tent.
Next door is the Arnold Ventures tent, which will feature a conversation between Keri Blakinger and Soledad O’Brien on how the media covers criminal justice. Other panels include discussions on why Texas has so few college graduates, the carbon conundrum in an oil and gas state and talks about the police department and prison reform.
See programming in the Arnold Ventures tent.
Between 9th and 8th Streets, guests will find the Curative tent hosting panels related to health issues. See a discussion on mental health in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting featuring former Ohio Gov. John Kasich; a conversation between U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Amna Nawaz, chief correspondent for “PBS NewsHour,” on restoring the nation’s health; as well as conversations on racial disparities in health care and rising health care costs.
See programming in the Curative tent.
Just outside the Paramount Theatre is the Texas Monthly tent, which will host panels moderated by Texas Monthly reporters, showcasing programming with a Texas bent. U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, will lead a conversation on South Texas’ changing political landscape. Other panels include discussions on Texas’ electric grid, what the last 50 years have meant for gender equity in Texas and how new Texans moving in are changing the state.
See programming the Texas Monthly tent.
As you make your way to Open Congress on Saturday, Sept. 24, be sure to stop by one of our 25 free and open-to-the-public book signing events happening Sept. 22-24 at The Texas Tribune Festival, perfect for snagging something special for your home book collection or a thoughtful gift. Browse the TribFest bookstore powered by BookPeople and choose your next read. Shop books.
In between sessions, attendees can look forward to fun experiences and entertainment such as performances from Austin’s Adderley School students and a live mural painting by Sean Allen of Aye! Creative brought to you by Texas Cultural Trust, Baylor University’s traditional Dr Pepper ice cream floats, Domino’s Pizza courtesy of Nuro’s autonomous delivery vehicles, a typewriter rodeo from Arnold Ventures, Walmart’s tiny house tour and more.
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism.
Find a complete list of them here
Email us at festival@texastribune.org
Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams. Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams.
