AUSTIN, Texas — The largest free arts and crafts festival in Central Texas will look a little different this spring as downtown redevelopment prompts a venue change.

What You Need To Know

  • The Pecan Street Festival will move from the Sixth Street Historic District to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave this spring

  • The shift is due to the restructuring of the district and public safety concerns

  • Festival officials say the temporary venue will still offer “all the amenities of the Pecan Street Festival you know and love”

  • The free, two-day festival celebrated May 3-4 attracts over 400,000 attendees each year with local vendors, live music, food and more

Normally celebrated in the Sixth Street Historic District downtown, Pecan Street Festival on May 3-4 will move 16 miles west to the Hill Country Galleria outdoor mall in nearby Bee Cave this year.

The location change is due to the restructuring of the district and public safety concerns, according to the festival’s website.

For the past few years, Dallas-based developer Stream Realty has been buying up properties in the district — which stretches seven blocks between Congress and Interstate 35 — in an effort to revamp the area and open it up to more daytime foot traffic instead of the nightlife scene it’s primarily known for.

According to a report from the Austin Monitor, Stream recently altered its redevelopment plan to preserve the district's historic buildings instead of replacing them with new developments.

History of the festival

Celebrating its 50th year, Pecan Street Festival takes place twice a year in the spring and fall. It’s one of Austin’s longest-standing festivals.

When designing the Austin street grid, Edwin Waller named north-south streets after Texas rivers and recommended numeric designations for east-west streets. City leaders opted for tree names instead, but the decision was reversed in the late 1800s and Pecan Street became Sixth Street. Now, Pecan Street Festival honors the street's original name.

Today, the free, two-day festival attracts over 400,000 attendees each year with local vendors, live music, food and more.

Will the festival be the same?

Whether the location change will affect attendance is yet to be seen, but festival officials say the temporary venue will still offer “all the amenities of the Pecan Street Festival you know and love.”

“Despite this geographical shift, the festival remains dedicated to its legacy and looks forward to another 50 years of bringing the community together, wherever that may be in the city,” a statement on the festival’s website reads.

The Hill Country Galleria is a multi-use complex, home to department stores, apartments and office spaces, and regularly hosts community events like farmer’s markets and concerts.

While the temporary location may be a bit of a drive for some Austinites and out-of-towners, the new location has the perk of free and ample parking. No more fighting for far away street or garage parking.

Those looking to become a vendor have until April 5 to submit an application. For more information on the event, visit the Pecan Street Festival website.