Total Eclipse Viewing Party

2024mon08apr11:00 amTotal Eclipse Viewing PartySimons Foundation and Long Center Present

Total Eclipse Viewing Party April 8, 2024 | Long Center

Time

(Monday) 11:00 am(GMT-05:00)

Location

Hartman Concert Lawn

701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704

Event Details

Event interest is high – please note RSVP does not guarantee entry.  Entry is subject to capacity.

In celebration of the first total solar eclipse in Austin, TX since 1397, the Long Center and the Simons Foundation, as part of its In the Path of Totality initiative, are hosting a FREE eclipse viewing party on the Long Center lawn and H-E-B Terrace. Doors open at 11AM in anticipation of totality, occurring at 1:36PM local time. Hosted by Radiolab’s Molly Webster, the event will feature 4 hours of entertainment, centered around the total eclipse and will provide opportunities for guests to engage with astronomers and celebrate together with the community. The Radiolab team will be recording a special episode from the Long Center, and the day will feature music by composer and Austin legend Graham Reynolds. Acclaimed writers Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman will lead guests through a visual storytelling experience. Custom eclipse-themed beer from local Austin breweries, as well as food and other refreshments, will be available during the event and the first 1000 guests to arrive will receive eclipse tote bags. All guests will receive complimentary viewing glasses.

Additional activities to commemorate the celestial event will kick off at Waterloo Greenway’s Moody Amphitheater on Sunday, April 7 with writer Maria Popova’s show “The Universe in Verse.”  The next morning, April 9, Radiolab’s Molly Webster will lead families through a reading of her book, Little Black Hole, as part of Waterloo’s Morning Glories series. The three-day-long programming is part of the Simons Foundation’s In the Path of Totality initiative. More information can be found at inthepathoftotality.org.

Thank you to our partners the Simons Foundation, Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, and FUSEBOX.

 

This is a high-interest event!

Event is subject to capacity and first come, first servedRSVP is no guarantee of entry. Once we reach capacity, attendees can overflow onto Auditorium Shores across Riverside Drive.

 

Schedule:

Event in partnership with the Simons Foundation

Hosted by Radiolab’s Molly Webster, engage with astronomers and other eclipse-themed activities including an original composition by Austin composer Graham Reynolds, experience totality at 1:36pm, enjoy a visual storytelling experience by writers Roxane Gay & Debbie Millman, and more.

Doors – 11am

Festivities Start – 12pm

Eclipse – 1:36pm

Festivities Continue – 1:40pm

Festivities End @ LC – 3pm (but Austin celebrations continue)

Learn more about the Simons Foundation’s In the Path of Totality initiative.

 

Parking:

Parking will be a challenge! Know your parking options ahead of time, including:

Palmer Events Center Garage // 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704 – *Enter via the Barton Springs Rd Entrance

One Texas Center // 505 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

River South Garage // 425 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704

City Hall Garage // 163 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701

 

Riverside Road Closure:

Riverside Drive will be closed until 2:30pm from South 1st to South Lamar. Please plan your driving route accordingly.

Use public transport or walk, bike, or ride share. CapMetro’s #10 bus stops close by at the corner of Riverside Dr and South 1st or at Barton Springs and South 1st. Plan your bus route.

Come early and stick around after the eclipse to avoid traffic.

 

The Goods:

Free eclipse-viewing glasses while supplies last

Free tote for the first 1,000 attendees

Plenty of bathrooms, food trucks, and beverage options including beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks

 

Food Trucks:

Four Brothers
Burro Cheese Kitchen
Connor’s Creamery
Texami Tacos

 

Do’s & Dont’s

YES: blankets, 1 sealed or empty reusable water bottle

NO: lawn chairs, coolers, outside food or drink, dogs or pets (with exception to identified Service Animals), weapons of any kind (firearms, pocketknives, pepper spray, etc.), camera tripods, drones, video cameras, or illegal or illicit items of any kind. No vending or soliciting is permitted.

 

Safety:

Event is rain or shine.

Event is subject to capacity – an RSVP is no guarantee of entry.

Bag check upon entry .

Free water filling stations (don’t forget your empty bottle!).

more

Member Lounge

Long Center Members are invited to join the festivities early! The Member Lounge opens at 10:30am, 30 minutes before the Total Eclipse Party kicks off. Take advantage of the head start to snag a swag bag and claim prime lawn seating (blankets encouraged, no lawn chairs please).

Plus, join us in the Member Lounge with private bar on the west side of the H-E-B Terrace, right beneath the West Pincer Terrace, to enjoy complimentary mimosas and breakfast tacos while we wait for the eclipse to begin.

What To Expect

  • RSVP does not guarantee entry.  Entry is subject to capacity.
  • This is an outdoor event. 
  • All patrons, regardless of age, require a ticket to attend the performance.
  • Prohibited items include but are not limited to: Outside food or drinks, weapons of any kind including pocketknives, camera tripods, professional video cameras or equipment, illegal or illicit items of any kind, tents, vending of any kind and soliciting of any kind.
  • Animals and pets are not permitted except for properly identified service animals.
  • Blankets are encouraged, but lawn chairs are not permitted unless needed for accessibility.
  • Professional cameras are allowed but please note no tripods.  There will be no dedicated area for photography.

Questions? Email our 3M Box Office or hit us up on social media at any time. You can also call the 3M Box Office at (512) 474-LONG (5664) or TTY (800) 735-2989 and get your questions answered right away.

Accessibility

Learn more about our accessibility services or contact us with questions ahead of your visit.

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