The 2026 Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Festival

March 13-14, 2026 – Auditorium Shores – Austin, Texas

Festival season always hits a little different in Austin, and after spending two days at the 2026 Coca Cola Sips and Sounds Festival, I get why this one keeps growing every year. Being right there at Auditorium Shores with the skyline lit up behind the stages just adds something special to the whole experience. It never really feels like you’re just at a concert. It feels like you’re right in the middle of the city while everything is happening around you.

Friday started off with Skateland, and they came out swinging. Right away you could tell the crowd was in for a good day. They had great energy and didn’t waste any time getting people into it. Aidan Bissett followed, and he was one of those artists where you walk away thinking you caught him at the right time. He’s still early in his career, but he’s already built a strong following with songs like “More Than Friends” and “I’m Alright,” and he’s been getting more and more attention over the last couple of years. Seeing him live, he felt really comfortable on stage, and the crowd was right there with him. It honestly feels like he’s on the verge of blowing up in a big way.

As the day kept rolling, The Two Lips and Between Friends were probably the biggest crowd favorites. Both of those sets just had a really fun vibe to them, and you could tell people were there for it. Ravyn Lenae brought a smooth, laid back feel, and then Grouplove came in and flipped it right back to high energy. They always know how to get people moving, and this was no different.

Then Major Lazer Soundsystem took over, and that’s when things really turned into a full on party. When Diplo came out, the place went nuts. Major Lazer has been a huge name in electronic music for years, with songs like “Lean On” becoming one of the biggest global hits out there, and they’ve racked up awards and nominations along the way. Honestly, seeing it live is what makes it click. The entire crowd was jumping, dancing, and just completely locked in. It didn’t even feel like a set, it felt like one big party at the Coca Cola Stage.

Closing out Friday with Christina Aguilera was awesome because I never thought I’d get to see her live in concert again. The first time I saw her live was over 20 years ago and damn! She absolutely delivered. She looked incredible, sounded just as strong as ever, and ran through hit after hit. The crowd showed her a ton of love, and you could tell it meant something to her. It was one of those sets where people weren’t just watching, they were fully in it.

Saturday picked up right where things left off. Caroline Hale opened the day and she was fantastic. Her voice really stands out, and she’s someone I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on moving forward. Mallrat and Jade LeMac kept things going, and then Stephen Sanchez came out and brought one of the most fun sets of the weekend. He has this natural charisma that just pulls people in, and it felt like the crowd grew with every song.

The Runarounds were another highlight, especially with how the crowd reacted to them. They had a big following there, and they leaned into it in the best way. Foster the People followed and brought a really cool mix of nostalgia and energy. A lot of people know them from “Pumped Up Kicks,” which earned them a Grammy nomination and basically put them on the map, but they’ve continued to grow way beyond that. Mark Foster spent some time talking to the crowd about their journey and chasing what you love, and it felt genuine. Not forced, not scripted, just real. They sounded great, and it was a really cool vibe.

Calvin Harris closed everything out, and it was exactly what you’d hope for. He’s one of the biggest names in the world for a reason, with multiple Grammy wins and a long list of hit songs, and he knows how to end a festival. The entire place turned into a dance floor. People were singing, dancing, and just soaking in those last moments of the weekend. He’s so good, and the crowd loved every bit of it.

Outside of the music, the festival itself was just really well done. The food lineup alone was worth getting excited about. You had everything from Chi’Lantro and Dovetail Pizza to Four Brothers Venezuelan Grill, Happy Chicks, Smokey Joe’s BBQ, T-Loc’s Sonoran Hot Dogs, Wholly Cow Burgers, and a ton more. No matter what you were craving, there was something there, and it all added to the experience. I personally liked the ice cream! 

The extra activations were a nice touch too. The Cinemark pop up theater was a great way to cool off for a bit, the Coca Cola Soda Shoppe was handing out Cherry Float samples, and the Soccer Chant Hero setup was just fun to party at. It gave people more to do if they wanted a break from the music. 

This was my first time covering Sips and Sounds, and it really was a great experience from start to finish. Erica and the Giant Noise team were awesome to work with and made everything super easy on the media side. The festival was organized, clean, and safe the entire time, which makes a big difference when you’re moving around all day shooting.Overall, this weekend just felt easy in the best way. Great music, great food, great atmosphere, and a crowd that was there to have a fun. I had an awesome time, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. Oh, and if you ever see that flavor of Coca Cola Cherry Float, just get it. It’s worth it!

Awesome weekend!