Introduction to TribFest
The Texas Tribune has announced the full lineup for its annual TribFest, which will take place from November 13-15 in downtown Austin. This festival is a unique opportunity for people to engage with political figures, entertainers, and professionals from various fields. Despite the wide ideological gaps between the United States’ two main political parties, the Texas Tribune maintains a non-partisan approach to festival programming.
Notable Guests
The festival does not present headliners, but it does provide a selection of guests it deems notable. Some of the notable guests include:
- Tim Walz, Minnesota governor and 2024 Democratic nominee for Vice President
- Bill Kristol, Editor-at-Large at The Bulwark
- Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico
- State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston
- Ruth Simmons, Distinguished Presidential Fellow at Rice University
- Christine Brennan, Columnist for USA Today
- Pete Buttigieg, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
- Vanessa Fuentes, Austin Mayor Pro Tem
- Alberto R. Gonzales, Former U.S. Attorney General
- Ro Khana, D-California, U.S. Representative
- Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS
- State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo
- Eric Holder, former United States Attorney General
- Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General
- U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota
- John Mulaney, comedian, actor, and writer
Festival Programming
Speakers at the festival will appear on panels and in one-on-one conversations addressing a range of topics, including the issues that matter most to Texans. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen in at various venues around the downtown area. There will also be a day of programming on Congress Avenue on November 15 that anyone can attend for free.
Open Congress
The festival-within-a-festival, called "Open Congress," will be held between 7th and 11th Streets, and will tackle topics including arts and culture, faith, education, food, and how Gen Z is shaping the future. There will also be live performances, interactive showcases, and other two-way activations that allow attendees to directly participate.
Sponsors and Tickets
TribFest has more than 80 sponsors and media partners. The presenting, premiere, and major sponsors include JPMorganChase, BlackRock, bp America, and others. Tickets are available at festival.texastribune.org, starting at $269 for general admission and $65 for students and educators.
Conclusion
The Texas Tribune’s TribFest is a unique opportunity for people to engage with political figures, entertainers, and professionals from various fields. With a non-partisan approach to festival programming, the event promises to be an exciting and informative experience for attendees. Whether you’re interested in politics, arts and culture, or education, there’s something for everyone at TribFest. So mark your calendars for November 13-15 and get ready to be a part of this exciting event.
