Austin may be the Live Music Capital of the World, but we think it deserves another moniker: Festival Capital.
Between world film premieres, major comedy acts, political panels, foodie fiestas, and live music (so, so much live music), Austin is home to every kind of party.
It can be hard to keep track of all of these events, so we’re rounding up every festival taking place in the Capital City in 2023. Bookmark this page, because we’ll update it throughout the year as additional information is announced.
January
2023 Austin Martin Luther King Jr. March, Rally, and Festival | Monday, Jan. 16 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Multiple locations | Free | Stop by early for a rally and march to Huston-Tillotson University, where organizers have vendors, live music, and other activities planned.
February
Austin Oyster Festival | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 12-6 p.m. | Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin | $70-$125 | Dive into raw, grilled, roasted, and fried oysters, alongside live music and drink vendors.
Carnaval Brasilieiro | Saturday, Feb. 4 | 8 p.m. | Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave., Austin | $35-$200 | Celebrate Mardi Gras with samba, live Brazilian dance music, and a live body painter.
Jo’s Annual Chili Cook-Off | Sunday, Feb. 5 | 12-3 p.m. | Jo’s Coffee, 1300 S. Congress Ave., Austin | Free-$25 | Taste the best chili Austin has to offer.
OUTsider Festival | Wednesday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd., #2135 | $69-$119 | This celebration of LGBTQ+ artists’ theme of the year is “Shapeshifting Underbellies.”
FUSEBASH 2023 | Saturday, Feb. 23 | 6-10 p.m. | Distribution Hall, 1500 E. 4th St., Austin | $3,500-$5,000 per table | Drink cocktails from mixologists behind Tiki Tatsu-ya, take in musical performances, and compete in a live auction at this event benefiting Fuzebox.
March
Rodeo Austin | Friday, March 10-Saturday, March 25 | Times vary | 9100 Decker Lake Rd., Austin | $20-$55 | Watch bull riding, take in carnival rides, and see late-night shows at this weeks-long festival.
SXSW | Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 19 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $595-$1,595 | This internationally recognized film, music, and culture festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to Austin annually.
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April
Urban Cultural Festival | Saturday, April 1 | 12 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $75-$150 | Headliners Stokley, Zapp, and Lyfe Jennings will perform at this family-friendly music festival.
ABC Kite Fest | Saturday, April 1 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Zilker Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd., Austin | Free | Show off your flashiest kites for this day in the sun.
Fusebox Festival | Wednesday, April 12-Sunday, April 16 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Priced by event | The lineup for this music fest is dropping soon.
Moontower Comedy Festival | Wednesday, April 12-Sunday, April 23 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $150-$257 | Laugh out loud to sets from national headliners like Seth Meyers, Maria Bamford, and Trevor Noah.
Old Settler’s Music Festival | Thursday, April 20-Sunday, April 23 | Times vary | 1616 FM 3158, Dale | $35-$850 | Settle in for camping and music by Yola, Shinyribs, and Melissa Carper at this Americana-styled fest.
Austin Reggae Fest | Friday, April 21-Sunday, April 23 | Times vary | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $15-$370 | This outdoor concert brings together some of the best artists in the genre.
Lonestar Round Up | Friday, April 21-Saturday, April 22 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Ln., Austin | $20 | Vintage hot rods and custom cars line up alongside barbecue and live music at this fest.
Field Guide Festival | Saturday, April 22 | 1-5 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin | $100 | More than 30 chefs and farmers are coming together to create in-season dishes, perform live demos, and speak.
Eeyore’s Birthday Party | Saturday, April 29 | All day | Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin | Free | This old-Austin festival of music and art has been running for 58 years.
May
Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival | Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7 | Times vary | 6th Street, Austin | Free | Shop for items from local creators while snacking on concessions and listening to live music.
iHeart Country Festival | Saturday, May 13 | 7 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $319-$604 | Dance to Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce, and other country stars.
Mimosa Fest | Sunday, May 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Wanderlust Wine Collective, 702 Shady Ln., Austin | $60-$5,000 | Ticket holders will receive an hour of bottomless mimosas and snacks, a swag bag, and drink tickets.
Hot Luck Festival | Thursday, May 25-Sunday, May 28 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $75-$900 | Save room for trying bites from dozens of Austin’s best chefs at Aaron Franklin’s annual food festival.
The Drop-In Summer Concert Series | Thursday, May 25-Thursday, Aug. 10 | Times vary | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | This outdoor concert series features music on a 3D-printed stage in front of the ultimate view: Austin’s skyline.
June
ATX Television Festival | Thursday, June 1-Sunday, June 4 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $50-$535 | Hear from director James Burrows and tune into retrospectives on “Homeland” and “Cheers” at this festival featuring dozens of other panels and screenings.
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival | Wednesday, June 7-Sunday, June 11 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $90-$120 | This year marks anniversary No. 25 for this international film festival.
Stay Black and Live: Austin Citywide Juneteenth Festival | Thursday, June 15-Monday, June 19 | Times vary | George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Austin | Free | Get ready for a week’s worth of festivities, including performances by Granny Award winners, cultural conversations, a cookout, parade, and more.
Austin African American Book Festival | Saturday, June 24 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Austin | Free | Award-winners, scholars, and book lovers convene at this annual event.
Austin Asian American Film Festival | Wednesday, June 21-Monday, June 26 | Times vary | AFS Cinema | $88-$140 | This annual festival screens new and emerging works by Asian and Asian American artists.
See fireworks light up downtown Austin from Auditorium Shores on the Fourth of July.
Photo by Varun Yadav on Unsplash
July
Fourth of July Fireworks | Tuesday, July 4 | 8 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | The City of Austin’s annual fireworks show includes live music from the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Hot Summer Nights | Thursday, July 20-Sunday, July 23 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Free | The Red River Cultural District’s summertime concert series supports charitable programs and Austin’s live music community.
Summer Fest | Saturday, July 22-Sunday, July 23 | Times vary | 500 W. Dittmar Rd., Austin | Free-$30 | Prepare yourself for two days of live music, face painting, shopping, and eating.
August
Austin Pride Parade and Festival | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin | Free-$150 | Get ready to celebrate alongside other attendees at this Pride festival and parade — this year’s theme is “Keep Austin Queer’d.”
PRISM Film Fest | Wednesday, Aug. 23-Monday, Sept. 4 | Times vary | Galaxy Theatre, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $75 | This festival dedicated to LGBTQ+ creators has run for more than three decades — participate in person until Sunday, Aug. 27 or virtually after that date.
Bat Fest | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 4 p.m. | Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, 100 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $25-$250 | Celebrate Austin’s unofficial mascot, the Mexican free-tailed bat, at this event with craft booths, live music, and a bat costume contest.
The Front Fest | Thursday, Aug. 31-Sunday, Sept. 3 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Priced by event | This multi-day fest includes a film showcase, live music, and pool parties, and benefits the Creative Future of Texas Fund for emerging women and LGBTQ+ creatives.
September
Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 3-9 p.m. | The Far Out Lounge & Stage, 8504 S. Congress Ave., Austin | $10-$15 | Since 1990, the Chronicle has ranked hundreds of hot sauces at this fest, which also features live music, food trucks, and cookbooks for sale.
Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16-Sunday, Sept. 17 | Times vary | 6th Street, Austin | Free | This market and festival for local creators takes place twice annually.
Sazon Latin Food Festival | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | East Austin | Free | Taste Latin food from 20+ vendors at this fest with music and beverages.
Texas Tribune Festival | Thursday, Sept. 21-Saturday, Sept. 23 | Times vary| Multiple locations | $50-$2,500 | This politics-centered festival brings together the country’s most influential leaders for 180+ panels, discussions, and interviews.
Fantastic Fest | Thursday, Sept. 21-Thursday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Alamo Drafthouse, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $275-$1,495 | Get ready to be shocked and awed at the largest fantasy/horror/sci-fi film festival in the US — expect world film premieres and guest appearances from celebrities and directors.
Austin MedFest | Friday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Sept. 30 | Times vary | 408 E. 11th St., Austin | $5 donation | Dig into Mediterranean food and drink, shop, dance, and engage in kid-friendly activities.
Texas Craft Brewers Festival | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 2-6:30 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin | $20-$100 | This event is the largest annual festival for small and independent Texas breweries.
Austin Coffee Festival | Saturday, Sept. 30-Sunday, Oct. 1 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Fair Market, 1100 E. 5th St., Austin | $24-$58 | Try the best local coffee and experiment with new roasts and flavor profiles.
October
ACL Music Festival | Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 8 + Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | Times vary | Zilker Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd., Austin | $285-$5500 | Austin’s signature music festival puts on hundreds of live performances and dozens of local food vendors.
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Roots & Wings Festival | Wednesday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Free | This annual city-wide event celebrates nature and pollinators through dozens of community events at parks, trails, and other locations around Austin.
Formula 1 United States Grand Prix | Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $540-$2,250 | Tickets are already selling out for this action-packed F1 race.
Austin Film Festival | Thursday, Oct. 26-Thursday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $60-$5,750 | Film fans will “feel like an eight-year-old at an Amy’s Ice Cream counter” at this festival filled with screenings, premieres, competition films, and Q&As.
LEVITATION | Thursday, Oct. 26-Monday, Oct. 29 | Times vary | Downtown Austin | $18-$795 | Dance for four days straight at this music festival, which was founded in honor of psychedelic rock.
Viva La Vida | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 12-6 p.m. | 4th Street and Congress Avenue | Free | Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos event will include a parade, art demos, food, and vendors.
November
Texas Hemp Harvest Festival | Friday, Nov. 3-Saturday, Nov. 4 | Times vary | Distribution Hall, 1500 E. 4th St., Austin | $20-$175 | Spend the weekend with fellow hemp lovers at this event with live music, Jamaican food from Winston’s Kitchen, and local vendors.
Austin Food + Wine Festival | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $150-$275 | Austin’s best chefs and vintners come together for one of the top food events of the year.
Austin Celtic Festival | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr., Austin | $12-$42 | Enjoy traditional Irish music, Celtic sports, and local vendors at this annual festival.
Texas Monthly BBQ Festival | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 5 | Times vary | Lockhart City Park, 504 City Park Rd., Lockhart | $40-$205 | The top pitmasters in Texas come together for this meaty showdown.
Austin Studio Tour | Saturday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 19 | 12-6 p.m. | Multiple locations | Free | Hundreds of local artists display their work for free at this city-wide show.
ConnectHER Film Festival | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 2-9 p.m. | St. Andrew’s Dell Fine Arts Center, 5901 Southwest Pkwy., Austin | $18-$104 | This event celebrates young filmmakers and the intersection between film and social impact.
Texas Book Festival | Saturday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Congress Avenue, Austin | Free | This festival featuring book vendors, signings, and dozens of author panels is a book lover’s dream.
December
Trail of Lights | Fri., Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Zilker Park, 2207 Lou Neff Rd., Austin | $5+ | Walk through dazzling displays and ride carnival rides at Austin’s signature holiday event.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $12-$60 | Do your Christmas shopping to the sound of local live music at this holiday bazaar.
Austin’s New Year | Sunday, Dec. 31 | Time TBD | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free | Send off 2023 with Austin’s annual New Year celebration.
