Lucky you. You just found ATXtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout Austin each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to in January. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back — we update our guide monthly.
Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.
Festivals + Fairs
Austin’s New Year | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Auditorium Shores | $0+ | Ring in the new year with local vendors, entertainment from Chaparelle + The Head and the Heart, a drone show, and fireworks to welcome 2026.
Mozart’s 2025 Lake Austin Festival of Lights | Thursday, Jan. 1-Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7-11 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | $3+ | Bask in the sparkling lights and enjoy live performances with hot cocoa in-hand.
Austin Card Show | Friday, Jan. 2-Sunday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center | $10+ | Peruse 375+ tables of sports, Pokemon, TCG, and more collectibles at this weekend showcase.
Free Week 2026 | Friday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 10 | 7 p.m.-2 a.m. | Red River Cultural District | Free | Catch performances from 100+ local musicians at 10+ venues in Red River Cultural District at this twice-annual fundraiser.
City-Wide Vintage Sale | Saturday, Jan. 10-Sunday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | Palmer Events Center | $10 | It’s a vintage and thrift shopper’s paradise at this enormous market where there are treasures untold.
MLK March, Rally, and Festival | Monday, Jan. 19 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Texas Capitol | Free | Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with a march from the Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University, followed by a festival.
Le Garage Sale | Saturday, Jan. 24-Sunday, Jan. 25 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Palmer Events Center | $12+ | Shop from dozens of vendors at this market, where every booth is on sale.
Concerts
Clay Walker: New Year’s Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $81+ | Say goodbye to 2025 with this multi-platinum country artist.
Bob Schneider’s Great Big Spectacular New Year’s Eve Party | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $47+ | Let this legendary local musician usher you into the New Year.
Shaun Cassidy: “The Road to Us” | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $35+ | The actor, writer, producer, and singer will bring his talent to ATX.
Shine On: The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular | Friday, Jan. 9 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $51+ | The iconic band’s music takes a visual form in this tribute show.
Colter Wall: “Memories and Empties” | Friday, Jan. 16-Saturday, Jan. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $160+ | The traditional country singer will share the stage with Hayden Redwine.
Hi, How Are You Day 2026 with Nathaniel Rateliff | Friday, Jan. 23 | 8-10 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $49+ | Enjoy a concert by Nathaniel Rateliff and honor the late Daniel Johnston in support of mental health.
Nothing More | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $44+ | The four-piece, GRAMMY-nominated band will also bring Catch Your Breath, Archers, and Doobie to town.
Chris Thile | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $40+ | The GRAMMY Award-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter, and composer will mesmerize you with his music.
Home with the Armadillo: A Tribute to Marcia Ball | Thursday. Jan. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $35+ | Pay homage to the Texas music legend while supporting HOME’s mission.
KC & The Sunshine Band | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $72+ | Put on your dancing shoes for the “Get Lifted World Tour” with the band famous for the smash-hit song “That’s the Way (I Like It).”
Comedy
Kill Tony | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $54+ | Phones will not be allowed at this collaborative comedy show, so sit back and enjoy the experience sans screens.
Kevin Nealon | Friday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $39+ | The “Saturday Night Live” alum and “WEEDS” actor, has five shows while in Austin.
Rory Scovel: “Know Your Enemy Tour” | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $40+ | This comedian has worked with the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, and has a comedy special on Max.
Damon Wayans Jr. | Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $44+ | Known for his roles in “Let’s Be Cops” and “New Girl,” this comedian will have you in stitches.
Bert Kreischer: “Permission to Party” | Thursday, Jan. 22-Friday, Jan. 23 | 7 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $48+ | Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Number One Partier in the Nation” is now one of the highest-grossing stand-up comedians in the business.
Michael Rapaport | Thursday, Jan. 22-Saturday, Jan. 24 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $39+ | You may recognize this comedian from his “I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast.”
Phil Rosenthal | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $53+ | The creator behind “Somebody Feed Phil” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” will stop by for a moderated conversation about his career, travel, and life.
Ian Fidance | Thursday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Feb. 1 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $30+ | Known for his podcast, “Bein’ Ian with Jordan,” this high-strung comedian is famous for his crowd work.
Jeff Dunham: “Artificial Intelligence” | Friday, Jan. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $79+ | The ventriloquist will bring his troupe of puppets to the stage once again.
James Acaster | Friday, Jan. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $236+ | This whimsical comedian is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals.
Jay Pharoah | Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $39+ | The actor and funny man has a slate of movies in the works.
The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short | Friday, Jan. 30-Saturday, Jan. 31 | 8 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall | $89+ | Don’t miss your chance to see these two comedians of legend, who met for the first time on the set of “Three Amigos” in 1986.
Jessica Kirson | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $53+ | Rising from New York City comedy clubs, the chart-topping comedian will have you in stitches.
Theater
“A Christmas Carol” | Thursday, Jan. 1-Saturday, Jan. 3 | Times vary | Zach Theater | $28+ | This timeless tale of holiday spirit will return to the stage for its 11th season.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company | Friday, Jan. 16-Saturday, Jan. 17 | Times vary | McCullough Theatre | $47+ | This troupe creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece based on an audience suggestion live at this show.
Mark Morris Dance Group | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall | $34+ | A tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach, this show also features new arrangements by jazz pianist Ethan Iverson.
“SIX” | Tuesday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 25 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall | $48+ | Step into the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII in this surprisingly contemporary and glittering musical.
Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” | Wednesday, Jan. 21-Sunday, March 1 | Times vary | Zach Theater | $28+ | All aboard the Orient Express, where world-famous detective Hercule Poirot has a mystery to solve when a passenger is found dead in the night.
Books
Kati Morton: “Why Do I Keep Doing This?” | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | BookPeople | Free with RSVP | Hear the internet-famous counselor discuss her new book, which centers on anxiety and the need for control.
Brigid Kemmerer: “Sparking Fire out of Fate” | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 7-8 p.m. | BookPeople | $25 | Be one of the first to get your hands on this new release with the author, Amber V. Nicole, and Abigail Owen.
Active
Spurs Austin International Half Marathon | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 6-11 a.m. | 9700 Stonelake Blvd | $199 | Formerly the 3M Half Marathon, this race follows a fast and downhill course.
For the Fam
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire | Friday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 10 | Times vary | The Moody Center | $48+ | Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, and Skelesaurus will rock through the arena doing stunts that will blow your mind.
“Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” | Sunday, Jan. 11 | Times vary | The Paramount Theatre | $20+ | Bring the kiddos to enjoy a stage adaptation of Mo Willems’ beloved books.
Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:
- Go to our Events page.
- Click “Add Event” in the top right-hand corner.
- Make sure to include a link and fill out important information like the date, time, location, and price of your event.
- Click “Submit,” and you’ve just added an event to our website calendar.