Get ready to read your heart out. | Photo courtesy Texas Book Festival
We’re doing things by the book this weekend — at the Texas Book Festival, that is.
The Texas Book Festival will take over Downtown Austin this Saturday, Nov. 16 + Sunday, Nov. 17 with panels, book sales, and author signings, and it’s nearly completely free to attend.
You’ll want to read up on the event before you go — here’s our guide to the festival.
Where
Booths and buildings in Downtown Austin will host festival events, largely congregated around the Texas State Capitol, in addition to vendor booths down Congress Avenue. Check out a full map here.
Book People will sell books from every featured author, but you can find even more authors in the exhibitor tents.
Photo courtesy Texas Book Festival
What
Now is not the time for shelf control — you’ll be able to find books from all of the festival’s featured authors at the Main Book Sales Tent on 11th Street and Congress Avenue.
But wait, there’s more. There are 100+ panels and readings on the schedule across the festival grounds. FYI — some events are for Book Ticket holders only. You can check out the full lineup yourself.
Tuesday Trivia at St. Elmo | 7-9 p.m. | St. Elmo Brewing Company | Cost of purchase | The winning team will receive a $100 gift card, so turn on your thinking caps.
“The Lighthouse” | 7 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum | $15 | This 2019 Willem Dafoe film follows lighthouse keepers trying to stay sane while living on a remote island in the 1890s.
Haley Reinhart | 8 p.m. | ACL Live | $50+ | The Postmodern Jukebox alumna and actor will bring her solo headlining tour to town.
Thursday, Nov. 14
Birds in the Landscape | Thursday, Nov. 14 | 8-10 a.m. | Wildflower Center | $15 | Embark on a “morning field trip” to identify feathered friends with birders from Travis Audubon and local horticulturists.
Cyndi Lauper | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center | $40+ | Catch the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Farewell Tour with opening act Aly & AJ.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Jelly Roll | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $34+ | The “Beautifully Broken” tour will also feature performances from Ernest, Shaboozey, and Allie Colleen.
A host of Austin restaurants, including Hestia, Barley Swine, and LeRoy and Lewis Barbecueearned MICHELIN Stars last night. The MICHELIN Guide ceremony awarded plenty more Austin restaurants stars and Bib Gourmand Awards — click here for more results and stay tuned for our MICHELIN Guide breakdown.
Civic
The race for Mayor of Austin still has yet to be called. Incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson currently holds 50.01% of the vote, but there are still 3,000+ ballots to be counted, and results must be posted by Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the latest. (KXAN)
Development
After around two years of construction, the revamped H-E-B on South Congress Avenue will open on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The 145,000-sqft grocery store will span two stories, 600+ parking spots, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a flower bar. (KVUE)
Travel
Plans for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s expansion include new lounge options as part of Concourse B. At least six lounges are planned, with opening dates ranging from 2025 to later than 2031. (KXAN)
Health
The abandoned Sears store at Hancock Center, which has been empty since 2019, will soon be transformed into a medical complex for Central Health. The project is expected to cost $150 million and be completed in 2027. (KUT)
Ranked
Hope you’re hungry. Yucatán restaurant Nomade and vegan fine dining restaurant Fabrik are some of the best new restaurants in the South, according to Yelp. Nomade ranked No. 4 and Fabrik ranked No. 10 out of 25.
Answered
Last week, we asked y’all to guess who performed the first ticketed concert at Moody Amphitheater when the venue opened in 2021. The correct answer is Gary Clark Jr. — which 26.2% of you guessed correctly. However, 45% of you guessed Willie Nelson.
Sports
With Dak Prescott likely out for the season and another home loss, are the Cowboys at rock bottom? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Category
Culture
A taste of Austin’s history
The Blanton Museum’s Moody Plaza is a great place to read. | Photo by ATXtoday
Museums are the cultural hubs of Austin. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about the Capital City or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are 23 museums to visit in ATX.
Arts
Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | $15 or free on Tuesdays
Check out the mesmerizing Moody Patio at this newly renovated art museum on the UT campus. Make sure to stop inside Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin” art installation while you’re there.
History
French Legation State Historic Site, 802 San Marcos St. | $7
The French Legation — the 1840s-era former home of a French liaison to the Republic of Texas — is Austin’s only state historic site.
Science and nature
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. | $15
This center, named for the former first lady, is the official Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas. It’s also a hot spot for events, exhibitions, and installations.
A one-year Costco membership — because for a limited time, you can get a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when you sign up. Snag the deal and get ready to load up your cart with Kirkland’s finest.
