Share your memories of the Austin Convention Center with us and we might include them in an upcoming newsletter. | Photo by ATXtoday
1992-2025. That’s how long the Austin Convention Center served Austin. Well, it’stechnically still open until April, when it will close to make way for a new, $1.6 billion facility.
At 33 years old, the convention center is younger than the median Austinite, but residents have had decades to make memories inside.
The grand opening
The Austin Convention Center opened with a bang, hosting five days of partying, entertainment, and programming in July of 1992.
Do you remember the grand opening of the Austin Convention Center?
Clipping from the Austin American-Statesman via newspapers.com
The festival of all things art, culture, and learning was first held in the Austin Convention Center in 1993. Prior to the new convention center, SXSW was held in hotel ballrooms.
It’s not just a convention center
The 365,000-sqft exhibition hall has also been a much-needed space during nationwide catastrophes.
The convention center served as an official shelter for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and received a visit from Vice President Dick Cheney.
Bonsai Beginner Workshop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Central District Brewing | $85 | Experts at Bonsai Bar will teach you the art of potting, pruning, and designing tiny trees.
An Evening with Jeanette Horn | 7 p.m. | BookPeople | Free with RSVP | The Austin-based author of the novel “Play, With Knives” will stop by for a conversation.
Thursday, March 20
The 2025 Open at Austin | Thursday, March 20-Sunday, March 23 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $10+ | Visit the third stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour to watch hundreds of athletes compete.
Jason Boland & the Stragglers | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at 3TEN | $30+ | The band’s “The Last Kings of Babylon” tour also features performances from Jeremy Pinnell.
Friday, March 21
The Driver Era | 6:30 p.m. | Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | $74+ | This band — comprised of Ricky and Ross Lynch — is taking their “Obsession” tour on the road, and tickets to the show include admission to Cassio Stella + Max Mondini afterward.
Saturday, March 22
Wanda Sykes | 8 p.m. | ACL Live at The Moody Theater | $45+ | The Emmy-winning comic, actor, and producer’s “Please & Thank You” tour — with special guest Keith Robinson — will have you in stitches.
Thursday, April 17
Kylie Minogue | 7:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $40+ | The Australian singer-songwriter will bring her “Tension” tour to town with opening act Rita Ora.
There’s a new music venue in the works in the Riverside neighborhood. AEG Presents is planning a to-be-named venue to open in 2027 as part of the upcoming River Park development, which is near Emo’s Austin. The venue is expected to have a capacity of 4,000 people.
Civic
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved creating the Central Texas Spaceport Development Corporation, a nonprofit that could bolster space research and infrastructure in the area. Several other Texas cities, including Houston and El Paso, also have SDCs in place. (KXAN)
Sports
Austin’s own Q2 Stadium will host the Capital City’s first-ever professional All-Star Game against Liga MX, Mexico’s top soccer league, this summer. Austin FC Head Coach Nico Estévez will coach the All-Star team and tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 26.
Tech
Google will officially move into the “Sail Tower” Downtown. After years of back-and-forth while holding the lease since 2019, the tech company confirmed it will occupy the space, but didn’t specify how much. Its lease runs through 2038. (KVUE)
Closing
East Austin coffee shop and bakery Cafe Corazon will permanently shut down on Saturday, April 12, as the owners have decided not to renew their lease. Fill that latte-shaped hole in your heart with a visit to another one of Austin’s many independent coffee shops.
Austinite
Former Huston-Tillotson University President Colette Pierce Burnette will step into the role of Waterloo Greenway CEO on Tuesday, April 1. Burnette will take charge of fundraising, strategic vision, sustainability, and more in her new role.
Real Estate
This mansion is damn good. Torchy’s Tacos founder Mike Rypka is selling his 5-acre, riverfront estate for the current highest price tag in Austin. The 1999 build features a two-slip boat garage, a den with a humidor, a poolside lounge, a walk-in freezer, and more amenities that are ideal for entertaining. (Mansion Global)
Award
Add “The Accountant 2" and “Remaining Native” to your must-watch list. The SXSW-showcased movies were just a few of the SXSW Audience Award-winners. If you’re looking to add some flair to your entertainment schedule, check out the full list.
Answered
In 2016, Austin and San Antonio went head-to-head with their best breakfast tacos in an event called (43% of you guessed it) The Great Breakfast Taco War. May we suggest the Battle of the Breakfast Tacos for the next one?
Listen
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Wingo underwent LASIK for his “horrific vision,” which could lead to his breakout season. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try some sushi, a bao, a triple-stacked burger, or all three from the local food hall. | Photos courtesy Fareground
Downtown food hall Fareground brought three new restaurant concepts into the fold.
The upscale cafeteria is currently home to spots like Taco Pegaso, Austin Rotisserie, Four Brothers, Desnudo, Schwarma Point, and more.
Before you plan your trip, get to know the trio of additions:
Aburi Oshi Sushi at Ellis
This former takeout and delivery-only restaurant now serves its flame-seared sushi out of Ellis, Fareground’s outdoor bar. The restaurant was founded by Seigo Nakamura, who also owns MICHELIN-starred Aburi Hana in Toronto and MICHELIN-recommended Miku in Vancouver.
Golden Boy
Expect a seasonal lunch-focused menu of bao, bowls, and salads by a MICHELIN and James Beard-trained team, helmed by Chef Nick Middleton of Y Comida.
JABS Burgers & Fries
From the folks behind Shawarma Point, this restaurant serves angus, grass-fed Creekstone Farms beef and a signature JABS sauce. Don’t miss “The K.O.,” a triple-stack of patties on your burger.
The Buy
The Buy
New swim options. Get ready for vacations, trips, and beach days ahead with one-pieces and cover ups:
If I had to choose one food to eat for every meal for the rest of my life, it would be a very hard decision between tacos and sushi. Luckily, I don’t have to choose, and we have a guide for each to find the best spots.
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