Take a first look at the new Austin Convention Center | $1.6 billion. That’s how much the brand new Austin Convention Center is expected to cost, and we have a peek at how it’s going to shape the future of Downtown Austin.
Your ultimate guide to SXSW 2025 | The festival will be held from Friday, March 7 to Saturday, March 15 this year and there’s a lot on the agenda, so let us help you break it down.
Events
Events
Saturday, March 1
NASCAR at COTA | Now-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Circuit of the Americas | $70+ | Drivers, start your engines — this weekend features two NASCAR national series races and off-track entertainment like dance and aerial troupe performances, pig races, and live country music.
Special Author Storytime: Lauren Briére | 10:30 a.m. | BookPeople | Free with RSVP | Take your kids to a storytime session with this Austin-based author who will read her book “Alphabot Adventures.”
Crawfish Boil | 2 p.m. | Little Woodrow’s | Cost of purchase | Eat mudbugs, play yard games, and drink cold beer at the Texas-based icehouse.
Mardi Gras Mambo | 5 p.m. | The Hive | $10+ | Celebrate Mardi Gras with live music from The Numbers, masks, crafts, and themed beverages.
Mardi Gras at Meanwhile | 4:30 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | Listen to music by Big Wy’s Brass Band and dig in to New Orleans-inspired food specials like gumbo and king cake ice cream.
ROLE MODEL | 7 p.m. | Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | $273+ | The singer-songwriter’s “No Place Like Tour” will stop in Austin with special guest Debbii Dawson.
Monday, March 3
SXSW Edu | Monday, March 3-Thursday, March 6 | Times vary | Austin Convention Center | $745+ | Tune into 45 programming sessions, mentoring sessions, screenings, and more at this festival of learning.
The start of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the new moon. You can observe at a Ramadan Open House on Wednesday, March 12 at the North Austin Muslim Community Center. RSVP here.
Drink
Starbucks will cut 13 drinks from its offerings next week, with plans to shrink its menu by 30% by September. If you were faithful to the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino (say that five times fast), find your fix at a local coffee shop instead. (Business Insider)
Plan Ahead
Did you know that Brooks & Dunn are coming to Austin this month? If you answered “no,” we’ve got an exciting resource for you: our monthly Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for each month. You’ll never be out of the loop again.
The Word
Telephobia. It’s a word to describe the fear some people — primarily Generation Z — have of making or getting phone calls. If your friend would prefer the written word over a call, send them this newsletter as a subtle message that you’d like to hang out this weekend. (CNBC)
Sports
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryan said protecting C.J. Stroud is the top priority during the NFL Combine. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Houston Texans with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
🐕 All bark, no bite
Grab your four-legged friend and take them to one of these pup-loving spots. | Photo via @ranger_gumbo_goldenboys on Instagram
Round of a-paws, please. From dog-friendly treats at the farmers market to spoiling your pup with royal treatments at the Westin, it makes sense that Austin ranks in BringFido’s list of “Most Pet-Friendly Cities in the US.”
Get ready to dig into this guide for dog-friendly spots around the 512.
Lazarus Brewing Co., multiple locations | There’s something for both you and Fido at this brewery, including huge open spaces for the pup, plus beer and a full food menu for you and your buds.
El Arroyo, 1624 W. 5th St. | The covered patio (complete with fans) at this restaurant is a great place to bring your pup and get a delicious Tex-Mex meal all in one place.
Jo’s Coffee, multiple locations | Dogs are beloved patrons at this mini-chain (they are front-and-center on the website), which is known to host breed meet-up events.
Losing my local Joann Fabrics is hitting me hard, but I’m more thankful than ever for Austin Creative Reuse. Psst — stay tuned for a local craft stores round-up.
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