ABC Kite Fest isn’t just about kites anymore — expect a pet playground, concert for kids, and a VIP club. | Photo courtesy Austin Subaru
We’re not fortune tellers, but we see some celebration in your future. Mark your calendars, because we’ve got the details on all the local festivals taking place in 2026.
January
Free Week, multiple locations | Friday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 10 | Free
More than a dozen venues will open their doors and put on performances from local stars, including Me Nd Adam + JD Clark.
February
Carnaval Brasileiro, Speakeasy | Saturday, Feb. 7 | $35+
The annual Mardi Gras celebration features live Brazilian bands, a body painter, and lots of dancing.
March
SXSW, multiple locations | Thursday, March 12-Wednesday, March 18 | $795+
Spend a week immersed with some of the brightest minds, most talented musicians, and most cutting-edge brands at this expansive fest that brings tens of thousands of visitors to Austin.
April
ABC Kite Fest, Zilker Park | Saturday, April 11 | Free admission
Bring your coolest kite to show off, or just bring a picnic blanket to take in the views at this nearly 100-year-old beloved local tradition.
Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas will stop by H-E-B’s South Congress Avenue location for Live Well, Your Way Day at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10. The athlete will deliver a live conversation on wellness at the free event.
Festival
Christina Aguilera and Calvin Harris will headline this year’s Sips and Sounds Music Festival on Friday, March 13 + Saturday, March 14. Other names on the lineup include Major Lazer, Foster The People, and GROUPLOVE — tickets start at $65.
Biz
Chris Blakeslee will step in as the new CEO of Kendra Scott Design Inc. on Monday, Jan. 12. Previously in his career, Blakeslee has held leadership positions at Athleta and Alo Yoga. (Austin Business Journal)
Try This
Ballet Austin’s annual Get Fit! event is Sunday, Jan. 18, offering a full day of free classes to the community. Classes including cardio hip-hop, Latin dance, Broadway cardio, and reformer Pilates are on the lineup. Psst — slots fill up quickly.
Traffic
Watch the roads — toll prices in the Austin area increased at the beginning of this year. Tolls in the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority system increased by 3%, or around 2-6 cents per point. Take a deeper dive into the increase. (Austin American-Statesman)
Ranked
Hey, neighbor. The latest U-Haul Growth Index is out, and Austin ranked No. 3 on its list of the top growth metros — that means more one-way customers moved to the area than those who moved out. Texas held the top three spots on the report, with Houston at No. 2 and Dallas on top.
Arts
Free Week at The Contemporary Austin - Jones Center begins today and runs through Sunday, Jan. 11. The period gives visitors access to the museum’s three exhibitions before they close for the spring 2026 season — reserve tickets here.
Number
$30,000. That’s how much direct support Free Week provided to local musicians with its 2025 festival. It also resulted in $200,000 in economic investment — just something to keep in mind if you plan on attending this weekend’s edition.
Sports
As their season comes to an end, the Cowboys’ head coach Brian Schottenheimer has some long-term questions to answer. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Biz
Kickstart the new year by expanding your business’s reach. Our business promo portal puts your message in front of our thousands of highly engaged local subscribers in as little as two days. Plus, first-time customers save 15% with code NEW15 at checkout. Get started.
Health
Did you find yourself straining to hear during holiday gatherings? Make 2026 a year of better hearing with Horizon IX. This revolutionary hearing aid delivers natural sound so real, experts are calling it a miracle. Dual processors separate speech from noise for effortless clarity so you won’t miss a single word. Start your 45-day no-risk trial.*
Wellness
Interested in a THC or CBD journey in 2026? Women-owned and operated brand TribeTokes is offering 15% off with code DRYJAN15, plus a free CBD/CBG tincture when you spend $40. Try pineapple THC gummies or mini THCA prerolls for some California sober fun during dry January.†*
Category
Wellness
✨ New Year, new you
Let a new type of exercise sweep you off your feet. | Photo courtesy Laché Movement Co.
Health, exercise, or diet. If you set New Year’s resolutions this year, there’s a 79% chance they included one of those words, according to the Pew Research Center.
Other common resolutions surround finances, relationships + family, and hobbies. Depending on your age group, there’s an 18-49% chance you made at least one resolution.
If you’ve got goals for 2026, we’ve got a guide to help out with all of them.
Focus on fitness
These 35 gyms around ATX can help you become the strongest version of yourself in the New Year.
Get out in the community
Make 2026 the year of learning something new — like a language, sewing, cooking, or dancing — with our list of classes for adults.
Spend time with loved ones
Spending time with your loved ones doesn’t have to be costly, so shake up the hangout with one of these free activities.
Read more books
Our list of local authors can help you fill out your TBR.
Are you resolving to drink more water this year? Set yourself up for success with a sleek, insulated water bottle that keeps liquids chilled for up to 24 hours. Bonus: It’s dishwasher safe.
I’m not a runner, but if I was, I would incorporate the Card.io app into my routine. It was created by Austinite Destin George Bell and even had a spot on “Shark Tank.” Check out my interview with him to learn more.
