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Event Spotlight
Put on your walking shoes to celebrate one of America’s most important visionaries. | Photo by ACC via OpenVerse
Monday, Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day — a holiday dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights activist.
Here in Austin, locals celebrate each year with a festival, food drive, and march thrown by the Austin Area Heritage Council from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University, and 2026 is no different.
The march will begin at 9:30 a.m., while the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music and vendors. Both events are free, and attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food donation to support the Central Texas Food Bank.
Events
Events
Friday, Jan. 16
Damon Wayans Jr. | Friday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 18 | Times vary | Capitol City Comedy Club | $44+
The Austin Public Library System’s used bookstore, Recycled Reads, will close its doors this weekend with a farewell party from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17. Expect a sale, crafts, and live music to close the bookstore’s chapter.
Trending
Austin’s most famous resident, Matthew McConaughey, has secured eight trademarks to protect his name, image, and likeness from AI replication. The trademarks include his famously improvised “Alright, alright, alright,” line and “Just keep livin’.” (Variety)
Read
The Red River Cultural District debuted its very own quarterly zine. Volume one of the free publication, which centers on preserving the history of the music district, is out now and features the story of the original tenant in the Stubb’s space, plus the story of a woman who used to live where Elysium now stands.
Opening
Phoebe’s Diner will open its fourth location on Brodie Lane this spring. The award-winning diner has been in business for nine years, with locations Downtown, at Gracy Farms, and on Oltorf Street, where the diner originally opened. (Community Impact)
Number
Nearly 2,000 custom license plates were rejected in Texas last year for references to crime, profanity, or derogatory language. Plates reading “I DO H8U,” “Y U UGLY,” and “OK K4REN” were among the, ahem, less problematic submissions. (Austin American-Statesman)
Active
It’s time to raise the bar. Austin landed at No. 18 on WalletHub’s new list of the “Best and Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle” in 2026. For anyone aiming to build healthier habits this year, a locally owned gym is a solid place to start.
Sports
Jonte Newman traded in maroon for burnt orange as he leaves Texas A&M for UT. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
It’s not just dinner — chefs will walk you through each bite as they prepare it in front of your eyes. | Photos by ATXtoday
If you’re working your way through Austin’s (ahem, impressive) list of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, this is your sign to visit Tare next.
The MICHELIN Recommended omakase spot is located in an unassuming office building in north Austin, where up to 12 people can dine during two nightly seatings for $165 per person.
Figi here — what makes Tare unique is the Tex-Mex influence on the sushi. Many of the bites on the (note: frequently changing) menu were served with Lone Star flair — think sea bream topped with salsa verde and bluefin tuna on a chicharron. As a lover of all things Tex-Mex, I’m eager to return for my next meal.
Asked
Asked
How many MICHELIN-recognized restaurants have you visited?
Yesterday, I visited Neon Belly, a new coffee shop along Burnet Road, which has long been one of my favorite strips in town. The interior was pretty, pink, and a great place to knock out some work or chat over an iced coconut latte.
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