We’ll be sending you our newsletter for the next five days, but if you’re not feeling it after that, we’ll call it quits — no action required. If you like what you see, click any link in this email, and each morning, we’ll keep sending the most relevant news, events, and updates from around Austin. Our newsletters are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time.
🚗 Forget the meter
Parking Downtown just got a little bit easier. | Photo courtesy Downtown Austin Alliance
Get ready to park it. Over the next 10 weeks, patrons at participating Downtown businesses will be eligible to receive free or discounted parking as part of the Downtown Patron Parking Pilot.
The partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and Austin Convention Center is meant to boost accessibility to nearby businesses during the convention center’s redevelopment.
Visitors at participating businesses will be able to receive two hours free validated parking (or discounted parking for longer visits) at Second Street Garage and Fifth Street Garage all day Sunday-Thursday and until 4 p.m. Friday + Saturday.
Participating businesses include Antone’s Nightclub, Revolución, Nica on 4th, El Cockfight, Elephant Room, The Creek and The Cave, HokkaiSan, Skipjack Oyster, Speakeasy Austin, and Sunset Strip Comedy Club. See the full list.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Feb. 24
2026 ATX Open | Tuesday, Feb. 24-Sunday, March 1 | Times vary | Westwood Country Club | $45+
If you’re not one of the lucky few to get tickets to Austin’s F1 US Grand Prix, fear not, because fans will get the chance to see each of the international Grand Prix races in IMAX. At least 50 IMAX locations across the country will participate — sign up for alerts here.
Arts
ACL Live at The Moody Theater unveiled a new mural going up the stairs of the venue during its Community Day over the weekend. The mural is made up of posters from performers who have graced the stage over the years — think Gary Clark Jr., Billie Eilish, Cyndi Lauper, and Noah Kahan.
Quoted
“San Antonio, they’re my people, but Austin, they’re my people as well.” That’s what San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said about the Capital City during games at the I-35 Series last week. We love you too, Wemby.(KVUE)
Outdoors
Leander is the latest city in the Austin area to pursue recognition as an International Dark Sky Place. If Leander’s application is approved, the city would join Liberty Hill, Bee Cave, and Dripping Springs in Dark Sky status. Learn more about Dark Sky communities in Texas. (Community Impact)
Try This
Taco ‘bout a good time. EASTside ATX launched a “Locals Know Taco Tours” series, where guests get to try some of the best tacos east Austin has to offer every Friday + Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $85 and include bites from four shops.
Ranked
Austin is still a boomtown, according to a study from moveBudda. With a ~31% population growth over the last 10 years, Austin took the No. 2 spot on the list of “Fastest-Growing Cities Movers Still Love.”
Featured Deal
Spend $50 on woman-owned cannabis brand TribeTokes and get a free pack of THC Libido Lift Gummies with purchase. Think: Stock up on top-reviewed CBD sleep gummies or enjoy a clean buzz from pineapple Delta 9 gummies. Use code VDAYGUMMY before the deal ends.†*
Restaurant Roundup
⚠️ Warning: hunger ahead
Gold and blue decor give Roya a moody interior. | Photo courtesy of Bita Ghassemi
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the Capital City’s food scene? Keep tabs on this list of fresh openings to stay ahead of the culinary curve.
Roya | Persian
Helmed by chef-owner Amir Hajimaleki — who co-owns Silk Road Hospitality Group — the high-end restaurant has a seasonal menu, caviar service, and kebabs.
Ēma | Mediterranean
Ēma is helmed by “Top Chef Duels” winner CJ Jacobson and serves a mezze-style menu focused on vegetables and seafood, with highlights including sweet corn hummus, octopus carpaccio, and grilled shrimp kebabs.
Amaya | Mediterranean
This rooftop restaurant and bar serves shareable dishes like falafel and avocado labneh, cured hamachi, grilled brazino, and beef skewers with a view.
Still hungry for more? Dig deeper into our food news.
👕 Whether you’re the proud pet parent of a dog, cat, lizard, or hamster, show them off on a custom t-shirt.
🧹 Easily remove pet hair from carpets + upholstery thanks to the No. 1 best-selling Chom Chom hair and lint remover.
📷 Keep an eye on your four-legged friend with an indoor pet camera that’s under $30.
🧼 Make bath time a breeze with these pet bathing gloves that have soft bristles for easy grooming.
I have plans to visit another new restaurant later this week. Stay tuned for a peek inside Oria: a Mediterranean restaurant from the team behind Space Cowboy.
}})
