Summer’s here and Austin is so ready. From food fests to free concert series, summer is when Bat City comes alive.
Get ready to get outside with this guide featuring 24 summer events — including holiday celebrations — happening between May and August.
Festivals
Hot Luck Festival | Thursday, May 23-Sunday, May 26 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $495 | Dig into bites from some of the best chefs in the country at this fest led by Aaron Franklin, James Moody, and Mike Thelin.
ATX TV Festival | Thursday, May 30-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $150-$535 | Advertised as “TV camp for grown-ups,” this festival features panels, pitch competitions, and cameos from major shows including “Suits.”
Austin Asian American Film Festival | Wednesday, June 26-Sunday, June 30 | Times TBA | AFS Cinema, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $140 | Enjoy several days of works from Asian and Asian American artists.
Pie in the Sky | Friday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Rd., Kyle | Free | Although this fest also features live music, vendors, and pie, the showstopper of this event are the hot air balloon rides.
Holiday celebrations
Memorial Day Weekend
KALEIDOSCOPE | Thursday, May 23-Saturday, May 25 | Times vary | KMFA, 41 Navasota St., Austin | $40-$60 | This performance from Ventana Ballet and Austin Camerata will only run during Memorial Day Weekend.
Awesome Memorial Day Food Party | Saturday, May 25 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | 6020 Dillard Circle, Austin | $89 | Escoffier’s Chef Instructor will teach attendees how to cook classic Memorial Day dishes, including burgers, hot dogs, and potato salad.
Rooftop Day Party | Saturday, May 25 | 4 p.m. | Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave., Austin | $10-$275 | Kick off the weekend with live DJs at this rooftop bash.
Juneteenth
Central Texas Juneteenth | Saturday, June 15 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Multiple locations | Free | This morning parade ends in a festival with vendors and activities for kids and adults alike.
Stay Black & Live | Saturday, June 15 | 3-10 p.m. | George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St., Austin | Free with RSVP | The annual celebration will include live music, smoked barbecue, vendors, carnival games, workshops, and self-guided tours.
19th Fest | Sunday, June 16 | Times TBA | Location TBA | Tickets TBA | Celebrate Juneteenth with traditional soul food, live music, and local vendors.
Fourth of July
Star Spangled Fest | Tuesday, July 4 | Times TBA | Auditorium Shores, 900 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | Free-$2,500 | The City of Austin’s annual fireworks show includes live music from the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Austin’s annual Fourth of July event draws in crowds to take in fireworks over Lady Bird Lake.
Photo by Varun Yadav on Unsplash
Pride Month
Austin Pride Parade and Festival | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 11 a.m. | Multiple locations | Tickets TBA | Commemorate Austin’s Pride Month with 200,000 other celebrators at an all-day festival, ending in an 8 p.m. parade.
Live music
Madison Beer | Tuesday, May 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River St. | $35-$141 | Jam to the “Spinnin” tour in Austin’s Red River District.
Justin Timberlake | Friday, May 31 + Saturday, June 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $73-$2,500 | JT’s “Forget Tomorrow” tour is sure to feature old hits + new tunes.
Blues on the Green | Tuesday, June 11 + Wednesday, June 12 | 7 p.m. | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free | After a brief scare, Austin’s three-decade-old free summer music series will return in June.
Alanis Morissette | Wednesday, June 12 | 7 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $100-$1,249 | The star will be joined by Joan Jett & Blackhearts and Morgan Wade.
New Kids on the Block | Friday, July 12 | 7 p.m. | Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $40-$800 | Take it back to the 1980s with this boy band, who will perform with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Tate McRae | Wednesday, July 17 | 6 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | $81-$1,055 | The artist behind “you broke me first” will perform the “Think Later” tour at the outdoor venue Downtown.
Janet Jackson | Saturday, July 27 | 8 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $50-$2,295 | The icon will perform with Nelly for her “Together Again” tour.
Noah Kahan | Friday, June 14 + Saturday, June 15 | 8 p.m. | Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $471 | Listen to “Stick Season” live on Kahan’s “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour.
Fruit + flowers
Sweet Berry Farm, 1801 FM1980, Marble Falls
Head to the Hill Country for a day at this quaint Marble Falls farm. Strawberries are available from now through May, with sunflower bouquets coming soon. The farm also offers pony rides, sand art, a barrel train, and a paint-a-pot station.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm, 14400 E. State Hwy. 29, Georgetown
Pick your own strawberries and peaches at this Georgetown farm, which also hosts a variety of seasonal events. Plan ahead now for the Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 12 and the Sunflower Festival later in the summer.
Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd. Austin
This central Austin botanical garden is beautiful year-round, but shines in the spring + summer. Don’t miss the two-month Woodland Faerie Trail opening Saturday, May 18 or the regular flower arranging demonstrations.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin
Take in local blooms at one of the center’s native plant sales, gardening courses, or Tuesday Twilights, late hours featuring live music and food trucks lasting through Tuesday, May 14.
Seasonal essentials
- Tired of losing your sunglasses in the water? These floating sunglasses provide optimal clarity and comfort for all your summer adventures.
- Shield yourself from the sun while adding a touch of flair to your outfit with one of our hats.
- This iceless cooler keeps your drinks cold for 7 hours.
