Winter

Free Week
Hundreds of local bands participate in this week of free live music that encompasses venues all over downtown Austin.

Martin Luther King Jr. March and Festival
March from the University of Texas to Huston-Tillotson University to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.

Austin Marathon & Half Marathon
Nearly 30,000 participants, 40 bands and a course through Austin’s scenic neighborhoods make this race a must-hit for everyone.

Carnaval Brasileiro
Experience authentic Brasileiro-style samba, costumes and wild abandon at one of the biggest Brazilian Carnaval celebrations outside Brazil.

OUTsider Festival
OUTsider brings together Austin’s LGBTQ+ community for five days of creation and inspiration. This multidisciplinary art festival showcases film, performance art, music, visual art and more.

NASCAR at COTA
Circuit of The Americas welcomes race fans each spring for a weekend of NASCAR racing.

Spring

ABC Kite Fest
The nation's oldest kite festival features hundreds of kites in the air, kite flying contests, food, games and more all for free.

Field Guide Festival
Field Guide Festival is a food systems festival that brings the farmers to you. All dishes use fresh ingredients, grown and harvested by local farmers, prepared by chefs from around the city. Experience a weekend of innovative conversation, connection and cookouts.

Hot Luck Festival
Come hungry, thirsty and bring your dancin’ boots to this eat-with-your-fingers food festival highlighting culinary know-how and live music.

Indie Meme Film Festival
This hybrid festival features socially relevant independent cinema from South Asia. IMFF showcases curated features, documentaries, short films, etc. from countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Iran.

Moontower Comedy Festival
Laugh along with your favorite comedians during the more than week-long festivities! The festival is held at various venues around Downtown Austin.

Rodeo Austin
Over the years, Rodeo Austin has grown from a show featuring 16 animals into one of Austin's premier events, featuring ProRodeo events, daily concerts, stock show and more.

Sips & Sounds Music Festival
Kick off the springtime with two days of national headlining concerts and local food vendors at Auditorium Shores. 

SXSW® Music, Film and Interactive Conference and Festival
Noted filmmakers, musicians and thought leaders showcase music, film and interactive media at this international event.

Summer

All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF)
The oldest and largest LGBTQ+ film fest in the Southwest is also the largest LGBTQI cultural event in Austin.

ATX Television Festival
The first festival devoted to television, ATX Television Festival features premieres of new series, current hits and cult favorites.

Austin Asian American Film Festival
Asian and Asian American cultures and experiences are promoted at this fest showcasing cinema and the creativity of Asian American artists.

Austin Pride Parade
Celebrated during Austin Pride Month each August, don’t miss this giant parade down Congress Avenue during the largest annual LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas.

Bat Fest
Celebrate the world's largest urban bat colony, which takes up seasonal residence beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge, with live music, children's activities and a costume contest. 

Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Catch screenings of contemporary films and videos from Latin America (North, Central, South America and the Caribbean) and the Iberian Peninsula.

Fourth of July Fireworks and Symphony
The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music culminating in a spectacular firework display over Lady Bird Lake.

Hot Summer Nights
Venues throughout the Red River Cultural District host four days of free live music, alongside local food and vendors.

Fall

Austin City Limits Music Festival
One of the country’s largest celebrations of music, this six-day festival includes 140+ musical acts over two weekends.

Austin Film Festival
Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country, this cinematic event shines the spotlight on both top-billed films and indies alike.

Austin Food + Wine Festival
Join top chefs, sommeliers and winemakers from across Austin and the nation for a three-day epicurean adventure unlike any other.

Austin Powwow
For more than 25 years the Austin Powwow is the largest of its kind in Texas, featuring American Indian dancing, singing, arts & crafts and food.

Fantastic Fest
The largest genre film festival in the U.S. specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and more from around the world.

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Experience three days of F1 racing, camping, live music events, headline performances by international acts and more.

LEVITATION
This independent festival has grown from a small word-of-mouth event to an internationally acclaimed, full weekend event that attracts attendees from all over the world.

Texas Book Festival
Enjoy readings, panel discussions, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, YA authors, children’s activities and exhibiting vendors.

Texas Craft Brewers Festival
The Texas Craft Brewers Fest is the largest beer festival for and by Texas Brewers, featuring the best of Texas craft beer and the thriving beer community across the Lone Star State.

Viva La Vida Festival & Parade
Viva La Vida is Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival, featuring a Grand Procession, art activities and demos, traditional foods, live music and performances throughout the day.

Winter

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar makes holiday shopping fun with nearly 200 artists and makers, live music daily, interactive activities, local food and two full bars.

Austin's New Year
Join the City of Austin for a free and family-friendly evening as Austin waves goodbye to the old and welcomes in the new year at Auditorium Shores. CNN will be live at Austin’s countdown as part of the network's “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.” Austin’s New Year also features a night of entertainment headlined by local musicians, food trucks and beverage vendors, and a midnight fireworks show.

Trail of Lights
The Trail of Lights is part of the essential Austin experience, lighting up the season with a celebration of community, memories and fun. Plan your visit early and don't forget to take a spin under the Zilker Tree!