Best Austin Festivals | Complete Guide to Austin Festivals

Here is our list of the Best Austin Festivals. The annual ATX festival schedule is a wonder to behold. It is befitting a town as festival crazy at Austin. From music, to food, to art, racing, sports, beer, ice cream and bats, Austin has it all for the fest fan. Check out our more complete daily Austin Entertainment Events Calendar and our Best Austin Holiday Events page.

February

Austin Oyster Festival

An annual, first-class foodie event honoring the oyster in Austin, TX held every year on the last Saturday in February.

When: February 25, 2023
Where: Republic Square

Web: Austin Oyster Festival

March

SXSW

For 10 event packed days the world of film, music and multimedia artists are focused on Austin during this internationally-recognized event.

When: March 10-19, 2023
Where: Everywhere
Web: sxsw.com

Rodeo Austin

Where weird meets western. March 8 kicks off the festivities. Great rodeo, BBQ tasting, amazing live music, plus Austin’s largest carnival.

When: March 10-25, 2023
Where: 9100 Decker Lake Rd
Web: rodeoaustin.com

April

ABC Kite Fest

ABC Austin Kite Festival — ABC Kite Fest at Zilker Park. Photo: Ben Porter . Approved by Emma Chase – Red Fan Communications

ABC Kite Fest is one of Austin’s best-known annual events. Held on the first Sunday of March, it is the kick-off to the hundreds of springtime activities in Austin. Everyone is welcome to attend (pets too!). There is no admission to attend or to participate in the contest. Most folks come out to see the spectacular sight of hundreds of kites in the sky and to enjoy a spring day in the park.

When: April 1, 2023
Where: Zilker Park
Web: abckitefest.org

Squirrel Fest

To celebrate Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park, Pease Park Conservancy and presenting sponsor, H-E-B, bring you Squirrel Fest – a day of music, fun, and a movie in the park! At this free, family-friendly event, you can enjoy music, activities, food, and Kingsbury Commons park amenities, followed by the movie, Zootopia, on the Great Lawn after dark. This is a community-wide event so feel free to share it with friends!

When: April 15, 2023
Where: Pease Park
Web: Squirrel Fest

Moontower Comedy Festival

Moontower Comedy Festival, presented by the Paramount and State Theatres, brings the funniest comics to Austin each year.

When: April 12-23, 2023
Where: All Over Austin
Web: Moontower Comedy Festival

Old Settlers Music Festival

A nationally recognized music festival with a down-home Texas feel, Old Settler’s Music Festival brings Americana and roots music with a laid-back family vibe.

When: April 21-24, 2022
Where: 1616 FM 3158, Tilmon TX
Web: oldsettlersmusicfest.org

Fusebox Festival

Fusebox Festival in an annual contemporary art + performance festival that takes place in April each year. The festival springs to life in over 20 different venues and sites around Austin and features artists from all over the world.

When: April 13-17, 2022
Where: Various Austin Venues
Web: fuseboxfestival.com

The Lonestar Round Up

The Lonestar Round Up is a huge outdoor car show and live music festival featuring vintage hot rods and custom cars driven here from all over the country, that has become an annual pilgrimage to Austin for folks from all over the world. Held on the rolling grounds of the Travis County Expo Center just minutes east of downtown Austin, the Round Up is a unique celebration of cars, culture and music that just has to be experienced in person.

When: April 22-23, 2022
Where: Travis County Expo Center
Web: lonestarroundup.com

Art City Austin (Postponed for 2022)

Art City Austin. Photo permission Kerry Hellinger - GIant Noise/Art City Austin — Art City Austin. Photo permission Kerry Hellinger – GIant Noise/Art City Austin

Art City Austin is a three-day art fair and festival at Republic Square. This historic event is a celebrated combination of street art and contemporary art from local and national artists maintaining its designation of Austin’s annual Art event of the year. Art, art installations, art talks, live music and great food truck eats.

When: April (Postponed) 2021
Where: Republic Square
Web: Art City Austin

Austin Reggae Fest

Bob Marley inspired weekend festival. Live music, food and unique vendors.

When: April 22-24, 2022
Where: Auditorium Shores
Web: austinreggaefest.com

Eeyore’s Birthday

Heart of the Eeyore's Festival Drum Circle - Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org6street.com — Heart of the Eeyore’s Festival Drum Circle – Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org6street.com

AUSTIN, Texas — Eeyore’s Birthday Party, named for the gloomy donkey in the Winnie the Pooh tales, is a community celebration of what makes the Capital City weird and fun. It’s the city’s longest running celebration of body paint, drum circles and outrageous costumes. In other words, it’s all things Austin and more. This unusual festival of springtime and weirdness had modest beginnings in 1963 when a group of University of Texas students celebrated spring break in Eastwoods Park. Back then, it was mostly about maypoles, sandwiches and beer. Attendance was by invitation only. Among the invitees one year was former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and her daughter, Lynda, who were said to have had a great time. Lloyd Birdwell came up with the idea for Eeyore’s Birthday Party when he was a UT grad student 57 years ago. Birdwell, who passed away at age 70 in 2014, named the birthday bash to honor Eeyore, who – according to A.A. Milne’s stories – became saddened when he thought his friends had forgotten his birthday. Today, an Eeyore sculpture stands in Austin’s Eastwoods Park with a plaque honoring Birdwell. The celebration moved to Pease Park in the 1970s. As the counter-culture and hippie movement spread, things got a little more, well, relaxed. Do-it-yourself musicians popped up, and so did the drums – lots of drums. – Bob Garcia-Buckalew – KVUE

When: April 30, 2022
Where: Pease Park
Web: Eeyore’s Birthday

May

Spring Pecan Street Festival

The Pecan Street Festival is one of the oldest events in Austin. Part live music festival, arts & craft vendor show & classic carnival, the festival offers often unique and the more classic fair food options like turkey legs and funnel cake.

When: May 7-8,2022
Where: 6th Street
Web: pecanstreetfestival.org

Austin Record Convention

The Austin Record Convention is the largest sale of recorded music in the USA. There is more music and related memorabilia available here, at one time, than anywhere else. Ranging from the 78’s of the 1930s to the latest compact discs of today, over one million 78s, 45s, LPs, CDs, cassettes, posters and collectibles (probably even a few 8-track tapes!) are in the auditorium. Over 300 different dealers from all over the USA and Europe are spread out over 50,000 square feet of floor space. The show is so big that to see everything takes most of the weekend, so if you’re in a hurry we have tables where customers can post search announcements in hopes of locating specific items.

When: May 7-8, 2022
Where: Palmer Events Center
Web: austinrecords.com

Kerrville Folk Festival

The Kerrville Folk Festival is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. For over two full weeks each May and June, over 30,000 guests come from all over the world to experience the magic of what we simply call “Kerrville”. The Festival is known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical style. It’s a place where those just developing their skills have the opportunity to play their music along- side master craftsmen.

When: May 26 to June 12, 2022
Where: Quiet Valley Ranch
Web: kerrvillefolkfestival.org

June

Austin Ice Cream Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day? How about tons of ice cream at the Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival! Join us at Fiesta Gardens on Saturday, June 23 for family fun from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sample lots of frozen treats, enter ice cream eating contests and have some fun a rock wall, inflatables, dunk tank, yard games, water gun fights, live music and more!

When: June (TBD) 2021
Where: Fiesta Gardens
Web: Austin Ice Cream Festival

ATX Television Festival

A weekend of panels, screenings and events where attendees can hear from actors, writers, directors, creators, showrunners, music supervisors, casting directors and studio executives involved in all stages of bringing their favorite series to the small screen.

When: June 2-5, 2022
Where: Multi-Locations
Web: atxfestival.com

August

Bat Fest

1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk, 2 stages with live music, more than 75 arts & crafts vendors, delicious food and drinks, fun children’s activities, a bat costume contest and other bat activities.

When: August 27, 2022
Where: Congress Ave. Bridge
Web: roadwayevents.com

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

Braving the heat at the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival. Photo: David Brendan Hall w/ permission by Austin Chronicle - Jason Stout — Braving the heat at the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival. Photo: David Brendan Hall w/ permission by Austin Chronicle – Jason Stout

What began as a small hot sauce contest in 1990 has grown into the largest competition of its kind and one of Austin’s largest and best-known annual food events, drawing as many as 10,000 spectators and over 350 entries each year.

When: August (TBD) 2021
Where: Fiesta Gardens
Web: Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival

September

Fall Pecan Street Festival

When: September 17-18,2022
Where: 6th Street
Web: pecanstreetfestival.org

Austin Museum Day

Installation view of Modern and Contemporary American Art gallery Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin. Photo permission: Blanton Museum of Art

A free, city-wide rediscovery of Austin museums. Take the entire family out on the town to enjoy local exhibits and activities at a host of participating institutions. Enjoy free access to exhibits and activities at Austin-area museums!

When: September 18, 2022
Where: Museums in Austin
Web: austinmuseums.org

Fantastic Fest (no 2022 Date Yet)

Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi , action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. Past years’ guest roster has included such talent as Tim Burton, Robert Rodriguez, Mel Gibson, Bill Murray, Keanu Reeves, Martin Landau, Winona Ryder, Edward Norton, Ryan Reynolds, Dolph Lundgren and Paul Rudd.

When: September (TBD), 2022
Where: All over Austin
Web: fantasticfest.com

St. Elias Mediterranean Festival – No 2022 Date Yet

St. Elias Mediterranean Festival. Photo: Will Taylor

Celebrate Austin’s international flavor. St. Elias is one of Central Texas’ Top 10 Food Festivals (Austin Chronicle). For more than eighty years, the St. Elias Mediterranean Festival has been bringing to Austin the food, music, and culture of the Mediterranean and Middle East, and the festival will be back again this year for another two days of fun and festivities on the grounds of St. Elias Orthodox Church in downtown Austin.

When: September (TBD) 2022
Where: 11th Street
Web: mediterraneanfestival.org

Texas Tribune Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, was interviewed by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival . Photo with permission Texas Tribune Fest - John Jordan. — One on One with Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, was interviewed by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival . Photo with permission Texas Tribune Fest – John Jordan.

The Texas Tribune Festival is one of the nation’s largest, most buzzworthy political gatherings. This three-day festival brings Texans together to address the politics and policy that affect our communities, our schools, our work and our daily lives. Join in when Texas’ biggest names and the nation’s most influential public figures flock to Austin to discuss our future.

When: September (TBD) 2022
Where: Various Austin Locations
Phone: (512) 716-8603
Web: Texas Tribune Festival

October

ACL Music Festival

ACL Music Fest - Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org — ACL Music Fest – Photo: Will Taylor – LostinAustin.org

For two consecutive weekends the ACL Music Festival faeures multiple stages featuring music from genres including rock, indie, country, folk, electronic and hip hop. Approximately 450,000 people attend the festival each year. In addition to the music performances, there are food and drinks, an art market, a kids area for families, and other activities for attendees.

When: October 7-9 & 14-16, 2022
Where: Zilker Park
Web: aclfestival.com

Gruene Music and Wine Festival

Gruene Music & Wine Festival — Sampling at the Gruene Music & Wine Fest. Photo: Jim Flynn used w/ permission – The Gruene Music & Wine Fest / Krsiten King

A four day celebration not only of Texas and Americana music, but also a celebration of Texas, German and New World wines, specialty beer, food and handcrafted items.

When: October 6-9, 2022
Where: Gruene, TX.
Web: gruenemusicandwinefest.org

Texas Mesquite Arts Festival

One of the largest mesquite wood artist festivals in the world. Collections of sculpted wood from the world’s absolute finest mesquite craftsmen. Items range from large furniture items such as beds, dressers and chairs made entirely from mesquite, to unique craft and gift items such as beautifully turned lamps, delicate scroll work, handsome pen and pencil sets, unique Christmas tree ornaments, and sculpted vases, all carefully crafted of mesquite.

When: October 7-9, 2022
Where: Marketplatz Square, Fredericksburg, TX
Web: texasmesquiteartfestivals.com

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UTOPiAfest

This family-friendly festival brings a magical, extraordinary experience of listening to artists you love, and discovering new favorites, while savoring local hill country cuisine, beverages under the towering oaks and vast Texas sky. We know that when nature welcomes music surrounded by top-notch hospitality, art installations, workshops, creating a unique festival experience.

When: October 14-15, 2022
Where: Reveille Peak Ranch
Web: utopiafest.com

Texas Trucklandia Fest (No 2022 Date Yet)

Texas Trucklandia Fest - Austin's Food Truck Taste-Off — Texas Trucklandia Fest – Austin’s Food Truck Taste-Off

It’s a 1-Day Taste-a-Thon & Food Truck Festival at the Austin American Statesman Property, rain or shine. Be one of 1,000 judges (get a tasting/sample band). Also open for general feasting/people’s choice voting. $10,000 Best-Truck Winner !

When: October (TBD) 2022
Where: 305 S Congress Ave
Web: trucklandia.com

Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival & Conference showcases the very best that the city has to offer – convenient downtown venues, fun parties at Austin’s fine bars and restaurants, and community partnerships – while presenting an outstanding program of narrative, animation and documentary features and shorts, including premieres, advanced screenings, and independent films.

When: October 27- November 3, 2022
Where: All over Austin
Web: austinfilmfestival.com

Texas Craft Brewers Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

Texas Craft Brewers Festival pitches its tents at Fiesta Gardens in Austin, Texas. The festival is the state’s largest craft beer event focused exclusively on Texas-produced craft beer.

When: October (TBD) 2022
Where: Fiesta Gardens
Web: texascraftbrewersfestival.org

November

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

Texas Monthly will host its first BBQ World’s Fair open to the public on Saturday, November 5, in Lockhart, Texas. The fair will feature experiences and activities that showcase the wide, eclectic world of barbecue, its different aspects and flavors, the array of techniques behind the craft, as well as the people and culture surrounding it. The festival will wrap up on Sunday, with a ticketed Top 50 BBQ event. Time, location, and event programming is in the works and will be announced later in the year. To stay in the know about the BBQ World’s Fair and Sunday, Top 50 Event, like Texas Monthly BBQ Fest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMBBQFest

When: November 5-6, 2022
Where: Lockhart, TX.
Web: Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

Austin Food and Wine Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

Austin Food & Wine Festival — Austin Food + Wine Festival. Photo: Katrina Barber

All weekend long you’ll explore rows of renowned Central Texas chefs from top-rated restaurants, serving up their signature bites. Along the way sample sips from an array of wine and spirits exhibitors.

When: November (TBD) 2022
Where: Auditorium Shores
Web: Austin Food and Wine Festival

Austin Celtic Festival

Austin Celtic Fest - Photo: Don Mason - permission by Austin Celtic Fest. — Austin Celtic Fest – Photo: Don Mason – permission by Austin Celtic Fest.

Austin’s annual Celtic Fest is a multi-stage and programming event of all things Celtic at the beautiful Pioneer Farms in North Austin. It is one of the few remaining festivals dedicated to authentic Celtic traditions. A friendly family event, fun for all ages and opened to all. Music, dance, highland games, Celtic animals, Celtic history, programs and lectures.

When: November 5-6, 2022
Where: Pioneer Farms
Web: Austin Celtic Festival

Texas Book Festival (No 2022 Date Yet)

One of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features 250+ nationally and critically recognized authors, 20+ venues including the State Capitol, 80+ exhibitors, live music, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers.

When: November (TBD) 2022
Where: State Capitol Grounds
Web: texasbookfestival.org