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Here is our list of the Best Austin Festivals. The annual ATX festival schedule can leave your head spinning. It's often a challenge to keep up with. From music, to food, to art, racing, sports, beer, ice cream and bats, Austin has it all for the fest fan. Also check out our more complete daily Austin Entertainment Events Calendar.
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 24, 2019
Where: Congress Ave. Bridge
Web: roadwayevents.com
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Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
For some added heat to Austin already steamy summers stop by The Austin Chronicle's 29th Annual Hot Sauce festival at Fiesta Gardens.
It's the world's largest hot sauce festival and donations support the Central Texas Food Bank.
Along with our popular hot sauce competition and vendors, this truly Austin festival features live music from Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Harry Edohoukwa, Mariachi Capitál, and Batty jr.
Sample hundreds of hot sauces, cool off with ice cold Firemans Light, and enjoy food from Amy's Ice Creams, Garbo's Lobster Truck ATX, Johnny Joe’s Concessions , Sun Garden Shaved Ice, Torchy's Tacos, and Ze Wurst. Sample hot sauces with chips provided by Fiesta Tortillas.
Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation to the Central Texas Food Bank. Visit austinchronicle.com/hotsauce for more information and follow Austin Chronicle Events for updates!
When: Sunday, August 25, 2019
Where: 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St
Web: Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
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September
St. Elias Mediterranean Festival
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: Sept. 20-21, 2019
Where: 11th Street
Web: mediterraneanfestival.org
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Wizard World
Join tens of thousands of fans as they converge at Austin Comic Con Wizard World Convention to celebrate the best in pop culture. Austin Comic Con brings it all – Movies, Comics, Toys, Video Gaming, Games, TV, Anime, Manga, Horror, Wrestling, MMA, Original Art, Collectibles & More! Austin Comic Con is brought to you by the group who produces the most widely attended Comic Con tour!
When: September 20-22, 2019
Where: Austin Convention Center
Web: wizardworld.com/comiccon
Fall 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: Sept. 21-22, 2019
Where: 6th Street
Web: pecanstreetfestival.org
Austin Museum Day
A free, city-wide rediscovery of Austin museums. Take the entire family out on the town to enjoy local exhibits and activities at 31 participating institutions. Enjoy free access to exhibits and activities at Austin-area museums!
When: September 22, 2019
Where: Museums in Austin
Web: austinmuseums.org
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Fantastic Fest
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 19-26, 2019
Where: All over Austin
Web: fantasticfest.com
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Texas Craft Brewers Festival
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: September 28, 2019
Where: Fiesta Gardens
Web: texascraftbrewersfestival.org
October
Gruene Music & Wine Festival
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 3-6, 2019
Where: Gruene, TX.
Web: gruenemusicandwinefest.org
ACL Music Festival
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 4-6 and October 11-13, 2019
Where: Zilker Park
Web: aclfestival.com
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 11-13, 2019
Where: Marketplatz Square, Fredericksburg, TX
Web: texasmesquiteartfestivals.com
Texas Trucklandia Fest
It's a 1-Day Taste-a-Thon & Food Truck Festival at the Austin American Statesman Property. October 19th, 2019 (rain or shine). Noon – 6 PM. Only 1,000 judges (get a tasting band/sample). Also open for general feasting/people's choice voting. $10,000 Best-Truck Winner announced at 6:30 PM
When: October 19, 2019
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 24-31, 2019
Where: All over Austin
Web: austinfilmfestival.com
Texas Book Festival
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: October 26-27, 2019
Where: State Capitol Grounds
Web: texasbookfestival.org
November
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: November 1-3, 2019
Where: Burnet, TX.
Web: utopiafest.com
Waller Creek Show
Creek Show is nine nights of free light-based, site-specific art installations along Waller Creek, creating new opportunities for designers and opportunity for audiences to engage with neighboring businesses in the Red River Cultural District. Stroll along the creek, between 9th & 11th Streets, while taking in six new illuminating works of light-based art. The 2018 “Creek Show Lounge” will be located at a a newly renovated Symphony Square and offers attendees a place to relax, enjoy interactive activities, live music, and exciting opportunities to learn about the Waller Creek parks project.
Presented by Waller Creek Conservancy
When: November 8-16, 2019
Where: Waller Creek between 9th and 11th Streets
Web: creekshow.com
March 2020
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 7-16, 2020
Where: Everywhere
Web: sxsw.com
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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 15-29, 2020
Where: 9100 Decker Lake Rd
Web: rodeoaustin.com
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HONK!TX Festival
HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from around the country to perform for free in the public spaces of Austin. Mobile and unamplified, HONK!TX bands transform everyday locations into spontaneous stages, dissolving the line between crowd and performers and inviting everyone to celebrate the joys of music and community. A range of genres are represented: New Orleans second-line brass, European Klezmer and Balkan, Brazilian, West African, and more. HONK!TX is a celebration of community, collaboration, and creative expression. Join the revelry!
When: March 28-30, 2020
Where: Various Venues
Web: honktx.org
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ABC Kite Fest
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: March 30, 2020
Where: Zilker Park
Web: abckitefest.org
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Rainey Street
April
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 11-12, 2020
Where: Travis County Expo Center
Web: lonestarroundup.com
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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 10-13, 2020
Where: Salt Lick Pavillion
Web: oldsettlersmusicfest.org
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Art City Austin
Art City Austin, our community’s three-day art fair and festival, will return for its 67th year March 31 –April 2, 2017 at the Palmer Event Center. 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.
When: April 12-13, 2020
Where: TBA
Web: Art City Austin
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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 16-20, 2020
Where: Various Austin Venues
Web: fuseboxfestival.com
Austin Reggae Fest
Bob Marley inspired weekend festival. Live music, food and unique vendors.
When: April 18-20, 2020
Where: Auditorium Shores
Web: austinreggaefest.com
Moontower Comedy Festival
Moontower Comedy Festival presented by the Paramount Theatre brings to Austin, TX some of the funniest, wittiest world-class comics from around the globe. This marathon of side-splitting nights throughout the city is slated to bring over 100 comedians doing everything from stand-up and sketch to improv and musical comedy. National headliners, up-and-comers and local Austin-based comedians ensure that there are options for every type of comedy fan; die-hards to those just looking for a fun night.
When: April 23-26, 2020
Where: Paramount Theater
Web: austintheatre.org
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Austin Food + Wine Festival
Austin Food & Wine Festival where some of the country?s top chefs, restaurateurs, wine and spirit personalities to teach, share, eat, and drink! Attendees will have access to classes, demos, competitions, tasting events and concerts.
When: April 25-27, 2020
Where: Various venues in Austin.
Web: austinfoodandwinefestival.com
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Eeyore's Birthday
Austin's Original Hippy Festival, Eeyore’s Birthday is a beloved Austin tradition since the 1960s. Usually held in April, this free festival celebrates the birthday of Eeyore from the cherished Winnie-the-Pooh books and also acts as a fundraiser benefiting local non-profit groups. This family-friendly festival takes place annually in Pease District Park and features live acoustic music, all-day drumming circles, games and colorful maypoles. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and there are contests offering prizes for the wackiest and most whimsical get-ups. If you’re looking for a festival where you can get loose and run around wild and free, check out Eeyore’s Birthday Party in America's Weirdest City for a day of wonderment.
When: April 26, 2020
Where: Pease Park
Web: eeyores.org
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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 3-4, 2020
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 17-18, 2020
Where: Palmer Events Center
Web: austinrecords.com
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Kerrville Folk Festival
The Kerrville Folk Festival is the longest continuously running music festival of its kind in North America. For 18 straight days and nights 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 22 - June 8, 2020
Where: Quiet Valley Ranch
Web: kerrvillefolkfestival.org
June
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 5-8, 2020
Where: Various theaters and venues in Austin
Web: atxfestival.com
ROT Biker Rally
ROT, the largest turnstile motorcycle rally in the US, is a 4-Day festival with live music, custom bikes, bike racing & attractions.
When: June 12-15, 2020
Where: All over Austin
Web: rotrally.com