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.
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.
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.
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.
UTOPiAfest photo used with permission by 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: September 17-19, 2020
Where: Burnet, TX.
Web: utopiafest.com
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.
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 20, 2020
Where: Museums in Austin
Web: austinmuseums.org
Fantastic Fest red carpet. Photo: Jack Plunkett, permission by 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 24- October 1, 2020
Where: All over Austin
Web: fantasticfest.com
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.
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 24-26, 2020
Where: Various Austin Locations
Phone: (512) 716-8603
Web: Texas Tribune Festival
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.
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.
Kerrville Folklife Festival main stage. Permission: Dalis Allen - Producer 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.
Texas Mesquite Arts Festival - Robbyn Dodd photo approved by TMAF Katherine Halamicek
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.
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 !
Austin Record Convention photo: Yimay Yang courtesy 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.
On the Runway at The Austin Film Festival. Photo: Will Taylor - LostinAustin.org
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.
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.
Good eats. Texas Monthly BBQ Fest. Photo courtesy Tim Taliaferro - Texas Monthly Events
Welcome to the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Weekend! The Top BBQ Joints in Texas have all been invited, so come see who will be smoking at this weekend of ‘cue. This year’s BBQ Fest features plenty of BBQ joints from across Texas, cold drinks, desserts, sides, and lots of live music.
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.
Dan Santat at the Texas Book Festival. Photo: Daemmrich Photography with permission by 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.
Wandering thru the art that is the annual holiday Waller Creek Show.
Immerse yourself in this free, 11-night display of illuminating art created by teams of visionary local artists, ambitious landscape architects, and extraordinary designers. On display along a twinkling Waller Creek, Creek Show is sure to leave visitors of all ages in awe as they stroll through new stunning art installations.
Presented by Waller Creek Conservancy
When: November 12-22, 2020
Where: Waller Creek
Web: creekshow.com
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.
Zachary James Watkins performing at Austin's No Idea Festival. Photo: Anthony Russell used with permission from Danae Silva - No Idea Festival
The annual No Idea Festival brings together musicians and sound artists from across the US, Japan, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Norway to Austin, Texas to collaborate for 3 nights and 2 afternoons in the fields of free improvisation, composition, free jazz, installation, noise, and sonic interventions.
Traditional Irish music on stage at the Austin St Patrick's Day Festival. Photo: Dale Rempert used with permission by Dale Rempert Photography.
The Austin St. Patrick Day Festival is an authentic display of Irish culture and pride. It's Austin's best Irish celebration. Traditional Irish music, Irish dancers and cloggers, Pipe and Drum, Irish food and drink, horse & carriage rides and more...
ABC Kite Fest 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.
HonkATX Festival. Photo permission HonkATX - Alan Hutcheson.
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: April TBA, 2021
Where: Various Venues
Web: honktx.org
Old Settlers Music Festival - Photo permission by Ex. Dir. Jean Spivey
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.
Fusebox Festival Approved Photo by Bill McCullough
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for this quick, concise and complete compendium of atx happenings! I will use it every month!
Rosalinda Losoya,