This Coming Week:
Free Week at the Jones Center, Jan 7–11 (Wed–Sun) At the Jones Center, Enjoy free admission to the Jones Center from January 7-11 (Wed–Sun) and experience our current exhibitions The Canvas Can Do Miracles, Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art, and HOST: Raul De Lara before they end on January 11. And while you’re there, take a moment to stroll by Manik Raj Nakra’s exterior mural Man Who Fell to Earth. Capacity is limited; pre-registration recommended. https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/
Free Week, 1/9/26 – 1/10/26, Red River Cultural District. The beginning of January might be the best time for a music fan to visit Austin. Why? Hundreds of Austin bands participate in this annual event that encompasses multiple venues all over Austin https://redriverculturaldistrict.org/free-week/
2026 International Gem and Jewelry Show, Friday, January 09- Sunday, January 11, Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd.) America’s Longest Running, Direct-To-Consumer, Gem & Jewelry Shows!
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire, January 09, 2026 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Moody Center (2001 Robert Dedman Dr) Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow-N-Fire, which won the Pollstar Family Show of the Year award in 2025, returns to Austin Jan. 9-10. Fans of all ages will experience the thrill of watching their favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks light up in the dark, and the world debut of an all-new truck to the tour: Rhinomite — the dynamite Rhino-themed truck. Charging horn-first into challenges, Rhinomite explodes on the scene with a mission to destroy the competition. This exciting new experience will feature never-before-seen stunts performed by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, as well as the all-new No-Handed Front Flip performed by the FMX riders.
Family Birding, Saturday, January 10, 2026 , 8:00am-10:00am, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave) Texas is home to over 600 bird species, making it one of the most bird-diverse states in the U.S. Discover the wonder of birding with your family in our all-new monthly guided walk through the gardens! Volunteers from Travis Audubon will teach young nature enthusiasts the basics of birding, including how to use binoculars and identify both native and migratory birds by sight and sound. $15 per adult and $8 per youth (8 – 17 yrs). This class is appropriate for ages 8 years and above. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Members receive a discount. Join today!FREE for Travis Audubon members with discount code* *Advanced registration is required.
BLANTON ALL DAY: FIGURES & FRAMEWORKS, Saturday, Jan. 10, The Blanton Museum of Art. The Blanton’s monthly weekend mixer returns with a pumped-up program. Associate Curator of Latino Art Claudia Zapata takes attendees through Heriberto Luna’s sporting piece The Universal Game; guest speaker José Luis Lazarte Luna comes all the way from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to talk mother-of-pearl use in current exhibition “Spirit & Splendor”; and history unfolds through pop-up print show Twenty-Five Years in Figures: Acquisition Highlights from the Blanton’s Prints & Drawings Collection.
Arboretum Food and Artisan Market, Saturday, January 10, 10000 Research Blvd Building C, Austin. Come join us for the Arboretum Food and Artisan Market in the parking lot of the Juliet Kitchen in the Arboretum every Saturday! We have hot foods including fresh arepas, dumplings, gourmet foods, baked goods, local meats, veggies, fresh eggs, artisans, home goods, and more! Over 40 vendors weekly! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arboretum-food-and-artisan-market-tickets-1259700761889
Austin Camerata and The Cathedral Presents the 5th Annual Cello Fest, January 10, & January 11, The Cathedral (2403 E 16th St). Austin Camerata and The Cathedral will present the fifth annual Cello Fest on Jan. 10–11, bringing an eight-cellist ensemble into one of Austin’s premier gallery spaces. The program spans classical, rock and pop, showcasing the versatility of the cello across centuries and genres.
The anniversary edition features guest cellist Bion Tsang and drummer Sam Wheeler performing a rarely heard concerto blending blues, jazz and rock influences. Tickets include a pre-show cocktail hour to view The Cathedral’s current exhibition of works by local women and nonbinary artists, followed by a one-hour performance and an open bar.tickets@thecathedralatx.com
City-Wide Vintage Sale, Saturday, January 10-Sunday, January 11, Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd) Since our inception in 1977 at the City Coliseum in South Austin, Texas, the City-Wide Vintage Sale (formerly the City-Wide Garage Sale) has been a cherished, woman-owned, family-run event. For nearly five decades, we’ve empowered small businesses and fostered a vibrant community of talented vendors and unforgettable characters. Celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Rue McClanahan, Drew Barrymore, and local icons such as Charlie Sexton, Dale Watson, and Aaron Franklin have added star power to this lively gathering.
Join us to explore this unique Austin tradition, where the past and future collide in an exciting treasure hunt. Experience nostalgia with true Austin vibes! https://www.citywidevintagesale.com/
Austin Swappin New Year’s Clothing Swap, Saturday, January 10, Wanderlust Wine Collective (702 Shady Lane)Get ready to revamp your wardrobe at Austin Swappin! BIGGEST Swap of the year!
AARC Makers Market, Jan. 10, 1-4 p.m. 8401 Cameron Road, Austin, Hosted by the Asian American Resource Center, the event will feature over 20 local Asian American and Pacific Islander creatives, makers and cottage bakers. Participating artists include Picnic Ants Press, Kaiju Cut & Sew and Kitsune Hirano Photography. Free www.austintexas.gov/event/aarc-makers-market
‘Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster’ at The Paramount Theatre, January 11, 2026 2:00 pm, The Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Ave). The Paramount Theatre will present “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, with performances at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The family-friendly production is staged by the acclaimed theater company Manual Cinema and is co-presented with Texas Performing Arts. Based on beloved books by Mo Willems, the show brings Leonardo, the Terrible Monster and Sam, the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World to life using hundreds of puppets to create a live “movie” onstage. The performance is recommended for ages 4 and up. A pop-up BookPeople book fair will be available in the lobby before and after the show.
Forest Bathing, Sunday, January 11, 10:00am-11:00am. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave) $45.00. Forest bathing is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which is said to reduce stress and increase inner peace. During this class, you and fellow nature lovers will learn to better connect with nature through mindfulness and meditation. Bonus: Each session will end with a tea ceremony! Space is limited and registration is required.
Tiny Tails to You Petting Zoo, Thu, 1/15/2026, 10:30am – 10:45am, Book People. Tiny Tails to You is back with another petting zoo storytime. Join us on the second floor of BookPeople for great books and an animal show and tell, full of pets and snuggles. Entry to the amphitheater petting zoo is free and timed by group. Arrive early to get your ticket! https://bookpeople.com/event/2026-01-15/tiny-tails-you-petting-zoo
Lantern Tour at Laguna Gloria, Thursday, January 15, 6P and 7P, Laguna Gloria (3809 W 35th St.) On Thursday evenings from 6–8P experience the magic of art and nature in perfect harmony with our Lantern Tour at Laguna Gloria. Join us for a free, staff-led tour as we explore the art on display across our beautiful grounds. You’ll gain new perspectives on the artworks, all while enjoying the breathtaking natural surroundings. Duration: 45 minutes. Admission: Free! Only 10 tickets are available, so advance ticketing is preferred.
Bard & Brew Thursday, January 15, 6:30 PM at ABGB. Welcome the new year at our free, informal gathering at The ABGB to explore the world of William Shakespeare’s life and art. Delving into our belief that “the Bard is only the beginning,” join Board Trustee Sean Gallagher to explore other classic writers who follow in the best Shakespearean tradition. Enjoy our company players, Justin Scalise and Helyn Rain Messenger, in scenes from Much Ado About Nothing. And as a special treat, Helyn will also sing original compositions based on Shakespeare’s words. We hope you’ll join in the conversation, mingle with kindred spirits, and discover more about Austin Shakespeare’s performances and educational adventures.
Additionally, enjoy our Shakespearean revels, trivia quizzes, and games as you relax, mingle, and patronize the award-winning ABGB’s menu of food and beverages. There is free parking and is handicapped accessible, though ride-sharing is always a good idea. Toast the New Year with us!
Coming Soon:
The Improvised Shakespeare Company, January 16-17, McCullough Theatre (2390 Robert Dedman Dr.) Based on one audience suggestion (a title of a show that has never been written), The Improvised Shakespeare Company® creates a brand new, fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created as you watch, and if you’re ever wondering where the story is going…so are they! You’ve never seen the Bard like this before! https://texasperformingarts.evenue.net/
Catching the Light: Works by Madelon Umlauf at the Old Bakery & Emporium, Saturday, 1/17, 1:00PM-4:00PM, Free and open to the public. Madelon Umlauf (1942-2025) was a talented artist and respected educator born to Charles and Angeline Umlauf and raised in Austin. You’re invited to the opening reception of her exhibition Catching the Light, on view at the Old Bakery & Emporium.
Austin International Half, 1/18/26. Downtown Austin. Formerly the 3M Half Marathon, the Austin International Half boasts one of the fastest half-marathon courses in the country. Enjoy a mostly downhill course that takes you past some of Austin’s finest locations and finishes downtown near the Texas State Capitol. https://www.austintexas.org/event/spurs-austin-international-half-marathon/386078/
MLK Day Festival, 1/19/26, MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus
Don’t miss this year’s MLK Day celebrations with The Austin Area Heritage Council. Enjoy a walk starting from the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on the University of Texas campus to the south steps of the Capitol for a rally and ending the march at the historic Huston-Tillotson University for activities and events. https://www.austintexas.org/event/austin-mlk-day-march-festival-and-food-drive/377820/
‘Reuse On the Runway: The Exhibit’ Artist Reception, January 21, 2026 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, The Doughtery Arts Center (1110 Barton Springs Road) “Reuse On the Runway: The Exhibit” will be on view Jan. 17–Feb. 28, 2026, at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery at the Dougherty Arts Center, showcasing 24 upcycled couture looks from Austin Creative Reuse’s 2025 Reuse on the Runway fashion show. The exhibition features designs created from repurposed materials such as fabric remnants, architectural samples, newspapers and everyday objects.
An artist reception is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by an artist talk on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibit highlights the intersection of fashion, sustainability and creative reuse.
Hi, How Are You Day 2026, January 23, 2026 7:00 pm, The Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Ave. ) The annual music and mental health awareness event will return Jan. 23, 2026, at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre. Hosted by the Hi, How Are You Project in honor of Daniel Johnston’s birthday, the signature fundraiser brings together artists, advocates and the community to promote open conversations around mental health. The main stage lineup features Nathaniel Rateliff (solo) and Lamont Landers. Additional shows expand the celebration across Austin, with performances by Caroline Hale and Witches Exist on Jan. 22 at the Ballroom, followed by a late-night set Jan. 23 at the Continental Club featuring Landers with Donovan Keith. https://tickets.austintheatre.org/13069/13070
Le Garage Sale in Austin, January 24 & 25, 2026 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd). Le Garage Boutique Sale returns with its biannual shopping event, bringing together discounted fashion from local boutiques, brands and designers under one roof. The Austin-born sale, which has been a fixture in the city’s fashion scene since 2001, features every rack at reduced prices. In addition to shopping, the two-day event includes a DJ, cocktails and giveaways. Advance tickets are available for those who want to skip the line.
Film Screening: ¡Three Amigos! Thursday, January 29 at 6 p.m. Harry Ransom Center, Join us for a screening of ¡Three Amigos! (1986). This special film screening series features three notable films produced by Lorne Michaels and is held in conjunction with the Ransom Center’s exhibition Live From New York: The Lorne Michaels Collection. RSVP
PlayStation: The Concert, January 29, 2026 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm, Bass Concert Hall (2350 Robert Dedman Dr) Immerse yourself in the worlds of PlayStation™ like never before at PlayStation: The Concert. This revolutionary live experience takes you on a journey through the most celebrated scores in gaming history, including God of War, The Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon and beyond. Each piece is reimagined for the stage in collaboration with acclaimed composers such as Gustavo Santaolalla, Bear McCreary, Ilan Eshkeri and Joris de Man.
At the heart of the show is a troupe of 15 virtuosic soloists whose dynamic performances blend classical skill with contemporary flair. Enhanced by advanced LED projection, surround sound, and multi-layered visuals, their artistry transforms beloved soundtracks into a living, breathing experience that resonates with gamers and music lovers alike.
Celebrating PlayStation’s three decades of storytelling and artistry, this once-in-a-lifetime concert invites you to rediscover the music that defined entire worlds. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable event — secure your tickets now and prepare to be transported like never before.
February 2026
Jo’s Chili Cook-Off, 2/1/26, Jo’s Coffee South Congress. Join Jo’s for a day of live music, cold beer and chili as they host their 19th Annual Chili Cook-Off. Entry to the event is free, and guests can purchase a wristband day-of to taste chili from some of Austin’s best restaurants and amateur culinary talent. https://www.austintexas.org/event/jos-annual-chili-cook-off/384811/
Black History Month, 2/1/26 – 2/28/26, Various Locations. To commemorate Black History Month, there will be events throughout the city celebrating important people and moments in time in African-American history. https://www.austintexas.org/explore/cultural-heritage/black-austin/
UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, Feb 03, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd, Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the UMLAUF! This evening event features vibrant performances and community connections to commemorate tradition and usher in good fortune.
SCHEDULE:
6:30PM (member) and 7:30 PM (public): Performances by Moonflower Performing Arts Group
8PM: Luminous Dragon Dance Performance by Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team
ALL NIGHT:
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Asian-American Artists + Vendors
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Community Partners
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Specialty Cocktail
Carnaval Brasileiro , 2/7/26, Speakeasy .Carnaval in Austin is one of the biggest Brazilian Carnaval celebrations outside Brazil. Brasileiro-style samba, costumes and wild abandon can all be seen in the heart of Texas.
Austin Marathon, 2/15/26, Downtown Austin. The Ascension Seaton Austin Marathon is returning to Austin in 2026. Whether you participate in the marathon, half marathon or 5K, or cheer on the runners, don’t miss this exciting race through Downtown Austin. https://www.austintexas.org/events/austin-marathon/
OUTsider Festival, 2/18/26 – 2/22/26, The VORTEX. As one of Austin’s most progressive festivals, OUTsider brings together Austin’s LGBTQ community for three days of creation and inspiration. This multidisciplinary art festival showcases film, performance art, music, visual art and more. https://www.outsiderfest.org/
San Antonio Spurs I-35 Series, Feb 19 & 21, Moody Center. Basketball fans, mark your calendar, the I-35 Series is back in Austin, Texas at the Moody Center. https://www.nba.com/spurs/schedule
ATX Open, 2/21/26 – 3/1/26, Westwood Country Club. The ATX Open is the only professional tour-level tennis tournament held annually in Austin. As part of the Hologic WTA Tour, the ATX Open is one of 50-plus events and four Grand Slams, spanning six continents, and nearly 30 countries and regions, reaching a global audience of over 700 million.
NASCAR at COTA, 2/27/26 – 3/1/26, Circuit of The Americas. Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will welcome race fans this spring when NASCAR returns to Austin, courtesy of Speedway Motorsports. Experience another unforgettable race weekend with the running of the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at COTA.
March 2026
SXSW® Music, Film and Interactive Conference and Festival, 3/12/26 – 3/18/26 Various Locations. Every spring, crowds descend on Downtown Austin to experience the world-renowned SXSW Conference & Festivals. Consisting of three main components, Interactive, Music, Film and Comedy, each track brings top creatives and global professionals together to collaborate during this exciting week-long event.
Rodeo Austin, 3/13/26 – 3/28/26, Travis County Expo Center. Over the years, Rodeo Austin has grown from a show featuring 16 animals into one of Austin’s premier events, featuring Pro rodeo events, daily concerts, livestock show and more.
MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix, 3/27/26 – 3/29/26, Circuit of The Americas. The fastest show on two wheels revs up Austin for three days of bar-banging motorcycle racing action with the greatest riders in the world! The only North American stop of the world’s premier motorcycle racing series, the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix, comes to COTA this March.
