This Just In: Austin Press Releases

In its debut as part of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship Triathlon Series, the Longhorn Ironman 70.3 Austin, swims, cycles and runs through Texas’ capital city on Sunday at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. Some 2,300 competitors, including legendary pro triathletes Simon Lessing and Michellie Jones, have registered, and another 2,000 fans and supporters are likely to line the course. Altogether, the race is slated generate an economic impact of $1.5 million for the city. It serves as the first in a series of fall sports events that will generate more than $8 million for Austin through early December.  (more)

From explorations of the great outdoors to cultural festivals and lots of live music, October colors Austin with events. Highlights of the month include the Austin Film Festival, one of the top film festivals in the nation, taking place October 16-23, the Pioneer Farms Family Fall Music Festival on October 4; and the wildly infamous Halloween party on Sixth Street.  (more)

Fall is festival season in the Live Music Capital of the World® with over 30,000 folks coming for Austin City Limits, now one of the biggest music festivals in the nation, from September 26-28. Filmmakers and film fans attend Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, one of the Top 5 Film Festivals of its kind from September 3-7. Families gather in downtown Austin as the biannual Old Pecan Street Festival takes over Sixth Street with live music, parades and more on September 20-21.  (more)

Sparks and flags fly this year as the Texas Hill Country celebrates America’s Independence Day. Catch fireworks on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, celebrate 100 years of LBJ at the Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park, sip wine and eat chili at Becker Vineyards during their Independence Day Chili Cook-off, or just sit on the sidelines at one of the many patriotic parades marching through Central Texas.  (more)

The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (Austin CVB) and Austin Latino Music Association (ALMA) have joined forces to promote Latino Music Month (LMM), which runs May 1-31 and showcases the diverse musical styles of Austin’s Latino artists.  (more)

More than 300,000 visitors head to Austin in March to participate in conventions, compete in athletic events, discover the next big thing in music, meander among the wildflowers and more. Their presence represents an estimated economic impact of more than $150 million.  (more)

Dinner theatre has never been this unique. At the same time as the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival (THCWFF) returns to Austin, Apr. 9-13, nearly a million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate back to the Texas Capital for the summer. Each evening at dusk, they emerge from their roost underneath the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge in a spectacular exodus into the night. Tourists can experience these two uniquely Texas events together on April 11, with “Sip to Shore,” a dusk cruise on Lady Bird Lake, planned by the THCWFF to celebrate Austin’s batty phenomenon and showcase the innovative cocktails of master mixologist Alex Ott.  (more)

In partnership with the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosts the City of Austin’s 12th Annual Black History Month celebration, Friday, Feb. 1 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the museum’s Boyd Vance Theatre (1165 Angelina Street).  (more)

The holiday season in Austin wouldn't be complete without great live music, elaborate lighting displays and gift markets that "keep Austin weird." The city's cultural arts troupes also add to the merrymaking with symphonic sing-a-longs, rockin' musicals and a timeless classic ballet.   (more)

Labor Day offers a long weekend for visitors to enjoy Hill Country lakes, go batty at Austin Bat Fest, relax with a free day of yoga or cheer on the Texas Longhorns. Contact the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau at (512) 478-0098 or (866) GO-AUSTIN for more information about activities during the holiday weekend. Details are also available at www.austintexas.org. All listed events are subject to change.   (more)