This Just In: Austin Press Releases

Some 500,000 visitors succumb to “March Madness” in Austin while enjoying basketball championships, listening to music, sampling world-class cuisine, sipping wine and more. Their presence represents an estimated economic impact of nearly $60 million. Newer events such as the Austin Chocolate Festival and Spring Garden Festival add to the busy March calendar that already includes South by Southwest and the Star of Texas State Fair and Rodeo.   (more)

Summers in Austin are filled with events as unique as the city's landscape and eclectic as its people. Nearly 40,000 motorcycles roar through the streets during the 12th annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally in June. Song and dance fill Zilker Park with annual events including Ballet Under the Stars, Blues on the Green and the Zilker Summer Musical. In August, flights of the largest urban bat colony in North America reach a peak.   (more)

History records the legacies of individuals. This February, the City of Austin and Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau look at how local African-American citizens create legacies that continue to shape our history. The city's 11th annual Black History Month celebration presents a panel discussion by African-American community leaders on February 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center.   (more)

Kites soar overhead, music and art fill the city streets, cowgirls on horseback weave through barrels and runners break world records – all during the spring in Austin. From Zilker Kite Festival to the famous South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival and Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo to Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, there is an event for everyone.   (more)

An Austin holiday season wouldn’t be complete without great live music performances, a Capitol tree lighting and glowing illuminations that “keep Austin weird.” This holiday season, the city’s cultural arts organizations add to the seasonal landscape with symphonic sing-a-longs, rockin’ plays and a timeless ballet. Historic sites host traditional celebrations and grocery stores convert plazas to ice skating rinks.  (more)

The history of Austin is tightly bound to its people. This Fall, three Austin museums reflect on popular history through quilt exhibits. Featuring traditional materials, vivid colors and elaborate stitching, the quilts display a high level of personal expression and skill. Each carefully sewn piece of fabric adds a chapter to the story of a people, as they weave history and community together to create an elaborate depiction of our cultural fabric.   (more)

Carve your pumpkins, bring out the candy and don your costume; Halloween is almost upon us! Austin’s distinctive Halloween events and attractions allow everyone to celebrate at venues ranging from family-friendly carnivals to full-scale, scream-coaxing haunted houses. Austin includes live music in the festivities with sing-a-longs and holiday concerts. And the bravest revelers can even try their hand at channeling spirits of the deceased.   (more)

While the capital of Texas may be known for being just a little weird, as the city burgeons with cultural arts, sports and festivals, it is also becoming increasingly known for its world-class style.   (more)

The Live Music Capital of the World™ prepares for the fifth annual Austin City Limits Music Festival, September 15-17, with expectations of sold-out crowds in Zilker Park and an estimated $26.3 million economic impact to the city. Event organizer Capital Sports and Entertainment (CSE) reports music fans from outside of Austin purchased 60 percent of tickets this year. The festival brings approximately 40,000 visitors to the city, contributing to a sold-out weekend for Austin-area hotels.   (more)

While our neighbors to the north dig their cars out of snow banks and bundle up to head outside, Austin prepares for a warm winter of exciting events, both indoors and out. Children spin beneath a 155-foot tree of lights; sports buffs cheer the Austin Toros; friends sing along with the Austin Symphony; and families revel in a New Year’s Eve street festival.   (more)