Art thrives in Austin. It's apparent in our world-class museums. rocking music scene and growing film presence. Whether you are looking to view a curated collection or marvel in the stories behind street murals, Austin is a destination for creators and art lovers alike. With arts events happening almost monthly in the capital city, you'll likely have a chance to experience some of Austin's creative soul and spirit while you're in town. Plan your next trip around one of these top art fairs and festivals.

Spring

Austin International Poetry Festival
Various Locations
Poets from around the world, country and all of Texas gather for four days of virtual performances, readings and workshops during the Austin International Poetry Festival. AIPF provides an inclusive, diverse, multi-generational environment welcoming the broadest possible audience of poets and non-poets alike in appreciation of the spoken and written word.
aipf.org

Austin Reggae Fest 
Auditorium Shores 
The Austin Reggae Festival raises money for the Capital Area Food Bank through three days of fun-filled reggae music from around the world. The fest also features more than 50 vendors selling food and art, and that's a great reason to plan a weekend road trip.
austinreggaefest.com

Eeyore's Annual Birthday Party
Pease Park
Live music, local beer, food, acrobats and costume contests surround this annual gathering of Austin's most eclectic locals. Eeyore's Birthday serves as fundraiser to benefit many local non-profits. 
eeyores.org

Fusebox Festival
Various Locations
Fusebox is a hybrid arts festival that champions adventurous works of art in theater, dance, film, music, literature, visual and culinary arts. The festival takes place over 5 days in venues and locations all over the city. Hundreds of local, national and international artists across all disciplines converge for one of the most unique cultural events in the country. 
fuseboxfestival.com

OUTsider Fest
Various Locations
OUTsider is an Austin-based transmedia nonprofit that celebrates the bold originality and creative nonconformity of the LGBTQ+ communities through the presentation of provocative, overlooked and out-of-the-box film, dance, theater, performance art, music, writing and visual art.
outsiderfest.org

Spring Pecan Street Festival
Historic Sixth Street
The Pecan Street Festival is a free two-day arts festival held twice yearly in downtown Austin’s Sixth Street Historic District. Taking place the first Saturday & Sunday in May and the last Saturday & Sunday in September, the juried festival attracts hundreds of local and national artisans offering original handcrafted creations in a variety of mediums, from metal, wood, fiber, clay, leather, glass and stone to repurposed materials of all kinds.
pecanstreetfestival.org

SXSW® Music, Film and Interactive Conference and Festival
Austin Convention Center & Downtown Austin
Every spring, crowds descend on downtown Austin to experience the world-renowned SXSW Conference & Festivals. Consisting of three main components, Interactive, Music and Film, each track brings top creatives and global professionals together to collaborate during this exciting 10-day event.
sxsw.com

Summer

African American Book Festival
George Washington Carver Center
This free literary event showcases new works by and about African Americans. Notable speakers and authors will discuss their works and facilitate conversations.
aaabookfest.com

aGLIFF (All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival)
Various Locations
aGLIFF is the oldest and largest gay and lesbian film fest in the Southwest and the largest LGBTQI+ cultural event in Austin. The event will offer feature and short films showcasing the diverse experiences of Queer people.
agliff.org

ATX Television Festival
Various Locations
ATX Television Festival is a celebration of all things TV with a weekend of panels, screenings and parties. Hang out with your favorite past and present sitcom heroes at this star-studded festival.
atxfestival.com

Carnaval Brasileiro 
Emo's
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. 
sambaparty.com

Cine Las Americas International Film Festival 
Various Locations 
The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival focuses on contemporary film and video from Latin America (North, Central, South America and the Caribbean) and the Iberian Peninsula. Documentaries, films and videos are made by and about Latinos living in the U.S. and around the world. The festival also features several films and videos about the indigenous communities of the Americas.
cinelasamericas.org

Fall

Annual Dia de los Muertos​ Exhibition
Mexic-Arte Museum
Hosted by the Mexic-Arte Museum, the long-running annual Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition pays tribute to the tradition that celebrates the return of the dead by their families and friends.
mexic-artemuseumevents.org

Austin Film Festival
Various Locations
Recognized as one of the top film festivals in the country, Austin Film Festival shines the spotlight on top-billed films and indies, along with a renowned conference that focuses on screenwriting.
austinfilmfestival.com

Austin Museum Day 
Museums Across Austin 
Organized by the Austin Museum Partnership, this special day features free exhibitions and activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural sites.
austinmuseums.org

Chingona Fest Texas
Hops & Grain Brewing
Chingona Fest Texas was created to unite fellow chingonas through music, food and art, while supporting the advancement of young women of color.
chingonafestatx.com

Crowd on the street at the Spring Pecan Street FestivalPecan Street Festival. Credit Manya Pandya Photography.

Fall Pecan Street Festival
Historic Sixth Street
The Pecan Street Festival is a free two-day arts festival held twice yearly in downtown Austin’s Sixth Street Historic District. Taking place the first Saturday & Sunday in May and the last Saturday & Sunday in September, the juried festival attracts hundreds of local and national artisans offering original handcrafted creations in a variety of mediums, from metal, wood, fiber, clay, leather, glass and stone to repurposed materials of all kinds.
pecanstreetfestival.org

Illfest
Circuit of The Americas
ILLfest features masters of their craft in electronic music and visual arts. This two-day festival is Austin's largest electronic dance festival showcasing over 50 artists and the largest collection of murals and street art in the state.
illfest.com

Texas Book Festival
Texas State Capitol
The Texas Book Festival has evolved into one of the premier literary events in the country and hosts about 250 authors each year. More than 40,000 book lovers of all ages attend the Festival annually, enjoying readings, panel discussions, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, YA authors, children's activities and exhibiting vendors from across the state.
texasbookfestival.org

¡VIVA Mexico!
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center will host its annual Viva México celebration to showcase visual art, dance and musical performances that explore Mexico’s history through cultural art traditions.
maccaustin.org

Shoppers at Rick Van Dykes booth at Armadillo Christmas Bazaar in austin texasArmadillo Christmas Bazaar. Credit Jennifer M Ramos.

Winter

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Palmer Events Center
This holiday shopping bazaar is a fun, authentic Austin experience – for 11 days leading to Christmas, visitors can shop national and local art, handmade gifts, stocking stuffers and more while enjoying live music from the Armadillo stage and sips from a full bar. This annual tradition and cultural icon is one of Austin’s longest running art and music festivals, attracting around 40,000 shoppers each year.
armadillobazaar.com

Art From the Streets Studio Tour & Sale
Austin Convention Center
Tour the new Art From the Streets (AFTS) studio and shop original works, all while helping continue the efforts of AFTS to provide a safe, creative space for homeless and formerly homeless local artists. Profits go to the artists.
artfromthestreets.org

Austin Fashion Week
The Domain
The annual Austin Fashion Week, hosted by Fashion by Texas, returns this December for in-person, outdoor runway shows. More details to be announced later in the year.
fashionbyevents.com

Austin Powwow
Travis County Expo Center
For more than 25 years the Austin Powwow is the largest of its kind in Texas, featuring American Indian dancing, singing, arts & crafts and food.
austinpowwow.net

Woman looking at artwork during East Austin Studio Tour in austin texasAustin Studio Tour. Courtesy of Big Medium.

Austin Studio Tour
Studios Across Austin
The Austin Studio Tour is a free, self-guided art event that combines the West Austin Studio Tour and East Austin Studio Tour to provide opportunities for artists all over Austin to connect with each other and for the public to experience art safely both in person and virtually​.
bigmedium.org

​Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a fixture of the Austin holiday season. With in-person and virtual shopping alternatives, shoppers can browse thousands of original works ranging from serious art to fun and kitschy items from November through December. A great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists.
bluegenieartbazaar.com

German-Texan Heritage Society Christmas Market
German Free School of Austin
The German-Texan Heritage Society's annual market offers shoppers handmade, imported crafts, decorations, ornaments and more. Browse the market, listen to traditional German Christmas music and take home Christmas Stollen made by the New World Bakery and German cookies from Silke’s German Gourmet Cookies.
germantexans.org

Check out our events calendar for more events happening in Austin while you're in town.