Austin Events Calendar: August & September 2023
Check out this list for a selection of the largest annual events in Austin during August and September. For a more extensive list of daily happenings, see the searchable Events Calendar.
August 2023 Events and Festivals
Zilker Summer Musical
Zilker Hillside Theatre
Pack a picnic and come enjoy the free, annual musical at the Zilker Hillside Theatre. The outdoor theatre troupe will host performances Thursdays through Sundays beginning around 8:15 p.m.
zilker.org
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
Circuit of The Americas
Visit Rome in Austin, Texas at this unique exhibition. This special collection showcases Michelangelo's renowned ceiling frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, reproduced in a format that allows viewers to get face-to-face with the masterpieces. Journey through 34 artfully displayed reproductions to see Michelangelo's pieces from a new perspective.
sistinechapelexhibit.com
Paramount Summer Classic Film Series
The Paramount Theatre
Flashing marquee lights. Buttery popcorn. Colossal screen. It’s that movie palace atmosphere, an air-conditioned oasis. THIS is how movies were meant to be seen. The Annual Paramount Summer Classic Film Series presented by CapMetro returns in May. New films will be announced each month.
austintheatre.org
Hot Summer Nights
Red River Cultural District
Each summer, 20 venues throughout the Red River Cultural District host four days of free live music, alongside local food and vendors. Local acts like Golden Dawn Arkestra, Emily Wolfe, Moving Panoramas, Ringo Deathstarr and more have taken over stages in past years to celebrate summer in the Live Music Capital of the World®.
redriverculturaldistrict.org
The Drop-In Summer Concert Series
Long Center
ACL Radio & The Long Center teamed up to bring you a free weekly concert series on the Long Center lawn all summer long. The event features a diverse lineup of Austin’s favorite and emerging artists in the heart of downtown.
thelongcenter.org
Austin Pride Parade & Festival
Fiesta Gardens
Celebrated during Austin Pride Month each August, don’t miss this giant parade down Congress Avenue during the largest annual LGBTQI advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas.
austinpride.org
Drag for All
Parish
Drag for All is an all ages drag show hosted by some of Austin's favorite drag queens. Bring the whole family for incredible performances and a dance party DJ set by Ruby Knight. There will be craft cocktails for the adults by local Desert Door distillery.
parish.com
aGLIFF (All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival)
Virtual & In-Person
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
The Front Fest
Various Locations
The Front Fest is an end-of-summer festival, featuring performances, films and creative experiences putting Texas women and LGBTQ+ creatives of all kinds at the front of our lineups.
futurefronttexas.org
PBR Team Series - Austin Gambler Days
Moody Center
An action-packed team bull riding competition features the most exciting 8 seconds in sports featuring some of the world's best bull riders and the local Austin Gamblers.
austingamblers.com
Austin Summer Carnival
The Venue ATX
A samba dance party celebrating African heritage and Brazilian, Latin and Caribbean music with DJs, guest musicians and plenty of spectacular costumes.
austinsummercarnival.com
Bat Fest
Congress Avenue Bridge
Celebrate this batty event as the world's largest urban bat colony (1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats which take up seasonal residence beneath the Ann Richard's Congress Street Bridge) take to the skies for their nightly flight. Enjoy live music, children activities, a costume contest and more.
roadwayevents.com
ATX Black Food Week
Local Restaurants & Food Trucks
Austin Justice Coalition hosts the annual ATX Black Food Week, celebrating food, drinks and community empowerment. Support local, Black-owned restaurants for two weeks, plus a full week dedicated to food trucks. Learn about the history of Austin while supporting the businesses that make this city feel like home.
austinjustice.org
September 2023 Events and Festivals
Free Day of Yoga
Various Locations
All day long, participating studios across the Austin area offer free classes as an opportunity for every age and fitness level.
freedayofyoga.com
Zilker Relays
Zilker Park
The Zilker Relays is a 10-mile team race. Each participant runs a 2.5 mile loop from one central festival/transition area. The team concept of the Zilker Relays is not unique, but the combination of a relay, festival home base, drinks and music, make this experience a favorite for runners of all calibers and ages.
zilkerrelays.com
Field of Light
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Debuting at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center this fall, Bruce Munro’s Field of Light is an immersive exhibition that explores the intersection of art, technology and nature.
wildflower.org/field-of-light
Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Far Out Lounge & Stage
If you wanna beat the heat this summer then you gotta eat the heat! Join the Austin Chronicle for one of the world's largest hot sauce festivals, with categories ranging from local restaurants to commercial bottlers.
austinchronicle.com
HAAM Benefit Day
Venues Throughout the City
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) hosts an annual, citywide benefit to raise support for local musicians. For one day, hundreds of local music showcases and concerts will take place, featuring many of your favorite local musicians.
myhaam.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
Fall Pecan Street Festival
Historic Sixth Street
The Pecan Street Festival is a free, bi-annual juried music, arts and crafts festival. The 2020 festival will be entirely virtual, allowing for the opportunity to expand the event from one weekend to a much longer stretch of programming – providing more opportunity for public engagement with vendors, artists, musicians and other special guests.
pecanstreetfestival.org
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
Fantastic Fest
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
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 around the world.
fantasticfest.com
Sketch Fest
Austin Scottish Rite Theater
Austin Sketch Fest showcases the best scripted comedy from Austin and the wilderness beyond. Produced, booked, and organized by ColdTowne Theater, this year's festival features over 20 headliners from all around the US.
atxsketchfest.com
Blended Festival
Circuit of the Americas
This wine-centric event will feature culinary stations, craft cocktails and live music household names in pop, country and EDM.
blendedfestival.com