Kerrville Folk Festival
May 21 – June 7, Quiet Valley Ranch
The oldest music festival in Texas returns for three weekends of pickin’ and strummin’ in the Hill Country. Several Austin acts will make the two-hour trek, including country trio Next of Kin, Latina sister group the Tiarras, psychedelic rockers Bright Light Social Hour, and Americana quintet West Texas Exiles.
The Drop-In Music Series
May 21 – August 13, The Long Center
Summery surprises await every Thursday late May through early August at the Long Center’s Drop-In music series. The outdoor concert organizers will announce 2026’s local artist lineup in early May, and reveal specific performers weekly. No matter who’s playing, these free, family-friendly evenings are always a treat.
Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series
May 22 – August, Paramount Theatre, Hyperreal Film Club, and State Theatre
Austin movie lovers’ favorite rite of summer – over 50 years running – will look a little different this year once the Paramount’s long-awaited renovation project kicks off mid-June. Never fear: They’ll still be screening classic films, only at other venues, like the State Theatre and Hyperreal Film Club (the cuties on our cover!).
Austin Greek Festival
May 22-24, Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
Live the Greek life with lively music to dance to, delicious cuisine to try, and stunning Byzantine art to take in on a tour of the church. Note that the fest is cashless this year, and a portion of proceeds goes to Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
ATX TV Festival
May 28-31, Downtown Austin
Among the many treats at this year’s fest, which celebrates TV and the community found in TV fandom, is a 20-year reunion event gathering cast and crew of iconic Austin production Friday Night Lights. All together now: Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!
The Austin Record Convention
May 30-31, Palmer Events Center
With the resurgence of vinyl, digging for rare finds or good deals is increasingly difficult. Luckily, for two days a year, record sellers from all over come to town to showcase their wares. Whether you’re investing in physical art or just looking for that jam from back in the day, you’ll leave with something worth spinning.
Moonlight Margarita Run
June 4, Auditorium Shores
Motivation comes in many forms, but few are as satisfyingly salted and tartly tasty as a Maudie’s margarita. Benefiting the Trail Conservancy, this twilight 5K run laps Lady Bird Lake and ends with a Tex-Mex toast and snacks.
Monster Jam
June 6-7, Moody Center
Gas prices be damned, these four-wheeled behemoths are raring to go. Watch them flip, fly, and zoom around in the dirt with no shortage of fanfare. For a little extra scratch you can get some face time with the drivers and the vehicles themselves. We’re pretty sure the latter don’t bite.
The Majestic Ball
June 6, Paramount Theatre
For the fifth year, Paramount’s historic stage is given over to Central Texas’ ballroom legends, newcomers, and special guests (Shea Couleé!) for a celebration of queer BIPOC culture through performances and a special ball they brag is the biggest in the Lone Star State.
Big Ole Queer Market
June 6-7, Palmer Events Center
Austin becomes home to Texas’ biggest LGBTQ vendor market this June with over 100 queer artists, small businesses, and more under one roof so you can shop the rainbow this Pride Month.
31st Annual Austin Pond Tour
June 6-7, various locations
Hop like a frog leaping lily pads to this ticketed tour through Austin ponds and gardens, brought to you by the Austin Pond Society. This year’s tour promises both new entries and classic ponds.
Blues on the Green
June 9-10, Zilker Park
Though it shortened its span from a summerlong series to a few days in the park, Blues on the Green has maintained its mission of delivering free, family-friendly live music to Austin for years. Alejandro Escovedo and Brownout headline.
Austin FC Soccer Celebration
June 11-12, Auditorium Shores
The city may not be hosting any World Cup matches, but Austin FC is reminding the community that it can still get in on the fun. During the first two days of the world’s largest sporting event, the local club is hosting Austinites at Auditorium Shores for an outdoor watch party.
25th Annual Soul 2 Sole Tap Festival
June 19-20, Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center
After 25 years bringing master artists, emerging talents, and tap enjoyers together, this year’s celebration of the dance form marks its final bow after NEA funding cuts postponed 2025’s event.
Austin Chamber Music Festival
June 19 – July 26, various locations
Our Austin Chamber Music Center highlights the local, international, and emerging world of chamber music artists with concerts throughout the summer – keeping the historic medium alive and cool even in our hottest season.
Central Texas Juneteenth Parade
June 19, Rosewood Neighborhood Park
On June 19, 1865 – two years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation – word hit Galveston, Texas, that slavery had been abolished. This annual Freedom Day celebration marches through Austin’s historic Rosewood neighborhood, while vendors, food, and entertainment light up the adjoining festival in Rosewood Park.
A$AP Rocky
June 19, Moody Center
Delays, leaks, and a 2025 trial: Fans of A$AP Rocky had to wait nearly eight years for his follow-up to TESTING. His new album, Don’t Be Dumb, features the flamboyant Harlem native incorporating a variety of sounds – and a Drake diss (“STOLE YA FLOW”).
Pride Market
June 20-21, Distribution Hall
Here, queer, and bustling with local queer businesses, makers, and more, the Little Gay Shop’s market offers not only shopping but also DJs, drag photo shoots, and food vendors to fuel your wallet-emptying.
Tiny Desk Contest On the Road
June 24, Emo’s
Not since the invention of the smartphone has something so small had such a big impact. NPR’s beloved live music series gets a little less tiny as it hits stages across America. The shows feature the 2026 winner of the Tiny Desk Contest, with local acts filling out the bill.
Austin Asian American Film Festival
June 24-28, AFS Cinema
AAAFF hasn’t yet announced this year’s lineup, but you can confidently expect to see the vanguard of new Asian and Asian American cinema represented here, alongside thoughtful filmmaker talks and scintillating post-screening lobby chats.
Summer of Friendship Festival
June 26, the Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria
On the gorgeous grounds of Laguna Gloria, scoot your boots with Double or Nothing Two-Step, belt out some tunes with Big Bad Karaoke, and enjoy gourmet hot dogs from Zee’s Weiner System. BYO friends or make new ones!
Austin African American Book Festival
June 27, George Washington Carver Library and Museum
For 20 years, Dr. Rosalind “Roz” Oliphant-Jones and her team have been celebrating the history and future of African American literature with authors from Austin and across the nation. Readers of all ages and interests will find engaging readings and thought-provoking programming all day long.
Pride Picnic
June 27, Pease Park
Colorful vendors, lively local music, tasty snacks, field games, creative crafts, and helpful resources – Pride Picnic in Pease Park has it all. Relish in community fun under the sun at this free, family-friendly celebration.
Bob Dylan
June 29, Moody Amphitheater
Increasingly obscuring himself behind a piano, the 85-year-old will bring his latest original material, covers, recomposed hits, and his everlasting strangeness to the intimate Austin amphitheater stage. Americana icon Lucinda Williams and the John Doe Folk Trio will open.
Star Spangled Fest
July 4, Vic Mathias Shores
Get your stars and stripes spangled-as-heck with the Austin Symphony Orchestra as they score the tradition presented by H-E-B. Oh, and also this country’s turning 250, which would be something to celebrate if circumstances were slightly different. At least there’ll be fireworks!
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
July 4, Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Join the Red-Headed Stranger for the picnic he started way back in 1973, this year wishing America a happy birthday out by the racetrack along with Billy Strings, Wilco, Sheryl Crow, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, and more.
Zilker Summer Musical: Singin’ in the Rain
July 10 – August 15, Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater
Zilker Theatre Productions offers as their 67th summer musical the legendary tale of silent pictures turning talkie with the iconic show tunes belted in the Zilker greenspace.
& Juliet
July 14-19, Bass Concert Hall
Everyone knows Juliet ends her life with Romeo at the end of their tragic romance, but what this jukebox musical presupposes is: What if she didn’t? Presented by Texas Performing Arts’ Broadway in Austin series, this Shakespearean reimagining comes from Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read.
Hot Summer Nights
July 16-18, Red River Cultural District
This all-free, all-local mini-festival packs concertgoers into Downtown clubs during the hottest part of the year to a) give musicians a paying gig, b) ensure our beloved Red River Cultural District stays in business, and c) remind us of all the great music being made in our own backyard.
Classic Game Fest
July 24-26, Palmer Events Center
Can’t afford all those pricey new video games? The folks at CGF encourage you to look back at the great interactive art of the past with vendors, music, retro game-makers, and more fun. Be ready to walk out with all manner of Mario, Sonic, or even Bubsy trinkets.
Summer Stock Austin: Newsies
July 31 – August 9, McCullough Theatre
Catch one of 10 rousing performances of the musical based on the hit Disney film from 1992, which itself was inspired by the true story of the 1899 newsboys strike that led to changes in the way newspaper sellers were compensated.
Leagues Cup
August 6-13, Q2 Stadium
Austin FC faces Club Puebla, Club Tijuana, and México’s most storied franchise, Club América, in league play for the summertime competition pitting Liga MX against last season’s MLS Cup Playoffs participants. The tournament’s top three teams will qualify for next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Austin Sketch Fest
August 14-16 & 21-23, various locations
Hee and haw your way through Austin’s celebration of the sketch comedy art form with local and national artists lighting up marquees wherever good jokes are found.
PCX: Pop Culture Expo
August 15-16, Fairmont Austin
This pop-culture expo promises to be the ultimate in nerdery for Austinites with panels, a packed artist’s alley, and plenty of big guest gets like Buffy alums James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter.
Come From Away
August 19 – September 27, the Topfer at Zach
Inspired by true events following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, this play follows the passengers stranded by airplanes grounded in Newfoundland town Gander and the citizens who welcomed them.
PBR Gambler Days
August 21-23, Moody Center
Your local bronco busters host this three-day soiree with the whole PBR roster in the house to see who comes out on top. It’s a great time to be a Gambler fan with lots of entertainment to go along with the top-notch bull riding on center stage.
Austin Pride Parade and Festival
August 22, Fiesta Gardens and Downtown
The floats, the drag, the rainbow cowboy hats: All the iconic elements of Austin’s Pride will be bursting from both the festival grounds as well as the procession down Congress.
Ballet Austin’s Free Day of Dance
August, Ballet Austin
Every year at the tail-end of summer, Ballet Austin welcomes the community to check out its many dance class offerings for the low, low price of zero dollars. Sign up for hip-hop, line dance, tap, ballet, or whatever inspires you to get your feet moving.
Le Garage Sale
August 29-30, Palmer Events Center
As a French article always implies, this garage sale has a fancy side. Independent boutiques and local brands showcase curated clothing and wares at this semi-annual shopping spree.
Austin Train Show
August 29-30, Palmer Events Center
Trains in the U.S. might not have the cachet they have in other parts of the world, but this gathering of miniature rail aficionados will remind you why they’re so cool. See vendors, talks, contests, and a bevy of jaw-dropping models to keep you chugging along.
Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
August 30
Stock up on milk and ice cream ahead of this capsaicin celebration as your very own Chronicle rounds up the best and spiciest sauces to tantalize your tastebuds. Your ears get in on the tingling action, too, as fire live music makes this the hottest happenin’ in town.
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This article appears in May 15 • 2026.