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The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to COTA for the first time since 2020. This round, the lone stateside affair in 2024, runs for six hours on Sunday after qualifying takes place on Saturday. WEC races feature two distinct classes of cars, with sports prototypes making up the high-octane Hypercar class and souped-up vehicles closer resembling what you’d see on the road contesting LMGT3. Toyota has won the past three Hypercar manufacturers’ championships, but Porsche is slightly ahead in the current standings with only three rounds remaining. Three-day, general admission tickets are just $69. – Derek Udensi

They say cactus and succulents are the hardest plants to kill. Well, “they” haven’t met my intensely black thumb. But even avowed plant-murderers like myself can enjoy the beauty in these spiky survivalist seedlings. And luckily, Austin Cactus & Succulent Society has all the tips and tricks to help turn the most cursed gardener into Mother Nature herself. At their Fall Show there will be heaps of advice for cultivation, along with gorgeous specimens and handcrafted pottery for sale. Short on funds? Try your hand at the hourly raffles for plant prizes. Admission also comes with entrance into the Zilker Botanical Garden, so make a horticultural holiday out of this annual event. – Cat McCarrey

Back in my day, we had Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog to explain safety to us. At this safety fair, the Chick-fil-A cow will be present – maybe to explain how to keep cows safe by exclusively patronizing chicken restaurants, maybe just for fun. Kiddos will also get to climb aboard and explore first responder vehicles and meet reps from Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS. Start the school year by letting them meet the folks who aim to keep them safe, plus get a chance at the scooter/skateboard giveaway while supplies last, along with refreshments. Stop by from 10am to 2pm. – Kat McNevins

There’s increasingly popular all the time fairy smut, and then there’s fairy strutting your stuff at a Fae Ball. For fellow fans of Sarah J. Maas’ massive Maasiverse and the like, this ball offers a taste of your bookish daydreams in the waking world. Attendees are to dress in their high fantasy best, and partake in High Tea and supper alongside romantasy authors including Amber V. Nicole (The Book of Azrael), Tracy Wolff (Crave), and Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Assistant to the Villain). Over the weekend, there will be discussion of romance tropes, karaoke, fantasy trivia, and many hours of dancing. – Maggie Quinlan

Test your horror & thriller cinema knowledge with a mag that’s “First in Fright.” Fangoria offers tempting prizes for those who know their scary stuff – like official Fangoria merch and other creepy tchotchkes. Follow that up with a screening of cult classic Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge. This Richard Friedman-directed feature stands within a holy catalog, aka horror movies that take place in malls. Not a terribly long catalog, TBH, which is probably why this movie and Chopping Mall were shot in the same shopping mega-center. The more you know! – James Scott

Before you ask: Yes, this is going to be a screening of the Disney dub. But Ghibli features often deliver pretty good English casts, and Kiki’s is no exception. A young Kirsten Dunst glows in her portrayal of a witch coming of age in her new seaside home – out on her own for the first time ever. As Ursula, the older artist who eventually becomes Kiki’s friend and confidante, Janeane Garofalo cements the character as both a lifelong crush and role model for many a generation. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a painter in denim cut-offs and tank top who lives in a forest cabin with crows? The standout is, of course, SNL alum Phil Hartman as Jiji, the black cat who serves as both Kiki’s familiar and her best friend. His voice work conveys a world weariness funneled through quips: never frustrated with his young owner, only gently concerned. A perfect movie for parents and kids that’ll leave everyone feeling a little seen. – James Scott

A special program for visitors ages 0-3 and their families, providing caregivers and early learners the chance to experience the children's museum together. Thinkery will host two storytimes and free play that support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of the earliest learners.

This program from the city of Austin, run by Farmshare Austin, has opened new market locations. There are now six weekly markets around town that sell Texas-grown produce, eggs, honey, and other groceries all at reduced prices. Most major cards are accepted at these markets and if you are a SNAP customer, you can also use your Lone Star card and Double Up Food Bucks. Locations and schedules are subject to change, so check the current info online to find one near you.

A nighttime shotgun-style nine-hole round made more fun and challenging with glow-in-the-dark balls.

Who doesn’t want to build up their CV in these trying times? Or perhaps you just want to fill your free time with something other than TikTok? Or maybe you want a behind-the-scenes, hands-on tour of Austin’s best place for sustainable craft supplies? Whatever reason you’ve got, it’s a good time to volunteer for Austin Creative Reuse’s Summer of Service program. Opportunities are abundant, with group projects like fabric rolling, dog toy making, or Funky Fabric Friday – that’s when they process all the weird stuff like purple faux fur or bright yellow vinyl. Sign up on austincreativereuse.org, complete 30 volunteering hours, and earn your Summer of Service certificate. Beats losing eight hours to ASMR slime-scoop videos, I’ll tell you what. – James Scott