Austin Events & Things to Do: Live Music, Sixth Street, Festivals & Outdoor Fun

Quick answer: The best things to do in Austin include seeing live music on 6th Street, Red River, and South Congress, watching the Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, eating your way through Austin's legendary barbecue scene, and catching big events like ACL Fest, SXSW, and the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. Spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) are the most comfortable times to visit.

Searching for things to do in Austin, Texas today, this weekend, or with kids? The Live Music Capital of the World has shows every night on Sixth Street, Rainey Street, and South Congress, plus world-famous festivals like ACL Fest and SXSW. By day, swim at Barton Springs Pool, paddle Lady Bird Lake, tour the Texas State Capitol, watch the Congress Avenue bats at sunset, and eat your way through Texas barbecue and tacos.

What Is There to Do in Austin?

Austin offers far more than its famous music scene. All year long, visitors can find concerts, festivals, sporting events, comedy shows, food and drink experiences, outdoor adventures, sightseeing tours, and family activities across the city.

Want to know what's happening during your visit? Explore our listings to find upcoming events and experiences for your travel dates.

Quick Links: Austin Tours & Activities • Austin Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises • Austin Food, Wine & Nightlife • Austin Food Tours

Where Can You See Live Music in Austin?

Live music is the heartbeat of Austin. On any night of the week, you can find everything from small-club shows to arena tours.

6th Street is Austin's best-known nightlife district, packed with live music venues, bars, and late-night food. The Red River Cultural District is the go-to spot for indie and rock shows. South Congress (SoCo) mixes music with vintage shops, boutiques, and iconic Austin photo spots. For bigger tours, the Moody Center hosts major concerts and comedy shows throughout the year.

Explore: Austin Sightseeing Tours • 6th Street Tours & Tickets • Congress Avenue Bridge (South Congress Bridge) Tours & Tickets

What Are the Biggest Festivals and Events in Austin?

Austin's event calendar is one of the busiest in the country. These are the big ones to plan around:

• Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest): Two weekends of music in Zilker Park. In 2026, it runs October 2–4 and October 9–11.
• Formula 1 United States Grand Prix: The race weekend at Circuit of the Americas is October 22–25, 2026.
• SXSW: Austin's famous music, film, and tech conference and festival takes over the city every March. The 2026 edition ran March 12–18.
• Rodeo Austin: Rodeo action, concerts, carnival rides, and a fair. It returns March 12–27, 2027.

Hotels fill up fast and prices climb during these weekends, so book tickets and lodging early.

Find Tickets: Austin Seasonal & Special Occasions • Austin Convention Center Tours & Tickets • Austin Paramount Theatre Tours & Tickets

What Are the Best Outdoor Things to Do in Austin?

Austin is a surprisingly outdoorsy city, with water, trails, and green space right in the middle of town.

• Barton Springs Pool: A three-acre, spring-fed pool in Zilker Park that stays around 68–70 degrees all year.
• Lady Bird Lake: Rent a kayak or paddleboard, or walk and bike the trail with downtown skyline views.
• Congress Avenue Bridge bats: From late March through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population lives under the bridge and flies out at dusk. Watch from the bridge or book a sunset bat kayak tour.
• Hamilton Pool Preserve: A stunning natural grotto west of town. Reservations are required every day.

Explore: Austin Kayak & Bat Tours • Congress Avenue Bridge (South Congress Bridge) Tours & Tickets • Lady Bird Lake Tours & Tickets

Where Should You Eat in Austin?

Austin is one of America's great food cities. It's famous for Texas barbecue, breakfast tacos, Tex-Mex, food trucks, and a growing craft beer and cocktail scene.

A guided food tour is one of the easiest ways to try several iconic spots in one afternoon, especially if you're short on time or want to skip the famously long BBQ lines.

Explore: Austin Food & BBQ Tours • Austin Outdoor Activities • Austin Wine Tasting & Winery Tours

Austin Sports Events & Game Day

Austin is a serious sports town. You can catch:

• Texas Longhorns football at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. College game days in the fall are some of the biggest crowds in the state.
• Austin FC, the city's MLS team, at Q2 Stadium, known for its sellout crowds and loud, passionate atmosphere since the club's first season in 2021.
• Motorsports at Circuit of the Americas, including Formula 1, NASCAR, and MotoGP.

Find Tickets: Austin Art & Culture • Texas Capitol Tours & Tickets • Texas Governor's Mansion Tours & Tickets

What Are the Best Things to See in Downtown Austin?

Downtown Austin puts many of the city's top sights within walking distance.

The Texas State Capitol offers free guided tours, and its grounds are among the most photographed spots in the city. From there, you can walk down Congress Avenue to the river, explore museums, shop on South Congress, or catch a show in the evening. Getting to town is easy too, since Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 7.5 miles from downtown.

Explore: South Congress Avenue (SoCo) Tours & Tickets • Austin Kayaking & Canoeing • Bullock Texas State History Museum Tours & Tickets

Day Trips From Austin: Hill Country, Wineries & San Antonio

Some of the best experiences are just outside the city.

The Texas Hill Country is known for rolling scenery, swimming holes, small towns, and a fast-growing wine region centered around Fredericksburg. Lake Travis is a favorite for boating and lakeside dining. San Antonio, home of the Alamo and the River Walk, is an easy guided day trip from Austin.

Explore: Day Trips From Austin • Austin Beer & Brewery Tours • Texas State Cemetery Tours & Tickets

Things to Do in Austin With Kids

Traveling with kids? Austin has plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities, including swimming at Barton Springs, kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, watching the bats at sunset, touring the State Capitol, visiting museums, and cheering at sporting events.

Families can mix outdoor adventures with entertainment and educational experiences to build a trip everyone will enjoy.

Explore: Barton Springs Tours & Tickets • Lady Bird Lake Tours & Tickets • Austin Sightseeing Tickets & Passes

Free Things to Do in Austin

• Congress Avenue Bridge bats: North America's largest urban bat colony flies out at dusk from spring to fall.
• Texas State Capitol: Free guided and self-guided tours of the pink granite capitol.
• Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail: A 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake.
• Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Greenbelt: Hiking, swimming holes, and picnic lawns.

Things to Do in Austin for Adults & Couples

• Rainey Street bars: Bungalows turned into patio bars near downtown.
• Honky-tonk dancing at the Broken Spoke: A classic Texas dance hall.
• Hill Country wineries: Fredericksburg and the Wine Road 290 are day-trip favorites.
• Shows at ACL Live and the Continental Club: Big names and local legends.

Things to Do in Austin This Weekend & Today

An Austin weekend usually means barbecue, a swim at Barton Springs or on the lake, and live music at night. Check dates for ACL Fest in October and SXSW in March, when hotels fill up and prices jump.

Browse Now: Austin Tours & Activities • Austin Seasonal & Special Occasions • Austin Food, Wine & Nightlife • Austin Sightseeing

Popular Austin Questions

What are the best free things to do in Austin?

Free favorites in Austin include Congress Avenue Bridge bats, Texas State Capitol, Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, and Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. See the free things to do section above for details.

What are the best things to do in Austin for adults and couples?

Popular picks for adults and couples in Austin include Rainey Street bars, honky-tonk dancing at the Broken Spoke, Hill Country wineries, and shows at ACL Live and the Continental Club.

When is the best time to visit Austin?

Spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) bring the most comfortable weather and the biggest events, including SXSW, Rodeo Austin, ACL Fest, and the Formula 1 race weekend. Summers are hot, making them ideal for Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, and Lake Travis.

When is ACL Fest 2026?

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 takes place over two weekends, October 2–4 and October 9–11, at Zilker Park.

When is the Formula 1 race in Austin?

The 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is October 22–25, 2026, at Circuit of the Americas.

When can you see the bats in Austin?

The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are in Austin from late March through early fall. They emerge around sunset, and the best viewing is typically in spring and late summer.

Do you need a reservation for Hamilton Pool?

Yes. Travis County requires reservations every day to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve, so book online before you go.

Is the Texas State Capitol free to visit?

Yes. The Texas State Capitol offers free guided tours Monday through Saturday, and self-guided visits are free too.

What is there to do in Austin this weekend?

Browse Austin tours and activities for food tours, bat cruises, Hill Country day trips, and more you can book for your dates.

Explore Nearby

• San Antonio Events & Things to Do
• Dallas Events & Things to Do

Plan Your Austin Trip

Austin is a city you can experience differently every time you visit. See live music on 6th Street and Red River, swim at Barton Springs, watch the bats over Lady Bird Lake, cheer on the Longhorns or Austin FC, feast on Texas barbecue, or escape to the Hill Country for wine and scenery.

Start exploring Austin with Get Your Ticket and discover your next concert, festival, tour, or adventure.

Keep Exploring Texas: Texas Tours & Activities • Texas Tours & Sightseeing