Austin Annual Festivals

Austin, Texas, is known for its vibrant and eclectic culture. As the capital city of Texas, it is a hub for music, food, art, and outdoor activities. Festivals are an integral part of Austin’s culture, bringing people from all over the world to celebrate and experience the city’s diversity. This blog provides a list of the annual festivals in Austin, highlighting the major festivals, cultural festivals, family-friendly festivals, and food festivals.

Major Festivals in Austin

Austin City Limits Music Festival

• When: October (Two Weekends)
• Where: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
• Website: Austin City Limits
• Description: This music festival is held over two weekends in October at Zilker Park and features a diverse lineup of over 130 artists across multiple stages. The festival attracts over 450,000 attendees and showcases a variety of genres, including rock, hip-hop, country, and electronic music.

South by Southwest (SXSW)

• When: March
• Where: Various locations in Austin
• Website: SXSW
• Description: SXSW is an annual music, film, and interactive media conference and festival. It has been instrumental in launching the careers of many musicians and filmmakers and features a variety of keynote speakers, workshops, and performances.

Texas Book Festival

• When: November
• Where: Texas State Capitol, Austin, TX
• Website: Texas Book Festival
• Description: This annual festival celebrates the written word with over 300 authors in attendance. The festival features author readings, panel discussions, and book signings, as well as cooking demonstrations and a children’s area.

Austin Film Festival

• When: October
• Where: Various locations in Austin
• Website: Austin Film Festival
• Description: This festival celebrates the art of storytelling through film. It features screenings of over 200 films and showcases emerging and established filmmakers. The festival also includes panel discussions and workshops on various aspects of filmmaking.

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

• When: November
• Where: Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
• Website: Texas Monthly BBQ Fest
• Description: This festival celebrates Texas’ signature cuisine – barbecue. It features the best barbecue from around the state, along with live music and cooking demonstrations from some of Texas’ top pitmasters.

Cultural Festivals in Austin

Carnaval Brasileiro

• When: February
• Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
• Website: Carnaval Brasileiro
• Description: This festival is a celebration of Brazilian culture featuring live music, samba dancers, and traditional costumes. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in festive attire and join the celebration.

Dia de los Muertos

• When: November
• Where: Various locations in Austin
• Website: Dia de los Muertos
• Description: This Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have passed away. The festival features altars, music, and traditional Mexican food, with a parade of floats, dancers, and musicians as a main highlight.

Texas Craft Brewers Festival

• When: September
• Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St, Austin, TX 78702
• Website: Texas Craft Brewers Festival
• Description: This festival celebrates the craft beer industry in Texas, with attendees sampling over 100 different beers from over 60 Texas-based breweries. There are also live music performances and food vendors.

Juneteenth Celebration

• When: June
• Where: Various locations in Austin
• Website: Juneteenth Austin
• Description: This festival commemorates the end of slavery in Texas. It features live music, food, and cultural performances, including a parade and a historical reenactment.

Dragon Boat Festival

• When: April
• Where: Festival Beach, Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX
• Website: Austin Dragon Boat Festival
• Description: This festival celebrates Chinese culture with dragon boat races, live music, food vendors, and cultural performances. Attendees can also participate in tai chi and martial arts demonstrations.

Family-Friendly Festivals in Austin

Austin Ice Cream Festival

• When: August
• Where: Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St, Austin, TX 78702