One of the reasons Austin is such a popular place is that there is always something going on. All year round there are tons of music festivals, charity fundraisers and generally fun events going on throughout the Central Texas area. Here are just a few of the great festivals that will be taking place this summer in Central Texas. Make sure to check out each event’s website to confirm the exact dates.
June
Rot Rally
Austin, TX
Republic of Texas Biker Rally, or ROT Rally, is the largest “turnstile” motorcycle rally in the USA and one of the most highly-anticipated motorcycle events in the entire country. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Central Texas to enjoy amazing motorcycles, Austin nightlife and the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
www.rotrally.com
Soul To Sole Festival
Austin, TX
This one-of-a-kind, Austintatious festival brings swingin’ jazz and hundreds of feet keeping time to the pulse of this wonderful and indigenous American art form.
www.tapestry.org
Warp Speed Ahead!
Austin, TX
This regional weaving and fiber event will feature a vendor area, exhibits, demonstrations and weave-in that are free and open to the public. It’s the 21st Century! Come Fly With Us! Yes, it could be with your flying shuttle, or you might need to fly to get to the conference! Perhaps you will be flying on a creativity high! At any rate, we hope you will SAVE THE DATE for what’s sure to be a fabulous time with great teachers, old friend and new ideas.
www.weavetexas.org
July
Fourth of July Fireworks & Symphony
Austin, TX
The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over Lady Bird Lake.
www.austinsymphony.org
4th of July Parade
Cedar Park, TX
Come celebrate with us and enjoy a dance with live music, bingo, a washer tournament, air castles, free watermelon and a fireworks display. Fees apply for food concessions, face painting, carnival games, hamster balls, super slide, quad jump, spinner ride and rock wall.
www.cedarparktexas.gov
Bastille Day Festival
Austin, TX
Each year, thousands of Austinites join the fun to celebrate Bastille Day with live music, dancing, silent auctions, food, face-painting and more!
www.afaustin.org
Hats Off For Hospice Featuring Bob Schneider
Kyle, TX
Hats Off For Hospice will be hosting Bob Schneider on April 12, 2015 at Texas Old Town in Kyle. This special family event has helped to raise money for Dream A Dream, a wish granting program for our hospice patients and families. Wishes have ranged from special vacations, family portraits, hot air balloon rides, fishing trips, limousine rides and more!
www.facebook.com/Hatsoffforhospice
August
Bat Fest
Austin, TX
1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk, 3 stages with live music, more than 75 arts & crafts vendors, delicious food and drinks, fun children’s activities, a bat costume contest and other bat activities.
www.roadwayevents.com
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Austin, TX
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival, which began in 1990, has become the world’s largest, drawing as many as 15,000 spectators every year.
www.facebook.com/HotSauceFestival
Austin Pet Expo
Austin, TX
The Austin Pet Expo is a woofing, chirping, and meowing good time for the whole family! Four-legged friends can receive “spa treatments” from local groomers, sample delicious treats, and try on the latest in furry fashions; their humans will enjoy interacting with top trainers and learning pet-care tips from animal welfare organizations. Rounding out the list of activities is an agility demonstration, pet talent and costume shows, and an exciting pet/owner look-alike contest! The highlight of the event is defi itely the adoptable animals showcased by area non-profit rescue groups-- who knows, you may just come home with a new family member!
www.austinpetexpo.com
September
Austin Pride Festival
Austin, TX
The PRIDE Festival is the LARGEST annual LGBTQ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas! Dozens of non-profit organizations and social clubs use the Festival as a platform to inform and interact with the thousands of attendees. Each year, countless people find new organizations to join, causes to support, and opportunities to volunteer. We are also proud knowing that the Austin PRIDE Festival is Central Texas’ single largest HIV testing day of the year enabling several local HIV-related service organizations to reach populations they may otherwise not reach!
www.austinpride.org
Fantastic Fest
Austin, TX
Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S. This annual event held at the Alamo Draft House specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world.
www.fantasticfest.com
Old Pecan Street Festival
Austin, TX
The Pecan Street Festival, one of Central Texas’ oldest and most popular events, is a free two-day arts festival held each spring and fall in downtown Austin’s charming Sixth Street Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places site. The street fills with hundreds of local and national artisans offering handcrafted creations in all sorts of two- and three-dimensional media. More than 60 of Austin’s finest musical acts bring three stages to life, and family-friendly activities from street magicians to a petting zoo delight both adults and children. Thirty food vendors provide both healthy and indulgent choices, often supported by and benefiting charitable partners.
https://pecanstreetfestival.org/
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Check individual event websites to confirm details and dates.
