Austin Highlights: August 3 To August 6 – Food, Music, Arts & More

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The best free and fun events in Austin, August 3 – August 6, include Melanie Martinez in Concert, UMLAUF After Dark, and more!

Austin turns up the energy long before the weekend hits, and this list rounds up the can’t-miss events keeping the city buzzing all week long. Explore what’s happening from August 3 to August 6, and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

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Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, August 3, 2026

Ella Mai – Do You Still Love Me? Tour

Immerse yourself in a soulful evening of R&B as Ella Mai takes the stage to perform her hits and latest tracks live in concert.

Where: Austin City Limits Live (ACL Live & 3TEN ACL Live), 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
When: Monday, August 3, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $79

Melanie Martinez in concert

Image credit: Melanie Martinez

Step into an imaginative musical realm as Melanie Martinez performs live in support of her album, Hades.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Monday, August 3, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $41

Tango at the Chateau

Master the elegance and rhythm of the tango in a welcoming, social atmosphere. You do not need a partner or any prior dance experience to join this course, which is designed to help you build confidence, improve your posture, and develop a deeper connection to the music.

Come meet new people and treat yourself to a weekly hour dedicated to growth and movement while supporting the mission of the Austin Woman’s Club.

Where: Chateau Bellevue, 708 San Antonio St, Austin, TX 7870
When: Monday, August 3 – 10, 2026 | 6:00 pm – 8:25 pm
How Much: $30 for drop-in

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Disney’s Newsies

Step back in time to 1899 and feel the raw energy of a historical labor strike brought to life through soaring music and explosive choreography. Watch these bold young characters stand together, fight for a better tomorrow, and discover the true strength of community.

Where: McCullough Theatre, 2375 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, August 3 – 9, 2026
How Much: Free

UMLAUF After Dark

Image credit: UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum

Spend a delightful summer evening surrounded by stunning outdoor sculptures, community partners, and creative energy.

Drop by to sip a specialty cocktail, grab delicious bites provided by The King’s Butler and Butlerette, and enjoy an inspiring public hour in a peaceful garden setting.

Where: Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $12

Dive-in Movies

Kick off your summer evenings with a splash at this poolside film series, featuring Grease. Lounge by the water and complete the night by grabbing some fresh popcorn, candy, and other classic theater snacks available for purchase as you settle in to enjoy the show at twilight.

Where: Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Tuesday, August 4 – 18, 2026 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
How Much: $25

Ice Age in the Wild at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Wildflower Center is about to get prehistoric! Starting May 9, fifteen life-size, gigantic Ice Age mammals, including a 17,500-pound woolly mammoth, will take up residence throughout the gardens for a summer-long run.

Come face-to-face with a saber-toothed cat, a dire wolf, a woolly rhinoceros, and more as you wander the native plant gardens. New weekly Quest of the Week challenges keep every visit fresh, and a small general admission fee gets you through the door.

Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
When: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | runs through August 15
How Much: Included with general admission; free for members

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Sally & Tom

Image credit: Zach Theatre

Dive into the messy, hilarious rehearsals of a scrappy theater company tackling the complex relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings in Pulitzer Prize-winning Suzan-Lori Parks’ brilliant play.

Making its regional premiere at Zach Theater, Sally & Tom flips historical mythmaking on its head by sliding seamlessly between present-day backstage tensions and the past.

Where: ZACH North, 14010 US-183 Suite 540, Cedar Park, TX 78613
When: Wednesday, August 5 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $12

Magnolia Musical Theatre presents The Addams Family

Embrace the delightful wackiness of everyone’s favorite spooky clan as Magnolia Musical Theatre presents its fourth annual free summer production at the Hill Country Galleria.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs out to the Central Lawn and Pavilion for a laugh-out-loud musical spectacle under the open sky.

Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Wednesday, August 5 – 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Free

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, August 6, 2026

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Enchanted Edition)

Rediscover a vibrant reimagining of a timeless fairy tale that draws delightful inspiration from the beloved 1997 musical starring Brandy and Whitney Houston.

Watch the magic unfold as Cinderella takes her destiny into her own hands, proving that dreams are only the beginning of an empowering journey.

Where: McCullough Theatre, 2375 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Thursday, August 6 – 9, 2026
How Much: $26.40

Sound Unseen Austin Film + Music Festival

Celebrate the deep intersection of cinema and sound during a multi-day festival showcasing music-driven documentaries, narrative features, and short films.

Attend filmmaker Q&As, walk the red carpet, catch special anniversary screenings celebrating iconic artists, and immerse yourself in local and national music culture.

Where: AFS Cinema & Event Hall, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752
When: Thursday, August 6 – 9, 2026
How Much: Starts at $18

Zilker Theatre Productions presents Singin’ in the Rain

Relive the golden age of Hollywood under the Texas stars as Zilker Theatre Productions brings the legendary movie musical to the hillside stage.

Follow silent film star Don Lockwood and aspiring actress Kathy Selden as they navigate the chaotic transition to “talking pictures” amidst studio gossip and soaring romance.

Pack a picnic and secure your spot on the lawn for a timeless summer tradition filled with iconic songs and dazzling choreography.

Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
When: Thursday, August 6 – 15, 2026 | 8:15 PM
How Much: Free | Donations encouraged

City Theatre Austin presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Image credit: City Theatre Austin

Immerse yourself in a high-energy musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy as City Theatre Austin takes over the Genesis Creative Collective stage.

In the span of a single forest night, you will watch fairies harmonize, lovers belt out chart-topping anthems, and backstage rivalries collide in a vibrant celebration of performance.

Where: Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd Unit #1, Austin, TX 78722
When: Thursday, August 6 – 9, 2026
How Much: Starts at $20

Summer Stock

Dive into a summer of spectacular musical theater with Summer Stock Austin’s latest repertory season.

For over two decades, this program has brought professional-caliber productions to the stage, and this year is no exception. With multiple performances scheduled throughout late July and August, there are plenty of opportunities to catch these incredible shows.

Special accommodations, including ASL interpreted, audio-described, and sensory-friendly performances, ensure everyone can enjoy the magic of live theater.

Where: McCullough Theatre, 2375 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Thursday, August 6 – 9, 2026
How Much: Starts at $28.80

Already planning for the weekend? Browse our latest picks for Friday through Sunday in Austin — concerts, food festivals, date ideas, and more await!