Things To Do In Austin This Weekend | September 4

The best things to do in Austin this weekend, September 4 – September 6, include FIA World Endurance Championship, Austin Bat Fest, and more!

I’ve rounded up the top events and activities happening across the city, from festivals and outdoor fun to live shows and family-friendly picks. Please scroll down for my picks or use the links above to skip to your favorite section!

Weather this Weekend – September 4 – September 6: Austin will usher in September with dry, steady heat and clear to partly cloudy skies as daytime highs hover right around the century mark alongside negligible chances for rain.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

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Check out our recent updates to our guides: Date Ideas in Austin, Things To Do with Teens in Austin, and Best Summer Camps in Austin.

Free or Cheap Things to Do in Austin this Weekend

ATX Book Fair

Kick off the weekend with fellow readers at the inaugural Hot Girls Read Market presented by the ATX Book Fair. Browse through local authors, bookish artists, handmade goods, cozy candles, unique gifts, sweet treats, and more while enjoying a delightful summer evening. Come support local creators and celebrate a shared love for books in a fun community atmosphere!

Where: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 7:00 PM
How Much: Free

Movie in the Park: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Journey to a galaxy far, far away for an outdoor screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu at Doris Miller Auditorium.

Dust off your armor, hone your skills, and dress in galactic cosplay for the optional costume contest starting at 6:00 PM where Jedi, Bounty Hunters, and Droids can showcase their best looks, while enjoying complimentary snacks to keep fueled for an unforgettable night.

When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Delores Duffie Recreation Center, 2300 Rosewood Ave. Austin, TX 78702
How Much: Free

Labor Day Weekend Luau

Head to the Texas Hill Country for an end-of-summer celebration featuring authentic island flavors, live music, and cold brews.

Grab an aloha shirt and dig into a plate of luscious Hawaiian-style pulled pork, tropical cocktails like the Texas Mai Tai, and specialty drinks such as the Dole Whip IPA.

You can also groove to live surf rock by The Avocados from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and claim a free lei if you are among the first 100 guests through the gates.

Bring the whole family and your dogs to enjoy the festivities, and take advantage of the special to-go beer offer where buying two 4-packs earns a free pint of Adair Lager.

When: Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Vista Brewing, 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
How Much: Free

Barton Fest

Image credit: Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa

Discover the vibrant culture of the Texas Hill Country during an evening filled with gourmet bites from distinct resort restaurants, local brews, specialty shopping vendors, and family activities at Barton’s Kid Zone.

Austin-based artist Katrina Cane will also be performing.

Keep in mind that while admission is free and open to the public, one parking pass per vehicle is required for entry, and food and drink tickets are sold separately on the resort’s website.

When: Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, 8212 Barton Club Dr., Austin, TX 78735
How Much: Free

Things to Do in Austin this Friday | Weekend Kickoff Events

Weather on Friday: Mostly sunny and warm with gentle south-southeasterly breezes, a high of 100°F, a low of 76°F, and a 6% chance of precipitation.

FIA World Endurance Championships (Lone Star Le Mans)

Image credit: Circuit of the Americas

Experience the thrill of the Lone Star Le Mans as the official World Endurance Championship season returns to Austin for its sixth and only North American race.

Catch the greatest lineup of horsepower featuring world-class brands including Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, and many more pushing speed to the absolute limit.

Where: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Friday, September 4 – 6, 2026
How Much: Starts at $60

Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons

Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory musical experience as a talented string quartet performs breathtaking instrumental arrangements of hits like “Clocks,” “Radioactive,” “Fix You,” and “Believer.”

Grab your tickets now for a magical night celebrating the iconic sounds of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons!

Where: St David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $34.50

Christian Arts Film Festival

Unite with fellow Kingdom Creatives at Austin’s premier gathering of faith-driven storytellers, featuring 27 incredible films created by filmmakers from Texas, across the country, Canada, and London.

Over the course of two days at the AFS Cinema & Event Hall, faith-driven filmmakers, photographers, poets, podcasters, and artists will share inspiring stories alongside engaging panel discussions led by industry leaders.

Where: AFS Cinema & Event Hall, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752
When: Friday, September 4 – 5, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $85

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

Experience the soulful masterpieces of Adele brought to life through breathtaking instrumental arrangements performed by a live string quartet under the gentle, flickering glow of hundreds of candles.

Let timeless tracks like “Someone Like You,” “Rolling in the Deep,” and “Skyfall” echo through a stunning, historic architectural space for an unforgettable evening.

Where: St David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
How Much: Starts at $34.50

First Friday: Create After Hours

Unwind and enjoy a relaxed, creative night out as the Amster Maker Studio and walk-in pottery painting open their doors late for adults seeking a pressure-free space to make something with their hands.

Bring along your favorite drink, settle into a welcoming atmosphere, and choose between hourly access to standard craft supplies, specialty craft kits, or ceramic pieces to paint with studio time and firing included.

Where: Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St, Buda, TX 78610
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $20

Eat the Film: Ratatouille

Step into the heart of Parisian culinary magic during an enchanting screening of Ratatouille paired with a thoughtfully crafted multi-course dining experience inspired by the flavors, textures, and artistry of French cuisine.

Timed to memorable moments throughout the film, each course invites guests to savor the joy of cooking, storytelling, and discovery beneath the romantic glow of courtyard lights.

Where: Hotel Viata, 320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills, TX 78746
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $45

Mosaics & Matcha

Slow down, connect, and make something beautiful during an evening combining mosaic art creation with a ceremonial-grade matcha latte from Pink Crescent.

Learn to craft a stunning coaster using shimmering glass, handmade ceramic, and recycled tiles with step-by-step guidance in a warm, welcoming studio environment. Bring a partner, your best friend, or treat yourself to a peaceful and creative night out!

Where: The Mosaic Workshop, 729 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How Much: $35

Perreo Cruise

Set sail along Lady Bird Lake from Barton Springs on a lively evening boat cruise featuring a 100% reggaeton B2B set by international guest DJ Diamantero alongside Suxxy Puxxy.

Enjoy incredible downtown views, a stop near the South Congress Bridge just in time to catch the iconic bat show, and a complimentary open bar featuring select drinks brought to you by Santa Teresa, Bacardi 8, Jameson, champagne, and beer.

Your ticket also grants you free entry to the official Perreo Club after-party just blocks away at Coconut Club!

Where: Lone Star Riverboat, 208 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $80

And Then There Were None

Step into a gripping theatrical mystery as ten strangers with dark, hidden pasts are summoned to a remote island, only to find themselves marked for murder according to the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme.

Watch the tension rise as severe weather cuts the group off from the mainland and the gruesome bloodbath unfolds one terrifying victim at a time.

Where: Doug Smith Performance Center, 206 W 2nd St, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, September 4 – 20, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Hecha de Oro

Immerse yourself in Hecha de Oro, Oro Dance Company’s signature Afro-Latin futurist production that honors Oshún, the Yoruba Orisha of love, beauty, abundance, and freshwater, through an astonishing fusion of Afro-Latin dance, Cuban folklore, Afro-contemporary, flamenco, heels, live singing, rap, spoken word, live drumming, and immersive multimedia.

Cinematic visuals and an original score weave multiple artistic disciplines into a powerful theatrical journey celebrating love, power, freedom, and the extraordinary beauty, humanity, and resilience found in overlooked people and stories.

Where: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $45

Kung Fu Cowgirl The Musical

Settle onto the hillside under the Texas stars for an original outdoor musical that brings a hilarious East-meets-West adventure to life with infectious original music spanning funk, jazz, rap, and Western twang.

Follow a young woman from Kung Fu Village with Texas-sized ambitions as she enters the town’s Rodeo Games to reclaim her mother’s treasure, teams up with the charming but roguish Cowboy Cody, and faces off against the dangerous teahouse empress, Madam Babel, in a Chinese-versus-Texas barbecue battle royale.

Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
When: Friday, September 4 – September 13, 2026 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Free

Black Rose Theater ATX presents And She Was Loved

Experience the world premiere of a deeply moving new one-act play titled And She Was Loved, launched by Black Rose Theater ATX for its inaugural season and written by acclaimed poet, playwright, theater artist, and Austin Poet Laureate Zell Miller III.

The show is inspired by the loss of his mother, Vernell Miller, and longtime mentor, theater icon Laurie Carlos. The narrative blends the mythology of Peter Pan with hip-hop theater, jazz aesthetics, movement, and gesture language to explore grief, memory, emotional abuse, resilience, healing, and the enduring power of love.

Reserve your tickets for this poignant exploration of resilience and healing!

Where: Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751
When: Friday, September 4 – 12, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $17.82

Early Era Collective presents Present Perspective Project

Explore the fusion of post-modern and street-style choreography as Early Era Collective premieres the “Present Perspective Project,” featuring work by long-time Early Era artists Daniel Broxton and Jairus Carr.

The evening-length dance production illustrates a compelling journey from past to present by interweaving a narrative about living, actively participating, and navigating multiple sides of the human experience.

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, September 4 – 5, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $18.50

AVENUE Q

Where do you live when the only address you can afford when fresh out of college, out of a job, or just trying to find your way in life is a rundown neighborhood? You live on Avenue Q!

This unforgettable bunch of puppets and their neighborhood friends discover that life’s biggest lessons are never as simple as they seem.

Follow Princeton, Kate Monster, Gary Coleman, yes, that one!, Christmas Eve, Rod, Nicky, and their newfound companions as they valiantly seek jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in this crazy, crazy world.

Featuring sharp wit, catchy songs, a wicked sense of humor, and the prestige of a Tony Award Triple Crown win, this laugh-out-loud musical comedy features talented actors and puppets alike trying to make sense of adulthood.

Where: Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd Unit #1, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, September 4 – 13, 2026 | Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 PM, Sunday: 3:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $25

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Top Picks Saturday

Weather on Saturday: Abundant daylight sunshine giving way to clear evening skies, a high of 99°F, a low of 75°F, and a 5% chance of precipitation.

The Front Festival

Image credit: The Front Festival

Celebrate the end of summer through a dynamic showcase of independent films, live performances, and unique creative experiences.

Curated annually by Future Front across various venues in Austin, this multi-day festival highlights talented Texas women and LGBTQ+ creatives of all kinds at the front of the lineups.

When: Saturday, September 5 – 7, 2026
Where: Venues across Austin
How Much: $10 – $40

4th Annual Austin Women in Jazz Festival

Spend an extraordinary evening immersed in world-class jazz performed by nationally acclaimed artists inside the intimate Austin PBS Pfluger Keller Soundstage Theatre.

Enjoy incredible melodies from Grammy-nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright, chart-topping saxophonist Jazmin Ghent, acclaimed flautist Althea Rene, Billboard-charting pianist and vocalist Kayla Waters, and Austin’s First Lady of Jazz, Pamela Hart.

When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: Austin PBS, 6101 Highland Campus Dr Bldg 3000, LL, Austin, TX 78752
How Much: $65

Austin Bat Fest

Image credit: Roadway Productions

Gather on the bridge for a lively evening celebration as the world’s largest urban bat colony, consisting of 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats taking up seasonal residence beneath the Ann Richards Congress Street Bridge, takes to the skies for their nightly flight.

Afterward, wander along the grounds to enjoy children’s activities, food vendors, and more.

When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 3:00 PM to 11:59 PM
Where: Congress Avenue Bridge
How Much: Starts at $20

Brasil Day ATX

Celebrate Brazil’s Independence Day in the heart of Texas with Central Texas’s most vibrant cultural festival, featuring incredible live music, authentic Brazilian food, traditional dancing, and an immersive percussion experience.

Bring the whole family to enjoy a dedicated kids area complete with inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, games, and a magical live show.

Where: Radio/ East, 3504 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78744
When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $25

Disabilities presents Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival

Support the arts and explore diverse perspectives at the largest and longest-running cinematic celebration of disability in Texas, featuring an inspiring lineup of short films by talented independent filmmakers.

Join the local advocacy community for an afternoon dedicated to championing authentic representation and engaging stories on screen.

Where: Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 5:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $5

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Sunday Funday

Weather on Sunday: Sun mixing with a few afternoon fair-weather clouds, remaining very warm with a high of 98°F, a low of 75°F, and an 8% chance of an isolated heat shower.

OUR BODY ELECTRIC

Witness the remarkable resilience and dedication of three elite women bodybuilders, Ariel, Amanda, and Chelsea, as they strive to qualify for the prestigious Ms. Olympia title in a riveting, AFS Grant-supported documentary.

Explore what it truly costs to pursue extreme strength in a world that often tells women to stay small, followed by an enriching post-screening discussion with director Dana Reilly and special guests in attendance.

Where: AFS Cinema & Event Hall, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752
When: Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $12

Brandi Carlile in concert

Top events in Austin this weekend of September 4 - 6 2026 - Brandi Carlisle

Image credit: Brandi Carlile

Catch the phenomenal Brandi Carlile live in concert as the acclaimed singer-songwriter takes the stage in Austin in support of her 2025 release, Returning to Myself.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $68

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend with Kids – Family Friendly Events