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The best things to do in Austin this weekend, August 21 – August 23, include PBR Gambler Days, Austin Pride Parade, 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 – August 21 – August 23: Austin will endure blistering sunshine and elevated heat indices all weekend long, with temperatures pushing into triple-digit territory and virtually zero chance of rainfall.
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
K-Pop Demon Hunters Market
Celebrate the infectious energy of K-pop hits and beloved characters by exploring a vibrant evening night market filled with local vendors, delicious ramen cups, and an intimate bonsai class led by @okamibonsaitx.
Where: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
When: Friday, August 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
How Much: Free
Austin Pride Parade & Festival
Image credit: Austin Pride
Dress in your most fabulous pride attire and join hundreds of thousands of participants taking to the streets from the Texas State Capitol down Congress Avenue to the Warehouse District.
Celebrate unity, equality, and community spirit alongside live performers, celebrities, local organizations, and vibrant floats in an unforgettable spectacle.
Where: Downtown Austin
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM
How Much: Free
End of Summer Splash
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of sunshine and cool treats as children splash under the fountains, race down a giant water slide, and enjoy complimentary snow cones while supplies last.
Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
How Much: Free
Things to Do in Austin this Friday | Weekend Kickoff Events
Weather on Friday: Sizzling conditions under broad sunshine with light south-southwesterly breezes, a high of 103°F, a low of 77°F, and a 6% chance of precipitation.
PBR Gambler Days
Image credit: PBR
Experience two hours of team bull riding where elite athletes and formidable animal champions face off in an intense, non-rodeo format featuring pyrotechnics and heart-pounding music.
You’ll get to see a star-studded lineup of riders alongside live entertainment, including a pre-event concert and post-event DJ club set by Dustin Lynch on Friday.
This will be followed by All My Groovy Friends and a live performance by hip-hop superstar Nelly on Saturday, and a live pre-event set by Tejano Queen Forever on Sunday.
Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $24
Manga Marvel and Morsels
Embark on a cinematic journey through rare and new manga-inspired animated films and thought-provoking dramas, complemented by interactive live Q&A sessions with creators and industry insiders.
The event will also feature limited-edition dishes and drinks ranging from sushi rolls to ramen bowls, so save some space in your tummy before heading out. Of course, be ready to browse vendor booths packed with exclusive merchandise, rare comic editions, and unique anime art.
Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Ln, Austin, TX 78724
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
How Much: $15 one day $20 three days $50 vip
Georgetown Palace Theatre presents And Then There Were None
Tackle a suspenseful psychological thriller as ten strangers with hidden pasts are summoned to an isolated island and cut off from the mainland.
Watch the chilling mystery unfold as the guests are targeted one by one in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme about ten little soldier boys.
Where: Doug Smith Performance Center, 206 W 2nd St, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Not stated
Austin Sketch Fest
Step into two whole weekends of top-tier scripted comedy showcasing the absolute best performers from Austin and the wilderness beyond.
Head to ColdTowne Theater to catch incredible headlining acts including Andrew Dismukes from Saturday Night Live, Upright Citizens Brigade’s Assssketch, Shitty Mozart from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Aly Dixon.
Grab your tickets on the official website to enjoy a massive multi-week series of sketch showcases produced, booked, and organized by local artists.
Where: ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM
How Much: Prices vary
Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret
Journey back to Mexico City in the 1940s to follow Silvia Ibarra, a well-bred doctor’s daughter by day preparing for a respectable marriage who transforms by night into Emiliana, a revolutionary cabaretera worshiping Emiliano Zapata with dreams of returning her grandfather’s land to the campesinos.
Watch as her double life is exposed and throws her future into turmoil.
Inspired by the prostitute melodramas of Mexico’s Golden Age of film, Ground Floor Theatre brings this reimagined story of social justice for Indigenous, femme, and queer communities to life.
Where: Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 21 – 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $30 or pay what you can
Shakespeare But One Of Us Is Drunk: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Gather around for a wildly unpredictable night of comedy, live music, magic, and inebriation presented by The Vortex. Watch a talented troupe perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream with one actor randomly selected to do five shots backstage beforehand.
Audience members even hold the power to influence the chaos, bribe the Emcee, or get crowned VIP King and Queen for the evening during this limited two-week run.
Where: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd #2135, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, August 21 – 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: $25
Georgetown Palace Theatre presents 42nd Street
Experience the dazzling glitz of Broadway’s golden age through a classic musical following an ambitious young chorus girl from Pennsylvania who gets her shot at stardom when the leading lady is sidelined.
The timeless score is packed with legendary show tunes like We’re In the Money and Lullaby of Broadway.
Where: Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, August 21 – 30, 2026
How Much: Not stated
Sally & Tom
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: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $12
Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Top Picks Saturday
Weather on Saturday: Blazing hot with sparse cloud buildup in the afternoon and dangerous heat index levels, a high of 103°F, a low of 76°F, and a 4% chance of precipitation.
Pairing Dinner: Honey Harvest
Gather around farmhouse tables at Vista Brewing’s Driftwood Ranch for an educational family-style dining experience celebrating the vital role of honeybees in our food system, complete with a live observation frame of bees.
The dinner is a four-course menu by Chef A.C. Carroll featuring a honeycomb tartlet, fried softshell crab with guajillo honey remoulade, coal-roasted pollo pibil, and sopapillas, thoughtfully paired with honey-epazote spritzes, oak-aged oenobeers, award-winning honey ale, wine cocktails, and local Texas wine.
Where: Vista Brewing, 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $100
Raas Leela: An East Side Story
Immerse yourself in a sweeping theatrical production set in the fictional city of Vrindapur that reimagines classic Western romance through the lens of South Asian culture, family rivalries, and generational conflict.
Follow the journey of young lovers Ram and Leela against powerful opposing households, brought to life through a massive ensemble of dancers expressing celebration, chaos, and memory.
Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $42
Summer Sizzler
Image credit: Bodies Race Company
Lace up your running shoes for an inclusive community race offering chip-timed 5K, 10K, and 15K courses, an untimed 1-mile event, and a fun kids’ dash.
Celebrate your finish line accomplishment with custom medals, designer shirts, free professional race photos, and complimentary Kona Ice for all participants.
Where: Southeast Metro Park, 4511 Hwy 71 E Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
How Much: Starts at $17
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Image credit: Austin, TX – The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show
Dine on a full course meal while piecing together clues to solve a complex crime during an immersive interactive investigation.
Stay alert, because the culprit is hiding among the guests, and you might unexpectedly find yourself named as a prime suspect before winning a prize package for the Top Sleuth.
Where: Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown, 810 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM
How Much: $69.99
Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Sunday Funday
Weather on Sunday: Unrelenting sunshine and intensely warm throughout the evening hours, a high of 104°F, a low of 76°F, and a 3% chance of precipitation.
Hands On Puppetry! – Intro to Object Puppetry Workshop
Discover how everyday items like spoons, teapots, and spools of tape can tell powerful stories under the guidance of Glass Half Full Theatre Co-Producing Artistic Directors Caroline Reck and Gricelda Silva.
Learn foundational puppetry principles including rhythm, focus, breath, and tension in an active workshop designed for adult participants of all experience levels.
Where: The Sanctuary, 1110 Guadalupe, Suite 219, Austin, TX 78701
When: Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $40
Things to Do in Austin this Weekend with Kids – Family Friendly Events
K-Pop Demon Hunters Market
Celebrate the infectious energy of K-pop hits and beloved characters by exploring a vibrant evening night market filled with local vendors, delicious ramen cups, and an intimate bonsai class led by @okamibonsaitx.
Where: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
When: Friday, August 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
How Much: Free
PBR Gambler Days
Experience two hours of team bull riding where elite athletes and formidable animal champions face off in an intense, non-rodeo format featuring pyrotechnics and heart-pounding music.
You’ll get to see a star-studded lineup of riders alongside live entertainment, including a pre-event concert and post-event DJ club set by Dustin Lynch on Friday.
This will be followed by All My Groovy Friends and a live performance by hip-hop superstar Nelly on Saturday, and a live pre-event set by Tejano Queen Forever on Sunday.
Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $24
Manga Marvel and Morsels
Embark on a cinematic journey through rare and new manga-inspired animated films and thought-provoking dramas, complemented by interactive live Q&A sessions with creators and industry insiders.
The event will also feature limited-edition dishes and drinks ranging from sushi rolls to ramen bowls, so save some space in your tummy before heading out. Of course, be ready to browse vendor booths packed with exclusive merchandise, rare comic editions, and unique anime art.
Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Ln, Austin, TX 78724
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
How Much: $15 one day $20 three days $50 vip
Austin Pride Parade & Festival
Dress in your most fabulous pride attire and join hundreds of thousands of participants taking to the streets from the Texas State Capitol down Congress Avenue to the Warehouse District.
Celebrate unity, equality, and community spirit alongside live performers, celebrities, local organizations, and vibrant floats in an unforgettable spectacle.
Where: Downtown Austin
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM
How Much: Free
End of Summer Splash
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of sunshine and cool treats as children splash under the fountains, race down a giant water slide, and enjoy complimentary snow cones while supplies last.
Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
How Much: Free
Summer Sizzler
Lace up your running shoes for an inclusive community race offering chip-timed 5K, 10K, and 15K courses, an untimed 1-mile event, and a fun kids’ dash.
Celebrate your finish line accomplishment with custom medals, designer shirts, free professional race photos, and complimentary Kona Ice for all participants.
Where: Southeast Metro Park, 4511 Hwy 71 E, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
How Much: Starts at $17
Things to Do in Austin this Weekend for Adults
Georgetown Palace Theatre presents And Then There Were None
Tackle a suspenseful psychological thriller as ten strangers with hidden pasts are summoned to an isolated island and cut off from the mainland.
Watch the chilling mystery unfold as the guests are targeted one by one in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme about ten little soldier boys.
Where: Doug Smith Performance Center, 206 W 2nd St, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Not stated
Austin Sketch Fest
Step into two whole weekends of top-tier scripted comedy showcasing the absolute best performers from Austin and the wilderness beyond.
Head to ColdTowne Theater to catch incredible headlining acts including Andrew Dismukes from Saturday Night Live, Upright Citizens Brigade’s Assssketch, Shitty Mozart from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Aly Dixon.
Grab your tickets on the official website to enjoy a massive multi-week series of sketch showcases produced, booked, and organized by local artists.
Where: ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM
How Much: Prices vary
Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret
Journey back to Mexico City in the 1940s to follow Silvia Ibarra, a well-bred doctor’s daughter by day preparing for a respectable marriage who transforms by night into Emiliana, a revolutionary cabaretera worshiping Emiliano Zapata with dreams of returning her grandfather’s land to the campesinos.
Watch as her double life is exposed and throws her future into turmoil.
Inspired by the prostitute melodramas of Mexico’s Golden Age of film, Ground Floor Theatre brings this reimagined story of social justice for Indigenous, femme, and queer communities to life.
Where: Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 21 – 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $30 or pay what you can
Shakespeare But One Of Us Is Drunk: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Gather around for a wildly unpredictable night of comedy, live music, magic, and inebriation presented by The Vortex. Watch a talented troupe perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream with one actor randomly selected to do five shots backstage beforehand.
Audience members even hold the power to influence the chaos, bribe the Emcee, or get crowned VIP King and Queen for the evening during this limited two-week run.
Where: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd #2135, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, August 21 – 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: $25
Georgetown Palace Theatre presents 42nd Street
Experience the dazzling glitz of Broadway’s golden age through a classic musical following an ambitious young chorus girl from Pennsylvania who gets her shot at stardom when the leading lady is sidelined.
The timeless score is packed with legendary show tunes like We’re In the Money and Lullaby of Broadway.
Where: Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, August 21 – 30, 2026
How Much: Not stated
Sally & Tom
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: Friday, August 21 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $12
Pairing Dinner: Honey Harvest
Gather around farmhouse tables at Vista Brewing’s Driftwood Ranch for an educational family-style dining experience celebrating the vital role of honeybees in our food system, complete with a live observation frame of bees.
The dinner is a four-course menu by Chef A.C. Carroll featuring a honeycomb tartlet, fried softshell crab with guajillo honey remoulade, coal-roasted pollo pibil, and sopapillas, thoughtfully paired with honey-epazote spritzes, oak-aged oenobeers, award-winning honey ale, wine cocktails, and local Texas wine.
Where: Vista Brewing, 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $100
Raas Leela: An East Side Story
Immerse yourself in a sweeping theatrical production set in the fictional city of Vrindapur that reimagines classic Western romance through the lens of South Asian culture, family rivalries, and generational conflict.
Follow the journey of young lovers Ram and Leela against powerful opposing households, brought to life through a massive ensemble of dancers expressing celebration, chaos, and memory.
Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $42
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Dine on a full-course meal while piecing together clues to solve a complex crime during an immersive interactive investigation.
Stay alert, because the culprit is hiding among the guests, and you might unexpectedly find yourself named as a prime suspect before winning a prize package for the Top Sleuth.
Where: Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown, 810 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM
How Much: $69.99
Hands On Puppetry! – Intro to Object Puppetry Workshop
Discover how everyday items like spoons, teapots, and spools of tape can tell powerful stories under the guidance of Glass Half Full Theatre Co-Producing Artistic Directors Caroline Reck and Gricelda Silva.
Learn foundational puppetry principles including rhythm, focus, breath, and tension in an active workshop designed for adult participants of all experience levels.
Where: The Sanctuary, 1110 Guadalupe, Suite 219, Austin, TX 78701
When: Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $40
Looking for more local fun? Check out our master guide to Things to do in Austin this weekend!