Austin Highlights: Jan. 12 To 15 – Food, Music, Arts & More

Updated: Monday, January 12, 2026

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The best free and fun events in Austin, January 12 – 15, include the ATX Short Film Showcase, Rory Scovel: Know Your Enemy Tour, 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 January 12 – 15 and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

Continue the fun into the weekend with our guide to Things to Do in Austin this Weekend! Published every Monday and updated throughout the week!

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, January 12, 2026

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON MOVIE PARTY at Alamo Drafthouse

Dive back into the moody world of Forks as the high-stakes romance between humans, vampires, and werewolves unfolds on the big screen.

Where: Slaughter Lane and Lakeline locations
When: Monday, January 12, 2026 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $19

ATX Short Film Showcase

Step into the heart of Austin’s independent cinema scene at the ATX Short Film Showcase. Every month, you will witness a premier collection of eight handpicked local short films that highlight the incredible talent within the community.

Where: 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Monday, January 12, 2026 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $12.49

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, January 13, 2026

FronteraFest 2026

Image credit: FronteraFest

Prepare for a creative explosion as FronteraFest 2026 takes over the stage for its 31st year. This event draws a massive wave of talent, bringing together actors, poets, improv troupes, and experimental artists from across Texas and beyond to showcase their craft.

Where: Various locations in Austin
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
How Much: Starts at $26

The Drop In: Stand-Up Comedy Show

Experience a high-quality stand-up showcase that unites the city’s finest local comedians with top-tier touring acts for a night of pure comedy.

Where: Sunset Strip Comedy Club, 214 E 6th St Unit C, Austin, TX 78701
When: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 6:30 pm
How Much: Starts at $20

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, January 14, 2026

DAC Nights: Shadow Puppets

Build your own shadow puppets with the DAC Nights crew and experience the magic of simple creativity and storytelling! You will use a variety of materials to craft unique characters of all shapes and sizes, perfect for telling fantastical tales or creating whimsical decorations.

The guided by the DAC Nights Staff, explore the art of performance by testing your creations against a glowing backdrop on the DAC Theater stage.

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 7 pm – 9 pm
How Much: Free

Pasta + Wine: Intero x Cape Bottle Room

Image credit: Cape Bottle Room

Secure your seat for an unforgettable Pasta + Wine night featuring a special one-night collaboration with Intero!

This intimate dining experience highlights the culinary artistry of Intero through thoughtfully prepared courses served alongside a curated selection of South African wines chosen by the Cape Bottle Room team.

Where: Cape Bottle Room, 500 San Marcos St, Ste 102, Austin, TX 78702
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
How Much: $125

Chair Yoga with Chelsea

Dive into a holistic and accessible yoga class designed for adults of all ages with Chair Yoga with Chelsea! You will focus on improving your flexibility, strength, and balance through adaptive yoga techniques that cater to your body’s needs.

Every session incorporates mindfulness breath work, movement, mudras, and sound healing to effectively reduce stress and enhance your mental well-being.

Where: Austin Public Library – Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78727
When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 10 am – 11 am
How Much: Not stated

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, January 15, 2026

Candle Making Workshop

Image credit: 7th Street Candle Co

During this hands-on experience, you will craft a unique, non-toxic candle to take home and enjoy. While you wait for your custom creation to cool, you can wander through the beautiful garden and indulge in a hot cocoa bar and light bites.

Where: Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 5 pm – 8 pm
How Much: Starts at $45

SciFi on Strings: From the Matrix to the Stars

Explore the boundaries of human imagination inside ConcertDome for SciFi on Strings: From the Matrix to the Stars! Journey beyond the stars to explore the full spectrum of science fiction, traveling from the digital realities of “The Matrix” to the time-bending puzzles of “Inception” and “Back to the Future.”

An acclaimed live string quartet performs these visionary scores inside an immersive 360-degree theater, bringing the most iconic music in cinema history to life.

Where: ConcertDome, 10300 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78754
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm
How Much: Starts at $48

Rory Scovel: Know Your Enemy Tour

Image credit: Rory Scovel

Catch the comedic genius of actor, writer, and comedian Rory Scovel as he brings the “Know Your Enemy Tour” to the stage! You will witness the sharp wit and unpredictable humor that defined his acclaimed 2024 HBO Max special, “Rory Scovel: Religion, Sex, and a Few Things in Between.”

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 7 pm
How Much: Starts at $29.50

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

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Lacey Morris

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.