Austin Highlights: Jan. 26 To 29 – Food, Music, Arts & More

Updated: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Jump to: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

The best free and fun events in Austin, January 26 – 29, include the Sistine Chapel Experience, the Austin Revolution Film Festival, 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 26 – 29 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 26, 2026

Harmony & Heart: A Community Song Circle

Kickstart your week with a burst of joy and connection at Harmony & Heart, a welcoming song circle designed for singers of all levels. Dive into soothing vocal rituals and easy-to-learn harmony songs that build layer by layer, creating a rich shared sound without the pressure of sheet music or performance.

Where: Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Monday, January 26, 2026 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
How Much: $20 suggested donation

Fortlandia

Discover your new secret hideout at Fortlandia, an exciting interactive exhibit waiting for you at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center! Connect directly with the environment by climbing upon, crawling through, and exploring a brand-new lineup of unique forts designed by local artists.

Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
When: Monday, January 26, 2026 – February 1, 2026
How Much: $18 for adults | $15 for seniors and military | $12 for kids 3 – 17 | Free for kids under 3

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, January 27, 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 27, 2026
How Much: Starts at $26

All Skills Crochet Group

Pick up a hook and join a creative community at the All Skills Crochet Group, where makers of every experience level gather to craft something new.

Each month features a fresh pattern with both beginner and advanced variations, ensuring you leave with a project you’re proud of, regardless of your starting point.

Where: Windsor Park Branch, Austin Public Library, 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
How Much: Not stated

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Sistine Chapel Experience

Image credit: feverup

Step inside a breathtaking recreation of the Vatican’s most famous masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel Experience in Austin.

You can see Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes in a full-scale replica that brings every brushstroke and hidden detail within reach, accompanied by cinematic storytelling that explores the lives of Renaissance masters.

Where: Barton Creek Square, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
When: Wednesday, January 28 – April 26, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Zach Theater presents Murder on the Orient Express

Zach Theatre presents a gripping production of Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery, Murder on the Orient Express. This stage adaptation brings the tension and glamour of Christie’s classic novel to life, offering an edge-of-your-seat experience for fans of the genre.

The story follows the world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot as he boards a luxurious locomotive for what was intended to be a peaceful journey. However, the atmosphere of elegance quickly turns to one of suspense when a passenger is discovered dead in the middle of the night.

Trapped by a snowdrift and surrounded by a carriage full of suspects, each with their own secrets and motives, Poirot must use his legendary intellect to solve the case before the killer strikes again.

Where: Zach Theater, 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Wednesday, January 28 – March 1, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Ceramic Workshop

Unleash your inner artist this Valentine’s Day at the Day & Night Gallery, where you can mold raw clay into a unique masterpiece during an intimate handbuilding session.

Guided by the experts from ATXArtHouse and ArroyoArtHouse, you will explore the tactile world of ceramics in a welcoming environment tailored for all skill levels.

Where: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 6:30 pm – 9 pm
How Much: $80

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, January 29, 2026

Austin Revolution Film Festival

Image credit: Austin Revolution Film Festival

Dive into a world of independent cinema at the 14th Annual Austin Revolution Film Festival. Explore a global selection of films at the AFS Cinema or head to the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown for exclusive networking mixers and filmmaker speed dating.

Where: Various locations in Austin
When: Thursday, January 29 – 31, 2026
How Much: Varies

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins

Watch the magic of Cherry Tree Lane come to life as the LT Choir and Tech Theatre departments transform the Lake Travis High School Performing Arts Center into a world of wonder.

This enchanting production of Mary Poppins features your favorite songs and high-flying stagecraft, offering a “practically perfect” evening for the whole family.

Where: Lake Travis Performing Arts Center, Lake Travis High School, 3324 Ranch Rd 620 S, Austin, TX 78738
When: Thursday, January 29 – February 2, 2026
How Much: Not stated

The VORTEX presents the wolf you feed

Image credit: The VORTEX

Venture to the feral outskirts of a national forest at The VORTEX for Darcy Parker Bruce’s new play, The Wolf You Feed. This punk-inspired modern fable follows Max as she navigates the chaotic influence of a wild wolf pack while living in a mysterious roadside motel.

Will you witness Max’s ultimate transformation or her return to the world she once knew?

Where: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd #2135, Austin, TX 78722
When: Thursday, January 29 – February 7, 2026
How Much: Starts at $15

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.