Austin Highlights: Mar. 2 To 5 – Food, Music, Arts & More

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The best free and fun events in Austin, March 2 – 5, include UT New Theatre Festival, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, 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 February 23 – 26 and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

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Check out our recent updates to Spring Break 2026 in Austin guide and Spring Break Camps in Austin guide.

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, March 2, 2026

Hyde Park Theatre presents Witch

Watch a darkly clever performance of Witch, a sharp and modern take on a classic village legend, and see the mystery unfold as a charming, affable Devil arrives to tempt the locals, only to find that the outcast Elizabeth is the only one who might be truly beyond his reach.

Where: Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751
When: Monday, March 2 – 21, 2026
How Much: Starts at $25

Sistine Chapel Experience

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: Monday, March 2 – April 26, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Texas Performing Arts presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Image credit: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Prepare to be moved by the breathtaking athleticism of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as they bring their soul-stirring repertoire to Austin.

Experience the timeless masterpiece Revelations alongside bold new works from today’s most visionary choreographers in a performance that celebrates the limitless potential of the human spirit.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Starts at $39

Charlotte’s Web

Image credit: Zach Theater

Watch this classic story of friendship take flight at the Main Street Theater through a unique production featuring live bluegrass music and stunning aerial performances.

After Fern rescues Wilbur, the tiny runt of the litter, Charlotte the spider uses her extraordinary weaving skills to protect him in a heartwarming display of hope and loyalty. Experience this imaginative staging of a beloved tale that promises to enchant audiences of all ages with its blend of music and circus arts.

Where: Zach Theater, 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Tuesday, March 3 – 17, 2026
How Much: Starts at $31

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The Austin Philharmonic’s Annual Spring Concert

Gather at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church for an evening of live classical music that bridges the gap between timeless tradition and modern discovery.

Delight in the grandeur of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and the regal energy of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Procession of the Nobles,” while also being among the first to hear the world premiere of The Frozen Frontier by composer and orchestra member Kitty Draper.

This all-volunteer ensemble brings together passionate musicians from every walk of life, from surgeons to students, all united by a desire to share the moving experience of orchestral performance.

Where: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr, Austin, TX 78759
When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 8 pm
How Much: Free

Texas Theatre and Dance presents UT New Theatre Festival

Image credit: University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance

Be among the first to experience the future of American drama as the UT New Theatre Festival enters its 19th season of launching bold, fresh voices. Explore four brand-new plays and a special reading from the talented graduate playwrights of Texas Theatre and Dance and the Michener Center for Writers.

Where: Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, 300 E 23rd St, Austin, TX 78712
When: Wednesday, March 4 – 8, 2026
How Much: $10 – $15

Vitamin String Quartet in concert

Forget everything you thought you knew about chamber music as the Vitamin String Quartet takes the stage to redefine the limits of a string ensemble. From the synth-pop vibes of The Weeknd to the cinematic scores of Danny Elfman, this concert promises a genre-bending journey through modern music.

Expect a seamless blend of classical technique with the hits of Billie Eilish, BTS, and Taylor Swift.

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 8 pm
How Much: Starts at $34.88

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, March 5, 2026

UT Austin English Department’s Latinx Pop Lab presents BIPOC PoP

Image credit: Latinx Pop Lab

Dive into the creative energy of BIPOC PoP as the UT Austin Latinx Pop Lab brings together a powerhouse lineup of comic book artists, game designers, and industry trailblazers.

Expect three days of hands-on workshops covering everything from animation to zine-making, or gain insider knowledge during panels on the future of publishing.

You can also meet superstars like Stephanie Williams and Melissa Flores as they share their experiences crafting iconic stories for Marvel and Image Comics. Last but not least, you can explore the artist alleys and join fireside chats with performers and authors such as Veronique Medrano and Cathy Camper.

Where: Glickman Conference Center, The University of Texas at Austin, 305 E 23rd St, Austin, TX 78712
When: Thursday, March 5 – 7, 2026 | 9 am
How Much: Free

Candlelight: 90s Unplugged

Step into the gentle glow of St. David’s Episcopal Church for an evening that reimagines the raw energy of the 1990s through the elegance of a live string ensemble.

From the soaring melodies of Oasis and Radiohead to the powerful rhythms of Metallica and the Foo Fighters, this tentative program offers a nostalgic journey like no other.

Where: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 8:45 pm
How Much: Starts at $36.50

The City Theatre Austin presents The Trip to Bountiful

Image credit: The City Theatre Company

Journey into the heart of an American masterpiece as The City Theatre Austin brings Horton Foote’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play to life.

Follow the poignant story of Carrie Watts, an elderly widow determined to break free from her stifling apartment to visit her childhood home of Bountiful one last time.

Where: The City Theatre Austin, 1507 Wilshire Blvd Unit #1, Austin, TX 78722
When: Thursday, March 5 – 8, 2026
How Much: Starts at $22.14

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.