Austin Highlights: September 14 To September 17

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The best free and fun events in Austin, September 14 – September 17, include The Kehlani World Tour, Fantastic Fest, 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 September 14 to September 17, and keep your weekdays packed with Austin’s signature spirit and creativity!

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 Things To Do this Summer in Austin.

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Monday, September 14, 2026

Esquina’s Fall Youth Dance Classes

Image credit: Esquina Tango Austin

Ignite your child’s passion for movement with Esquina’s Fall Youth Dance Classes, titled “La Juventud”!

Designed for ages 7 to 11, these vibrant sessions feature exciting weekly rhythms including Ritmos Latinos on Mondays, Samba on Wednesdays, and Tango on Thursdays, leading up to a special performance opportunity on Saturday, October 17.

Snacks are provided, so remember to bring water and secure your spot by adding your child as a family member through your Wellness Living account.

Where: Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales Street, Austin, TX 78702
When: Monday, September 14 – October 15, 2026 | 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM
How Much: Free

J. Cole in concert

Experience an electrifying night of live hip-hop as superstar rapper J. Cole takes the stage for an unforgettable performance in Austin supporting his new studio album, The Fall-Off.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Monday, September 14, 2026 | 8:00 pm
How Much: Starts at $73

Yoga & Sound

Image credit: Waterloo Greenway

Re-center your mind and body amidst the natural beauty of Waterloo Park with a revolving series of energizing vinyasa flows, gentle yoga, mindful movement, and restorative sound experiences!

Open to all ages and abilities, with beginners and experts welcome, modifications are offered throughout each class to help every participant move, breathe, connect, and unwind.

Bring a yoga mat, water, and friends to enjoy this community-supported wellness program presented at no cost.

Where: Waterloo Park, 500 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Every Monday from September 14 – November 2, 2026 | 6 pm
How Much: Free

Queer Two-Step Night

Grab your dancing shoes and join a vibrant evening of social dancing and welcoming instruction featuring Ed West!

Two-step lessons start promptly at 7:15 PM and 7:45 PM, requiring absolutely no prior experience or partner.

Where: Sagebrush, 5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
When: Monday, September 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
How Much: Free

Amster Maker Studio — Walk-In Pottery Painting & Craft Bar

Choose from simple DIY projects or try your hand at walk-in pottery painting, with all basic tools and materials provided for project-based creating. Friendly staff is ready to help first-timers get started during a low-pressure afternoon of making, connecting, and trying something new.

Where: Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St, Buda, TX 78610
When: Monday, September 14 – 30, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
How Much: $45

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Tuesday, September 15, 2026

La Fiesta de Independencia de México

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at a fantastic family-friendly gathering marking the 216th anniversary of independence from Spain!

Experience the traditional Grito de Independencia ceremony reenacted by Consul General of Mexico Humberto Hernández Haddad, alongside incredible live performances by the Roy Lozano Ballet Folklórico, Mariachi Capital, Alexandra Dorantes, and Sonora Dinamita Explosiva.

There will also be an artisan mercado filled with arts and crafts from México, while enjoying a vibrant evening of culture and community.

Where: Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How Much: Free

Sip + Solder Pumpkins and Footballs: Stained Glass Workshop

Dive into a 3-hour beginner-friendly stained glass workshop where you will assemble and solder a gorgeous suncatcher of your choice, shaped as a pumpkin or a football!

Learn the basics of lead-came construction and soldering techniques using pre-cut glass shapes in a variety of colors and textures, taking home a custom piece for hanging or a garden stake.

No prior experience is necessary, and participants ages 14 and older are welcome with parental supervision. Please note the safety warning regarding exposure to chemicals including lead.

Where: Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $80

The Kehlani World Tour w/ Durand Bernarr & More

Catch an incredible powerhouse lineup live on stage featuring global sensation Kehlani alongside special supporting acts Durand Bernarr and Isaia Huron for an unforgettable night of R&B mastery.

Where: Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $45

Ken Carson – xperimenting tour

Watch out as Ken Carson brings the xperimenting tour to town alongside supporting acts xaviersobased and Prettifun for an electrifying all-ages concert experience.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $60

Come From Away

Experience the uplifting, Tony Award-winning musical that chronicles the true story of a small Newfoundland town that embraced 7,000 stranded airline passengers in the days following 9/11.

This spirited production features an infectious Celtic folk and bluegrass-inspired score that highlights the very best of humanity, inviting you to be part of a communal celebration that is as warm as the townspeople themselves.

Where: Zach Theater, 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Tuesday, September 15 – 27, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $28

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Wednesday, September 16, 2026

DAC Nights: Pretty in Ink

Unleash your creativity at DAC Nights as the studios transform for Pretty in Ink!

Experiment with bold hues and amazing marbled blending techniques using alcohol inks on blank ceramic pieces, guided expertly by Dougherty Arts Center staff to create your very own custom set of colorful coasters with all supplies provided.

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How Much: Free

Mexican Independence Day Celebration!

Raise a glass and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with the limited Frida beer release available on draft and in cans to-go at St. Elmo Springdale!

Enjoy a lively Latin Vendor Market, dynamic performances by DJ Mijo Grande, Akins Mariachi Band, and Guzman Ballet Folklorico, alongside delicious food from Pueblo Viejo, Via 313 pizza, and Spicy Boys Chicken.

Wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails, a full coffee bar, free parking, and all-ages fun await you.

Where: St. Elmo Brewing (Springdale), 8110 Springdale Rd. Austin, TX 78724
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
How Much: Free

Woody Russell feat. John Spears

Unwind with stunning views of the Austin skyline, craft cocktails, and exceptional live music at Rules and Regs lounge on the 7th floor! Acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Woody Russell is teaming up with talented trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist John Spears for an unforgettable evening.

Where: Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
How Much: Free

Music on the Trail Series

Every week, the Rainey Street Trailhead lawn transforms into Austin’s coolest outdoor concert spot featuring a new local musician. Grab a blanket, bring some friends, and let’s make Wednesdays the best night of the week!

This September 9 will feature Jennifer Foster & The Audacity.

Where: Rainey Street Trailhead, Cummings St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – October 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
How Much: Free

Two-Step Lessons at Sagebrush: Beginner + Intermediate

Step onto the dance floor and learn Austin’s signature honky-tonk two-step style with drop-in classes hosted by Double or Nothing Two-Step.

Whether arriving solo, as a couple, or with a group, no partner or prior experience is required to join the beginner lesson at six in the evening or the intermediate class at seven.

Your partners will rotate throughout the session, and your admission covers both the instruction and the live country music that follows.

Where: Sagebrush, 5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
When: Wednesday, September 16 – November 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
How Much: $10

Free and Fun Events in Austin this Thursday, September 17, 2026

Fantastic Fest

Image credit: Fantastic Fest

Immerse yourself in a thrilling cinematic lineup as Fantastic Fest returns to Alamo Drafthouse with a brand-new collection of hauntingly excellent films!

Detailed event schedules, full film line-ups, and ticket information will be officially announced closer to the event date.

Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Mueller, 1911 Aldrich St., Ste 120, Austin, TX 78723
When: Thursday, September 17 – 24, 2026
How Much: TBA

Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More

Discover the timeless hits of ABBA and Queen reimagined in a stunning multi-sensory live concert experience!

Surrounded by the gentle, awe-inspiring glow of candlelight inside St. David’s Episcopal Church, enjoy brilliant classical renditions of crowd favorites like “Dancing Queen,” “SOS,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Voulez-Vous,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “I Want to Break Free,” “Killer Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Super Trouper,” “Mamma Mia,” and more.

Where: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM
How Much: Starts at $35

Candlelight: Tribute to Trent Reznor

Experience the atmospheric and genre-defining compositions of Trent Reznor brought to life in a breathtaking live concert!

Bathed in the soft glow of hundreds of candles inside St. David’s Episcopal Church, savor unique arrangements of iconic pieces including “Challengers Match Point,” “Epiphany from Soul,” “Main Theme from Quake,” and more.

Where: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 8:45 PM to 10:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $35

Carried By The Winds

Image credit: Blue Lapis Light

Witness a breathtaking aerial dance poem inspired by the chaos of our modern times, where suspended dancers rise and fall like whispered prayers carried by unseen currents!

Dwelling gracefully in the mystery of the unknown toward the light with grace, surrender, and quiet resolve, this stunning performance invites a deep reflection on the enduring possibility of transformation.

Where: One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, AUSTIN, TX 78704
When: Thursday, September 17 – 20, 2026
How Much: Starts at $25

Flower Shop

Step into a captivating world where a secret red door at the back of a flower shop leads to an intimate speakeasy cocktail lounge!

Enjoy an up-close world premiere ballet presented by Ventana Ballet alongside live string and piano arrangements from Austin Camerata performing Michael Alec Rose’s original piano quartet,

This is complete with a full bar hosted by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, where guests can meet the artists and composer after the show.

Where: East Side Performing Arts, 979 Springdale Rd Ste 815, Austin, TX 78702
When: Thursday, September 17 – 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $30

Red Dot Art Spree 2026

Celebrate Austin’s thriving creative community and support vital programs at Women & Their Work during the premier art-buying event of the year!

Browse and collect incredible paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs priced at $1,500 or less with tax-free purchasing, while enjoying spirited conversations, curated food and libations, an artist-led collaborative painting experience in the courtyard, and a color strobe photo booth by Smilebooth.

Where: Women & Their Work, 1311 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $125

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