Things To Do In Austin This Weekend

The best things to do in Austin this weekend, May 22 – May 24, include Weekend Getaway to Galveston, Demi Lovato in Concert, Austin Greek Festival, 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 – May 22 – May 24: Austin is set for an unsettled and humid weekend with temperatures in the mid-80s and persistent chances for rain as multiple disturbances move through Central Texas.

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 Things to Do in Austin this Weekend

Coastline Road Trip: Free Sandcastle Building Lessons

Weekend Getaway to Galveston (AUS) - FREE Sandcastle Building Lessons

Image Credit: Galveston Island FB Page

Trade the Barton Springs crowds for the Gulf breeze and level up your beach game with professional sandcastle builders. This hands-on workshop at East Beach teaches you the architectural secrets and tools needed to create massive, pro-level masterpieces in the sand—completely free of charge.

When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Lessons at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm | Saturdays in May
Where: East Beach (1923 Boddeker Dr), Galveston, TX 77550
How Much: FREE (Beach parking fees may apply)

Barriofest – Wellness market & AfroPunk Show

Celebrate two decades of community by receiving a traditional limpia, participating in herbal workshops, and treating the family to fresh tamales and a spin in the bounce house.

This vibrant gathering features an expansive marketplace alongside live performances from artists like @wavyeye, @doubtcasterverses, and @FolkHarpClub.

Where: Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
When: Vesper, 3106 E 14th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78702
How Much: Free

Much Ado About Nothing — Austin Shakespeare

Catch Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy under the Austin night sky at Zilker Hillside Theatre.

Austin Shakespeare will transport Much Ado About Nothing to 1950s Italy, drawing on the cinematic world of Fellini with sun-drenched piazzas, effortless style, and lively music woven throughout.

Watch as sharp-tongued Beatrice and sworn bachelor Benedick spar their way through love denial while the romance around them lurches toward chaos. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for a night of wit and warmth.

Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
When: Friday, May 22 – 24, 2026
How Much: Free (donations welcome)

Blue Genie Art Bazaar’s Annual May Market Returns to Austin

Explore a vibrant local shopping experience at the sixth annual May Market by Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Held every weekend in May, this free, family-friendly event brings together nearly 200 regional artists and artisans under one roof.

Browse handcrafted gifts perfect for any occasion, and enjoy hands-on fun with DIY card printing every Saturday.

Where: Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport Blvd Ste C, Austin, TX 78752
When: Friday, May 22 – 31, 2026 | 10 am – 8 pm (Fridays – Sundays only)
How Much: Free

Drink + Draw

Bring your sketchbooks, charcoal, or digital tablets to a relaxed creative social hour hosted by local art collectives. You can sip on a Rotating Draft beer or cold brew from the bar while sharing techniques and collaborating on quick-sketch prompts with fellow illustrators.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
When: Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
How Much: Free

Austin Bat Cave’s Puppet Storytime and Book Faire

Gather outside at the Festival Beach food forest for an entertaining live puppet performance explicitly designed for youth ages 12 and under. You can explore a wide variety of books available for all age groups while enjoying the open-air seating.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
When: Festival Beach Food Forest, 29 Waller St, Austin, TX 78702
How Much: Free

Summer Vendor Market

Ease into the season by browsing a curated outdoor lineup of handmade goods, art pieces, and rare vintage finds curated by the Austin Artisan Market. You can sip cold draft selections from the full bar while dining on fresh options from Deft Pies and Yellow Bell Tacos.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM
When: Old Gregg Brewing Co., 1900 E Howard Lane, Bldg H, Pflugerville, TX 78660
How Much: Free

Two-Step Night with Waterloo Greenway

Image credit: Waterloo Greenway

Dust off your boots for a night of interactive dance lessons tailored for all skill levels and set to a lively country western playlist. Once you master the basics, a live band will take over the amphitheater stage to keep you twirling across the lawn all evening.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
When: Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
How Much: Free

Things to Do in Austin this Friday | Weekend Kickoff Events

Weather on Friday: Mostly cloudy and humid with scattered thunderstorms possible in the afternoon, a high of 84°F, a low of 69°F, and a 40% chance of precipitation.

5th Element Cosplay Competition

Get your multi-pass ready and show off your best Diva or Meat Popsicle look for a chance to win cash prizes. You can also browse the local selection from Moss Market ATX, grab a bite from parked food trucks, and enjoy the live music.

Where: Friday, May 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
When: Ani’s Day and Night, 7107 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
How Much: $10

Austin Greek Festival

Image credit: Austin Greek Festival

Learn traditional choreography, dance along to a live band traveling straight from Greece, and shop for unique souvenirs inside the bustling Agora market.

The weekend celebration also invites you to step inside the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church for an insightful guided tour of the community’s history.

Where: Friday – Sunday, May 22 – May 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
When: 414 St Stephens School Rd S, Austin, TX 78746
How Much: $5

Wakey, Wakey by Will Eno

Watch a revival of this moving play where a man reflects on what one small life can mean. Ken Webster and Rebecca Robinson return to their acclaimed roles in a performance praised for its humor, depth, and emotional impact.

Where: Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751
When: Friday, May 22 – June 13, 2026
How Much: Starts at $30

Ground Floor Theatre presents Pueblo Revolt

Experience a powerful two-person play set during the 1680 Pueblo Uprising in New Mexico. And follow two Indigenous brothers as they navigate colonialism, identity, family, and the emotional cost of resistance.

Where: Ground Floor Theater, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, May 22 – 23, 2026 | 8 pm
How Much: Starts at $30

Touch the Art Experience

This is the one art show where touching everything is not just allowed, it’s encouraged — that’s the whole point!

Almost Real Things’ 4th annual Touch the Art Experience transforms the gallery into a fully immersive, all-senses installation featuring work from 83 artists, including collaborating students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The Grand Opening on Friday kicks things off with live music, themed drinks, and interactive sound sculptures. Come back any day of the run to explore tactile installations, discover artwork for sale, and experience what it feels like when art truly includes everyone.

Where: ART Gallery at Canopy, 916 Springdale Rd, Bldg 2 #101, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, May 22 – July 5, 2026
How Much: Starts at $20

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Top Picks Saturday

Weather on Saturday: Overcast with a continued chance for showers and thunderstorms, a high of 83°F, a low of 71°F, and a 50% chance of precipitation.

Here Be Monsters Indie Classical Music Festival

Immerse yourself in a dynamic evening of contemporary music featuring live sets from Tetractys and the Austin New Music Ensemble. You can grab a seat on the outdoor terrace to hear experimental compositions played on amplified cello, vintage synthesizers, and vibraphone.

Where: Saturday – Sunday, May 23 – 24, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
When: KMFA Draylen Mason Music Studio, 415 N Robert T Martinez Jr St, Austin, TX 78702
How Much: $50 weekend pass | $30 single day pass | $25 student weekend pass | $15 student day pass

Spy Kids 25th Anniversary Screening

Watch young Carmen and Juni jet through the air and dive under the seas to rescue their ex-spy parents from an evil mastermind on the big screen. Your nostalgic afternoon continues immediately following the film with a live performance by Robert Rodriguez’s Family Spy Band.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 3:00 pm
When: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
How Much: Starts at $10

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Feast on a multi-course meal while tackling a challenging crime where the culprit hides somewhere in the room. You might even find yourself named the prime suspect before the night ends, but a dedicated effort could earn you the title and prize package for Top Sleuth.

Where: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 6:00 pm
When: Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown, 810 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
How Much: $69.99

Ice Age in the Wild at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Wildflower Center is about to get prehistoric. Starting May 9, 15 life-size, gigantic Ice Age mammals, including a 17,500-pound woolly mammoth, will take up residence throughout the gardens for a summer-long run.

Come face-to-face with a saber-toothed cat, a dire wolf, a woolly rhinoceros, and more as you wander the native plant gardens. New weekly Quest of the Week challenges keep every visit fresh, and general admission gets you in.

Where: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | runs through August 15
How Much: Included with general admission; free for members

Austin Sol Pro Ultimate Game

Catch the Austin Sol in action as they compete for the 2026 UFA Championship at Parmer Field. This fast-paced ultimate frisbee matchup delivers nonstop energy, backed by a live DJ, a full bar, and a wide selection of food delivered right to your seat.

Where: Parmer Field, 13000 Harris Ridge Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
When: Saturday, May 23- July 18, 2026
How Much: $15 for adults | $10 for youth

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Sunday Funday

Weather on Sunday: Partly sunny and warm with a slight chance of a stray afternoon thundershower, a high of 86°F, a low of 72°F, and a 20% chance of precipitation.

Spring Wine Festival

Image credit: Juliet Social – Georgetown (701 South Main Street, Georgetown, TX)

Stroll through a premium afternoon tasting where you can sample a curated selection of global pours paired with custom small bites prepared by Chef Rob and Chef Fil. Live music soundtracking the venue sets the mood as you discover new labels and place orders for full bottles to take home.

Where: Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
When: Juliet Italian Kitchen, 701 S Main Street, Georgetown, TX 78626
How Much: $50

Hometown Half Marathon/10K/5K

Image credit: runsignup

Challenge yourself on a road course lined with scenic local paths or sign up the kids for the untimed Kid’s Dash for ages 10 and under. Cross the finish line to collect a custom medal, download free race photos, and celebrate with a selection of post-race snacks.

Where: Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 7:00 am
When: Southeast Metro Park, 4511 E Hwy 71, Del Valle, TX 78617
How Much: $15

Demi Lovato in concert

Image credit: Demi Lovato

Experience the powerhouse vocals and fresh dance-pop sound of the 2026 It’s Not That Deep Tour live in arena seating. You can hear tracks from Demi’s newly released studio album alongside a performance by special opening guest Adéla.

Where: Sunday, May 24, 2026 | 8:00 pm
When: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
How Much: $52

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend with Kids – Family Friendly Events

Memorial Day Getaway: Family Fun in Galveston

Swap the ATX trails for the seawall this Memorial Day! Pack up the kids for a coastal escape featuring live sunset concerts, sandcastle lessons, and interactive history at the Naval Museum. Whether you’re hitting the Pleasure Pier rides or exploring the Moody Gardens, it’s the ultimate holiday road trip for Austin families seeking vitamin sea.

When: Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25, 2026 | Various Times
Where: Various locations across Galveston, TX (Approx. 1 hour from Houston)
How Much: Varies by activity (Many events are FREE)