Things To Do In Austin This Weekend

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The best things to do in Austin this weekend, August 14 – August 16, include Road to Le Mans Racing Fanfest, Austin Sketch Fest, 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 – August 14 – August 16: Austin will face intense August heat and thick cloud coverage across the mid-month weekend with persistent triple-digit heat index values and virtually no rain relief.

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 or Cheap Things to Do in Austin this Weekend

Magnolia Musical Theatre presents The Addams Family

Embrace the delightful wackiness of everyone’s favorite spooky clan as Magnolia Musical Theatre presents its fourth annual free summer production at the Hill Country Galleria.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs out to the Central Lawn and Pavilion for a laugh-out-loud musical spectacle under the open sky.

Where: Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Friday, August 14 – 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: Free

Annual Zilker Summer Musical: Singin’ in the Rain

Experience a beloved summer tradition as Zilker Theatre Productions brings the timeless magic of Singin’ in the Rain to the hillside.

Pack your favorite picnic blankets and snacks, and join the crowd for an evening filled with dazzling choreography, stunning costumes, and unforgettable musical numbers under the stars.

Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
When: Friday, August 14 – 15, 2026 | 8:15 PM – 11:00 PM
How Much: Free

Road To Lone Star Le Mans Racing Fanfest

Top events in Austin this weekend August 14 - 16 2026 - FIA World Endurance Championships (Lone Star Le Mans)

Image credit: Circuit of the Americas2

Gear up for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship by experiencing a free family-friendly celebration happening two weeks before WEC takes over the Circuit of the Americas. G

et up close with the Cadillac Hypercar and Genesis Le Mans 24 car, watch live pit stop demonstrations by Ford, and view the iconic Le Mans Trophy in person.

There will also be full-day fan activations including simulator racing, Mini Z racing, and more at the Mueller Branch Park Pavilion in the heart of Austin.

Where: Mueller Branch Park Pavilion, 2201 Aldrich St, Austin, TX 78723
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
How Much: Free

Morning Glories

Kick off the school year strong with a lively morning in the park featuring a community resource fair and a variety of engaging activities.

Enjoy storybook readings, line dance lessons, delicious food and drink, art activities, and a special appearance by H-E-Buddy at the Moody Amphitheater.

Where: Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
How Much: Free

Things to Do in Austin this Friday | Weekend Kickoff Events

Weather on Friday: Heavy overcast skies and intense heat with persistent southerly winds, a high of 100°F, a low of 77°F, and a 19% chance of precipitation.

Austin Sketch Fest

Image credit: Austin Sketch Fest

Step into two whole weekends of top-tier scripted comedy showcasing the absolute best performers from Austin and the wilderness beyond.

Head to ColdTowne Theater to catch incredible headlining acts including Andrew Dismukes from Saturday Night Live, Upright Citizens Brigade’s Assssketch, Shitty Mozart from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Aly Dixon.

Grab your tickets on the official website to enjoy a massive multi-week series of sketch showcases produced, booked, and organized by local artists.

Where: ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 14 – 16 & August 21 – 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 1:00 AM
How Much: Prices vary

Bluegrass Junction

Image credit: Performa/ Dance

Stomp your feet, clap your hands, and join the party as Performa/Dance brings back a heartfelt intersection of live music and movement to the stage.

The performance is led by award-winning choreographer Jennifer Hart, alongside special musical guests international singer-songwriter Tim Eriksen and Austin’s own Wayside Bluegrass.

It features Tim Eriksen playing guitar, banjo, fiddle, bajo sexto, kaval, and bansuri, supported by Wayside members Jon Lundbom on banjo, Bo Tyler on guitar and vocals, Everett Wren on fiddle, and Kyle Kline on bass, bringing communities together through traditional and contemporary bluegrass sounds.

Where: Austin Ventures Studio Theater, 501 W. 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, August 14 – 15, 2026
How Much: Starts at $35

Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret

Journey back to Mexico City in the 1940s to follow Silvia Ibarra, a well-bred doctor’s daughter by day preparing for a respectable marriage who transforms by night into Emiliana, a revolutionary cabaretera worshiping Emiliano Zapata with dreams of returning her grandfather’s land to the campesinos.

Watch as her double life is exposed and throws her future into turmoil.

Inspired by the prostitute melodramas of Mexico’s Golden Age of film, Ground Floor Theatre brings this reimagined story of social justice for Indigenous, femme, and queer communities to life.

Where: Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd #122, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, August 14 – 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $30 or pay what you can

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire in concert

Experience an unforgettable night of legendary music as Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire team up for a spectacular co-headlining tour stop in Austin.

Sing along to decades of timeless pop and soul anthems from artists who have shaped the global music landscape across numerous decades and dozens of hit albums.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Friday, August 14, 2026 | 7:30 PM
How Much: Starts at $68

Paint & Sip Night: Paint Your Own “Succulent Planter”

Unleash your creativity during a two-hour guided painting experience designed for ages 13 and up at Inspired Minds Art Center.

Bring your own beverages and an enthusiastic attitude as a skilled instructor guides you step-by-step through painting a custom succulent planter following a special nightly theme.

All basic materials are provided while you are encouraged to expand the colors and add your own personal flare to take home a completed masterpiece.

Where: Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St, Buda, TX 78610
When: Friday, August 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: $45

Shakespeare But One Of Us Is Drunk: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Gather around for a wildly unpredictable night of comedy, live music, magic, and inebriation presented by The Vortex. Watch a talented troupe perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream with one actor randomly selected to do five shots backstage beforehand.

Audience members even hold the power to influence the chaos, bribe the Emcee, or get crowned VIP King and Queen for the evening during this limited two-week run.

Where: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd #2135, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, August 14 – 22, 2026 | 8:00 PM
How Much: $25

Midnight

Step into a lavish 1950s suite at New York’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel for a fast-moving screwball comedy full of escalating chaos, high-stakes meetings, and mistaken identities.

Follow a desperate Hollywood director, a self-taught Bronx playwright hiding in a bar cabinet, and a revolving door of eccentric characters as they race against a midnight deadline in a love letter to artistic ambition and classic farce.

Where: The Stage Austin, 6134 E Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78752
When: Friday, August 14 – 16, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
How Much: Free – $25

Georgetown Palace Theatre presents 42nd Street

Experience the dazzling glitz of Broadway’s golden age through a classic musical following an ambitious young chorus girl from Pennsylvania who gets her shot at stardom when the leading lady is sidelined.

The timeless score is packed with legendary show tunes like We’re In the Money and Lullaby of Broadway.

Where: Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Friday, August 14 – 30, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Sally & Tom

Dive into the messy, hilarious rehearsals of a scrappy theater company tackling the complex relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings in Pulitzer Prize-winning Suzan-Lori Parks’ brilliant play.

Making its regional premiere at Zach Theater, Sally & Tom flips historical mythmaking on its head by sliding seamlessly between present-day backstage tensions and the past.

Where: ZACH North, 14010 US-183 Suite 540, Cedar Park, TX 78613
When: Friday, August 14 – 23, 2026
How Much: Starts at $12

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Top Picks Saturday

Weather on Saturday: Mostly cloudy and stiflingly warm throughout the day, a high of 100°F, a low of 75°F, and a 7% chance of precipitation.

Noir: String Sessions

Indulge your senses with a curated one-hour performance by a talented string quartet alongside Naala at The Cathedral.

But first, kick off the evening with a 45-minute cocktail hour before the show to explore the venue’s current exhibition featuring works by Austin’s top emerging women and nonbinary artists.

Where: The Cathedral, 2403 E 16th St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 1:15 PM – 9:00 PM
How Much: Front Row: $65, Second Row: $55, Third Row: $45, Cocktail Table for 2: $95

PCX Austin

Explore a brand-new pop culture convention with a big heart and a true love for Austin, packed with celebrity guests, interactive panels, talented artists, and a vibrant exhibitor floor.

Dive into a world of comics, collectibles, gaming, and pop culture that celebrates the unique creative energy of the city.

Where: Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, August 15 – 16, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $12 for kids and $25 for adults

Muse with The Temper Trap and Portugal The Man

Image credit: Muse

Catch the explosive sound of Muse live in concert as the iconic alternative rock band stops by in support of their brand-new album, The Wow! Signal.

Where: Germania Insurance Amphitheater, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM
How Much: Starts at $60 for kids and $25 for adults

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Sunday Funday

Weather on Sunday: Gradual late-day clearing with high temperatures remaining entrenched in triple digits, a high of 100°F, a low of 75°F, and an 8% chance of precipitation.

Sip & Sculpt Pottery Workshop

Shape clay into a smiley pot, vase, trinket dish, or anything you dream up while sipping your favorite drink in a relaxed studio setting.

Learn foundational hand-building basics during a signature pottery workshop hosted by Pottery with a Purpose at Stargazer. Perfect for friends, dates, or solo creative time, this session provides all the guidance and materials needed to craft your own unique ceramic piece.

Where: Stargazer, 979 Springdale, Suite 130, Austin, TX 78702
When: Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
How Much: $60

The Jury Experience

Step into a gripping courtroom drama where you have been called for jury duty and the audience holds the ultimate power to decide a high-stakes case.

Listen to testimonies, analyze evidence, and vote at key moments that actively shape hidden angles in the trial of a powerful politician’s son accused of murder after a fatal speedboat tragedy.

Experience a thrilling interactive performance addressing themes of domestic violence, emotional manipulation, and intense conflict where your verdict dictates whether the outcome is guilty or not guilty.

Where: Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W 18th St., Austin, TX 78701
When: Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 4:30 PM – 5:45 PM
How Much: Starts at $57

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