For current details and dates, check Visit Austin’s events page and the event’s website.
Austin’s exciting year-round events celebrate everything from independent film and the arts to comedy and fun cultural happenings.
ARTS
AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL
George Washington Carver Museum, aabookfest.com
This free annual literary event showcases new works by and about African-Americans.
ART CITY AUSTIN
Republic Square, artallianceaustin.org
Nearly 200 national artists, local restaurants, two music stages and art activities make this one of the city’s favorite festivals.
AUSTIN FASHION WEEK
Various Locations, fashionweekaustin.com
Showcase of fashion designers, photographers, hair stylists, makeup artists and models from around the state of Texas.
AUSTIN MUSEUM DAY
Various Locations, austinmuseums.org
Organized by the Austin Museum Partnership, this day features free exhibitions and activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural sites.
EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR
Various Locations, east.bigmedium.org
More than 70 Eastside studios open their doors for the public’s viewing and purchasing pleasure.
FUSEBOX FESTIVAL
Various Locations, fuseboxfestival.com
A hybrid arts festival that champions adventurous works of art in theater, dance, film, music, literature, visual and culinary arts.
OUTSIDER FESTIVAL
Various Locations, outsiderfest.org
This multidisciplinary art festival brings together Austin’s LGBTQ community and showcases film, performance art, music, visual arts and more.
PECAN STREET FESTIVAL (SPRING & FALL)
Historic Sixth Street, pecanstreetfestival.org
Musicians, food vendors, artists and crafters turn Sixth Street – historically called Pecan Street – into a lively street fair.
TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
Texas State Capitol & Congress Avenue, texasbookfestival.org
Enjoy readings, panel discussions, signings, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food, YA authors, children’s activities and special exhibitors.
WEST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR
Various Locations, bigmedium.org
The West Austin Studio Tour is a free self-guided tour that celebrates Austin’s talented and wildly diverse creative community.
COMEDY
MOONTOWER COMEDY FESTIVAL
Paramount Theatre & Other Locations, moontowercomedyfestival.com
Moontower Comedy Festival, presented by the Paramount Theatre, brings the funniest comics to Austin.
OUT OF BOUNDS COMEDY FESTIVAL
Various Locations, outofboundscomedy.com
Comedians from around the country head to Austin for this festival, showcasing the best in improv, sketch and stand-up.
CULTURE
AUSTIN PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL
Fiesta Gardens & Downtown Austin, austinpride.org
Don’t miss the festival and parade down Congress Avenue during the largest annual LGBTQ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Various Locations, visitaustin.org/black-austin
Events around town, including film screenings and ceremonies, celebrate people and moments in Austin’s African-American history.
MARTIN LUTHER KING FESTIVAL
Huston-Tillotson University, mlkcelebration.com
March from the University of Texas to Huston-Tillotson University to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
OKTOBERFEST
Scholz Garten, austoberfest.com
Oktoberfest celebrates German heritage with beer, sausage, live music and bowling at the oldest continuously operating tavern in Texas.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL
Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms, stpatricksdayaustin.com
Come enjoy authentic Celtic music and dancers, Irish language workshops and the finest Irish imports at this family-friendly fest.
VIVA LA VIDA PARADE & FESTIVAL
Sixth Street, mexic-artemuseumevents.org
Austin’s largest and longest-running Día de los Muertos festival features a grand procession, activities, traditional foods, artists and live music.
FILM & VIDEO
ALL GENDERS, LIFESTYLES AND IDENTITIES FILM FESTIVAL (AGLIFF)
Various Locations, agliff.org
The oldest and largest LGBTQ film fest in the Southwest is also the biggest LGBTQ cultural event in Austin.
ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL
Downtown Austin, atxfestival.com
The first festival devoted to television features premieres of new series, current hits and cult favorites.
AUSTIN ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Various Locations, aaafilmfest.com
This festival promotes Asian and Asian-American cultures and experiences through media arts, showcasing cinema and the creativity of Asian-American artists.
AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL
Paramount Theatre & Various Locations, austinfilmfestival.com
One of the top film festivals in the country, this cinematic event shines the spotlight on top-billed films and indies alike.
AUSTIN MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL
Various Locations, amvfest.com
AMVF celebrates Austin’s long-standing music video heritage with screenings, awards, parties, panels and workshops around town.
CAPITAL CITY BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Various Locations, capcitybff.com
Recognizing Black filmmakers, this movie festival provides a stage for burgeoning talent in the heart of Austin.
CINE LAS AMERICASINTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Various Locations, cinelasamericas.org
Catch screenings of contemporary films and videos from Latin America (North, Central, South America and the Caribbean) and the Iberian Peninsula.
FANTASTIC FEST
Alamo Drafthouse, fantasticfest.com
The largest genre film festival in the U.S. specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and more from around the world.
SXSW® MUSIC, FILM AND INTERACTIVE CONFERENCES AND FESTIVALS
Austin Convention Center & Across Austin, sxsw.com
Noted filmmakers, musicians and thought leaders showcase music, film and interactive media at this international event.
