Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend

A fantastic film fest, bluegrass in the beer garden, and socially distanced music event are among the hottest happenings in town. Check out the top five things to do in Austin this weekend.

Thursday, September 24

St. Elmo Brewing presents Grassy Thursdays
St. Elmo Brewing Co. invites you to the beer garden for the return of popular live music event Grassy Thursdays. The weekly series will feature performances by local bluegrass bands, cold beer for purchase, and fresh eats from the Spicy Boys/SourSop food truck. Tables are first come, first served — and face masks are required. Admission is free. Grassy Thursdays are scheduled through December 17.

Celebration of Fantastic Fest
The eight-day, all-virtual Fantastic Fest will include a canon of classic fantasy films like Fantastic Feud and 100 Best Kills, as well asworld premieres. Mingle with fellow movie buffs via live video chat and join in on real-time watch parties. All features and live events are available for free on the Alamo On Demand platform. Visit the official festival website for a full schedule of events, through October 1.

Friday, September 25

Bullock Texas State History Museum presents American Indian Heritage Day
Experience the eighth annual American Indian Heritage Day celebration from the comfort of home. The day of festivities will celebrate the rich history of American Indian communities and includes dance performances, storytelling, interactive classes, and more.

Hometown Heroes Music Festival
This hybrid drive-in and socially distanced music festival will feature performances by an eclectic lineup of rap and country stars. In Austin, live performers include Snoop Dogg, Nelly, and Stoney Larue on Friday and Randy Rogers Band, Josh Abbott, and Mike Ryan on Saturday. Simultaneous events with different live acts will take place in Dallas and Lubbock. Yard space and reserved vehicle parking are available at the Brushy Creek Amphitheater festival grounds, located in Hutto. To purchase tickets and weekend passes, visit the festival website.

Sunday, September 27

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: The Scared Scriptless Tour
The Paramount Theatre welcomes comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood to the stage for an evening of improv and hijinks. As veterans of the hit television show Whose Line is it Anyway?, the two-man production will incorporate new material as suggested by the audience to create a unique comedy experience unlike any other. Select tickets are still available.

Celebrate the contributions, heritage, and rich history of indigenous Americans with a day full of virtual programming.

Photo courtesy of Bullock Texas State History Museum

Celebrate the contributions, heritage, and rich history of indigenous Americans with a day full of virtual programming.

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Hot Headlines

Famous Austin tower sells for $522M in this week's hottest headlines

Rendering courtesy of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

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Editor's note: This week's top Austin news includes many exciting restaurant openings and holiday happenings aplenty. Plus, the famous "sailboat building" gets a new owner. Get the details on our hottest headlines of the week below. And for the best things to do in Austin this weekend, go here.

1. Austin's famous 'sail tower' sells for $522 million. An iconic piece of Austin’s skyline is getting a new owner. Cousins Properties announced it is acquiring the tower that's shaped like a sail in downtown Austin for more than $521.8 million. The property is leased to Google and was developed in 2022.

2. 8 openings in a month lead Austin's restaurant and bar news. Here's a rundown of eight exciting restaurants that have opened in the last month.

3. Former Food Network host debuts Round Rock bar with fancy comfort food. Former Food Network host John Green is heading to the Austin suburb with a new concept dedicated to "elevated bar fare." It's opening January 11, 2025.

Odds Bar & Bistro Round Rock French Toast Odds Bar & Bistro will serve very upscale "bar food." Photo courtesy of Odds Bar & Bistro

4. These 9 Austin restaurants will be open for Christmas Eve or Day 2024. If your ideal Christmas doesn't involve a whole lot of cooking, cleaning, or hosting, there are several Austin restaurants that are happy to do the work for you. In fact, not only are many restaurants staying open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but they're offering special menus and events, too.

5. Where to see the most dazzling Christmas lights in Austin and beyond. The magical holiday season is in full swing, and that means beautiful holiday lights displays. Here's a list of the best holiday light events and attractions happening in Austin and nearby.

google tower restaurant opening christmas lights christmas dining top stories