Weekend Picks

8 things to do in Austin this weekend if you're ditching the fest

When the Austin City Limits Music Festival hits the city and you're not going, it's easy to forget that there's anything else happening around town. Here are few things you can check out this weekend that have nothing to do with ACL or Zilker Park.

Ditch the Fest Fest
Are you still craving live music? During both Saturdays of ACL there’s an alternative festival: Ditch the Fest Fest downtown at the Empire Control Room & Garage. There are 48 bands total playing over the two days (like Tele Novella, BLXPLTN, Major Major Major, Otis the Destroyer and many more), plus entrance per day only costs $5.

Wizard World Comic Con
Any pop culture fans or comic book enthusiasts should consider going to the Wizard World Comic Con on Friday or Saturday. There’s an entire floor dedicated to merchandise, several interesting panels and multiple opportunities to see celebs like Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Sean Astin (LOTR) and many more.

Tailgate for the UT game
Forget watching the University of Texas vs. Baylor game on your couch this Saturday. Grab your burnt orange T-shirt, your koozie and your Longhorn spirit and go tailgate outside of the DKR stadium. No matter the score, this is shaping up to be an intense game. What better way to get amped than by surrounding yourself with other UT fans? Most of tailgate parties and barbecue pits are located along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (such as the tailgate series at Hotel Ella).

Fall Festival at Barton Hill Farms
If you’re looking for something family-friendly then this festival out at Barton Hill Farms in Bastrop is perfect. It’s got everything that an autumn-inspired event needs, including a pumpkin patch and festival rides for the kids as well as craft beer, live music and even kayaking for the adults.

Stand-up comedy
Maybe it’s been a long week and you need something that doesn’t include large crowds and blaring music. We suggest going to see some professional stand-up. You’ve got two options this weekend: Wendy Liebman at Cap City Comedy Club or Jay LaFarr at The Velv Comedy Lounge. Both comedians are playing multiple shows on Friday and Saturday, so if you really want to see both you don’t have to worry about choosing.

Easy Tiger’s GQ How-To Launch Party
For all the gentlemen out there, you should know that Easy Tiger has been named one of GQ’s “How-To Headquarters.” To kick off this month of celebrating men’s fashion, Easy Tiger is teaming up with Service Menswear, HELM Boots, Billy Reid Austin and Dandy's for a little fashion pop-up. If you go, you can also enjoy the new GQ Signature Cocktail named “The Gentleman Caller” as well as $1 cans from Austin Beerworks and Real Ale Brewing Company.

Turquoise Jeep + Taco Cannon
Even though it’s ACL weekend, apparently it’s not too early to start thinking about Fun Fun Fun Fest. Do you like rap? Do you like tacos? Go see Turquoise Jeep, Yip Deceiver and Space Camp at Red 7 on Saturday. In honor of National Taco Day the FFF Fest taco cannon will be making it rain delicious, aluminum wrapped goodness.

Celebrate National Taco Day
If all you really want this weekend is celebrate the most delicious holiday ever declared, we've got you covered. Check out some of CultureMap’s favorite taco joints and get you some — or all.

The Longhorns square-off against Baylor on Saturday. What better way to get in the mood than by tailgating outside of the DKR Stadium?

Photo courtesy of UT Athletics

The Longhorns square-off against Baylor on Saturday. What better way to get in the mood than by tailgating outside of the DKR Stadium?

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Lights Up

Top holiday tradition Trail of Lights illuminates Zilker Park for 2024

Trail of Lights/austintrailoflights.org

One of Austin's top events is coming back soon.

For a city that barely has seasons, Austin really has its seasonal traditions on lock, and none as strongly as the Trail of Lights. This holiday happening, which features more than two million lights in festive displays along a driving and walking trail at Zilker Park, is returning for its 60th year from December 10-23.

Half of the 14 nights will be free to the pubic, and children under 12 will get in for free every night. Although the light show was temporarily drivable during pandemic shutdowns, it is back to being a walking trail only. That means visitors can stroll along the 1.25-mile path (or 2.5 miles total, an FAQ estimates, with all the meandering factored in).

The lights are spread across 96 trees and 70 "festive displays" including the famous tunnel draped in lights and stars that visitors love to take photos in.

Trail of Lights tunnel This light tunnel is a popular place for a photo op.Trail of Lights/austintrailoflights.org

Besides enjoying the visual effects, trail-walkers will also have plenty of other entertainment. There's Candy Cane Lane, which includes food and beverage vendors, restrooms, and the ZIP Lounge, which is like a VIP lounge with complimentary cookies, cocoa, and more but...at the end of the alphabet. Then there's also the North Pole at the center, featuring Santa's House and Santa's Workshop, plus more festival attractions like food, carnival rides (a ferris wheel and carousel), shopping, and live music.

Food vendors haven't been shared yet, but will eventually be listed on the event's website. Musical artists: applications are open now to play during the 2024 season.

Trail of lights fanatics have other options for getting involved, like an exclusive Night Lights Preview Party ($100) on December 6, which will feature food from Austin restaurants, complimentary beverages, and free rides. There's also a Fun Run the next day, December 7. (Okay, fine, holiday lights do make running sound fun.) Finally, guests can even book private events including, for the first time, weddings.

Tickets (free, or starting at $8) are available at austintrailoflights.org. An interactive calendar makes it easy to see which days include free entry. Some proceeds and donations support the Stars at the Trail program, which divvies up funds to nonprofits around Central Texas.

trail of lights holidays