Weekend Event Guide

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

Unwind from the workweek with these top weekend happenings. From a competition featuring the finest cocktails to a celebrity softball game the entire family can attend, we’ve rounded up the best events. For a full list of happenings, visit our events calendar.

Austin Food & Wine Alliance presents 2016 Official Drink of Austin
This Thursday, the city’s elite bar teams will go head-to-head in a cocktail competition you won’t want to miss. Get an exclusive foodie experience featuring Austin-inspired cocktails and top-notch food at Fair Market, and vote for the winner of the coveted title, Official Drink of Austin. Spice up your typical Thursday happy hour plans and snag a ticket while you still can.

Big Medium presents Due West
Due West gives an exclusive first look at the West Austin Studio Tour, featuring the work of more than 200 participating artists this Friday night at the Dougherty Arts Center. Aside from the artwork, guests at the opening reception will enjoy complimentary bites and drinks from Austin favorites including La Condesa, Uchiko, Austin Eastciders, Lick Ice Creams, and more. Take everything in with the mood-setting tunes from DJ Soundfounder and some of the city’s coolest art lovers.

KUTX Live at Mueller
As part of its live series, KUTX is bringing the sounds of the city to one of Austin’s hottest neighborhoods. Local music acts El Tule and Tameca Jones grace the stage at Mueller Lake Park for a free, family-friendly show this Friday. Pack your blankets, plastic bottles, and snacks for the evening, and settle in for a quintessential night of music under the stars.

Untapped Festival Austin
Celebrate over 75 different breweries this Saturday at Carson Creek Ranch. This year’s Untapped Festival will feature an epic music lineup, two stages, and over 300 different beers to sample. Bands like Atlas Genius, Lady Lamb, and JR JR play while you get the first taste of debuting beer companies Wicked Weed and The Bruery.

Reckless Kelly’s Celebrity Softball Jam
Celebrity media personalities and athletes team up this Sunday for Reckless Kelly's Celebrity Softball Jam at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. In addition to the fun-filled action on the field, this year’s jam includes music by Micky & The Motorcars, Shinyribs, Uncle Lucius, and more. Take the family out to the ball game and end the weekend with a home run.

Get a first look at the West Austin Studio Tour this Friday night at Due West.

Big Medium presents Due West opening reception

Photo courtesy of Big Medium

Get a first look at the West Austin Studio Tour this Friday night at Due West.

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In the Igloo

Austin cafe Mozart's adds luxe igloos to its sprawling light festival

Photo from Mozart's Coffee Roasters Facebook Page

Euro Igloos are decked out and cozy, providing a refuge for up to 10 guests for 1.5 hours.

Every year, Mozart's Festival of Lights seems to get bigger and this year is no exception. In addition to "over a million twinkling lights," according to the website, this year's light display will include holiday markets, live entertainment, boat cruises, and for the first time ever, private "Euro Igloos."

The Euro Igloos are a more VIP way to experience the light show at Mozart's Coffee Roasters, which runs through January 4, barring Christmas Day. These clear and domed structures will act as literal bubbles around groups of up to 10 people.

The two igloos sit on the Overlook Deck just next to Mozart's Steinway grand piano, above regular deck seating, and include customized food and beverage options.

An igloo ticket will cover up to 10 guests and starts at $300, with the option to add on snacks and other goodies. This ticket includes general admission access as well, meaning guests will be able to wander around and experience the light show, holiday market, and activities, but will have the refuge of an igloo for an hour and a half.

Mozart's Festival of Lights Map A map of all the attractions at this year's Festival of Lights.Photo from Mozartscoffee.com

Other VIP experiences at Mozart's Festival of Lights this year include private Lake Austin boat cruises for up to 44 guests ($600-1,200) and a guided donut boat for up to 10 guests ($150). And of course, regular General Admission tickets are always available for $6.

For nearly 20 more holiday light show experiences in and around Austin, check out our list here.

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