Weekend Event Guide

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

This weekend is packed with big events like the ATX Television Festival and the Bacon & Beer Festival on the agenda. For a full list of happenings, check out our events calendar.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center presents Nature Nights
This Thursday, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center kicks off a month of interactive, family-friendly Nature Nights. Every Thursday evening in June, kids and their families are invited to the center for a nocturnal nature event featuring readings, presentations, hikes, and more. Skip the typical family night indoors and spend it under the stars instead.

ATX Television Festival
The city’s celebration of all things televised returns for another year of small-screen festivities. Beginning Thursday, and taking place at various venues throughout the weekend, the ATX Television Festival will feature panel discussions, exclusive screenings, sitcom reunions, and more. Attendees will see memorable TV casts from shows including Rescue Me, Royal Pains, The O.C., and Ugly Betty and get a chance to chat with some of TV’s finest talent.

Edible Austin presents Bacon & Beer Festival
Indulge in the best pairing since peanut butter and jelly. Edible Austin hosts the beloved Bacon & Beer Festival at Circuit of The Americas this Sunday. Festival attendees will enjoy craft beer from more than 30 Central Texas breweries and bacon-centric bites from Austin eateries including Swift’s Attic, Amy’s Ice Creams, Frank, and more.

Shed Barbershop's First Annual Summer Party
Ring in the summer season with Shed Barbershop’s First Annual Summer Party at Cheer Up Charlies. On Sunday, beat the heat with thirst-quenching cocktails on happy hour, jam out to a DJ set by High Church, and try your luck at winning door prizes and other goodies. Additional party perks include a waterslide, frozen treats from Cold Ones Pops, and live-printing from Fine Southern Gentlemen. In the spirit of summer, swimsuits are encouraged but not required. This free shindig is sure to be a splash.

Jack Allen's Kitchen presents Second Annual Texas Fried Chicken Throwdown
Ready your taste buds for the fried chicken of your dreams. The Texas Fried Chicken Throwdown returns for a second year of Texas-sized flavor and festivities. Feast on chef recipes from all across the Lone Star State at Royer’s Round Top Cafe. Yes, this is an event that's worth the trek out of town.

Panel discussions, exclusive cast events, screenings, and more are all on the agenda for this weekend's ATX Television Festival.

ATX Television Festival/Facebook

Panel discussions, exclusive cast events, screenings, and more are all on the agenda for this weekend's ATX Television Festival.

tv festivals event-planner craft-beer kids nature

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