Weekend Event Guide

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

Big celebrations top our list of the hottest happenings throughout the city. Celebrate Austin’s 182nd birthday with family-friendly activities or enjoy an evening of culinary greatness at our annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Check out the top five things to do in Austin this weekend.

Thursday, August 5

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
Toast the best of the local culinary scene at our signature Tastemaker Awards. The in-person tasting event and awards ceremony at Fair Market will honor shining stars in Austin’s and San Antonio’s restaurant and bar industries. Guests will be able to sample bites from featured nominees and sip specialty drinks along the way. Limit tickets remain.

Saturday, August 7

Wally Workman Gallery presents Sarah Ferguson: “Nefelibata (Cloud Walker)” opening day
Experience the newest collection of work by painter Sarah Ferguson at Wally Workman Gallery. Ferguson’s paintings explore the concept of self-reflection with the use of light, color, and perception. Following opening day, the exhibit will be on view through August 28. Admission to the gallery is free.

Texas Farmers Market presents Watermelon Festival
Celebrate National Farmers Market Week with a whopping amount of watermelon at two market locations. Guests to the two-day Watermelon Festival hosted at Lakeline Mall and Texas Farmers Market at Mueller will enjoy a free slice of Texas-grown watermelon, plus chef recipes, fun facts about the juicy fruit, and more. Admission to this outdoor event is free and open to the public.

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden presents 9th Year Anniversary Party
Party with Rainey Street institution Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden in honor of its ninth anniversary. Guests are encouraged to don their best Back to the Future-inspired attire as a nod to the party’s theme and to participate in the costume contest. Highlights include beer specials, food specials, and live music all day long. Admission is free.

2nd Street District presents City of Austin’s 182nd Birthday Celebration
Celebrate Austin’s 182nd birthday with family-friendly activities, free swag, and more at the downtown district. Visitors can take advantage of sidewalk sales, face painting, and balloon art. Additional goodies include a demo and samples of Sweet Crude CBD mocktails and a live performance from Austin musician Nick Swift at W Austin’s Trace. Once you’ve made your rounds in the district, head to Austin’s Birthday Bash at Republic Square Park, where even more live music, food, and creative arts await. Admission is free.

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards returns to Fair Market on Thursday.

CultureMap Austin 2018 Tastemaker Awards at Fair Market Amy Johnson Macy Jackson

Photo by Shelley Neuman

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards returns to Fair Market on Thursday.

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Not Quite Reindeer

New Braunfels farm debuts cozy holiday fest with lights and animals

Photo from Sundrop Springs Farm Facebook page

Polly the Goat is one of many farm animals you can feed at Christmas at the Farm.

The holidays officially start November 30 at Sundrop Springs Farm in New Braunfels. Fans of the Hallmark vision of Christmas should feel warmed by this 22-acre, family-owned farm, which is getting festive with lights, family-friendly activities, live music, and more.

This is the first time "Christmas at the Farm" will be held at Sundrop Springs Farm, but the organizers hope this will become a new holiday tradition, according to a recent press release.

Visitors can expect a dazzling trail of lights that will wind through the woods on the property and light up the farm. There will be lots to do for all ages like feeding the farm animals, racing tricycles on the Tricycle Raceway, a playground, fire pits, and a giant jumping pillow for kids to bounce on. All the while, live holiday music fills the air.

Visitors can also take photos with the two giant troll sculptures on the land, Hugo and Pumpkin Jack. These two weren't crafted by renowned artist Thomas Dambo, who recently put a troll in Pease Park, but they do have a similar look.

Hugo at Sundrop Springs Farm Hugo, a 17-foot Troll sculpture, at Sundrop Springs. Photo from sundropsprings.com

There will also be hot chocolate, apple cider, food trucks, and of course, no holiday event would be complete without a visit from Santa himself.

Santa will stop by from 6-8 pm, but the event itself will last from 5-9 pm on the following weekends:

November 30 and December 1
December 7 and 8
December 14 and 15
December 21 and 22

Tickets start at just $7 for adults and $5 for children.

The people behind this event are the owners and operators of Sundrop Springs Farm, the Williams family. This family of four tends to goats, ducks, chickens, and a beloved donkey named SweetPea. The farm also hosts birthday parties, field trips, and seasonal events like this one.

Sundrop Springs Farm is located at 953 Hueco Springs Loop Road.

animals families kids farmers