Formula 1 Fun

The ultimate guide to Formula 1 parties in Austin, from free to fabulous

Expect a ton of Formula 1 fun to race into town this week with the United States Grand Prix. From lavish soirees to free festivals, here's a look at the hottest F1 happenings in Austin this weekend.

Fan Fest
Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, October 24
The details: The free music festival is back with a few changes. The festival will host headliners on the Rainey Street Bud Light stage, while the rest of the lineup can be seen at various venues around town like The Mohawk, Continental Club, The Belmont, and more. Big-name performers include Public Enemy, Elle King, Mayer Hawthorne, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. You can also enjoy sweet Formula 1 specials at participating restaurants — check out the full details on the Fan Fest website.
Tickets: Admission is free

Buxton's Big Time Bash
Thursday, October 22
The details: Famed racing reporter Will Buxton is hosting his annual F1 shindig at Rattle Inn with sweet racing-themed prizes, fun swag, and more. Feel good about splurging on access because the party benefits Meals on Wheels and More of Austin as well as the Wilson Children's Fund.
Tickets: $10-$20 suggested donation

Pop Austin International Art Show: Illumination VIP Opening Party
Thursday, October 22
The details: In partnership with the COTA Formula 1 weekend, Pop Austin will present their main art show, entitled Illumination at Fair Market. The ticketed VIP opening party will include an exclusive look at fine art, tunes, bites, and sips.
Tickets: $200

Red Bull presents the Red and Blue Parties
Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
The details: The popular energy drink brand (and Formula 1 team sponsor) is keeping the Grand Prix celebration going with two after parties. The Red Party will go down on Friday with J. Espinosa at The Market; on Saturday, the Blue Party will take over Container Bar with Four Color Zack.
Tickets: Free with Do512 RSVP, subject to capacity

Blu + My Yacht Club
Saturday, October 24
The details: My Yacht Club and Blu have come together to create a Monaco-style party experience at Brazos Hall. Enjoy tunes from DJ Angola, delicious beverages, and potential celeb-spotting at this decadent bash.
Tickets: Individual tickets are $150-$200; tables range from $5,000-$14,500

Full Tilt Fashion Show
Saturday, October 24
The details: Grab a front-row seat for the Full Tilt Fashion Show, also part of the Blu extravaganza at Brazos Hall. This stunning show features local and international designers and models. Bonus: purchase VIP access or a party package and you can rejoin the late-night fun with Blu + My Yacht Club.
Tickets: $75-$450

Lavish events and free fun race into Austin with Formula 1.

Photo by Jon Shapley

Lavish events and free fun race into Austin with Formula 1.

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Reexamining Don Draper

Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, and more headed to Austin for TV festival

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Jon Hamm is coming to Austin to talk about Don Draper.

From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the ATX TV Festival will take over downtown Austin, and this year Jon Hamm will be joining the festival for the first time.

Hamm will be here for an event called A Mad Men Retrospective, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show's finale. In this panel (the moderator of which is not yet announced), Hamm will reflect on his Emmy-winning performance as Mad Men's Don Draper, the uniqueness of the character in the TV canon, and the show's influence 10 years after it ended.

Jon Hamm may be best known as Draper, but he's also given celebrated performances in several movies and other shows like Fargo, Black Mirror, and — fun fact! — Gilmore Girls.

Celebrating TV is what the ATX TV Festival is all about. This annual summer event is put on by ATX TV and consists of screenings, Q&As, and panel conversations; plus all sorts of parties, live music, happy hours, and other events. It's known for reunions of classic series and cult hits, and according to the website, it's like "TV camp for grownups."

Jon Hamm isn't the only heavy-hitter in this year's lineup.

Programming also includes an acting class and Q&A with Henry Winkler himself, a live script reading of classic episodes from The Golden Girls and Designing Women (guest actors to be announced), a reunion of the creatives and cast of the HBO hit series The Leftovers, a live recording of the podcast Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast with Suits stars and co-hosts Sarah Rafferty and Patrick J. Adams, and much more.

Additionally, the festival's annual Pitch Competition is still accepting open pitch submissions through January 17. This gives creatives in Austin a chance to pitch their show idea in front of some of the industry's biggest showrunners and executives. Those in the top 10 will receive a year of support to make the next steps in their TV careers.

Festival badges and passes ($150-535) are on sale now.

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