Our signature foodie fête, a star-studded country music festival, and live performing arts productions are only a few reasons to start re-exploring the city this week. We’ve expanded our guide to feature even more local-approved events around the city that you won’t want to miss. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.
Thursday, May 11
Broadway in Austin: To Kill a Mockingbird
The classic and poignant literary story by Harper Lee comes to life on the stage at Bass Concert Hall. This production stars Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas, who plays the small-town lawyer and protagonist, Atticus Finch. Performances are scheduled through May 14. For more information, visit broadway.com.
CultureMap Tastemaker Awards
Our annual celebration of the top bar and restaurant talent in Austin returns with equal parts flavor and fanfare. Tickets to this signature tasting event and awards ceremony grant access to bites, samples, and speciality cocktails all night long, as well as a chance to meet and mingle with the biggest names and rising stars in the local food and drink industry. Check out our Tastemaker Awards editorial series to learn more about what to expect and how to get tickets.
Friday, May 12
Texas Burlesque Festival
The iconic tease and seductive art of burlesque is on full display at Kick Butt Coffee and The Long Center for the Performing Arts. Highlights of this titillating two-day fest include appearances by Penny Starr Sr, the World Famous * BOB *, Big Mama Red, Gingersnaps, Icky Muffin and The Jigglewatts. Visit the texasburlesquefestival.com for a full schedule of events and more.
Ballet Austin presents Cinderella
The heartwarming fairy tale of an unaware princess, her glass slipper, and finding her Prince Charming comes to life through the artful movement of dance at The Long Center for the Performing Arts. This production from Stephen Mills features the skillful dancers of Ballet Austin, a compiled score from Alexander Glazunov, and live musical accompaniment. Shows are scheduled through May 14. For ticket availability, check balletaustin.org.
Saturday, May 13
iHeartCountry Festival
One of country music’s biggest nights promises a dazzling display at Moody Center. Highlight performances of this year’s highly-anticipated festival include Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Sam Hunt, Elle King, Parker McCollum, and many more. For a full schedule of events and for ticket access, check Ticketmaster.
O. Henry Museum presents the 46th Annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships
One of Texas’ oldest and most loquacious traditions takes over Hilton Austin for its 46th year of witty wordsmithing. This year’s O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championship theme is “Spring for Words!” and will feature timed, round-for-round competitions with participating “punslingers.” Admission is free and open to the public.
Sunday, May 14
Robert Smith and The Cure will play Moody Center on May 14.
The Cure in concert
English rock band The Cure comes to Moody Center as part of their Stateside touring circuit. Fans can expect live performances of their new album, Songs of a Lost World, along with some chart-topping favorites. Seating options and availability is available on the ticketing website.
The weather was brutal, but the lineup was great.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Fresh off a pitstop at Austin’s iconic La Barbecue, Dua Lipa made the first of her only two U.S. appearances this year. She brought her arena-level production to the American Express stage on Saturday night.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Blink-182 closed out the first night of this year’s ACL Fest with a 24-song mix of new songs and old classics as they dirty-joked their way through the set. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Sunday’s headlining slots offered a different taste for those who stuck around. While Tyler, the Creator was out east on the American Express stage, Sturgill Simpson was closing out the Honda stage, reminding folks why the Kentucky native was worthy of headlining ACL Fest.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Texas son and Fort Worth native Leon Bridges played right in the path of a setting sun, opening his Friday set with “Texas Sun," a collboration with Saturday artists Khruangbin.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
ACL has been and always will be a family affair.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Kehlani's set started right as Chappell Roan's was ending, the crowd at the Miller Lite stage was solid. it was a tough spot to fill, sandwiched between Roan and Tyler, the Creator, but the pop singer held her own and was able to pack in the fans.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It’s been quite a year for Stephen Sanchez, who was seen on stage with Lana Del Rey in late June when the star sold out Fenway Park. The 21-year-old Nashville based singer-songwriter brought the nostalgia.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Mannequin Pussy have been hitting the road hard this year, making appearances at larger festivals like Primavera Sound in Barcelona while rocking mid-sized outings like Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. The band showed off their festival chops in the hot sun Friday afternoon on the Miller Lite stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
You can hear music pretty much anywhere in the park, which means you can dance...pretty much anywhere in the park.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Legend has it that country crooner Orville Peck once graced the inside stage at The Mohawk to a hundred or so early investors of his music. In just a few years, Peck was making his entrance on the Honda stage to thousands screaming his name.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Girl group The Beaches always put on a fun show, leaning into their all-female niche as part of the stage banter. But anyone can enjoy the tunes; the catchy riffs speak for themselves.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Khruangbin are known for their infectious instrumental jams, but it’s hard not to marvel at bassist Laura Lee’s incredible outfits, which change from show to show — a true fashion icon in the making.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Dancing in the hot sun was the M.O. this weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
If you are a Marjorie Taylor Green fan, Reneé Rapp’s set may not have been for you. The pop star had some choice words for the Georgia politician.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Marias released their second album, Submarine, in June of 2024, so it was fitting that the LA band’s opening sound was a sonar pinging in cue with blue spotlights. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Zella Day and Jesse Woods joined forces as Chaparelle in 2023 as their romantic partnership was taking shape. The duo performed with four other touring musicians on Friday with a vintage country sound and a little pink tambourine.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Hometown blues machine Zach Person brought his two-piece sonic force to the Tito’s stage Saturday afternoon, playing to a completely packed tent. Whether it was the reprieve from the intense heat or the good music, the Tito’s tent at 2:05 pm was THE place to be.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
A late addition to this year’s ACL 2024 lineup, Hudson Westbrook took time off from his college courses at Texas Tech to play for a few thousand people Saturday afternoon on the Honda stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
This is the feeling we're aiming for.Photo by Daniel Cavazos