Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend

Basketball, Broadway, and back-to-back racing competitions are on our radar for the next few days. Experience the excitement of Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix Weekend at COTA or catch the San Antonio Spurs playing against the Houston Rockets right here in the capitol city. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.

Thursday, October 22

Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix Weekend
World-class racing speeds into the Circuit of the Americas. Formula 1 weekend highlights include elite racing competitions, amusement rides, food vendors, and live music performances each night. This year’s headlining performers include Post Malone, Maroon 5, and Swedish DJ Alesso. Programming continues through October 25. Daily tickets and passes are available now.

Broadway in Austin presents Waitress
The story of a hopeful waitress with a penchant for pie-making and a dream comes to the Bass Concert Hall stage. This Broadway musical production features original music and lyrics by Grammy-winning artists Sara Bareilles. Fans can journey with Jenna as she takes a chance on herself by entering a baking competition with life-changing possibilities. Shows are scheduled through October 23.

Friday, October 23

San Antonio Spurs present I-35 Series
NBA talent dribbles into to Austin for a special competition series at Moody Center. The San Antonio Spurs host the Houston Rockets in a pre-season game. Fans can get a first glimpse of this year’s Spurs team and their hooping skills as they play against one of their Texas team rivals. The series will continue in February with games against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets. Select tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, October 24

40th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour
Peek inside some of the city’s most beautiful new builds and renovated homes designed by local, best-in-field architects during the 40th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. This two-day, self-guided experience features a curated selection of homes around Austin designed by DK Studio, Webber + Studio, Murray Legge Architecture, and others. Tickets are available now. For a photo preview of the featured homes, see here.

Moonflower Multicultural Heritage Festival
The many cultures of Austin come together for a celebration of heritage and tradition at the George Washington Carver Museum. Festival highlights include African drumming and dance, martial arts demonstrations, lacquer fan makings, Chinese-style street food, lion dane, and more hands-on activities for all ages. Tickets vary by event. Get more event details on Luma.

Sunday, October 25

Jo’s 9th Annual Ugly Dog Contest
Bring your not-so-conventionally-cute pup to Jo’s Coffee on Red River for the return of their Ugly Dog Contest. Humans and their pup can enter to win the title and will receive a contestant swag bag with admission. Guests will vote on their favorite quirky canine in three contests: Ugly Dog, Best Costume, and Best in Show. Proceeds from the event benefit Emancipet. Visit the event website to enter and learn more.

Moody Center presents The Smashing Pumpkins in concert
Rock band the Smashing Pumpkins play live at Moody Center. The group makes a stop in Austin as party of their The Rats In A Cage Tour. Fans can expect two distinct sets, with the first one celebrating the 30th anniversary of their popular 1995 album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, and the second one featuring hits, deep cuts, and fan-favorite songs from their expansive discography. Snag your spot on Ticketmaster.

Photo courtesy of Circuit of the Americas

Formula 1 is zooming back into town this weekend at Circuit of the Americas.

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Up To the Task

City of Austin task force to make plans to protect Red River music venues

Photo by Lauren Grover

Denim Haircut plays a show at a Red River Cultural District festival in 2025.

Some City of Austin entities and local groups are coming together to form a "task force" to watch over the Red River Cultural District (RRCD), a strip of downtown venues that platform mostly local artists and have near-constant music programming.

A message from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson on the City of Austin Council Message Board acknowledges that the City has not previously spared RRCD from its precarious position in which venues are closing and the future looks uncertain.

"For decades, the City of Austin has been committed to sustaining and improving the Red River community. Even with commitment, we aren't where we want to be or should be," wrote Watson.

At the same time, he also emphasized that Old Austin is a thing of the past.

"The easiness of old Austin isn’t the reality of new Austin, and we must avoid doing a disservice to the Red River district by holding on to 'the good old days' as tight as we can," he wrote.

Watson and councilmember Zo Qadri compiled a task force to be led by downtown strategy officer Jonathan Stone. Other members include Austin Economic Development, Austin Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME), the Austin Planning Department, Red River Cultural District, the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), the Music Venue Alliance, Rally Austin, the Pecan Street Owners Association, Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA), Waterloo Greenway.

According to the mayor's message, the task force's job is to "preserve a quality cultural district and encourage economic vitality in the area." It will ultimately deliver a series of directives to take action on.

An official statement by RRCD executive director Nicole Klepadlo, on behalf of the nonprofit representing the neighborhood, thanks Watson and Qadri for listening to the community.

In an open letter posted in September, the RRCD asked the City to take action on a series of recent closures. It named Koriente, Feels So Good, Empire Control Room & Garage, Marlow, and Valhalla, and pointed out that Elysium and The 13th Floor were at risk after the building housing both was listed for sale. The open letter didn't specifically ask for a task force; instead, it asked the City to work on projects it had already committed to.

“We're encouraged by the City's commitment to working collaboratively toward solutions that recognize the cultural and economic value of Red River, including the very people who make it thrive," she said. She later added, "Our hope is that together, we can build a future where Austin's independent music venues and cultural spaces aren't simply fighting to survive, but have the support and protections they need to flourish for generations to come.”

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