Weekend Event Guide

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

Welcome to some of the final days of Texas spring. These hot happenings are local-approved. Kick back poolside at Austin Motel, or see pop music superstar Demi Lovato live in concert. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this long Memorial Day weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.

Thursday, May 21

ACL Live presents Sam Harris: Truth or Consequences
Philosopher, neuroscientist, and author Sam Harris sits down for a conversation at Austin City Limits Live. The best-selling author is widely known as the host of his podcast Making Sense and as the creator of his mindfulness system, Waking Up. For ticket details, go to AXS.

Photo by Alyssa Marie Films

The annual Austin Greek Festival is back this weekend.

Friday, May 22

Germania Insurance Amphitheater presents MGK in concert
Bad boy music artists MGK performs live at Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Since his bombastic debut in the 2010s, the Texas-born performer has been known for his unique sound that blends hip hop and pop-punk genres. MGK comes to Austin in support his new album, Lost Americana. For more details, go to Ticketmaster.

Austin Greek Festival
Celebrate Greek culture and its impact at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. Festival highlights include authentic Greek cuisine, dance performances, church tours, a souvenirs market, a live Greek band, and more. Programming continues through May 24. Tickets are available now.

Saturday, May 23

Rancho Moonrise presents Poolside Beats: Dirty Texans DJ Set
Venture just outside of city limits to the pool at Rancho Moonrise for an unofficial summer kickoff party. Guests will have pool access and can enjoy a live DJ set performance by Dirty Texans starting at 4 pm. Speciality cocktails are available for purchase. Tickets are on sale now.

The Paramount Theatre presents Spy Kids 25th Anniversary Screening
The Paramount Theatre celebrates the 25th anniversary of blockbuster movie Spy Kids with a special screening. This classic kids film stars Alexa PenaVega and Daryl Sabara alongside their on-screen, ex-secret agent parents Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino. Fans can enjoy a live performance by director Robert Rodriguez's Family Spy Band following the screening. General admission and VIP meet and greet tickets are available.

Sunday, May 24

Austin Motel presents No Vacancy Pool Party
Celebrate the long weekend with a dip in the pool at the Austin Motel. Party guests can groove to a live performance poolside by local artist Angel White. Beverages and food options will be available for purchase. Admission is free with RSVP. Get more details on Partiful.

Moody Center presents Demi Lovato in concert
Pop music princess Demi Lovato makes a stop on her tour at Moody Center. The longtime musician is best known for chart-topping hits including “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Heart Attack.” Lovato comes to Austin in support of her new album, It's Not That Deep, and as part of her highly-anticipated return to the musical spotlight. Get more information on Ticketmaster.

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Surf for Years

International surf and skate event to build 2 year-round parks in Waco

Photo by Andy Woodward

Swatch Nines Surf & Skate has committed to a multi-year partnership at Waco Surf.

A sporty surf and skate jam is returning to Waco Surf this year and the next two after it. The partnership through 2028 is a big move for Swatch Nines Surf & Skate, which only kicked off in 2024.

This event, held October 8-10, leans away from traditional competitions and presents itself as a "rider-driven event" in a press release. Pro athletes and videographers will gather to push the boundaries of their respective sports, but they'll also leave some infrastructure behind for visitors to enjoy year-round.

Waco Surf expects to have two skateparks by 2027, both built with Swatch Nines riders' input. One smaller park will combine surfing and skating environments with a "uniquely Nines feel," the release says, and its unexpected innovations will make it "unlike any other park in the world." To folks outside of the community, this may seem like a predictable marketing boast, but Waco Surf is actually already a global surf destination.

A bigger skatepark, considered the "main" park, will have more traditional elements and aims to attract skaters at all levels. They can thank former skateboarding Olympian Heimana Reynolds, the lead creative, for designing that one.

Swatch Nines is not new to Waco Surf. The larger series of events also includes snow sports and BMX — held this year in Japan and Austria, respectively — but the skate and surf event debuted in Waco. It also returned for its second year in 2025, when 18-year-old Australian surfer Hughie Vaughan landed a world's first: this stalefish backflip. Plus, Hawaiian surfer Matt Meola followed it up with his own world's first now dubbed the "Meola Flip."

“Waco Surf has proven itself as one of the most progressive and rider-driven venues we’ve ever worked with," says Swatch Nines founder Nico Zacek in the release. "After the incredible energy of the last two years, it was obvious that this is the right home for pushing the boundaries in surfing, and action sports as a whole. With this partnership, we’re able to dream even bigger and build off the current platform for years to come.”

Waco Surf owner and president David Taylor added, "Hosting Swatch Nines' unique creativity and energy here in Waco has been game-changing, for Waco Surf, but also for the broader surf, skate and BMX communities."

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