Weekend Event Guide

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

Things are heating up in the city’s entertainment scene, and we’re plugged into the buzziest places to be. Take a dip and enjoy a flick at the kickoff of Austin Motel’s Float Films Series, or tap into wellness at the inaugural Austin Yoga Festival. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.

Thursday, June 11

Moody Center presents Charlie Puth in concert
Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth performs live at Moody Center as part of his Whatever's Clever! World Tour. Puth rose to fame from his viral covers of popular songs on YouTube. His top songs include “We Don’t Talk Anymore” and “Light Switch.” Fans will experience songs from Puth’s new album, Whatever's Clever!. Get more details on Ticketmaster.

Next Custom Homes

Experience unique homes like this one from Camp Craft by Next Custom Homes on the Parade of Homes this weekend.

Friday, June 12

Austin Motel’s Float Films Series
Relax and watch a movie poolside at Austin Motel. The hotel kicks off its annual summertime Float Films Series with a lineup of cult-classics from the 1990s. This week’s featured film is the 1999 movie Detroit Rock City. Guests will also enjoy a pre-show performance by a Kiss tribute band and live-pizza from Good Vibrations Pizza Company. Reserve your spot on ResortPass.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in concert
The epic tale from J.R.R. Tolkien is reimagined through sound on the stage at Bass Concert Hall. This production features the iconic score from the film directed by Peter Jackson, composed by Howard Shore and performed by a live symphony. Shows are scheduled through June 14. Tickets are on sale now.

Saturday, June 13

Austin Yoga Festival
Celebrate all things om at the first ever Austin Yoga Festival hosted by Swift Fit Social. The all-day wellness event will feature a bubble dance party, a hammock garden, restorative yoga, a mindfulness zone, breathwork, sound baths, meditation, and more. Live musical performances include a set by DJ Sunset Canyon, live harp and violin performances, and a closing sound immersion experience from Daniel Patka. Find out more on Eventbrite.

H-E-B Banana Block Party
Get outside and get moving at Metz Neighborhood Park at H-E-B’s second annual Banana Blitz. Block party highlights include banana-themed STEM activities, healthy snacks, bubble shows, kid-friendly yoga, frozen treats, and more. The event will also feature family-friendly live music by DJ Kickit. Admission is free and open to the public.

2026 Parade of Homes - The Best of Austin Tour
Explore some of the most unique custom homes in the Austin area. The 2026 Parade of Homes is a two-day, self-guided tour through areas including Austin, Lakeway, and West Lake Hills. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore featured homes and study their architecture, craftsmanship, and innovative design. Tickets are on sale now.

H-Town Throwdown
Houston hip hop takes over at the Round Rock Amp as part of the H-Town Throwdown special concert. The lineup includes performances by legendary Houston artists including Bun B, Mike Jones, and Lil’ Flip. This show is suitable for audiences of all ages. Get tickets on Eventbrite.

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Best in Shows

Guide book to live music in Austin wins 3 independent book awards

Thunderhouse Media Group/thunderhouse.co

Austin's Music Scene won two gold awards and a silver one for Best Cover Design.

A first-of-its-kind guide on Austin's music landscape has won notable new acclaim in the independent publishing arena. Austin’s Music Scene: Your Guide to the City’s Most Iconic Artists & Venues won two gold awards and one silver at the 2026 Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Book Awards in May.

Austin's Music Scene is the debut title for Thunderhouse Media Group, earning the imprint the gold-level Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book in the nonfiction category. The other gold was awarded for Best Gift Book, and the silver was for Best Cover Design. The IBPA Book Awards have been held for 38 years, and there were more than 1,900 entries in 2026, the most IBPA has ever received.

The book was published in October of 2025 as a collaboration between Thunderhouse — led by “recovering journalist" Mitch Baranowski — and the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), a popular organization that helps artists afford health care. It takes a journalistic slant, getting information straight from the venues, artists, festivals, and other featured organizations within, and presenting it as much as a historical document as an actionable guide.

No matter where Austin's Music Scene goes as a gift, it connects readers to the town through color photography, profiles, and most impactfully, a donation of half of all net proceeds to HAAM.

“No single book can capture the full breadth of Austin's music scene, and we knew that going in,” said Baranowski in a press release about the win. “Our aim was to create a real love letter, a curated snapshot of the scene today, and let the artists speak for themselves."

Baranowski also doled out thanks to several key contributors and supporters, including HAAM and its members and fans, creative director Chris Ritchie, photo editor David Brendan Hall, and the rest of the creative team. He credits Ritchie with the winning cover design, a creative collage of marquee letters and a stamp that makes it clear that the purchase will support musicians.

Most of all, we're grateful to the artists, venue owners, festival organizers and volunteers who trusted us with their stories," said Baranowski. "This is their book.”

Austin's Music Scene was one of several titles to win multiple gold IBPA Book Awards this year; in its recap, IBPA lists six. The runners-up for the nonfiction Bill Fisher Award and Best Gift Book were Blue Hour Homecoming: Finding Life on the Fringes of Reproduction and Make Myna Double: Cocktails for Bird Lovers, respectively. The gold winner in Best Cover Design in nonfiction was Art of Fabric Block Printing: An Illustrated Guide with 12 Playfully Modern Projects.

Austin’s Music Scene is available to purchase online and at select independent booksellers.

live music concerts venues local artists books awards