Weekend Event Guide

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

Beat the heat and explore the entertainment scene in the city with these cool and local picks. Enjoy live music on the shaded patio at Carpenter Hotel or take a dip at Zanzibar’s Rooftop Pool Party. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.

Thursday, July 23

Zanzibar/Eventbrite

Enjoy live DJ tunes, drink specials, and all-day pool access at Zanzibar on July 26.

Moody Amphitheater presents Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band in concert
Chill vibes hit the Moody Amphitheater when yacht rock legend Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band makes a stop in Austin as part of their Keep The Party Going Tour. Fans can expect a show featuring iconic songs from Buffett's extensive catalog, including "Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Margaritaville.” Get seating availability information on Ticketmaster.

Austin City Limits Live presents The Pretty Reckless in concert
Rock band the Pretty Reckless returns to Austin for a live show at Austin City Limits Live. The group rose to rock notoriety with its debut album, Light Me Up, in 2010 and is best known for songs such as “My Medicine” and “Just Tonight.” The Pretty Reckless will perform in support of their new album, Dear God. Get more details on AXS.com.

Zilker Theatre Productions presents Singin' in the Rain
Classic movie musical Singin’ in the Rain is given the theater adaptation treatment at the Zilker Hillside Theater. Audiences will experience the story’s beloved characters and timeless drama under the stars. The musical will feature popular songs such as “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” and the hit title tune. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs for the most comfortable viewing experience. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged. Performances are scheduled through August 15.

Friday, July 24

Carpenter Hotel presents The Friday Kickback
The monthly live music series featuring local artists continues at the Carpenter Hotel. Visitors will enjoy a performance by Cory Reinisch and Cory Johnson on The Hall patio under the shade of the pecan trees. Food and cold drinks are available for purchase from the hotel’s Carpenter Hall menu. Kickback admission is free and open to the public.

Saturday, July 25

H-E-B Banana Block Party
H-E-B, in partnership with Mayor Kirk Watson’s Generation ATX initiative, hosts a family-friendly day of movement and nutritious eats at Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center. Block party highlights include kid-friendly yoga, a costume contest, bubble shows, fresh fruit, frozen treats, and more. DJ Kickit will provide live music entertainment. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Jigglewatts Burlesque presents 20 Years of Tease!
Austin’s most fabulously risque dance troupe celebrates their 20th anniversary at State Theatre. Gala highlights include a performance featuring the entire Jigglewatts and live band burlesque. The production will also showcase a variety of solo and group acts in homage to the longest continuously-running, most-awarded burlesque revue in the country. VIP and general admission tickets are on sale now.

Sunday, July 26

Zanzibar's Rooftop Pool Party
Tropical cocktail rooftop hang Zanzibar brings its Sunday pool party back. Tickets include a free welcome drink, all-day pool access, lounge chair access, towel service, and bucket specials. Additional highlights include drink specials from Happy Dad, Don Q, Tito's, and Lalo, plus live music from DJ King Louie. Cabana rental options are available. Get more details on Eventbrite.

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Venue Vision

Woody Harrelson joins production for documentary about iconic Austin venue

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Woody Harrelson was born in Texas, grew up in Texas, and moved back a few years ago.

Actor Woody Harrelson is helping documentarians tell the story of one of Texas' most famous music venues. Harrelson has joined an as yet unnamed feature-length documentary about the Armadillo World Headquarters as a producer.

Harrelson was born in Midland and went to grade school in Houston; he moved to Austin in 2023. He also has a close friendship with Austin icon Matthew McConaughey, with whom he appears in the new Apple TV series Brothers, which was filmed at least partially in Austin. Being from Texas and involved in entertainment for four decades, it makes sense that Harrelson would have a "longstanding connection to Austin’s creative community," as a press release puts it.

The actor joins executive producers Jeremy Plager and Ilya Bronchtein. Plager also has a lasting relationship with Harrelson, who was one of his first clients when he started his own production and management company in 2020.

“The Armadillo wasn’t just a music venue,” said Harrelson in the release. “It was where all kinds of worlds came together, artists, outlaws, hippies, students, dreamers, everyone under one roof. Careers got started there, genres mixed, and what really sticks with me is how it made people feel like they belonged. People came for the music, but what they found was each other. The Armadillo represented something we don’t see much anymore, and that’s a big part of why I wanted to be involved with this film.”

Armadillo World Headquarters (AWHQ) was only open for a decade, from 1970-1980. In that time, it became a bastion of rock and country music; decades later, most eulogies like Harrelson's recall the strange peace between patrons who may otherwise want nothing to do with each other. The music — and the venue itself — brought them together, in some ways defining the type of weirdness Austin would become famous for.

The documentary will use archival footage and audio from more than 100 live performances, the release says. That includes performances by Linda Ronstadt performing with Little Feat, and unforgettable sets by Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Linda Ronstadt with Little Feat, Maria Muldaur, Fats Domino, Waylon Jennings, and Charlie Daniels. Strung together, these performance clips and some looks behind the scenes will follow the broad arc of the venue and its impact on the city around it.

Now more Texans who weren't there to see it for themselves are learning about AWHQ through a revival of the intellectual property in partnership with original venue owner Eddie Wilson. There is no permanent home for AWHQ as a venue anymore, but it does live on as a symbol, and now a wellspring for new historical preservation and analysis.

Alongside Harrelson and the executive producers, the documentary boasts David Brodie as a director and editor, and production by MakeMake affiliates Angus Wall, Eve Kornblum, Kent Kubena, and Terry Leonard. Marcus Peterzell of Passion Point Collective is also a producer. More production partners will be announced as the work progresses.