Weekend Event Guide

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

Rodeo revelry, rooftop rhythms, and Austin Pride parties are on our agenda, which means they can be on yours, too. Kick off the Austin Pride festivities with a party at Cheer Up Charlies, or enjoy live bull riding competitions followed by can’t-miss concerts at the return of PBR Gambler Days. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, click over to our calendar.

Friday, August 21

Austin Gamblers presents PBR Gambler Days
Austin's professional bull riding team competes at the Moody Center. The three-day event will feature riders in a team-formatted, bull riding competition for fans of all ages. PBR Gambler Days will also feature post-event live musical performances by Dustin Lynch and Nelly. Events are scheduled through August 23. Get more details on Ticketmaster.

Photo courtesy of the Front Festival

Celebrate Austin Pride with the Girls, Gays & Theys at Cheer Up Charlies on August 21.

Haute Spot presents Josh Abbott Band in concert
Country music group Josh Abbot Band performs live at iconic Austin venue Haute Spot. The band is best known for hit songs including “Oh, Tonight” and “My Texas” and has released seven albums throughout their career, including Somewhere Down The Road most recently in 2024. Get more show information on Etix.

Austin Pride presents Girls, Gays & Theys
Celebrate Austin Pride with a dance party under the stars at favorite local LGBTQ-owned bar Cheer Up Charlies. Party highlights include performances by headliner Austin artist Mama Duke and Los Angeles artist Tommi Aura, tarot readings, drink specials, brand activations, tattoos, and more. Get your tickets on Eventbrite.

Saturday, August 22

Tommie Austin presents The Skyline Spin
Summer rooftop vibes are high at Tommie Austin at this special installment of the Skyline Spin event series. The morning experience will feature live DJ sets by Cartfish, Ryan McClure, and VVN, specialty coffee from local roasters, and more entertainment as part of Austin Pride. Admission is free and open to the public. Get more details on Eventbrite.

Austin City Limits Love presents ZZ Top in concert
Rock and roll legends ZZ Top perform at Austin City Limits Live for two nights in a row. The Texas group has released 15 albums throughout their storied career and are best known for timeless hits including “Sharp Dressed Man” and “La Grange.” Fans can expect a setlist packed with their best songs from popular albums such as Eliminator and Tres Hombres. The band will play tributes both nights to drummer Frank Beard, who died on Monday, August 17. Tickets for both shows are available now.

Agni Foundation for the Arts and Agni Katha present Raas Leela: An East Side Story
Bollywood-style musical theater comes to life on stage at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Raas Leela: An East Side Story follows two young lovers in their struggle to be together while being torn between rival families. The production is reminiscent of Western love tales, but reimagined through a South Asian lens. The musical will feature 130 performers, elaborate costuming, and intricate dance routines that have made the Bollywood genre famous worldwide. Select tickets are available.

Germania Insurance Amphitheater presents 311 and Dirty Heads in concert
Alt rock bands 311 and Dirty Heads join together and take the stage live in concert at Germania Insurance Amphitheater. The two bands make a stop in Austin as part of their co-headlining summer tour. 311 fans can rock out to a setlist featuring the group’s top songs like “Down” and “Amber.” Reggae-rock group Dirty Heads fans can expect a show in support of their new album, 7 Seas. Find out more on Ticketmaster.

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Fantastic News

Austin's spooky, goofy Fantastic Fest reveals 2026 feature film lineup

Film still from The Swallow by Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer

The Swallow is Fantastic Fest's closing night film.

One of Austin's favorite annual events, Fantastic Fest, is creeping up on its 21st year with its menagerie of genre films — lots of horror films, though the term technically applies to anything that strongly adheres to some genre or another. The 2026 event from September 17-24 boasts 56 world and international premieres, plus more movies making their debuts across the continent and country.

Most badges are sold-out, except "second half" badges for the final four days and industry badges. The full lineup is news for everyone, though, whether they bought badges in advance or not. Individual tickets will also be available for many films 10 minutes before the screening starts.

Fantastic Fest is hosted by Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, one of the long-running reminders of the chain's early independent days. Festival director Lisa Dreyer said in a press release that this year the programming focuses mostly on driving discovery of new directors and other talent.

This is also the first year that there's a direct pipeline from the festival to possible distribution through Alamo.

“Because we have the most diverse film slate in all of exhibition," said Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kusterman, "we are in a unique position to support these films from festival premiere to theatrical release, including our new Alamo Exclusives distribution model, giving the films that play Fantastic Fest a distinct advantage at reaching a nationwide audience."

Here are a few important highlights from the vast lineup:

Opening night: Beware Boiúna by Mike P. Nelson
A legendary giant snake is the focal point of this new film by the maker of Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025). The release promises the film will be "terrifying and hiss-terical fun."
Closing night: The Swallow by Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer
Teenagers on a camping trip get into trouble when they break into a fenced area in the woods. Sentient quicksand — and lots of visual effects — makes it hard for them to escape.
Award screening: Extreme Prejudice by Walter Hill
Famed director Walter Hill will receive a special award denoting "incomparable contributions to genre film." His thriller Extreme Prejudice, set along the border in South Texas, will be shown at the festival, and Alamo will highlight more of his work in a nationwide retrospective in January of 2027.
Competitions: Competitions for pitches, finished films screened at the fest, and even evil laughs.
Appearances: Performances, presenting duties, and other appearances by musical guests Drakulas and Gwar, and podcasts Blerdy Massacre, Doug Loves Movies, and The Kingcast.

Much more programming is available to browse at fantasticfest.com. Remaining badges and tickets are also for sale at the same link.

fantastic fest film movies festivals