Weekend Event Guide

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

Welcome the next few days by clearing your schedule and making ample space for these can’t-miss happenings. See the beloved story of Beetlejuice live and off Broadway, or pick your parlays at the return of the Austin Puppy Bowl. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, February 8

Broadway in Austin presents Beetlejuice
Director Tim Burton’s beloved and cult classic film Beetlejuice gets the Broadway musical treatment at Bass Concert Hall. Fans old and new can enjoy the retelling of this hilariously creepy story complete with an imaginative set design, fun costuming, and a score full of sing-a-long tunes. Shows are scheduled through February 11. Tickets for all showtimes are still available.

Cap City Comedy Club presents Vanessa Gonzalez
Austin’s own resident comedian Vanessa Gonzalez is the latest guest of the Capitol City Comedy Club. She is best known for her half-hour Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents special and for her debut on the late night NBC show A Little Late with Lilly Singh. Shows are scheduled through February 11.

Friday, February 9

Moody Center presents Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull in concert
Three Latin music icons take the stage together for a concert at Moody Center. Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull join forces as part of their Trilogy Tour, which features a unique headlining set from each star. Fans can expect a show that fuses the genres each artist is known for, including reggaeton, pop, hip hop, and electronic. Get details on seating availability at Ticketmaster.

Austin Camerata and Ventana Ballet present Variations on a Love Theme
Local performing arts companies Ventana Ballet and Austin Camerata celebrate love in its many variations through dance at First Street Studio. This production is meant to be a departure from your typical love story, showcasing six different scenarios while love unfolds. Audiences can expect a selection of musical works by Debussy, Piazzolla, Radiohead, and more. Get more details on Eventbrite.

Saturday, February 10

Austin Humane Society presents 17th Annual Puppy Bowl
The cutest, furriest sporting competition of the year returns to the Austin Humane Society for a tail-wagging good time. Puppy Bowl highlights include tailgate-inspired bites, puppy races, pet adoptions, dog-friendly vendors, and Super Bowl puppy predictions. VIP experiences are also available. Get more information and purchase your tickets on the Puppy Bowl website.

Beef Loving Texans presents Ultimate Beef Loving Texans Smoke Lab
Up your grilling game with this unique tasting and cooking experience at the Texas Beef Council. Splurge-worthy admission to the lab includes a complete primer to smoking, with hands-on learning experience and plenty of samples. Attendees will learn how to smoke a brisket from start to finish and will also learn proper butchering techniques from experts. Beverages, both boozy and non-alcoholic, along with dinner will also be served.

TBS presents Stupid Pet Tricks Tour
The puppy mania continues with a visit from the upcoming TBS series, the Stupid Pet Tricks Tour. Pet parents are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the set for an opportunity to audition for and appear on the new show, which is hosted by comedian and television personality Sarah Silverman. Additional highlights include pet-friendly photo moments, special giveaways, and even a pink carpet walk. Admission is free and open to the pet-loving public.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway in Austin presents Beetlejuice at Bass Concert Hall this weekend.

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Reexamining Don Draper

Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, and more headed to Austin for TV festival

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Jon Hamm is coming to Austin to talk about Don Draper.

From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the ATX TV Festival will take over downtown Austin, and this year Jon Hamm will be joining the festival for the first time.

Hamm will be here for an event called A Mad Men Retrospective, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show's finale. In this panel (the moderator of which is not yet announced), Hamm will reflect on his Emmy-winning performance as Mad Men's Don Draper, the uniqueness of the character in the TV canon, and the show's influence 10 years after it ended.

Jon Hamm may be best known as Draper, but he's also given celebrated performances in several movies and other shows like Fargo, Black Mirror, and — fun fact! — Gilmore Girls.

Celebrating TV is what the ATX TV Festival is all about. This annual summer event is put on by ATX TV and consists of screenings, Q&As, and panel conversations; plus all sorts of parties, live music, happy hours, and other events. It's known for reunions of classic series and cult hits, and according to the website, it's like "TV camp for grownups."

Jon Hamm isn't the only heavy-hitter in this year's lineup.

Programming also includes an acting class and Q&A with Henry Winkler himself, a live script reading of classic episodes from The Golden Girls and Designing Women (guest actors to be announced), a reunion of the creatives and cast of the HBO hit series The Leftovers, a live recording of the podcast Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast with Suits stars and co-hosts Sarah Rafferty and Patrick J. Adams, and much more.

Additionally, the festival's annual Pitch Competition is still accepting open pitch submissions through January 17. This gives creatives in Austin a chance to pitch their show idea in front of some of the industry's biggest showrunners and executives. Those in the top 10 will receive a year of support to make the next steps in their TV careers.

Festival badges and passes ($150-535) are on sale now.

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