Weekend Event Guide

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

Summer festival season is heating up in the city and promising entertainment for every interest. Catch live music performances by big-name bands and singers at the Sips and Sounds Festival, or enjoy a movie as the Austin Asian American Film Festival begins. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, June 27

Austin Asian American Film Festival
Films by Asian and American filmmakers are back on the silver screen at AFS Cinema with the return of the Austin Asian American Film Festival. Highlights of this five-day event include a screening of the opening night film New Wave, directed by Elizabeth Ai, and the closing night film Ben and Suzanne: A Reunion in 4 Parts, directed by Shaun Seneviratne. Festival passes and individual event tickets are available.

Friday, June 28

The Cathedral presents Summer Open House
The Cathedral invites the public to the summer edition of its ongoing open house programming. Guests can discover and shop art by Austin’s emerging women artists, enjoy refreshments, and mingle with fellow art enthusiasts in the unique, refurbished space. Get your tickets on Eventbrite.

Saturday, June 29

The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour
Say hi to the most iconic doll off all-time at this special mobile pop-up in The Domain. The Barbie Truck will feature an array of branded apparel, exclusive home goods, and accessories inspired by Barbie’s famous Dreamhouse. Get more event information on Facebook.

Pease Park Conservancy presents Pride Picnic
Pride Month festivities continue at Pease District Park. Pride Picnic guests can browse and shop a variety of local vendors, participate in a plant swap, and participate in improv exercises during the event. Additional highlights include a live DJ, a yard swap, craft activities, and food trucks. Picnic admission is free.

Austin African American Book Festival
Award-winning and rising African American authors bring their literary talents to the Carver Branch Austin Public Library. Event highlights include live readings, book signings, meet-and-greets, and more. Book festival admission is free and open to the public.

Sips & Sounds Summer Festival
Circuit of the Americas hosts a two-day event in partnership with Coke Studio where live music takes the stage. Festival headliners include bands and artists Kelsea Ballerini, Marcus King, Jon Pardi, Maren Morris, The War and Treaty, Tanner Usrey, and more. Two-day and one-day ticket options are available.

ACL Live presents Let's Sing Taylor: A Live Band Experience
Sing along to the music of pop music star Taylor Swift with fellow fans at ACL Live. This tribute show will feature a live cover band and a setlist that spans the “Bad Blood” and “Cruel Summer” singer’s discography. This show is suitable for fans of all ages. A limited number of tickets are available.

Photo by Kari Meiers

Sing along to Taylor Swift's most popular songs at ACL Live on June 29.

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hot headlines

Dazed and Confused cast reunion tops this week's 5 most-read stories

Dazed and Confused Cast reunion Austin Film Society

Photo by Arnold Wells

September 28 marked the (rescheduled) anniversary of Dazed and Confused.

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.

1. Linklater and cast reunite in Austin 30 years after Dazed and Confused. On Sunday, September 28, the re-reunited Dazed and Confused cast was recognized by the Richard Linklater-founded Austin Film Society and Focus Features, including a special 30th anniversary screening and Q&A. f you didn't manage to snag tickets to the event in the literal five minutes before it sold out, don't worry; we were there, and we'll tell you all about it.

2. Five Austin neighbors lauded as best small cities in America. To demonstrate the popularity of suburban and rural communities, a new study by WalletHub has identified five Austin suburbs – including Leander, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville – on their 2024 list of the "Best Small Cities in America."

3. Mac and cheese festival returns to Austin with a big venue upgrade. If it were even possible to improve on a cheese-focused festival, the Austin Mac & (Grilled) Cheese Festival has done so with its eighth annual lineup. The festival returns with some big local names November 17 at Star Hill Ranch. The festival is bringing together at least 17 local culinary teams in a competitive tasting of creative grilled cheese and mac and cheese dishes.

4. Singer-songwriter, actor, Texas native Kris Kristofferson dies at 88. A native of Texas, Kristofferson died at his home on Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, September 28, family spokeswoman Ebie McFarland said in an email. He was 88.

5. Iconic 70s venue is back with store supporting the Austin music scene. Armadillo World Headquarters opened in 1970 and closed in 1980, serving as a great musical equalizer before Austin's diverse archetypes for one glowing decade. After decades in memoriam, it's re-staking its claim to Austin's musical landscape with a new physical (and temporary) location: a "live music and arts experience" at South Congress Hotel.

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