showcases two weeks of the best in new
music, film, digital media and interactive
arts - plus hundreds of industry-related
seminars, discussions, workshops, interviews, meetings, and panels.
South by Southwest edu (SXSWedu)
512-467-7979; www.sxsw.com
An energetic and enthusiastic gathering of minds and ideas to make
monumental differences in education.
Members of the education community
converge to collaborate on thoughts and
experience in fun breakout sessions and
presentations.
Eeyore’s Birthday Party
512-448-5160; www.eeyores.com
A fun event for all ages, Eeyore’s Birthday
Party is an annual fundraiser that benefits
a multitude of Austin nonprofit groups.
Besides food, soft drinks, and beer, there
are prizes for the best costume (pretty
much anything goes, so be creative!), face
painting, live music, and more.
Old Settler’s Music Festival
512-478-0578; www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org
The Old Settler’s Music Festival is Central
Texas’ signature music event featuring
Americana roots music, arts and crafts,
camping, food, and more. Some of the
musical genres at the Festival include
acoustic jazz and blues, bluegrass, favorite
local musicians, and award-winning artists
from around the world.
Annual O. Henry Pun-Off
World Championship
O Henry Museum
512-472-1903; www.punpunpun.com
Celebrate the lowest form of humor in
high style at the O. Henry Pun-Off World
Championships, where participants “jest
for a wordy cause!” This freestyle competition for punsters with prepared material
allows 90 seconds “for creative have-wits
from every crook and nanny to stuff their
struts.” The festivities also include live
music, BBQ, and a vintage book sale.
Austin Food & Wine Festival
Butler and Republic Square Park
www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com
Great music, wine, chefs and culinary
experts converge to offer a special
festival for the Austin population. The
Festival is held at Butler and Republic
Square Park and tickets as well as
future event talent and sponsors can be
found online.
Shakespeare in the Park-Zilker
Hillside Theater
Zilker Hillside Theater; austinshakespeare.org
Free to the public and located on
Zilker Hillside Theater, this outdoor
event runs from Thursday through
Sunday the entire month of May.
Come out and get Bardy!
Juneteenth
512-369-2725; www.juneteenthcentraltexas.com
Also known as Freedom Day or
Emancipation Day, Juneteenth honors
African American heritage by commemorating the abolition of slavery in the
U.S. Recognized as a state holiday in 37
U.S. states and a day of both reflection
and celebration, the event features
entertainment, vendors, a pageant and
parade, and a 2K Freedom Run/Walk.
KGSR’s Blues on the Green
www.kgsr.com/botg/
An Austin summer tradition, held in
Zilker Park, Blues on the Green is the
place to bring friends and family every
other Wednesday evening between
June and August to enjoy six big
nights of Austin’s longest running
FREE music series. Enjoy food from
local restaurants, and stop by the local
charity area for volunteer and donation information. Bring the kids, pets
on leashes, blankets, and lawn chairs
for a rockin’ good time.
Keep Austin Weird Fest and 5K
The Long Center, Austin
512-524-295; www.keepaustinweirdfest.com
Keep Austin Weird Fest is a salute to
the nonconformist in every Austinite.
Art City Austin (April)
512-609-8591 • artallianceaustin.org
Reflecting Austin’s intense creative
energy, Art City Austin is a spring cele-
bration of the arts in the city’s popular
2nd Street District. Event includes lots
of art and artists, live music, local eats,
a Kid’s Block, and more.
Zilker Kite Festival (March)
Zilker Park, Austin • 512-312-4056
www.zilkerkitefestival.com
Started in 1929 by the Austin Exchange
Club, the Zilker Kite Festival is a staple
annual Austin event, which celebrates
the beauty of the homemade kite. Each
year thousands of kites take to the air,
painting the blue sky with a rainbow
of bright colors. While attendees are
encouraged to bring their own homemade kites to participate, the Festival
is for anyone who wants to attend.
Other activities include face painting,
games and contests, rock wall climbing,
moonwalks, and plenty of tasty food.
