FUSEBOX FESTIVAL Various Locations, fuseboxfestival.com A hybrid arts festival that champions adventurous works of art in theater, dance, film, music, literature, and visual and culinary arts. SPRING PECAN STREET FESTIVAL Hill Country Galleria, pecanstreetfestival.org Musicians, food vendors, artisans and crafters converge on the Hill Country Galleria for a lively street fair, just west of Austin. ZILKER SUMMER MUSICAL July through August Zilker Hillside Theater, zilker.org Pack a picnic and enjoy the free summer musical at Zilker Park, Thursdays through Sundays, beginning around sunset. INDIE MEME FILM FESTIVAL Various Locations, indiememe.org Each year, Indie Meme brings together different communities through independent South Asian films to promote cross-cultural understanding. JUNE AUGUST ATX TELEVISION FESTIVAL Downtown Austin, atxfestival.com aGLIFF PRISM FILM FESTIVAL Various Locations, agliff.org The oldest and largest LGBTQ+ film fest in the Southwest also hosts regular screenings throughout the year. MOONTOWER COMEDY FESTIVAL The Paramount Theatre & Various Locations, moontowercomedyfestival.com Moontower Comedy Festival, presented by The Paramount Theatre, brings the funniest comics to Austin for nearly two weeks of packed programming. The first festival devoted to television features premieres of new series, current hits and cult favorites. AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOK FESTIVAL George Washington Carver Museum, aaabookfest.org This free annual literary event showcases new works by and about African Americans. AUSTIN GAMBLER DAYS Moody Center, austingamblers.com An action-packed team bull riding competition features the world’s best pro bull riders, including the local Austin Gamblers. MAY AUSTIN ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Various Locations, aaafilmfest.com AUSTIN PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL Fiesta Gardens & Downtown Austin, austinpride.org Don’t miss the festival and parade down Congress Avenue during the largest annual LGBTQ+ celebration and fundraising event in Central Texas. AUSTIN SKETCH FEST ColdTowne Theater, atxsketchfest.com The local ColdTowne Theater organizes, produces and books this hilarious festival that features the best scripted comedy from Austin and beyond. This festival promotes Asian and Asian American cultures and experiences through media arts, showcasing cinema and the creativity of Asian American artists. CENTRAL TEXAS JUNETEENTH 2K, PARADE & CELEBRATION Historic East Austin, juneteenthcentraltexas.com Austin’s annual Juneteenth celebration features a parade with floats and entertainment, plus a community gathering with food and local vendors at Rosewood Park. SEPTEMBER AUSTIN MUSEUM DAY Various Locations, austinmuseums.org Organized by the Austin Museum Partnership, this day features free exhibitions and activities at participating Austin-area museums and cultural sites. CELEBRASIA AUSTIN Austin Asian American Resource Center, austintexas.gov/aarc Annual event to kick off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. CelebrASIA celebrates diverse perspectives, history, music, dance, games and fashion. JULY CINE LAS AMERICAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Various Locations, cinelasamericas.org Catch screenings of contemporary films and videos from Latin America (North, Central, South America and the Caribbean) and the Iberian Peninsula. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS Red River Cultural District, redriverculturaldistrict.org Each summer, nearly 20 venues throughout the Red River Cultural District host three days of live music alongside local food vendors. BAT FEST Congress Avenue Bridge, roadwayevents.com Enjoy live music, children’s activities, a costume contest and more in celebration of Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge bats. STAR SPANGLED FEST Auditorium Shores, starspangledfest.com The Austin Symphony hosts an annual concert of patriotic music culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Lady Bird Lake. FALL PECAN STREET FESTIVAL Hill Country Galleria, pecanstreetfestival.org Musicians, food vendors, artisans and crafters converge on the Hill Country Galleria for a lively street fair, just west of Austin. THE DROP-IN May through August Long Center, longcenter.org The Long Center hosts a free, weekly concert series on the lawn all summer long. FANTASTIC FEST Hot Luck HOT LUCK Various Locations, hotluckfest.com An eat-with-your-fingers food festival highlighting culinary know-how and live music. Come hungry and thirsty — and bring your dancin’ boots. Alamo Drafthouse & Various Locations, fantasticfest.com The largest genre film festival in the U.S. specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and more from around the world. LETITIA SMITH 7
Austin Insider Guide 2026: Page 7
