What's Weird in Austin: Keeping Up With the Coming Attractions

Why hit up Austin at just any time when you can plan your trip around some of the city’s hottest happenings? Here are some of the best ones taking place in the weirdest, wildest part of Texas.

June 28: Keep Austin Weird Festival
So you know that in Austin, the credo is to keep the city weird. But did you know the city devotes a full day to it? In what organizers call “the ultimate toast to Austin, a toast to hospitality, fun and a sense of community,” the city breaks out its best in music, food and more to celebrate.

August 23: Batfest
You know that Austin loves being weird and eating good food, but did you know the city loves its bats? Under the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, you’ll find 1.5 million bats on August 23 – and they’re ready to put on a show. Their flight at dusk makes for prime entertainment – and the city throws a festival, now in its tenth year, to celebrate.

August 24: Hot Sauce Festival
Do you like hot sauce? The Austin Chronicle, Austin’s premier alternative publication, is here to help with their annual Hot Sauce Festival. Bring your taste buds and a sense of adventure.

August 29-September 1: Splash Days
No, you’re not seeing double. Summer in Austin both begins and ends with a Splash, though this is the bigger and more notorious of the two. Featuring more events, an array of DJs and enough shirtless man to satiate you through winter, Splash Days are the perfect way to wrap up your summer fun.

September 14-20: Austin Pride
What better place to embrace your true colors than somewhere that loves you no matter what color of the rainbow you are. Austin Pride, hosted on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown, features all the staples of a Pride festival, but with a distinct Austin flavor. The week starts September 14, but the festival and parade are on September 20.

September 27-28: Pecan Street Festival
Want to get artsy? The Pecan Street Festival is one of Austin’s biggest arts festivals. Held in the historic Sixth Street district, the Pecan Street Festival boasts music, food and art, all at just the right price: Admission is free.

October 3-5 and 10-12: Austin City Limits
Who needs Coachella when you can get so many great acts – Eminem! Lorde! Outkast! – and still have the whole city of Austin at your back? South by Southwest may be the bigger name, but Austin City Limits, with a ton of bands and a great environment, is undoubtedly the bigger deal.