August & September Calendar
Our Favorite 12 Events
for August & September
Words by Samantha Lauron
Austin Ice Cream Festival
August 12, 10am-7pm
Nothing pairs better with summer weather than a big scoop of ice cream! A family-fun event, the Austin Ice Cream Festival is back for its 11th year and includes games, contests, live entertainment and plenty of frozen dessert from both national and local brands. Put on the sunscreen and prepare for a sugar rush before heading over to Fiesta Gardens for this sweet celebration.
austinicecreamfestival.com | 2101 Jesse E Segovia St.
Frost Bank Summer Sweet Treats
August 18, 2-4pm
Escape the heat for just one moment with a refreshing, cold summer treat. Frost Bank is bringing something sweet to the streets this summer! Stop by the East 7th Street Financial Center, from 2-4pm so the whole family can enjoy free treats from Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs.
facebook.com/FrostBank | 2421 East 7th St.
Bat Fest
August 19, 4pm-midnight
Catch the famous Mexican free-tailed bats flying out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge at the 13th annual Bat Fest. The event includes three stages of live music, food and even a bat costume contest. Finish the evening by watching millions of bats emerge at dusk. Admission is $15, and kids under 8 are free.
roadwayevents.com | 100 South Congress Ave.
Hot Sauce Festival
August 20, 11am-5pm
It’s back, and it’s hotter than ever. Austin Chronicle’s Hot Sauce Festival returns to Fiesta Gardens for the largest competition of its kind. In its 27th year, the festival brings together hundreds of hot sauces and thousands of spectators for a fun, food-filled day benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank. The event is free with a donation of three non-perishable food items or $5 donation.
austinchronicle.com | 2101 Jesse E Segovia St.
District Days Celebration
September 2-3, times vary
Six Square will be hosting a two-day immersive experience highlighting historic people & places in east Austin’s African American legacy. Explore the rich history and colorful past through cultural narratives, artistic performances and curated cuisine. Festival is free; tours are $100 per person including light bites & beverages. sixsquare.org | Multiple locations
Free Day of Yoga
September 4
If you’ve ever considered taking a yoga class but have yet to try it, now is the time to give it a go. This Labor Day, yoga studios across the city will offer free classes all day long. Whether you want to try a new studio or explore a new fitness routine, Free Day of Yoga is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. Check out the website for the full schedule and list of participating eastside locations.
freedayofyoga.com | Various locations
Eastside Kings Festival
September 8-10, 5-11pm
Need a reminder that Austin is indeed the ‘Live Music Capital of the World?’ Check out the 5th annual Eastside Kings Festival where over 30 bands will take over the 12th and Chicon block in east Austin for two days of blues, jazz and gospel tunes. The festivities kick off on Friday night with a party at Antone’s and continue through Sunday at eight different venues on the historic eastside. Wristbands are available at Antone’s Record Shop.
facebook.com/EastsideKingsFestival | Various locations
Creatives Meet Business Experience
September 14-16
Craving a new way to develop professionally? Want to get your hands “dirty” through real time learning? Join Creatives Meet Business, Austin Learnshop, General Assembly and Story Bar for three days of workshops on artistry, business, marketing, storytelling, AND nightly happy hours.
cmbxp.com | Various locations
Strut Your Mutt
September 16, 9am-12pm
Best Friends Animal Society is hosting their annual fundraiser which raises money that goes towards saving the lives of homeless pets. You and your pup, alongside hundreds of other humans and pets, can participate in a walk that will benefit a local animal welfare group of your choice. Tickets are $15.
strutyourmutt.org | 6614 Blue Bluff Rd.
Austin Museum Day
September 17
Nothing beats free, right? In an effort to promote the local museum community, museums across Austin offer free admission for one day each year. Bring the whole family and take advantage of free access to history, art and design from across various mediums.
austinmuseums.org | Various museums
Austin Skipathon
September 23, 9am-12pm
Want to participate in setting a world record? Join 300+ skippers at Mueller Lake Park for the Austin Skipathon benefiting Foster Angels of Central Texas. Master Skipper, Kim Corbin, is back for a second year to lead a unified skip around the lake. The family-friendly event also includes music, games, bounce houses and food. Tickets are $15 for kids 4-10; kids under 3 are free.
austinskipathon.com | 4550 Mueller Blvd.
Texas Craft Brewers Festival
September 30
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, you don’t want to miss this event. Since its first festival in 2003, Texas Craft Brewers Festival has remained true to its mission: focusing exclusively on Texas-produced craft beer. As the state’s largest beer event of its kind, the festival will feature 65+ Texas craft breweries, nearly 200 handcrafted beer samples, food trucks, live music and more. For ticket options and the complete brewery list, check out their website.
texascraftbrewersfestival.org | 2101 Jesse E Segovia St.
