By Lake Travis Zipline Adventures · Updated April 9, 2026
Austin does not slow down for the weekend. It speeds up. This weekend is one of the best of the entire spring season, headlined by the 98th ABC Kite Festival in Zilker Park, Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee, Ziplining and some of the best outdoor weather Austin has seen all year. Here is everything worth doing from Thursday through Sunday.
Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
This weekend in Austin includes the free ABC Kite Festival at Zilker Park on Saturday April 11, Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday April 9 featuring The Parent Trap on the water, ziplining on Lake Travis at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, the Capitol 10K race on Sunday April 12, and a full slate of live music, outdoor adventures, and only-in-Austin experiences. Here is the complete breakdown.
Thursday, April 9 — Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee
Kick off your Austin weekend early with one of the most uniquely Austin experiences you can have on a Thursday night. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin and Lake Austin Calm team up every Thursday for Movies on the Lake, an outdoor movie night on a 25,000 square inch screen right on the water.
This Thursday the film is The Parent Trap, and it starts at 8:30 PM. Deck seating is completely free. The real magic is renting a paddleboard, donut boat, or floating lounge chair from Lake Austin Calm and watching the movie from the water itself, floating on Lake Austin under the open sky with popcorn and specialty movie snacks from the concession stand. Live music plays before the film begins, and the whole atmosphere is the kind of thing that reminds you exactly why people love living in Austin.
The Details
- When: Thursday April 9, live music starts before 8:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM
- Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin TX 78703
- Cost: Free deck seating with RSVP, paddleboard rentals from $20, donut boat rentals available
- Film: The Parent Trap
- Website: lakeaustincalm.com
Pro Tip: Book your paddleboard or donut boat in advance. The water viewing spots sell out before the film starts. Deck seating requires a free RSVP so grab that ahead of time too.
Friday, April 10 — Head Out to Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
If you are looking for the single most memorable outdoor experience this weekend has to offer, Friday is the perfect day to get out to Lake Travis before the Saturday crowds descend on the city for Kite Fest. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor experience in the Austin area and nothing else this weekend comes close for pure adrenaline and wow factor.
Here is how it works. You board a boat that takes you across Lake Travis to Zip Island, a private island accessible only by water, located near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on the north shore of the lake. Once there, you spend three hours on five world-class ziplines through the Texas Hill Country, including the Double Barrel Shotgun, two side-by-side lines stretching over 2,800 feet at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. The views of Lake Travis from up there on a clear April morning are genuinely jaw-dropping.
After the tour wraps up, your group gets full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island. You can jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis, relax in a hammock, and soak up the lake at your own pace. Spring weather in April makes this the absolute best time of year to be out on the water.
The Details
- 5-Line Zipline Tour: $138/person, includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island
- Double Barrel Single-Line Tour: $88/person
- Duration: 3 hours for the full tour plus full-day lakefront access after
- Location: Near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on Lake Travis, about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin
- Best For: Groups, families, couples, date days, anyone who wants something genuinely unforgettable
- Reservations: Required, book now at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: Spring slots fill up fast. If this weekend is already sold out, check availability for upcoming Fridays and Saturdays. April on Lake Travis is as good as it gets.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before slots sell out.
Saturday, April 11 — ABC Kite Festival at Zilker Park (FREE)
This is the one not to miss this weekend. The ABC Kite Festival returns to Zilker Park for its 98th year on Saturday April 11 from 10 AM to 5 PM, and it is completely free to attend. This is the nation’s longest-running kite festival, and it is one of those events that feels like the whole city shows up together for a single perfect spring day.
The skies above Zilker Park fill with hundreds of kites all morning and afternoon. The Exchange Club Kite Contest and Showcase runs from 11 AM to 5 PM and is free to enter for all ages, with contests including Highest Angle Kite and Most Unusual Kite. Some of the world’s premier kite flyers also put on showcases throughout the day.
For families, the Kids Club runs all day with free bounce houses, face painting, and activities for children of all ages. The MossFest Children’s Concert runs from 10 AM to 1 PM with a lineup including Barton Hills Choir, Tio Toto, The Reen, Mr. Will, The Ollie and Sara Show, DiscoTex, and Saul Paul. The Pet Zone has an off-leash pet playground with vendors for your dogs. Food trucks including Amy’s Ice Creams, JP’s Pancake Company, La Ola Pop, and Lupe Tortilla are on-site all day.
If you want the VIP experience, the High Flyer Club ($100) includes early entry, reserved parking, catered specialty food, shaded seating, and air-conditioned restrooms. Tickets are available at abckitefest.org.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 11, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Where: Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin TX 78746
- Cost: Free admission. VIP High Flyer Club $100. Pre-paid parking available.
- Website: abckitefest.org
Pro Tip: Pre-paid parking sells out quickly. Book your parking or shuttle pass at abckitefest.org before heading out. CapMetro Routes 3 and 803 also provide access to the festival if you want to skip the parking situation entirely. Arrive early to claim a good spot on the lawn before the crowds build.
Saturday, April 11 — Barton Springs Pool After Kite Fest
After spending the morning and afternoon at Zilker Park for Kite Fest, Barton Springs Pool is right there and waiting. The naturally spring-fed pool stays at a constant 68 degrees year round and on a warm April Saturday after a day in the Texas sun, it is exactly what your body is asking for. The pool is inside Zilker Park so you are already there. There is no better way to end a Kite Fest day than cooling off in one of Austin’s most beloved institutions.
The Details
- Where: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin TX 78746 (inside Zilker Park)
- Cost: $9 for non-resident adults, free from 5 to 8 AM
- Website: austintexas.gov
Saturday Night, April 11 — Live Music on Sixth Street
After a full day at Kite Fest and Barton Springs, Austin’s nightlife is ready for you. Sixth Street comes alive on Saturday nights with free live music at every bar, and this weekend is no exception. Start on the east end at Dirty Sixth for the loudest most chaotic energy, or head to Rainey Street for a more relaxed bungalow-bar atmosphere with equally great music and drinks.
The Moontower Comedy Festival is also running this weekend at the Paramount Theatre and Stateside Theatre through April 19. If you can get tickets, world-class comedy this close to Kite Fest weekend is an unbeatable Saturday night combination. Check austintheatre.org for availability.
Sunday, April 12 — Cap10K Race or Cheer on the Runners
Austin’s biggest road race of the year, the Capitol 10K, returns on Sunday April 12. Texas’s largest 10K draws around 10,000 runners through a course that winds through the unique cityscape of Austin. If you are not running, the race is still worth watching. The course runs through some of the most scenic parts of downtown and the energy along the route is genuinely electric on race morning.
The Details
- When: Sunday April 12, morning start
- Where: Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores, downtown Austin
- Cost: Registration required for runners, free to spectate
- Website: cap10k.com
Sunday, April 12 — Lady Bird Lake Trail
For a slower Sunday morning, the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail is one of the best free things you can do in Austin. The 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake runs through the heart of the city with stunning skyline views and connects to Zilker Park and Barton Springs on the west end. April weather makes this the peak time of year to be out on the trail. Walk it, run it, or rent a kayak and get out on the lake itself.
The Details
- Where: Downtown Austin, along Lady Bird Lake
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Morning walkers, runners, cyclists, kayakers, families
All Weekend — Wildflower Season in the Hill Country
It is bluebonnet season in Texas and the Hill Country is currently covered in wildflowers. A 30 to 45 minute drive west of Austin on any of the scenic backroads will put you in the middle of some of the most beautiful springtime scenery in the entire state. The Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg is one of the most spectacular wildflower drives in Texas and absolutely worth the hour drive from Austin this time of year.
The Perfect Austin Weekend Itinerary — April 10 to 12
Here is how to put it all together.
Thursday Evening: Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee. Grab a paddleboard or donut boat rental from Lake Austin Calm and watch The Parent Trap from the water at 8:30 PM. Live music starts before the film.
Friday or Sunday Morning: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Book the morning tour and spend the rest of the day on Lake Travis. Best day of the weekend for outdoor adventure. Book at laketraviszipline.com.
Saturday Morning and Afternoon: ABC Kite Festival at Zilker Park. Free, family-friendly, and one of the best things happening in Austin all spring. Then cool off at Barton Springs Pool on the way out.
Saturday Night: Live music on Sixth Street or comedy at the Moontower Festival at the Paramount Theatre. Check austintheatre.org for tickets.
Sunday Morning: Walk or run the Lady Bird Lake Trail, cheer on Capitol 10K runners, or make the drive west for bluebonnets in the Hill Country.
Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
What is happening in Austin this weekend April 11 2026?
The biggest event in Austin this weekend is the ABC Kite Festival at Zilker Park on Saturday April 11 from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is free to attend and features kite flying contests, the MossFest Children’s Concert, a Kids Club with free bounce houses, a Pet Zone, and local food trucks. The Capitol 10K road race takes place on Sunday April 12. Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee is on Thursday April 9 featuring The Parent Trap at 8:30 PM. And Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is available all weekend for the best outdoor adventure experience in the Austin area.
Is the Austin Kite Festival free?
Yes. The ABC Kite Festival is completely free to attend. The kite contest, MossFest Children’s Concert, Kids Club activities, and Pet Zone are all free. Pre-paid parking must be purchased in advance. A VIP High Flyer Club experience is available for $100 and includes early entry, reserved parking, specialty food, shaded seating, and air-conditioned restrooms. The event runs Saturday April 11 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Zilker Park.
Where is the Austin Kite Festival 2026?
The 2026 ABC Kite Festival is at Zilker Metropolitan Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin TX 78746. The festival runs Saturday April 11, 2026 from 10 AM to 5 PM. More details and parking passes at abckitefest.org.
What is Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee?
Movies on the Lake is a weekly outdoor movie night hosted every Thursday by Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and Lake Austin Calm on Lake Austin. A 25,000 square inch screen is set up on the water and films begin at 8:30 PM. Deck seating is free with an RSVP. You can also rent a paddleboard for $20 or a two-person floating lounge chair for $30 to watch from the water. This Thursday April 9 the film is The Parent Trap. Live music and specialty movie snacks are available before the film. Book at lakeaustincalm.com.
What is the best thing to do in Austin this weekend?
The best thing to do in Austin this weekend is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. You board a boat to a private island in the middle of Lake Travis and spend three hours on five world-class ziplines including the Double Barrel Shotgun, the longest zipline in Texas at over 2,800 feet and speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. After the tour you get full-day access to the private lakefront property where you can jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis. Tickets start at $88 per person. Reservations are required at laketraviszipline.com.
Make the Most of Your Austin Weekend
Austin is at its absolute best this time of year. The weather is perfect, the wildflowers are blooming, the lake is calling, and this weekend has some of the best free events of the entire spring season. Do not let it go to waste sitting inside.
Start by locking in your Lake Travis Zipline Adventures reservation at laketraviszipline.com before Friday slots sell out. Then grab your kite, your picnic blanket, and your paddle and make this the Austin weekend you have been waiting for.
Looking for more Austin inspiration? Check out our guides to the Best Things to Do in Austin TX, the Best Things to Do on Lake Travis, and the Most Unique Things to Do in Austin TX.