Austin is doing what Austin does best this weekend — packing the calendar with genuinely great events across every corner of the city. From one of the weirdest and most beloved free festivals in the country to dragon boat racing on Lady Bird Lake, a whiskey riot, live comedy at the Paramount, outdoor family adventures, and ziplining on Lake Travis, this is one of the fullest and most uniquely Austin weekends of the entire spring season. Here is everything worth doing.
Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin This Weekend April 24 to 26
This weekend in Austin is headlined by Eeyore’s Birthday Party at Pease Park on Saturday, the 26th Annual Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake Saturday morning, the Austin Whiskey Riot at Fair Market Saturday afternoon, the Bullock Museum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, the Indie Meme Film Festival through Sunday, the Austin Blues Festival at Waterloo Park Saturday and Sunday, Nimesh Patel live at the Paramount Theatre Sunday evening, and Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the best outdoor adventure of the weekend. Here is the complete breakdown.
Friday, April 24 — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Start your weekend with the best outdoor adventure in the Austin area. Friday is the perfect day to get out to Lake Travis before the city events kick into full gear on Saturday. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is consistently the most memorable experience visitors and locals have in Austin. Nothing else this weekend comes close for pure adrenaline and Hill Country scenery.
Here is how it works. Your group boards a boat that takes everyone across Lake Travis to Zip Island. This private island sits in the middle of the lake, accessible only by water, near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on the north shore. It is about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Once on the island, your group spends three hours on five world-class ziplines through the Texas Hill Country. The signature Double Barrel Shotgun sends two people side by side down over 2,800 feet of cable at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above Lake Travis. The views from up there in late April, with the Hill Country green and the lake sparkling below, are genuinely stunning.
After the tour, your ticket includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island. Jump off the boat dock into Lake Travis. Relax in hammocks. Soak up the lake before heading back to Austin for a packed Saturday and Sunday.
The Details
- 5-Line Zipline Tour: $138/person, includes full-day lakefront property access 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, couples, families, anyone who wants the best outdoor experience in Austin
- Reservations: Required at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: This weekend Austin is packed with visitors. Book your zipline slot now at laketraviszipline.com before it fills up.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before your spot sells out.
Friday through Sunday — Indie Meme Film Festival (Through April 26)
The Indie Meme Film Festival wraps up its 11th annual run this weekend at Austin Film Society Cinema. This is Texas’s premier showcase for independent South Asian cinema. The five-day festival runs April 22 through 26 and features powerful narrative features, documentaries, and short films from South Asia, Iran, and the diaspora. It also includes filmmaker Q&As, community mixers, and events that go well beyond a standard film screening experience.
This is one of those Austin cultural events that consistently punches above its weight. Furthermore, it is one of the few places in the city where you can see films and meet the filmmakers who made them on the same evening.
The Details
- When: Through Sunday April 26, 2026
- Where: Austin Film Society Cinema and additional locations
- Cost: Tickets vary by screening
- Website: indiememe.org
Saturday, April 25 — 26th Annual Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Lady Bird Lake (FREE)
The Austin Dragon Boat Festival returns to Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake for its 26th year on Saturday April 25, starting at 10 AM. This is one of Central Texas’s longest-running cultural celebrations. It unites over 30 teams, 600 paddlers, and thousands of spectators each spring in a genuinely spectacular event that takes over one of the most beautiful stretches of Lady Bird Lake.
The racing itself is thrilling to watch. Decorated dragon boats powered by 20 paddlers and a drummer race across the water while the shoreline cheers. Beyond the races, the festival features an outdoor art gallery highlighting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists, cultural performances, and food vendors including a showcase of zongzi, the traditional Chinese dish eaten during Dragon Boat Festival celebrations. Admission for spectators is completely free.
This year marks the first edition under stewardship of the Lunar Foundation, a nonprofit supporting AANHPI artists and cultural initiatives in Central Texas. It is a great opportunity to experience something genuinely different from the typical Austin festival circuit.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, 10 AM to 4 PM
- Where: Festival Beach at Edward Rendon Sr. Park, 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Rd, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: Free for spectators
- Website: atxdragonboat.com
- Best For: Families, culture lovers, anyone who wants a free and genuinely unique Austin experience
Pro Tip: Arrive early to claim a good viewing spot along the shore before the races begin. The opening ceremony and first heats happen right at 10 AM. Bring sunscreen because the festival beach is fully exposed to the April sun.
Saturday, April 25 — Eeyore’s Birthday Party at Pease Park (FREE)
If you want to understand why people love Austin, spend a few hours at Eeyore’s Birthday Party. Running since 1963, this is the 61st annual celebration of Austin’s most gleefully strange tradition. The event takes place at Pease Park from 11 AM to dusk on Saturday April 25 and it is completely free.
Here is what actually happens. Thousands of Austinites descend on Pease Park in full costume. Fairy wings are common. Full-body animal suits are not unusual. Drum circles run all day and anyone with drumsticks is welcome to join. Live music plays on multiple stages. Acrobats perform. Costume contests run for both kids and adults with prizes. Food and drink vendors are all local nonprofits, so every dollar spent goes back into the Austin community. A live donkey is always present as a nod to Eeyore himself.
This is not a corporate festival. It is a 63-year-old community gathering organized entirely by unpaid volunteers. All proceeds go to Central Texas nonprofits. It is voted Austin’s Best Annual Party in the Austin Chronicle for 10 consecutive years. Furthermore, it was inducted into the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll Hall of Fame in 1999. This is one of the most authentically Austin experiences you can have on any weekend of the year.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, 11 AM to dusk (approximately 9 PM)
- Where: Pease District Park, 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin TX 78703
- Cost: Free
- Website: eeyores.org
- Best For: Everyone, first-time Austin visitors especially, families, anyone who wants to truly understand Keep Austin Weird
Pro Tip: Wear a costume. You do not need an elaborate one but showing up in regular clothes when half the park is in fairy wings feels like leaving chips at a Super Bowl party. Even a silly hat counts. Parking in the neighborhood is extremely limited. Take a rideshare or use the shuttle buses that run from state parking lots near the Capitol.
Saturday, April 25 — Bullock Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration (FREE)
The Bullock Texas State History Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary on Saturday April 25 with a full day of free programming from 10 AM to 8 PM. This is one of the best interactive history museums in Texas and on its anniversary weekend admission is completely free.
The day features free access to all gallery exhibits, live music performances, curators and artists available to meet throughout the day, the opening of a brand new exhibition called Texas Festivals: Creating Community through Celebration, and festival-style activities across the indoor and outdoor spaces all afternoon. The event culminates in an evening performance on the outdoor stage.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, 10 AM to 8 PM
- Where: Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: Free all day
- Website: thestoryoftexas.com
- Best For: Families, history lovers, anyone who wants free indoor and outdoor programming in the heart of downtown
Pro Tip: Combine the Bullock’s anniversary celebration with a walk up Congress Avenue to the Texas State Capitol. Both are free, both are excellent, and they are within easy walking distance of each other.
Saturday, April 25 — Austin Whiskey Riot at Fair Market
For the 21-plus crowd, Austin Whiskey Riot at Fair Market on Saturday afternoon is one of the most interesting ticketed events of the weekend. Over 200 varieties of whiskey from local and international distillers come together in one place. You sample different styles, try creative cocktails, and meet master distillers who share the stories behind each pour. Furthermore, the event benefits two nonprofits — The Foundation for Hope Village and Family Meal Hospitality Trust — making every pour count for something.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, 3 PM
- Where: Fair Market, 1100 E 5th St, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: $100 per person
- Age Requirement: 21-plus
- Best For: Whiskey enthusiasts, couples, groups who want an elevated afternoon experience
Pro Tip: Eat a solid meal before you arrive. Sampling 200 whiskeys on an empty stomach is a recipe for an early Saturday exit. Pace yourself and focus on the categories you know least about.
Saturday and Sunday — Austin Blues Festival at Waterloo Park
The Austin Blues Festival at Moody Amphitheater in Waterloo Park returns this weekend for its fourth edition, presented by Antone’s Nightclub and Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. This year is especially significant because it celebrates Antone’s 50-year lease extension. The two-day festival honors the musical legacy of Clifford Antone, who brought blues legends like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, and Ray Charles to Austin, and it does so with a lineup that takes the genre seriously.
The setting at Waterloo Park’s Moody Amphitheater is one of the most beautiful outdoor concert venues in Austin. The festival runs both Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26
- Where: Moody Amphitheater, Waterloo Park, 1401 Trinity St, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: From $89
- Website: waterloogreenway.org
- Best For: Music lovers, blues fans, anyone who wants a serious live music experience this weekend
Saturday, April 25 — ATX Sportsfest at Krieg Athletic Complex (FREE)
ATX Sportsfest at Krieg Athletic Complex brings recreational tournaments in kickball, softball, sand volleyball, flag football, and cornhole together in one free all-ages event on Saturday morning. Even if you are not competing, the event has food trucks, live music, wellness activities, a flea market, a beverage garden, and on-site pet adoptions. It starts at 9 AM and is completely free to attend.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, starting at 9 AM
- Where: Krieg Athletic Complex, 515 S Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin TX 78741
- Cost: Free to $45 depending on participation level
Saturday, April 25 — Outdoor Adventures at McKinney Falls State Park (FREE)
McKinney Falls State Park hosts a free all-ages outdoor adventure day on Saturday April 25 from 9 AM, presented by Families in Nature and Texas Parks and Wildlife. Activities include archery, guided fishing, birding walks, and a forest bathing workshop, all alongside live music and local food vendors inside one of Austin’s most beautiful urban state parks. It is a fantastic alternative to the bigger downtown events for families with young kids or anyone who wants a morning in nature.
The Details
- When: Saturday April 25, 9 AM
- Where: McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin TX 78744
- Cost: Free
Sunday, April 26 — Families in Nature at McKinney Falls State Park (FREE)
The outdoor adventure programming at McKinney Falls State Park continues into Sunday April 26 from 11 AM to 3 PM with more archery, fishing, guided birding walks, and nature activities for all ages. It is a perfect Sunday morning option for families looking for something active and free before the week begins.
The Details
- When: Sunday April 26, 11 AM to 3 PM
- Where: McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin TX 78744
- Cost: Free
Sunday, April 26 — Nimesh Patel at the Paramount Theatre
Close out the weekend on a high note. Nimesh Patel performs live at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday April 26 at 7 PM as part of the Moontower Comedy year-round programming. Patel is one of the fastest-rising voices in stand-up comedy, a former Saturday Night Live writer whose sharp, culturally observant material has made him one of the most talked-about comedians working today. The Paramount is one of the most beautiful live performance venues in Austin. Sunday evening comedy at a historic theatre is the perfect way to cap a packed Austin weekend.
The Details
- When: Sunday April 26, 7 PM
- Where: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: Check austintheatre.org for current ticket availability
- Website: austintheatre.org
All Weekend — The Austin Essentials
No Austin weekend is complete without hitting at least a few of these.
Barton Springs Pool inside Zilker Park stays at 68 degrees year round. After a day in the April sun at Eeyore’s Birthday or the Dragon Boat Festival, there is no better reset. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony emerges at sunset every evening through October. Watching 1.5 million bats fly against a pink Texas sky after a full day of Austin events is one of those moments that never gets old. It is completely free.
Barton Creek Greenbelt has nearly 13 miles of free trails, swimming holes, and limestone canyon scenery right inside Austin city limits. A Sunday morning hike through the greenbelt before Nimesh Patel in the evening is a genuinely perfect Austin day.
The Perfect Austin Weekend — April 24 to 26
Here is how to put it all together.
Friday: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures in the morning for the most memorable outdoor experience of the weekend. Spend the afternoon on Lake Travis. Book at laketraviszipline.com. Evening: Lady Bird Lake Trail walk at sunset followed by Rainey Street or East Sixth for live music.
Saturday: Start with the Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Beach at 10 AM. Free and spectacular. From there head to the Bullock Museum 25th Anniversary for free exhibits and live music. Afternoon at Eeyore’s Birthday Party at Pease Park — arrive in costume. Evening at Austin Whiskey Riot for 200 varieties of whiskey at Fair Market, or the Austin Blues Festival at Waterloo Park.
Sunday: Morning at McKinney Falls State Park for free archery, birding, and nature activities. Afternoon at Barton Springs Pool. Evening: Nimesh Patel at the Paramount Theatre at 7 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
What is happening in Austin this weekend April 24 to 26 2026?
This weekend in Austin includes the 26th Annual Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Beach on Saturday April 25 from 10 AM to 4 PM (free), Eeyore’s 61st Birthday Party at Pease Park on Saturday April 25 from 11 AM to dusk (free), the Bullock Museum 25th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday April 25 from 10 AM to 8 PM (free), Austin Whiskey Riot at Fair Market on Saturday April 25 at 3 PM ($100), the Austin Blues Festival at Waterloo Park Saturday and Sunday, the Indie Meme Film Festival through Sunday April 26, and Nimesh Patel at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday April 26 at 7 PM. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor activity of the weekend on Friday.
What is Eeyore’s Birthday Party in Austin?
Eeyore’s Birthday Party is Austin’s most beloved and genuinely weird annual tradition. Running since 1963, the 61st annual celebration takes place Saturday April 25 at Pease Park from 11 AM to dusk. It is completely free to attend. The event features all-day drum circles, live music, costume contests for kids and adults, acrobats, and thousands of Austinites in full costume. All food and drink vendors are local nonprofits and all proceeds go to Central Texas charities. It is voted Austin’s Best Annual Party by the Austin Chronicle for 10 consecutive years. More details at eeyores.org.
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 on Lake Travis and spend three hours on five world-class ziplines including the Double Barrel Shotgun at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above the lake. After the tour your group gets full-day access to the private lakefront property. Tickets start at $88 per person. Book at laketraviszipline.com before weekend slots sell out.
Is the Austin Dragon Boat Festival free?
Yes. The Austin Dragon Boat Festival at Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake is completely free for spectators. The 26th annual event takes place Saturday April 25 from 10 AM to 4 PM and includes dragon boat races, an outdoor art gallery featuring AANHPI artists, cultural performances, and food vendors. More details at atxdragonboat.com.
Make the Most of Your Austin Weekend
This weekend has something for every type of Austin visitor. Free festivals that embody everything the city is about. World-class live music. Outdoor adventures on Lake Travis. Great comedy at a historic theatre. Austin rewards the people who actually show up.
Start by locking in your outdoor adventure for Friday. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures at laketraviszipline.com before slots sell out. Then put on a costume and show up to Eeyore’s Birthday on Saturday like a true Austinite.
For more Austin inspiration check out our guides to the Best Things to Do in Austin TX, the Most Unique Things to Do in Austin TX, and Best Things to Do on Lake Travis.