Memorial Day Weekend 2026 runs Friday May 22 through Monday May 25. It is the biggest outdoor weekend of the year in Austin and the moment Lake Travis fficially comes alive for summer. Four days of perfect lake weather, open water, live music, Hill Country adventures, and the kind of Texas summer energy that makes this city one of the best places in the country to be on a long holiday weekend. Here is the complete guide — starting with the one activity you absolutely cannot miss.
#1 Lake Travis Zipline Adventures — Book This First
Do not plan anything else for Memorial Day Weekend until you have booked this. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the single best thing to do in Austin for Memorial Day Weekend. It is the most unique outdoor experience on Lake Travis. It is the most memorable shared adventure in the entire city. And it sells out every single Memorial Day Weekend without exception. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before it is gone.
Your group boards a boat that takes everyone across Lake Travis to Zip Island. This private island is accessible only by water. It sits near Beachside Billy’s and The Oasis on the north shore, 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 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. In late May with the lake at peak level and the Hill Country green, the views from the top platform are genuinely breathtaking.
After the tour, your ticket includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island. Crack open a cold drink on the private dock. Look out over the full expanse of Lake Travis. Let the post-adrenaline settle into one of the most genuinely beautiful outdoor moments Texas has to offer. This dock view belongs only to the people who earned it by taking the tour. No walk-ins. No exceptions. It is the most exclusive post-adventure drink view in Austin and it happens to be the best one too.
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, couples, families, bachelor and bachelorette parties, all experience levels
- Reservations: Required at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: Memorial Day Weekend is the most popular weekend of the entire year at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Slots sell out weeks in advance every single year. Book right now at laketraviszipline.com before this weekend is gone.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for Memorial Day Weekend now.
#2 Austin Greek Festival — Food, Music, and Dancing (FREE Entry)
The Austin Greek Festival runs Friday May 22 through Sunday May 24 and is one of the most beloved community festivals in Austin. Outdoors International Authentic Greek food, traditional live music, folk dancing performances, and a genuine celebration of Greek culture take over the festival grounds for three full days of Memorial Day Weekend. The food alone makes this worth attending — spanakopita, gyros, baklava, loukoumades, souvlaki, and fresh-made pastries from the Greek community kitchens are genuinely outstanding. It is one of the most underrated free Memorial Day events in Austin.
The Details
- When: Friday May 22 through Sunday May 24, 2026
- Where: Austin area, check austingreekfestival.org for 2026 venue
- Cost: Free entry
- Best For: Families, food lovers, anyone who wants a genuine cultural festival experience on Memorial Day Weekend
#3 Paramount Summer Classic Film Series — Opening Weekend
The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series returns in May 2026 at the Paramount Theatre, running May 22 through September 7. Nomadasaurus Memorial Day Weekend is the opening weekend of one of the most beloved Austin summer traditions. The Paramount is one of the most beautiful historic theaters in Texas. Seeing a classic film on the big screen in air-conditioned 1915 splendor on a hot May evening is one of the most distinctly Austin summer experiences you can have. Check austintheatre.org for the opening weekend film lineup and get tickets early.
The Details
- When: Opening weekend May 22, running through September 7
- Where: Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Website: austintheatre.org
- Best For: Film lovers, couples, anyone who wants a classic indoor summer evening experience
#4 Memorial Day Secret Sunset Concert at a Cliff
The Memorial Day Secret Sunset Concert at a Cliff takes place Monday May 25 at 8 PM at 1500 Spyglass Drive in Austin. Lost with Lydia This is one of the most uniquely Austin Memorial Day events on the entire weekend calendar. A surprise lineup of performers, a cliffside setting with sweeping views of the city, and the kind of intimate outdoor concert energy that Austin does better than anywhere else in the country. The Secret Sunset series consistently delivers one of the most memorable live music experiences in Austin. Arrive early and come ready for anything.
The Details
- When: Monday May 25, 8 PM
- Where: 1500 Spyglass Dr, Austin TX 78746
- Best For: Music lovers, Memorial Day Monday after the weekend festivities, anyone who wants something genuinely unexpected to close out the long weekend
#5 Floatopia on Lady Bird Lake — Memorial Day Edition
Floatopia Memorial Day Weekend at Lady Bird Lake features crazy floats, live music, and open water right in the heart of Austin. CultureMap Houston This is one of the most genuinely fun and free Memorial Day traditions in the city. Hundreds of people bring inflatable floats, kayaks, paddleboards, and rafts to where Barton Creek meets Lady Bird Lake near Zilker Park. A DJ plays on the shoreline. Live music runs throughout the afternoon. The whole thing has a backyard block party energy that makes it feel completely different from every other Memorial Day event in Austin.
No tickets. No registration. Just show up with a float, a cooler, and your crew.
The Details
- Location: Where Barton Creek meets Lady Bird Lake, accessible via Zilker Park
- Cost: Free to attend, kayak rentals available nearby from $15 per hour
- Best Time: Saturday and Sunday afternoon
- Best For: Groups, young adults, anyone who wants a free and genuinely festive outdoor water gathering
#6 Hotel Magdalena Pool Party — Saturday Afternoon
Hotel Magdalena hosts a Memorial Day Weekend pool party on Sunday with all-day pool access, two complimentary drinks, and delicious food specials for $55 per person. The party runs from noon to 5 PM. Travel Tourister Hotel Magdalena is one of Austin’s most stylish boutique hotels in the South Congress neighborhood. The pool setting combined with craft cocktails and the South Congress energy just outside makes it the most sophisticated pool party option on Memorial Day Weekend for groups who want something elevated but not stuffy.
The Details
- When: Sunday May 24, noon to 5 PM
- Where: Hotel Magdalena, 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704
- Cost: $55 per person, includes two complimentary drinks
- Website: hotelmagdalena.com
- Best For: Groups, couples, anyone who wants a stylish pool party alternative to the lake
#7 Speakeasy Rooftop Day Party — Memorial Day Saturday
The Speakeasy Rooftop Day Party on Saturday May 23 promises stunning downtown Austin views, infectious beats, and an unforgettable day party experience with cocktails and city skyline views from one of Austin’s best rooftop settings. Lost with Lydia The Speakeasy on Congress Avenue is one of the most atmospheric venues in downtown Austin and the rooftop turns into a genuine Memorial Day party on Saturday afternoon. This is the best option for groups who want a rooftop bar experience with real Memorial Day energy without the full commitment of a lake day.
The Details
- When: Saturday May 23
- Where: Speakeasy, 412 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Best For: Groups who want downtown rooftop energy, a Saturday afternoon party setting
#8 Memorial Day Thunderfest at Come and Take It Live
Memorial Day Thunderfest takes place Monday May 25 at 7 PM at Come and Take It Live in Austin. Lost with Lydia Come and Take It Live is one of Austin’s best outdoor live music venues on Red River Street. Thunderfest is a high-energy Memorial Day Monday concert event that gives the long weekend one final burst of live music before the week begins. It is the right call for groups who want to end Memorial Day Weekend on a loud and memorable note.
The Details
- When: Monday May 25, 7 PM
- Where: Come and Take It Live, 1104 E 6th St, Austin TX 78702
- Best For: Live music fans, groups who want to close out Memorial Day Weekend with a bang
#9 Jester King Brewery — Best Memorial Day Hill Country Escape
Jester King Brewery in the Hill Country outside Austin is one of the most atmospheric and beautiful outdoor destinations in the entire Austin area. Set on a 165-acre ranch about 30 minutes west of Austin, Jester King makes some of the most celebrated farmhouse and wild ales in the country. The outdoor pizza kitchen, hiking trails through the property, resident farm animals, and the stunning Hill Country setting make it one of the best Memorial Day afternoon destinations available within a short drive of the city.
Memorial Day Weekend crowds in Austin can be intense. Jester King gives your group a genuine escape into the Hill Country with outstanding beer and a completely different pace from the lake and city energy. Take the scenic drive out FM 1826 through the wildflower-lined Hill Country and let the weekend breathe.
The Details
- Address: 13187 Mountainside Dr, Austin TX 78736
- Website: jesterkingbrewery.com
- Hours: Thursday through Sunday, check website for Memorial Day Weekend hours
- Best For: Beer lovers, Hill Country escapes, a relaxed afternoon away from the crowds
#10 Deep Eddy Pool — Austin’s Historic Memorial Day Swim
Deep Eddy Pool is Austin’s oldest swimming pool, dating back to 1915, and one of the most beloved Memorial Day destinations in the city. The historic spring-fed pool in West Austin fills up with Austinites of all ages on Memorial Day Weekend for a genuinely communal outdoor experience. It is smaller and more intimate than Barton Springs, completely shaded by old pecan trees on the perimeter, and has a vintage Austin character that feels completely authentic to the city’s history.
The Details
- Address: 401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin TX 78703
- Cost: $9 for non-resident adults, children under 1 are free
- Best For: Families, anyone who wants a historic Austin swimming experience with a different vibe from Barton Springs
#11 Topgolf Austin — Memorial Day Afternoon Competition
Topgolf Austin is one of the most reliably fun Memorial Day afternoon activities in the city for groups who want structured competitive entertainment with food and drinks built in. Each bay holds six players. Budget $50 to $80 per person for two to three hours including bay rental, food, and drinks. Topgolf runs Memorial Day Weekend specials so check topgolf.com/us/austin for the 2026 promotion and book well in advance because holiday weekends fill up fast.
The Details
- Address: 2700 Esperanza Crossing, Austin TX 78758
- Cost: $50 to $80 per person for 2 to 3 hours
- Website: topgolf.com/us/austin
- Best For: Competitive groups, families with older kids, a structured activity with built-in food and drinks
#12 COTA Karting — Go-Kart Racing at the F1 Track
COTA Karting at Circuit of the Americas puts your group on a professional-grade outdoor racing track at the same F1 facility where the United States Grand Prix is held. Karts reach speeds up to 55 mph. The competitive format is immediately engaging and the COTA venue adds a genuine prestige to the experience that no indoor karting facility can match. It is a strong Memorial Day afternoon activity for groups that want competitive energy without the heat of the lake.
The Details
- Address: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin TX 78617
- Cost: From $23.95 per person, group discounts available
- Website: cota.com/experience/karting
- Best For: Competitive groups, families with older kids, corporate Memorial Day outings
#13 Bullock Texas State History Museum — Memorial Day Remembrance
The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin offers the chance to honor fallen heroes and explore military history on Memorial Day. Lost with Lydia The museum runs special Memorial Day programming on Monday May 25 with exhibits on Texas military history, veteran stories, and the significance of Memorial Day in Texas history. It is a meaningful way to spend part of the holiday that honors the reason for the long weekend in the first place.
The Details
- Address: 1800 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: $13 for adults, $9 for youth ages 3 to 17
- Website: thestoryoftexas.com
- Best For: Families, history enthusiasts, a meaningful Memorial Day Monday activity
#14 Retro Boats ATX — Vintage Boat Sunset Cruise on Lady Bird Lake
Retro Boats ATX rents fully restored 1958 vintage fiberglass boats on Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. Your group captains the boat yourselves, cruising past the Austin skyline and under the Congress Avenue Bridge as the bats emerge at sunset on Memorial Day Weekend. The boats have names like Gidget, Lola, Trixie, and Edith. It is genuinely unlike any other Memorial Day water experience in the city. A late afternoon sunset cruise timed to the bat colony emergence is one of the most beautiful Memorial Day evenings Austin offers.
The Details
- Location: Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin
- Website: retroboatsatx.com
- Best For: Couples, small groups, a unique and photogenic Memorial Day evening
#15 Museum Meetup: Austin Through Time at the Bullock
Museum Meetup: Austin Through Time at the Bullock Museum runs Memorial Day Weekend and is one of the most popular social events in Austin for young adults who want to explore the city’s history in an interactive and social setting. CultureMap Houston The event combines guided exhibit access with drinks, music, and a social mixer format that turns a museum visit into a genuine Memorial Day evening out. It is a perfect Friday or Saturday evening activity before hitting Rainey Street.
The Details
- Where: Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Best For: Young adults, curious visitors, groups who want something genuinely different on a Memorial Day evening
#16 The Far Out Lounge — Memorial Day Weekend Live Music
The Far Out Lounge and Stage is one of Austin’s best outdoor music venues and one of the most genuinely fun places to be on Memorial Day Weekend. The massive outdoor grounds have food trucks, multiple stages, and a casual lawn seating atmosphere that makes it easy for large groups to spread out and enjoy the weekend. The Far Out Lounge has a massive outdoor venue with a casual vibe, food trucks, and weekend-long events throughout Memorial Day Weekend. Texas Outside
The Details
- Address: 8504 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78745
- Website: thefaroutlounge.com
- Best For: Live music lovers, large groups, a relaxed outdoor concert atmosphere
The Perfect Austin Memorial Day Weekend Itinerary
Here is how to build the ultimate four-day Memorial Day Weekend with completely fresh activities.
Friday May 22: Arrive in Austin. Evening at the opening of the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series for the most cinematic start to a Memorial Day Weekend in Austin. Then the Austin Greek Festival for dinner and live Greek music and dancing.
Saturday May 23: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures in the morning. Book the most important slot of the weekend now at laketraviszipline.com. Afternoon at Floatopia on Lady Bird Lake. Evening at the Speakeasy Rooftop Day Party with downtown views and cold drinks.
Sunday May 24: Morning at Deep Eddy Pool for a historic Austin swim. Afternoon escape to Jester King Brewery in the Hill Country for farmhouse ales and outstanding Hill Country views. Evening Hotel Magdalena Pool Party from noon to 5 PM on South Congress. Sunset cruise on Retro Boats ATX on Lady Bird Lake.
Monday May 25 — Memorial Day: Morning at the Bullock Museum Memorial Day programming. Afternoon COTA Karting or Topgolf. Evening at Memorial Day Thunderfest at 7 PM. Then the Memorial Day Secret Sunset Concert at a Cliff at 8 PM to close out the best Memorial Day Weekend in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions — Memorial Day Weekend Austin 2026
What is the best thing to do in Austin for Memorial Day Weekend?
The best thing to do in Austin for Memorial Day Weekend is Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Your group boards a boat to a private island on Lake Travis and spends 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 where you can crack open a cold drink on the dock and enjoy the best lake view in Texas. Tickets start at $88 per person. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before Memorial Day Weekend sells out.
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Memorial Day 2026 is Monday May 25, 2026. Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day Weekend in Austin runs Friday May 22 through Monday May 25.
What is Floatopia at Lady Bird Lake?
Floatopia is a free informal Memorial Day Weekend tradition on Lady Bird Lake where hundreds of Austin residents bring inflatable floats, kayaks, paddleboards, and rafts to where Barton Creek meets Lady Bird Lake near Zilker Park. A DJ plays on the shoreline and live music runs through the afternoon. There are no tickets and no registration — just show up with a float and a cooler. The event runs Saturday and Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend.
What is the Austin Greek Festival?
The Austin Greek Festival is a free three-day cultural festival running Friday May 22 through Sunday May 24 featuring authentic Greek food, traditional live music, folk dancing performances, and a genuine celebration of Greek culture. It is one of the most beloved and most underrated free events on the Austin Memorial Day Weekend calendar.
What is the Memorial Day Secret Sunset Concert at a Cliff?
The Memorial Day Secret Sunset Concert at a Cliff takes place Monday May 25 at 8 PM at 1500 Spyglass Drive in Austin. It is a surprise lineup outdoor concert at a cliffside Austin location with sweeping city views. The Secret Sunset series is one of the most intimate and memorable live music experiences in Austin and the Memorial Day edition is the most anticipated of the year.
Is Memorial Day Weekend busy in Austin?
Yes. Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the entire year in Austin. Lake Travis boat rentals and zipline tours sell out weeks in advance. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures as early as possible at laketraviszipline.com. Hotels and Airbnbs near the lake and downtown also fill up fast so plan accommodations well ahead of the weekend.
Make This Memorial Day Weekend the Best One Yet
Austin delivers on Memorial Day Weekend like no other city in Texas. The lake is perfect. The events are genuinely great. The live music never stops. And the best experience of the entire long weekend is waiting for you on Lake Travis.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures right now at laketraviszipline.com before Memorial Day Weekend fills up. Then build the rest of the perfect Austin long weekend around it.
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 Best Family Friendly Activities in Austin TX.