A summer weekend in Austin with something for every type of person. The Vibe Artisan Market takes over Distribution Hall in East Austin with over 100 vendors both days. The Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival gives you a rare look inside the beekeeping world just south of Austin. The Peru Cultural Festival brings free Latin music, dance, and food to North Austin. Brick Rodeo at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock turns LEGO into a full weekend convention. The Contemporary Austin Jones Center offers free admission all weekend. The Zilker Summer Musical continues its free run of Singin’ in the Rain. And Lake Travis is at peak summer perfection for the best outdoor adventure in the city. Here is everything worth doing from Thursday through Sunday.
Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin This Weekend July 24 to 26
This weekend in Austin is headlined by Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the best outdoor experience of the weekend, the Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall in East Austin Saturday and Sunday (free entry), the Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival at Vista Ranch Saturday afternoon, the Peru Cultural Festival free event in North Austin on Saturday, Brick Rodeo LEGO convention at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock Saturday and Sunday, free admission at The Contemporary Austin Jones Center through Sunday, the Zilker Summer Musical Singin’ in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater Thursday through Sunday (free), the Drop-In Summer Concert Series at the Long Center on Thursday (free), Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday, and the Music Moves Mountains ADA Anniversary Festival at Central Machine Works on Sunday (free). Here is the complete breakdown.
#1 Best Thing to Do in Austin This Weekend — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Before the artisan markets and the honey festival and the free museum days. Book this first.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the single best thing to do in Austin this weekend. Late July on Lake Travis is peak summer, with warm water, long days, and the kind of Hill Country views from 22 stories up that make every other weekend plan feel secondary.
As someone who has guided zipline tours on Lake Travis, I can tell you that a clear July afternoon on Zip Island is one of the most genuinely beautiful outdoor experiences in Austin. The lake is warm, the Hill Country air is still, and the view from the top platform looking out across the water is the kind that stays with you long after the weekend is over.
Your group boards a boat that takes everyone across Lake Travis to Zip Island, a private island in the middle of the lake about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Three hours on five world-class ziplines through the Texas Hill Country follow, including the Double Barrel Shotgun, which sends two people side by side over 2,800 feet of cable at speeds up to 65 mph from 22 stories above Lake Travis. After the tour your ticket includes full-day access to the private lakefront property on Zip Island. Jump off the dock into Lake Travis. Relax in hammocks. Enjoy the best private lake view in Texas before heading back to Austin for the evening.
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: About 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin on Lake Travis
- Best For: Groups, couples, families, all experience levels
- Reservations: Required at laketraviszipline.com
Pro Tip: Afternoon slots fill up fast on summer weekends. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com before the weekend sells out.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before your spot sells out.
Thursday, July 23 — Drop-In Summer Concert Series at the Long Center (FREE)
98.9 KUTX and the Long Center continue their free weekly concert series every Thursday on the Long Center lawn through August 13. The Long Center lawn on a warm July evening with the Austin skyline behind the stage is one of the most beautiful free concert settings in the city. Check thelongcenter.org for this week’s artist and time. Visit Austin
The Details
- When: Thursday July 23, check thelongcenter.org for time and lineup
- Where: Long Center for the Performing Arts lawn, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin TX 78704
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Music lovers, families, the best free Thursday evening in Austin
Thursday, July 23 — Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on Lake Austin and Lake Austin Calm host Movies on the Lake every Thursday at 8:30 PM. A massive screen is set up right on the water. Watch for free from the deck or rent a paddleboard, donut boat, or two-person lounge float and watch from the lake itself. Live music plays before the film and a pop-up bar runs throughout the evening.
Having spent 30 years in Austin, Movies on the Lake is one of those Thursday evening traditions that never gets old. A warm July night on Lake Austin with a film on the water is exactly what an Austin summer is supposed to feel like.
The Details
- When: Thursday July 23, live music 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 $20, two-person lounge float $30, donut boat $150
- Water Rentals: lakeaustincalm.com
Pro Tip: Water rentals sell out every week. Book now at lakeaustincalm.com.
Thursday through Sunday — Zilker Summer Musical: Singin’ in the Rain (FREE)
The Zilker Summer Musical continues its free run of Singin’ in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater through August 15, with performances running Thursday through Sunday at 8:15 PM. Pack a blanket, bring a picnic, arrive early to claim your spot on the hillside, and enjoy one of Austin’s most beloved summer traditions completely free under the Texas night sky. Visit Austin
The Details
- When: Thursday July 23 through Sunday July 26, 8:15 PM nightly
- Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, Austin TX 78746
- Cost: Free, donations welcome
- Best For: Families, date nights, anyone who wants a magical free outdoor Austin evening
Pro Tip: Arrive by 7 PM to claim a good spot on the hillside. Bring a blanket and something cold to drink.
Friday through Sunday — The Contemporary Austin Jones Center — Free Admission
Enjoy free admission to The Contemporary Austin Jones Center from July 22 to 26, Wednesday through Sunday, and experience the current exhibition Sable Elyse Smith: Clockwork. The Contemporary Austin is one of the most consistently excellent contemporary art museums in the city and a full weekend of free admission is genuinely rare. The Jones Center location on Second Street puts it right in the heart of downtown Austin within easy reach of the South Congress and East Sixth nightlife corridors.
The Details
- When: Through Sunday July 26, regular museum hours
- Where: The Contemporary Austin Jones Center, 700 Congress Ave, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: Free through Sunday July 26
- Website: thecontemporaryaustin.org
- Best For: Art lovers, a free and genuinely world-class Austin cultural experience
Saturday, July 25 — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Saturday afternoon is the move this weekend. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor experience of the entire summer and a Saturday afternoon on Lake Travis with the Vibe Artisan Market waiting in the evening is the perfect Austin day. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday slots sell out.
Saturday and Sunday — Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall (FREE Entry)
Austinites can visit Distribution Hall for a two-day market with over 100 artisans each day. The event also features a cocktail bar, espresso bar, DJ sets, art gallery and additional activities. The market is family and dog friendly with free street parking. July 25 to 26, 11 AM to 5 PM. Austinchronicle
The Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall in East Austin is one of the most well-curated and most genuinely enjoyable market experiences in the city. Over 100 local artisans each day, a cocktail bar and espresso bar running throughout, DJ sets providing the soundtrack, and an art gallery alongside the market make it genuinely more than just a shopping event. The free street parking and the dog-friendly policy make it especially accessible for Austin families and groups.
The Details
- When: Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26, 11 AM to 5 PM
- Where: Distribution Hall, East Austin
- Cost: Free entry
- Best For: Shoppers, art lovers, families, dog owners, a genuinely enjoyable East Austin afternoon
Saturday, July 25 — Peru Cultural Festival (FREE)
Celebrate the rich traditions of Peru and Latin America at this free, family-friendly cultural festival hosted by Marisel Ballard Realty. You will find a full day of live music, vibrant folkloric dance performances, authentic cuisine, and artisan vendors that highlight the diversity of our local community. Where: 8011 Cameron Rd, Austin TX 78754. When: Saturday July 25, 12 PM to 5 PM. Visit Austin
The Peru Cultural Festival is one of the most genuinely vibrant and most community-rooted free events happening in Austin this weekend. Live music, folkloric dance, authentic Peruvian cuisine, and artisan vendors celebrating Latin American culture and community in North Austin. It is the kind of free Saturday afternoon event that Austin does better than almost any other city in Texas.
The Details
- When: Saturday July 25, 12 PM to 5 PM
- Where: 8011 Cameron Rd, Austin TX 78754
- Cost: Free, family-friendly
- Best For: Families, Latin American culture enthusiasts, anyone who wants a genuinely vibrant free Saturday afternoon
Saturday, July 25 — Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival at Vista Ranch
Head out to the Vista Ranch for a sweet afternoon dedicated to our local pollinators, honeybees, and all things honey. This event offers an inside look at the beekeeping process with observation hives, honey tastings from Hays County apiaries, live extraction demonstrations, and special menu items from the Vista Grill. Visit Austin
Driftwood is about 30 minutes southwest of Austin and the Honey Harvest Festival at Vista Ranch is one of the most genuinely unique and most family-friendly afternoon events within range of the city this weekend. Observation hives, live honey extraction demonstrations, and honey tastings from local Hays County apiaries give you a hands-on experience of the beekeeping world that is genuinely educational and genuinely delicious. The Vista Grill special menu rounds out the afternoon perfectly.
The Details
- When: Saturday July 25
- Where: Vista Ranch, Driftwood TX, about 30 minutes southwest of Austin
- Best For: Families, food lovers, nature enthusiasts, anyone who wants a genuinely unique Saturday afternoon near Austin
Saturday and Sunday — Brick Rodeo LEGO Convention at Kalahari Resorts, Round Rock
Lego fans can head to Kalahari this weekend for a convention that showcases hundreds of intricate creations and sculptures. July 25 to 26, 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday. Austinchronicle
Brick Rodeo at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock is one of the most genuinely impressive and most family-friendly LEGO events in Central Texas. Hundreds of intricate LEGO creations and sculptures on display across the convention floor, with opportunities to interact with builders and explore the craft in detail. Combine it with a day at Kalahari’s 223,000-square-foot indoor waterpark for the most complete Round Rock family weekend available.
The Details
- When: Saturday July 25, 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday July 26, 10 AM to 4 PM
- Where: Kalahari Resorts, 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock TX 78665
- Website: kalahariresorts.com/texas
- Best For: Families with kids, LEGO enthusiasts, a genuinely fun Round Rock weekend activity
Sunday, July 26 — Music Moves Mountains ADA Anniversary Festival at Central Machine Works (FREE)
Celebrate National Disability Independence Day with the Music Moves Mountains Foundation at Central Machine Works for an inaugural festival dedicated to accessibility and inclusion. You will enjoy live performances from local artists Eddie Ray Band, Yesterday and Today, and Blue Mist. This family and dog-friendly event provides ASL interpretation and will be available via livestream, ensuring that everyone can join in the celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Where: Central Machine Works Brewery, 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin TX 78702. When: Sunday July 26, 1 PM to 4 PM. Visit Austin
This is one of the most meaningful free events happening in Austin this weekend. An inaugural festival celebrating the ADA anniversary with live music, ASL interpretation, and a genuine commitment to accessibility and inclusion at one of Austin’s most beloved East Austin brewery venues. Free entry, family-friendly, and dog-friendly.
The Details
- When: Sunday July 26, 1 PM to 4 PM
- Where: Central Machine Works Brewery, 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: Free
- Best For: All ages, families, music lovers, anyone who wants to celebrate inclusion and community in Austin
Saturday, July 25 — Ella Reid Live at Poodie’s Roadhouse
Austin singer-songwriter Ella Reid headlines Poodie’s Roadhouse to celebrate the release of her new single “Nobody But Me.” Full band, two hours of live original music. $10 at the door, 21-plus. Saturday July 25, 8 to 10 PM. The Austinot
Poodie’s Roadhouse on Lake Travis is one of Austin’s most beloved and most underrated live music venues, a genuine honky-tonk on the water. A local singer-songwriter headlining a single release show here on a Saturday night is exactly the kind of Austin live music moment that makes living in this city feel genuinely special.
The Details
- When: Saturday July 25, 8 PM to 10 PM
- Where: Poodie’s Roadhouse, 22308 TX-71, Spicewood TX 78669
- Cost: $10 at the door, 21-plus
- Best For: Live music lovers, Americana and country fans, a genuine Austin Saturday night experience
All Weekend — The Austin Essentials
After 30 years in Austin, these are the experiences I still recommend to every visitor without hesitation.
Barton Springs Pool stays at 68 degrees year round. July heat makes a midday swim the most essential Austin activity of the weekend. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM. With a forecasted high of 100 degrees on Friday, Barton Springs is not optional this weekend. It is necessary.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony emerges at sunset every evening through October. Completely free and always one of the best Austin moments of any weekend. Check batrefuge.org for nightly emergence times.
Sisters Sno Shack at 8012 Mesa Dr is the best snow cone stop in Austin for beating the July heat. Open Saturday noon to 8 PM and Sunday 1 to 6 PM. A post-lake or post-market shaved ice stop is mandatory when it is 100 degrees outside.
The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series continues through September 7 at the historic Paramount Theatre. Check austintheatre.org for this weekend’s films and showtimes.
The Perfect Austin Weekend — July 24 to 26
Here is how to put the full weekend together.
Thursday Evening: Drop-In Summer Concert Series at the Long Center lawn (free). Then Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Lake Austin at 8:30 PM. Book your paddleboard at lakeaustincalm.com now. Then Zilker Summer Musical Singin’ in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater at 8:15 PM (free).
Friday: Barton Springs Pool early before the heat peaks. Free before 8 AM. Then The Contemporary Austin Jones Center for free museum admission. Evening: Zilker Summer Musical at 8:15 PM (free). Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset.
Saturday: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures in the afternoon. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com. Then Sisters Sno Shack post-lake. Then the Peru Cultural Festival from noon to 5 PM (free) or the Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival in the afternoon. Evening: Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall until 5 PM. Then Ella Reid at Poodie’s Roadhouse at 8 PM.
Sunday: Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall from 11 AM to 5 PM. Then Brick Rodeo LEGO Convention at Kalahari through 4 PM. Then Music Moves Mountains ADA Anniversary Festival at Central Machine Works from 1 to 4 PM (free). Zilker Summer Musical to close out the weekend at 8:15 PM (free).
Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
What is happening in Austin this weekend July 24 to 26 2026?
This weekend in Austin features the Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall in East Austin Saturday and Sunday with over 100 artisans each day and free entry, the Peru Cultural Festival free event in North Austin on Saturday from noon to 5 PM, the Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival at Vista Ranch on Saturday, and Brick Rodeo LEGO convention at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock Saturday and Sunday. Also running this weekend: free admission at The Contemporary Austin Jones Center, the Zilker Summer Musical Singin’ in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater all weekend (free), the Music Moves Mountains ADA Anniversary Festival at Central Machine Works on Sunday (free), and Ella Reid live at Poodie’s Roadhouse on Saturday. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor activity of the weekend. Visit Austin
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 about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Austin 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. Afternoon slots are available now at laketraviszipline.com.
What is the Vibe Artisan Market in Austin?
The Vibe Artisan Market at Distribution Hall in East Austin runs Saturday July 25 and Sunday July 26 from 11 AM to 5 PM with over 100 artisans each day alongside a cocktail bar, espresso bar, DJ sets, art gallery, and additional activities. The market is family and dog friendly with free street parking and free entry. Austinchronicle
What is the Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival?
The Driftwood Honey Harvest Festival at Vista Ranch is a sweet afternoon dedicated to local pollinators, honeybees, and all things honey, featuring an inside look at the beekeeping process with observation hives, honey tastings from Hays County apiaries, live extraction demonstrations, and special menu items from the Vista Grill. It runs Saturday July 25 in Driftwood, about 30 minutes southwest of Austin. Visit Austin
What is Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee?
Movies on the Lake is a community movie night hosted every Thursday on Lake Austin by Mozart’s Coffee Roasters and Lake Austin Calm at 8:30 PM. Deck seating is free with an RSVP. You can also watch from the water by renting a paddleboard for $20, a two-person lounge float for $30, or a donut boat for $150. Book water rentals now at lakeaustincalm.com before they sell out.
Make the Most of Your Austin Weekend
A genuinely well-rounded Austin summer weekend. Free artisan markets in East Austin. A honey festival in Driftwood. Latin cultural celebration in North Austin. Free museum admission downtown. LEGO conventions in Round Rock. Free outdoor theater at Zilker Park. And the best outdoor adventure in the city waiting for you Saturday afternoon on Lake Travis.
Start by locking in your outdoor adventure. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures now at laketraviszipline.com and secure your afternoon slot before the weekend sells out. Then RSVP for Movies on the Lake at lakeaustincalm.com for Thursday night.
For more Austin inspiration check out our guides to the Best Things to Do in Austin TX, the Best Summer Activities in Austin with Families, and Best Things to Do on Lake Travis.
About the Author
Rebecca is a 30-year Austin resident, UT Austin alumna, and outdoor recreation and tourism professional who has spent her career in the Austin adventure tourism industry. She has guided zipline tours on Lake Travis and worked in outdoor recreation tourism through the University of Texas, where she studied marketing and business. When she is not writing about Austin, she is out on the lake.
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