August arrives in Austin this weekend and the city is celebrating accordingly. The biggest music story of the weekend is Dogstar at ACL Live, the band featuring Keanu Reeves on bass on the All In Now Tour, performing Saturday at 8 PM. Matroda brings electronic music to Concourse Project on Saturday night. Jo Dee Messina headlines Haute Spot in Cedar Park on Friday. Pat Green performs at Coupland Dancehall on Friday. Patrick Warburton brings his stand-up to Cap City Comedy on Saturday. The Funniest Person in Austin competition runs Sunday at Cap City. Annie the musical opens at Zach Theatre. The Zilker Summer Musical continues its free run of Singin’ in the Rain all weekend. 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 31 to August 2
This weekend in Austin is headlined by Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the best outdoor experience of the weekend, Dogstar featuring Keanu Reeves on the All In Now Tour at ACL Live on Saturday August 1 at 8 PM, Matroda at Concourse Project on Saturday night, Jo Dee Messina at Haute Spot Cedar Park on Friday, Pat Green at Coupland Dancehall on Friday, Patrick Warburton stand-up at Cap City Comedy on Saturday, the Funniest Person in Austin competition at Cap City Comedy on Sunday, Annie the musical at Zach Theatre on 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), and Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday. Here is the complete breakdown.
#1 Best Thing to Do in Austin This Weekend — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Before Dogstar and Matroda and Patrick Warburton. Book this first.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the single best thing to do in Austin this weekend. Early August on Lake Travis is peak summer perfection, warm water, clear sky, and the kind of Hill Country afternoon that makes every other weekend plan feel secondary.
As someone who has guided zipline tours on Lake Travis, I can tell you that a clear August afternoon on Zip Island is genuinely extraordinary. The lake is warm, the Hill Country air settles in the afternoon, and the view from 22 stories above the water looking out across the Hill Country 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 an evening of live music and comedy.
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 30 — 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. This is one of the best free recurring summer events in Austin and the most beautiful free concert setting in the city. Check thelongcenter.org for this week’s artist and time.
The Details
- When: Thursday July 30, check thelongcenter.org for lineup and time
- 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 30 — 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 summer Thursday traditions that never gets old. A warm August evening on Lake Austin with a film on the water is exactly what this city does best.
The Details
- When: Thursday July 30, 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.
The Details
- When: Thursday July 30 through Sunday August 2, 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 hillside spot. Bring a blanket and something cold to drink.
Friday, July 31 — Jo Dee Messina at Haute Spot — Cedar Park
Country music star Jo Dee Messina headlines Haute Spot in Cedar Park on Friday July 31. Jo Dee Messina is one of the most beloved country artists of her era with a catalog of hits that consistently produces one of the most genuinely warm and participatory crowd responses in country live music. Haute Spot is one of the best mid-size outdoor concert venues in the north Austin area and a Jo Dee Messina Friday night show there is one of the most quintessentially Texas summer concert experiences available this weekend.
The Details
- When: Friday July 31
- Where: Haute Spot, 1621 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park TX 78613
- Tickets: Available at hautespot.com
- Best For: Country music fans, Cedar Park and north Austin residents
Friday, July 31 — Pat Green at Coupland Dancehall
Pat Green performs at the legendary Coupland Dancehall on Friday July 31. Pat Green is one of the most beloved Texas country artists of his generation and Coupland Dancehall, a genuine Texas dance hall about 30 miles northeast of Austin in the small town of Coupland, is one of the most atmospheric and most authentically Texas live music venues in the entire state. Seeing Pat Green live in a historic Texas dancehall on a summer Friday night is the kind of experience that reminds you exactly why Austin sits at the heart of Texas music culture.
The Details
- When: Friday July 31
- Where: Coupland Dancehall, 101 Hoxie St, Coupland TX 78615, about 30 miles northeast of Austin
- Best For: Texas country music fans, anyone who wants the most authentic Texas dancehall experience of the weekend
Friday, July 31 — Chance Peña and Ronnie and the Redwoods at Emo’s Austin
Chance Peña performs with Ronnie and the Redwoods at Emo’s Austin on Friday July 31. Chance Peña is one of Austin’s most genuinely exciting young singer-songwriters and a Friday night show at Emo’s is the best local music option on the Friday bill. For anyone who wants to discover the next generation of Austin music rather than catching an established touring act, this is the show to see.
The Details
- When: Friday July 31
- Where: Emo’s Austin, 2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin TX 78741
- Best For: Local music enthusiasts, anyone who wants to discover Austin’s next breakout artist
Saturday, August 1 — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Saturday afternoon is the anchor of this weekend. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor experience of the entire summer and a Saturday afternoon on Lake Travis with Dogstar waiting Saturday evening is the perfect Austin day. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday slots sell out.
Saturday, August 1 — Dogstar at ACL Live — Keanu Reeves on Bass
Dogstar, featuring bassist Keanu Reeves, guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose, and drummer Robert Mailhouse, performs at ACL Live At The Moody Theater in Austin on August 1, 2026, with the show beginning at 8 PM. The band delivers their unique blend of alternative rock on the All In Now Tour.
Dogstar epitomizes the quintessential Southern California storytelling rock band. Nearly a quarter century after what seemed to be their final album, Dogstar has reformed and taken a great creative leap forward, establishing an entirely new path with 2023’s new album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees.
This is the concert story of the weekend. Dogstar featuring Keanu Reeves on bass performing at ACL Live on a Saturday night in Austin is exactly the kind of genuinely unexpected and genuinely compelling live music event that makes Austin’s concert calendar extraordinary. ACL Live at The Moody Theater offers an intimate and premium concert experience with excellent acoustics and sightlines, making it an ideal setting to see Dogstar in Austin. A VIP experience is also available.
The Details
- When: Saturday August 1, 8 PM
- Where: ACL Live at The Moody Theater, 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin TX 78701
- Tickets: From $70, available at acllive.com
- Best For: Alternative rock fans, anyone who wants to say they saw Keanu Reeves perform live in Austin
Saturday, August 1 — Matroda at Concourse Project
Matroda performs at Concourse Project on Saturday August 1 at 9 PM. Matroda is one of the most in-demand house and electronic music producers and DJs in the world right now. Concourse Project is one of Austin’s best electronic music venues. For electronic music fans this is the strongest Saturday night show in Austin this weekend alongside Dogstar, and the two venues give you a genuinely excellent choice depending on which end of the musical spectrum your group falls on.
The Details
- When: Saturday August 1, 9 PM
- Where: Concourse Project, 8509 Burleson Rd, Austin TX 78719
- Best For: Electronic and house music fans, a strong Saturday night alternative to the ACL Live show
Saturday, August 1 — Patrick Warburton at Cap City Comedy Club
Patrick Warburton performs stand-up at Cap City Comedy Club in Austin on Saturday August 1 at 8:30 PM. Patrick Warburton is best known as David Puddy from Seinfeld and Joe from Family Guy and his stand-up delivers the same deadpan comic presence that made both roles iconic. Cap City Comedy Club is Austin’s most consistently well-booked comedy venue and a Patrick Warburton Saturday night show there is one of the most entertaining options on the entire weekend calendar.
The Details
- When: Saturday August 1, 8:30 PM
- Where: Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Blvd, Austin TX 78758
- Tickets: Available at capcitycomedy.com
- Best For: Comedy fans, Seinfeld fans, a genuinely entertaining Saturday night alternative to the music shows
Saturday, August 1 — The Peterson Brothers Band at The Continental Club
The Peterson Brothers Band performs at The Continental Club on Saturday August 1. The Peterson Brothers are one of Austin’s most beloved and most genuinely gifted young blues bands. Glen and Alex Peterson have been playing blues together since they were children in Bastrop and their live shows at the Continental Club are consistently cited as some of the most genuinely extraordinary Austin music experiences available. An intimate Saturday night blues show at the Continental Club is one of those purely Austin evenings that reminds you why this city is the Live Music Capital of the World.
The Details
- When: Saturday August 1
- Where: The Continental Club, 1315 S Congress Ave, Austin TX 78704
- Website: continentalclub.com
- Best For: Blues music fans, anyone who wants the most authentically Austin Saturday night music experience
Sunday, August 2 — Funniest Person in Austin Competition at Cap City Comedy (FREE)
The Funniest Person in Austin competition runs at Cap City Comedy Club on Sunday August 2 at 4 PM. The Funniest Person in Austin competition is one of Austin’s most beloved comedy traditions, a multi-round stand-up competition that has launched some of the most successful Austin comedy careers of the last two decades. The Sunday afternoon format makes it one of the most accessible and most genuinely entertaining free options of the entire weekend. The energy of watching comedians give everything they have in a competition format is completely different from a standard stand-up show.
The Details
- When: Sunday August 2, 4 PM
- Where: Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Blvd, Austin TX 78758
- Cost: Check capcitycomedy.com for ticket details
- Best For: Comedy fans, anyone who wants to discover Austin’s emerging comedy talent
Sunday, August 2 — Annie the Musical at Zach Theatre
Annie comes to The Topfer Theatre at Zachary Scott Theatre Center on Sunday August 2 at 1 PM. Zach Theatre is one of the most consistently excellent professional theater companies in Austin and Annie is one of the most beloved family musicals in the American canon. The intimate Topfer Theatre setting makes it a genuinely special production experience and a strong Sunday afternoon option for families with kids before the evening closes out the weekend.
The Details
- When: Sunday August 2, 1 PM
- Where: The Topfer Theatre at Zachary Scott Theatre Center, 1510 Toomey Rd, Austin TX 78704
- Website: zachtheatre.org
- Best For: Families with kids, musical theater fans, a genuinely special Sunday afternoon
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. August heat makes a midday swim the most essential Austin activity of the weekend. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM. This is not optional when it is 105 degrees outside.
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 August heat. Open Saturday noon to 8 PM and Sunday 1 to 6 PM. A post-lake shaved ice stop is mandatory in August.
The Paramount Summer Classic Film Series continues through September 7 at the historic Paramount Theatre on Congress. Check austintheatre.org for this weekend’s films and showtimes.
The Drop-In Summer Concert Series continues at the Long Center every Thursday through August 13, free on the Long Center lawn.
The Perfect Austin Weekend — July 31 to August 2
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 8:15 PM (free).
Friday: Barton Springs Pool early before the heat peaks. Free before 8 AM. Evening: Pat Green at Coupland Dancehall for the most authentically Texas Friday night experience, or Jo Dee Messina at Haute Spot in Cedar Park, or Chance Peña at Emo’s Austin for local music. Zilker Summer Musical at 8:15 PM (free) if you want an earlier evening option.
Saturday: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures in the afternoon. Book your afternoon tour now at laketraviszipline.com. Then Sisters Sno Shack post-lake and Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset. Evening: Dogstar at ACL Live at 8 PM for Keanu Reeves on bass, or Patrick Warburton at Cap City Comedy at 8:30 PM, or Matroda at Concourse Project at 9 PM, or The Peterson Brothers at The Continental Club for the most purely Austin Saturday night.
Sunday: Annie at Zach Theatre at 1 PM. Then Funniest Person in Austin at Cap City Comedy at 4 PM. Zilker Summer Musical at 8:15 PM (free) to close out the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
What is happening in Austin this weekend July 31 to August 2 2026?
This weekend in Austin features Dogstar featuring Keanu Reeves on bass at ACL Live on Saturday August 1 at 8 PM, Matroda at Concourse Project on Saturday night, Jo Dee Messina at Haute Spot Cedar Park on Friday, Pat Green at Coupland Dancehall on Friday, Patrick Warburton stand-up at Cap City Comedy on Saturday, the Funniest Person in Austin competition at Cap City on Sunday, Annie the musical at Zach Theatre on Sunday, the Peterson Brothers at The Continental Club on Saturday, the Zilker Summer Musical Singin’ in the Rain all weekend (free), Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday, and the Drop-In Summer Concert Series at the Long Center on Thursday (free). Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the best outdoor activity of the weekend.
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.
Is Keanu Reeves performing in Austin this weekend?
Yes. Dogstar, featuring bassist Keanu Reeves, guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose, and drummer Robert Mailhouse, performs at ACL Live At The Moody Theater in Austin on August 1, 2026, with the show beginning at 8 PM. Dogstar has reformed and taken a great creative leap forward, establishing an entirely new path with their 2023 album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. Tickets start at $70 at acllive.com.
What is the Funniest Person in Austin competition?
The Funniest Person in Austin competition is a stand-up comedy competition at Cap City Comedy Club, one of Austin’s most beloved comedy traditions that has launched numerous successful Austin comedy careers. The Sunday August 2 competition runs at 4 PM at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Blvd, Austin TX 78758. Check capcitycomedy.com for ticket details.
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
Austin is delivering a genuinely stacked first weekend of August. Keanu Reeves on bass at ACL Live. Patrick Warburton at Cap City Comedy. Pat Green at a legendary Texas dancehall. The Peterson Brothers at the Continental Club. Matroda at Concourse Project. Annie at Zach Theatre. The Funniest Person in Austin competition. Free theater at Zilker. 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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