This is one of the biggest concert weekends Austin has seen all year. Ariana Grande brings the Eternal Sunshine Tour to Moody Center for her only Texas dates on the entire tour — two nights in Austin. The 21st annual Full Moon paddle lights up Lady Bird Lake on Friday. The Austin Asian American Film Festival wraps its final weekend. The African American Book Festival and the Stay Black and Live Juneteenth celebration both run Saturday at the Carver Museum. The Oddities and Curiosities Expo takes over Palmer Events Center. And Lake Travis is at full summer perfection. Here is everything worth doing from Thursday through Sunday.
Quick Answer — Best Things to Do in Austin This Weekend June 26 to 28
This weekend in Austin is headlined by Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the best outdoor experience of the weekend, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour at Moody Center Friday and Saturday — her only Texas dates of the entire tour, the 21st Annual Full Moon Paddle and dance party on Lady Bird Lake Friday evening, the Austin Asian American Film Festival final weekend at AFS Cinema, the Austin African American Book Festival at the Carver Museum Saturday (free), the Oddities and Curiosities Expo at Palmer Events Center Saturday and Sunday, the Texas BBQ Tour championship round in Round Rock Saturday (free), Gina Brillon live at The Creek and the Cave, and the Touch the Art Experience continuing through July 5. Here is the complete breakdown.
#1 Best Thing to Do in Austin This Weekend — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
Before Ariana Grande and the Full Moon Paddle and everything else on this list. Book this first.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the single best thing to do in Austin this weekend and the most memorable outdoor experience in the entire city. Late June on Lake Travis is genuinely as good as it gets — warm water, clear sky, and the kind of Hill Country morning that makes every concert and festival on this list feel like the second-best part of your weekend.
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. 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 the top platform on a clear June morning are genuinely jaw-dropping.
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. Enjoy the private lakefront before heading back to Austin for Ariana Grande Friday or Saturday night. It is the best possible way to spend a summer Saturday morning before the biggest concert weekend of the season.
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: Summer weekends fill up fast, especially with this much happening in Austin. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday morning slots sell out.
Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before your spot sells out.
Friday, June 26 — Ariana Grande: The Eternal Sunshine Tour at Moody Center
Ariana Grande is back on the road for the first time in years and Austin is one of the biggest stops on the entire run. The Eternal Sunshine Tour plays Moody Center on June 24, June 26, and June 27 — her only Texas dates on the entire tour. If this is on your bucket list, this is the weekend to be in Austin. Two of the three Austin shows fall on this exact weekend, meaning Friday and Saturday night both offer a chance to see one of the biggest pop stars in the world at the peak of her current tour.
The Details
- When: Friday June 26 and Saturday June 27, 8 PM
- Where: Moody Center ATX, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
- Tickets: Available at all major ticketing platforms, prices starting at $747-plus
- Best For: Pop music fans, anyone who wants to say they caught one of Ariana’s only Texas dates
Friday, June 26 — 21st Annual Full Moon Paddle on Lady Bird Lake
Celebrate the 21st year of this Austin tradition by joining a magical evening on Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy a night of dancing to live Latin bands, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding under the glow of the full moon.
This is one of the most beautiful and most beloved recurring traditions in Austin and it happens to fall on this exact weekend. Paddling Lady Bird Lake by the light of a full moon, with live Latin music providing the soundtrack from the shore, is a genuinely magical Austin experience that locals look forward to every month. Twenty-one years running makes this one of the longest-standing community traditions in the city.
The Details
- When: Friday June 26, 6:15 PM to 9:00 PM
- Where: Texas Rowing Center, 1541 West Cesar Chavez, Austin TX 78703
- Cost: $15
- Best For: Couples, paddlers, anyone who wants a beautiful and unique Friday evening on the water
Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27 — Gina Brillon at The Creek and the Cave
Gina Brillon brings her stand-up show to The Creek and the Cave for two nights this weekend. The Creek and the Cave is one of Austin’s most beloved comedy venues, an intimate East Sixth Street club that consistently books some of the sharpest touring comedians in the country. A Friday or Saturday night show here is one of the best comedy options in Austin this weekend outside of the bigger arena acts.
The Details
- When: Friday June 26 and Saturday June 27, times vary
- Where: The Creek and the Cave, 611 E 7th St, Austin TX 78701
- Cost: From $30
- Best For: Comedy fans, date nights, couples
Wednesday through Sunday — Austin Asian American Film Festival (Final Weekend)
Now in its 18th year, the Austin Asian American Film Festival is a five-day celebration of Asian and Asian American cinema at AFS Cinema. The festival showcases feature films and shorts from Asian and Asian American filmmakers, with filmmakers in attendance, awards, and events throughout the week.
This weekend is the final stretch of the festival’s 2026 run and typically brings the strongest closing programming of the entire week — award screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and the kind of community energy that makes AAAFF one of the most important film events Austin produces all year.
The Details
- When: Through Sunday June 28, 2026
- Where: AFS Cinema, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin TX 78752
- Cost: Varies by screening, badges available
- Best For: Film lovers, AAPI community and allies, cinephiles
Saturday, June 27 — Austin African American Book Festival at the Carver Museum (FREE)
Immerse yourself in the world of literature at the annual African American Book Festival. This gathering highlights the power of storytelling and celebrates talented authors through a variety of engaging sessions. This free literary event showcases new works by and about African Americans. Notable speakers and authors will discuss their works and facilitate conversations.
The Carver Museum is one of Austin’s most historically significant cultural institutions and the Book Festival is one of the most enriching free events of the entire summer. Author panels, book sales, and genuine literary conversation in the heart of Historic East Austin make this a worthwhile Saturday morning before the afternoon heat sets in.
The Details
- When: Saturday June 27, 10 AM to 4 PM
- Where: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Book lovers, families, anyone who wants a meaningful free Saturday morning
Saturday, June 27 — Stay Black and Live: Juneteenth Festival at the Carver Museum
Running alongside the Book Festival, the George Washington Carver Museum hosts the 7th annual Stay Black and Live City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration. This community festival features live music, cookout, and more. Combining both events into a single Saturday morning and afternoon at the Carver Museum makes for one of the most community-centered days available anywhere in Austin this weekend.
The Details
- When: Saturday June 27
- Where: George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: Free
- Best For: All ages, families, community celebration
Saturday, June 27 — Texas BBQ Tour Championship Round (FREE)
Get ready for a flavor-packed showdown as top Texas pitmasters compete for the title of champion in this final stop of the series. Sample delicious barbecue, meet the masters behind the smoke, and cast your vote for the People’s Choice winner. Come hungry and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon filled with bold flavors and Texas-sized fun.
This is one of the best free food events of the entire summer. Multiple Texas BBQ teams competing for a championship title in a single afternoon, with free samples and the chance to vote on the People’s Choice winner, is exactly the kind of casual, food-driven Saturday that makes Austin worth visiting in the summer months.
The Details
- When: Saturday June 27, 12 PM to 3 PM
- Where: Walmart Supercenter, 5017 W Highway 290, Austin TX 78735
- Cost: Free
- Best For: BBQ lovers, families, food enthusiasts
Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28 — Oddities and Curiosities Expo at Palmer Events Center
The Oddities and Curiosities Expo brings together vendors of taxidermy, vintage medical artifacts, occult items, antique curiosities, and the genuinely strange in one of Austin’s most unusual weekend events. For anyone who loves a good cabinet of curiosities, this is one of the most distinctive shopping and browsing experiences the city offers all year.
The Details
- When: Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Where: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX 78704
- Cost: $15-plus
- Best For: Collectors, the curious, anyone who wants something genuinely different this weekend
Friday through Sunday — Touch the Art Experience (Continuing Through July 5)
This is the one art show where touching everything is not just allowed, it’s encouraged — that’s the whole point. Almost Real Things’ 4th annual Touch the Art Experience transforms the gallery into a fully immersive, all-senses installation featuring work from 83 artists, including collaborating students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
This remains one of the most genuinely moving and unique art experiences in Austin this summer and it runs through July 5. If you have not made it yet, this weekend is a great time to go.
The Details
- When: Through July 5, 2026, evenings
- Where: East Side Performing Arts, 979 Springdale Rd, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: From $21.40
- Best For: Art lovers, families, anyone who wants something genuinely different this weekend
Friday through Sunday — Young Shakespeare Presents The Merchant of Venice
Experience Shakespeare’s morally complex characters brought to life by the talented actors of the Young Shakespeare program. This 19th annual summer production features music and dance as it transports you from the canals of Venice to the opulent halls of Belmont Estate.
This is one of the most beloved youth theater traditions in Austin and the 19th annual production is a genuinely impressive showcase of young talent. It is a strong family theater option for a weekend otherwise dominated by big concerts and food festivals.
The Details
- When: Friday June 26 through Sunday June 28, times vary
- Where: Check Austin Shakespeare for current venue and showtimes
- Best For: Families, theater lovers, supporters of youth arts programs
Friday through Sunday — Step Directly Into a Restaurant Kitchen at Austin Playhouse
Step directly into an intimate New York City restaurant kitchen environment where live cooking happens right on stage. This sharp culinary comedy follows a temperamental chef whose brilliant new dish sparks a fierce battle between artistic passion and commercial profit.
For a more intimate and unusual theater experience, this culinary comedy at Austin Playhouse combines live cooking with sharp dialogue in one of the more creative productions running in Austin right now.
The Details
- When: Friday June 26 through Sunday June 28
- Where: Austin Playhouse, 405 W 22nd St, Austin TX 78705
- Cost: $21
- Best For: Theater lovers, foodies, date nights
Sunday, June 28 — Cake and Wine Tasting at Wanderlust Wine Co.
Indulge your sweet tooth at an afternoon dedicated to celebrating talented local bakers and fine wines. Enjoy a curated selection of cake and treat samples paired with a welcome glass of wine in a lively indoor setting.
This is a relaxed and genuinely lovely way to close out the weekend on Sunday afternoon — a curated wine and dessert pairing in an East Austin setting that rewards groups looking for something low-key after a stacked Friday and Saturday.
The Details
- When: Sunday June 28, 1 PM to 3 PM
- Where: Wanderlust Wine Co. (Shady Lane), 702 Shady Lane, Austin TX 78702
- Cost: $30
- Best For: Wine lovers, dessert enthusiasts, couples, a relaxed Sunday afternoon
Saturday, June 27 — Round Rock Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza Event (FREE)
A free Saturday morning event takes place at Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza in Round Rock. For families and groups in the North Austin and Round Rock area, this is a strong free option to start the Saturday before heading to one of the bigger downtown Austin events later in the day.
The Details
- When: Saturday June 27, 10 AM
- Where: Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza, 221 E Main St, Round Rock TX 78664
- Cost: Free
- Best For: Round Rock and North Austin families
All Weekend — The Austin Essentials
No Austin weekend is complete without at least one of these.
Barton Springs Pool inside Zilker Park stays at 68 degrees year round. Late June heat makes a midday swim here the most essential Austin activity on the calendar. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM.
The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony emerges at sunset every evening through October. After a full day of festivals and a big Ariana Grande night, watching 1.5 million bats fly over Lady Bird Lake at dusk is completely free and always spectacular.
Sisters Sno Shack at 8012 Mesa Dr is the best snow cone stop in Austin for beating the June heat. Open Saturday noon to 8 PM and Sunday 1 to 6 PM.
The Drop-In Summer Concert Series continues at the Long Center every Thursday through August 13 (free) and the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series continues through September 7. The World Cup keeps rolling at Casa Verde at Inn Cahoots in East Austin, free with RSVP through the Final on July 19.
The Perfect Austin Weekend — June 26 to 28
Here is how to put the full weekend together.
Friday Morning: Early swim at Barton Springs Pool before the heat builds. Free before 8 AM.
Friday Evening: 21st Annual Full Moon Paddle on Lady Bird Lake from 6:15 to 9 PM. Then Ariana Grande at Moody Center at 8 PM — her only Texas dates of the tour.
Saturday Morning: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. The best outdoor experience of the weekend. Book now at laketraviszipline.com. Be back by early afternoon.
Saturday Afternoon: Sisters Sno Shack post-lake. Then the Austin African American Book Festival and Stay Black and Live Juneteenth Festival at the Carver Museum (both free). The Texas BBQ Tour Championship for free samples and live pitmaster competition.
Saturday Evening: Ariana Grande night two at Moody Center, or Gina Brillon at The Creek and the Cave for comedy.
Sunday: Oddities and Curiosities Expo at Palmer Events Center. Cake and wine tasting at Wanderlust Wine Co. at 1 PM. Congress Avenue Bridge bats at sunset to close out the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend
What is happening in Austin this weekend June 26 to 28 2026?
This weekend in Austin features Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour at Moody Center on Friday and Saturday — her only Texas dates of the tour, the 21st Annual Full Moon Paddle on Lady Bird Lake Friday evening, the Austin Asian American Film Festival final weekend, the Austin African American Book Festival at the Carver Museum on Saturday (free), the Stay Black and Live Juneteenth Festival at the Carver Museum on Saturday (free), the Oddities and Curiosities Expo at Palmer Events Center Saturday and Sunday, the Texas BBQ Tour championship round on Saturday (free), and Gina Brillon at The Creek and the Cave. 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. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday slots fill up.
Is Ariana Grande performing in Austin this weekend?
Yes. Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour plays Moody Center on June 24, June 26, and June 27, 2026 — her only Texas dates on the entire tour. Two of those three shows fall this weekend, on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at all major ticketing platforms starting at $747-plus.
What is the Full Moon Paddle in Austin?
The 21st Annual Full Moon Paddle is a beloved Austin tradition on Lady Bird Lake featuring live Latin band music, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding under the light of the full moon. It runs Friday June 26 from 6:15 to 9 PM at the Texas Rowing Center. Tickets are $15.
What free events are happening in Austin this weekend?
Free events this weekend include the Austin African American Book Festival at the Carver Museum on Saturday, the Stay Black and Live Juneteenth Festival also at the Carver Museum on Saturday, and the Texas BBQ Tour championship round on Saturday at the Walmart Supercenter on Highway 290. All three are free and family-friendly.
Make the Most of Your Austin Weekend
Austin is delivering one of the biggest weekends of the entire summer. Ariana Grande’s only Texas dates. A 21-year paddle tradition under the full moon. Free book and culture festivals at the Carver Museum. A BBQ championship. And the best outdoor experience in the city waiting for you Saturday morning on Lake Travis.
Start by locking in your outdoor adventure. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday slots sell out.
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.