Things to Do in Austin This Weekend — May 15 to 17, 2026

This is one of the biggest concert weekends Austin has seen all spring. George Strait performs two nights at Moody Center. The Black Crowes close out the weekend on Sunday. The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival wraps up its final weekend. Local and Live brings free music to the Austin Visitor Center on Friday. The ATX Television Festival kicks off its multi-day run. Blues on the Green returns to Zilker Park. And Lake Travis is calling with perfect May weather and 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 May 15 to 17

This weekend in Austin is headlined by George Strait live at Moody Center on Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16, The Black Crowes at Moody Center on Sunday May 17, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival final weekend, the ATX Television Festival multi-day run, Local and Live free music at the Austin Visitor Center on Friday, the UIL State Track and Field Championships at UT Austin, Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday, Blues on the Green at Zilker Park, Two-Step Night at Waterloo Park, and Lake Travis Zipline Adventures for the best outdoor experience of the weekend. Here is the complete breakdown.

#1 Best Thing to Do in Austin This Weekend — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Before anything else on this list. Before George Strait on Friday night and The Black Crowes on Sunday. Before the film festival and the free concerts. 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. May weather on Lake Travis is genuinely perfect right now — warm enough for the water, clear enough for the Hill Country views, and exactly the kind of Austin day that makes the city impossible not to love.

Your group boards a boat that takes everyone across Lake Travis to Zip Island. This private island is accessible only by water, 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 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 in May are genuinely breathtaking.

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 an evening concert. It is the best possible Saturday morning in Austin.

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, all experience levels
Reservations: Required at laketraviszipline.com

Pro Tip: May weekends on Lake Travis fill up fast. Book now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday morning slots are gone.

Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures before your spot sells out.

Thursday, May 14 — Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee

Start the weekend early on Thursday evening. 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 at 8:30 PM. The concession stand serves movie-style popcorn, pretzels, candy, and specialty drinks. A pop-up bar from Quince Lakehouse runs throughout the evening with frozen cocktails, beer, wine, and hard seltzers.

The Details

When: Thursday May 14, 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 before the film starts. Book at lakeaustincalm.com now. Free deck RSVPs fill up fast too.

Friday, May 15 — Local and Live at the Austin Visitor Center (FREE)

Local and Live at the Austin Visitor Center happens every third Friday of the month in May, June, and July. Shows take place from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Get there early and grab a drink from onsite 5th and Brew and shop local goods before an evening of incredible live music. Tripadvisor

This is one of the best free Friday evening activities in Austin all month. Local artists perform in the heart of downtown Austin in an intimate setting that puts you closer to the music than most paid venues. It is the perfect warm-up to a big weekend.

The Details

When: Friday May 15, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Austin Visitor Center, 602 E 4th St, Austin TX 78701
Cost: Free
Best For: Music lovers, first-time Austin visitors, anyone who wants a free and authentic Austin start to the weekend

Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16 — George Strait at Moody Center

Country legend George Strait performs at Moody Center on May 15 and May 16. GetYourGuide George Strait is the King of Country Music — 60 number one singles, more than any other artist in any genre of music in history. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and a Texas icon. Seeing George Strait live at Moody Center in Austin on a May weekend is a genuinely bucket list live music experience. He does not tour frequently and these two nights are among the most anticipated concerts in Austin all year.

The Details

When: Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16, 2026
Where: Moody Center ATX, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
Tickets: Available at all major ticketing platforms and moodycenteratx.com
Best For: Country music fans, anyone who wants to see a living music legend perform live

Pro Tip: George Strait consistently delivers one of the most emotionally powerful live shows in country music. If you can only go one night, go Saturday. The second night of a two-show run always has a different and often looser energy.

Friday through Sunday — Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (Final Weekend)

The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival runs May 13 through May 17. The festival showcases contemporary films and videos from Latin America including North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean, as well as films made by or about Latinos and Latinas in the US, and films by or about Indigenous groups of the Americas. Tripadvisor

This is one of the most important film festivals in Austin and the final weekend brings the strongest programming of the entire run. Filmmaker Q&As, community screenings, and short film showcases round out the program. Check cinelasamericas.org for the weekend screening schedule and ticket information.

The Details

When: Through Sunday May 17, 2026
Where: Various Austin venues
Website: cinelasamericas.org
Best For: Film lovers, Latin American culture enthusiasts, cinephiles

Friday through Sunday — ATX Television Festival

Celebrate all things TV at the ATX Television Festival, a multi-day event bringing together creators, cast, and fans for panels, screenings, and exclusive conversations. Travel Texas

The ATX Television Festival is one of Austin’s most beloved annual events for television fans. Creators, showrunners, cast members, and superfans gather for behind-the-scenes panels, advance screenings of upcoming seasons, retrospective conversations with iconic shows, and networking events that make it unlike any other fan experience in the city. Check atxfestival.com for the 2026 season lineup and ticket options.

The Details

When: Multi-day run including this weekend
Where: Various Austin venues
Website: atxfestival.com
Best For: Television fans, writers, creators, pop culture enthusiasts

Friday through Sunday — UIL State Track and Field Championships at UT Austin

The UIL State Track and Field Championships run May 14 through May 16 in Austin. ATXtoday The University of Texas track and field facilities host the biggest high school track and field event in Texas as the state’s best young athletes compete for state championship titles across all classifications. Even if you have no connection to any of the competing schools, the energy of watching elite young athletes compete at their absolute best is genuinely compelling. Admission is open to the public.

The Details

When: Friday May 14 through Saturday May 16
Where: Mike A. Myers Stadium, University of Texas at Austin
Cost: Check UIL website for ticket pricing
Best For: Track and field fans, families, sports enthusiasts

Saturday, May 16 — Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Saturday morning is the move. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is at its best in May and a Saturday morning on Lake Travis with a George Strait show waiting for you Saturday evening is the perfect Austin day. Book the morning tour, spend the afternoon on the private lakefront property at Zip Island, and be back in Austin in time for the show. Book at laketraviszipline.com now before Saturday slots sell out.

Saturday, May 16 — Two-Step Night at Waterloo Park

Two-Step Night at Waterloo Park is a lively evening of country dancing, music, and classic Texas fun. Travel Texas The Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park turns into an outdoor country dance floor on Saturday evening. Two-step lessons run early in the evening before the dancing takes over. It is one of those experiences that reminds you exactly why Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World. Combine it with a late George Strait show at Moody Center for the most Texan Saturday night imaginable.

The Details

When: Saturday May 16
Where: Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, 1401 Trinity St, Austin TX 78701
Best For: Anyone who wants to two-step in Austin, couples, Texas country music lovers

Saturday and Sunday — Blues on the Green at Zilker Park (FREE)

Hundreds of concert-goers flock to Zilker Park from May through August to partake in one of Austin’s most beloved traditions: Blues on the Green. It is a free concert series that pops up during the summer months. Food and drinks are available, or you can always pack your own. Bring a blanket or two and find a nice spot for the night. Austinchronicle

Blues on the Green is one of the most purely Austin experiences available any weekend of the summer. A free outdoor concert on the hillside at Zilker Park as the sun goes down over the city is the kind of evening that makes Austin residents remember exactly why they chose to live here. Bring a blanket, a cooler, and no agenda.

The Details

When: Check austintexas.gov for this weekend’s schedule and lineup
Where: Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin TX 78746
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, music lovers, anyone who wants the most Austin free evening of the weekend

Saturday, May 16 — Friends Fair Art Show at The Loren Hotel

The Friends Fair art showcase coordinated by gallerists from Ivester Contemporary, Martha’s, McLennon Pen Co. and Northern-Southern features 17 displays set up in individual hotel rooms. Co-Lab Projects and University of Texas Master of Fine Arts students also present works in project suites at The Loren Hotel Austin. GetYourGuide

This is one of the most unusual and genuinely interesting art experiences in Austin this weekend. Walking through a hotel where every room has been transformed into a private gallery by a different artist creates an intimate and surprising encounter with contemporary art that a traditional gallery show cannot replicate.

The Details

Where: The Loren Hotel Austin, 110 San Antonio St, Austin TX 78701
Website: friendsfair.art
Best For: Art lovers, contemporary art enthusiasts, anyone who wants something genuinely different on a Saturday afternoon

Sunday, May 17 — The Black Crowes at Moody Center

The Black Crowes perform at Moody Center on May 17. GetYourGuide The Black Crowes are one of the most beloved American rock bands of the last 30 years. Their blues-rock sound, legendary live show energy, and the reunion energy of brothers Chris and Rich Robinson performing together make every show feel like a genuine event. Sunday night with The Black Crowes at Moody Center is the perfect way to close out a massive Austin weekend.

The Details

When: Sunday May 17, 2026
Where: Moody Center ATX, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin TX 78712
Tickets: Available at all major ticketing platforms and moodycenteratx.com
Best For: Rock music fans, anyone who wants the best Sunday night concert close to Memorial Day weekend

Saturday, May 16 — Korman Jewel House Trunk Show

On May 15, Korman hosts Austin-born designer Grace Winfrey at the Korman Jewel House. GetYourGuide If someone in your group loves jewelry and supporting local Austin designers, the Korman Jewel House trunk show on Saturday is worth stopping into on a South Congress afternoon. The intimate format lets you meet the designer directly and browse pieces that are not available anywhere else.

The Details

Where: Korman Jewel House, South Congress area, Austin TX
Best For: Jewelry lovers, South Congress shoppers, supporters of local Austin designers

All Weekend — The Austin Essentials

No Austin weekend is complete without at least one of these.

Barton Springs Pool inside Zilker Park stays at a constant 68 degrees year round. May weather makes a midday swim here feel like the most Austin thing you can do between events. Entry is under $10 and free before 8 AM. Go on Saturday morning before your zipline tour or Sunday afternoon after The Black Crowes to decompress.

The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony emerges at sunset every evening from March through October. After a full day at Lake Travis and an evening concert, watching 1.5 million bats fly over Lady Bird Lake at dusk is completely free and never gets old. Check batrefuge.org for nightly emergence times.

The Lady Bird Lake Trail is free and one of the most scenic morning walks in any American city. A sunrise walk or paddle before the day’s events gives you the best version of Austin before it gets busy.

Much Ado About Nothing continues at Zilker Hillside Theater through May 24. Austin Shakespeare’s free outdoor production in the Hill Country setting of Zilker Park is still running this weekend and still completely free. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for an outdoor Shakespeare evening under the Texas sky.

The Perfect Austin Weekend — May 15 to 17

Here is how to put the full weekend together.

Thursday Evening: Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee. Book your paddleboard or donut boat at lakeaustincalm.com before they sell out.

Friday Morning and Afternoon: Explore downtown Austin. Browse South Congress. Visit the Cine Las Americas Film Festival for an afternoon screening.

Friday Evening: Local and Live at the Austin Visitor Center from 6:30 to 8 PM (free). Then George Strait at Moody Center. The King of Country Music live in Austin. Do not miss it.

Saturday Morning: Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. Book the morning tour and be back by early afternoon. Book at laketraviszipline.com now.

Saturday Afternoon: Friends Fair Art Show at The Loren Hotel. Then Barton Springs Pool for a midday swim.

Saturday Evening: Two-Step Night at Waterloo Park followed by George Strait night two at Moody Center or Blues on the Green at Zilker Park.

Sunday: Much Ado About Nothing matinee at Zilker Hillside Theater (free). Afternoon swim at Barton Springs. Evening: The Black Crowes at Moody Center to close out the best Austin weekend of May.

Frequently Asked Questions — Things to Do in Austin This Weekend

What is happening in Austin this weekend May 15 to 17 2026?

This weekend in Austin features George Strait at Moody Center on Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16, The Black Crowes at Moody Center on Sunday May 17, the final weekend of the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, the ATX Television Festival multi-day run, Local and Live free music at the Austin Visitor Center on Friday, the UIL State Track and Field Championships at UT Austin, Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s Coffee on Thursday, Blues on the Green at Zilker Park, Two-Step Night at Waterloo Park, and the Friends Fair Art Show at The Loren Hotel. 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 on Saturday morning. 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 Saturday fills up.

Is George Strait performing in Austin this weekend?

Yes. Country legend George Strait performs at Moody Center on Friday May 15 and Saturday May 16, 2026. GetYourGuide Tickets are available at all major ticketing platforms and at moodycenteratx.com. These are among the most anticipated concerts in Austin all year.

What is Local and Live at the Austin Visitor Center?

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. Water rentals sell out every week so book at lakeaustincalm.com in advance.

Make the Most of Your Austin Weekend

This is one of the best weekends of the entire May calendar in Austin. George Strait two nights in a row. The Black Crowes on Sunday. Free music and film festivals all weekend. And the best outdoor adventure in the city waiting for you on Lake Travis Saturday morning.

Start by locking in your Saturday morning. Book Lake Travis Zipline Adventures now at laketraviszipline.com before Saturday slots sell 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 Most Unique Things to Do in Austin TX, and Best Things to Do on Lake Travis.

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