Yamas! Austin Greek Festival is an annual, weekend-long family-friendly celebration of Greek…read moreculture. Located at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, the festival not only brings awareness to Greek traditions but also serves as a fundraiser for expansion projects. The event is very well organized and staffed by numerous volunteers. Entrance is $5 per person and it's worth noting that the entire fest is CASHLESS. They accept donations for the church in the form of "tips" each time you make a purchase. There are several food and drink stands, vendor booths, dancing, and even face painting for kids. We tried the veggie plate (green beans, rice, spanakopita, dolmades, pita) and the lamb plate (leg of lamb, green beans, rice, tzatziki, pita) and both were good! There's a number of other sandwich, gyro and salad options. While the food was good, I think the festival really shines with their beverage options. The coffee frappe, basically a frothed espresso mix with milk (dairy alternative available) was delicious and only $5. My sister and I also got ouzo shots and the frozen lemonade and everything was super refreshing in the hot Texas heat. They have a number of other soda, sparkling water, beer and wine options. Parking is well organized and there is clear signage leading you to the festival from the main road. Great weekend event! We'll be back next year!

We had a good time yesterday. Everything organised and nice people.highly recommended to visit it.read more

La Dolce Vita! What's not to like?…read more Once a year, I get three blissfully gluttonous hours to shamelessly walk around with a plate and a glass to sample some of Austin's best fare on the beautiful grounds of AMOA's Laguna Gloria in West Austin! More than 50 of Austin's finest chefs line the walkways peppered with more than 20 wine tables of local and international wines. Sample everything from sushi to soup to decadent sweets and everything in-between. Notables at this year's event: Driskill Grill - I want to MARRY all of them. They had these corn dog-style Scallops & Fois Gras served with a kumquat ice cream that were succulent and perfect... and then sent me over the edge with their Chocolate Delight - which were in shot glasses and started with their signature 1886 Chocolate cake topped with caramel, banana, and chocolate sauce then sprinkled with toasted rice. It just changed my life I will be more than happy to cheat on my betrothed Driskill Grill with The Carillon - the pumpkin lobster bisque soup had my eyes rolling in the back of my head. Seriously... What do they put in that stuff? How can you go wrong with crab cakes from Truluck's or Fillet Mignon from Sullivan's? And just when I thought it was safe, Piranha Killer Sushi sent me to my own little version of heaven with these Wasabi Crusted Salmon Rolls that were panko crusted and filled with salmon, cream cheese & scallions. Don't stop there... Hey cupcake gives away full sized cupcakes... May be a bit tacky, but I now bring a container for my annual red velvet cupcake so I do not fill up on carbs.... Moving along, Word of Mouth catering... can you say simply luscious sweets???? They have a Peanut Butter Bacon cookie that will change your life. And what can I say about the wine? Every corner you turn, there is wine, white wine, red wine and my personal favorite - the bubbles... they even had Prosecco there!!!! Not a wine drinker, they had a Texas Spirits section that had lots of vodkas, rums, tequilas and more like Graham's Texas Tea and Treaty Oaks Rum sampling their famous HOT Pepper-ritas... YUM. Stogies and Scotch more your thing? They also have a Scotch & Cigar Lounge Ticket you can add on to the price of admission for an EXTRA $25 (AMOA members $20). Enjoy all of this while listening to live music and taking a visit to the Annie Ray photo booth! The price - $125 unless you are an AMOA member then it is $100 or you can volunteer and get a $25 ticket. The proceeds all go to support AMOA's education programs... so you can eat, drink, feel like a high rolling philanthropist and enjoy "The Sweet Life!" La Dolce Vita indeed!

Someone is doing something VERY right here. What a well organized, fabulous festival. It was my…read morefirst time at La Dolce Vita and I didn't really know what to expect so here's expected vs. reality in the hopes of informing some future LDV attendee: Expected: Bites Reality: A smorgasbord of incredible food. Pork belly bahn mi, short ribs with truffled polenta, ahi tuna sashimi on crispy naan, mini cupcakes with raspberry filling, beef tenderloin sliders... and that was just in the first 15 minutes. Protip: Get there RIGHT on time. You want to be there before the masses and before it gets dark. Expected: Drinks Reality: Cocktails, scotch, red wine, white wine, bubbly, big pours, hearty tastings, knowledgable local wineries and whiskeys. At the end of this event, you might as well have a fancy cab waiting for you because you'll be drrrruuuunk. Expected: Friends Reality: Friends and yelpers and celebs and industry professionals that I rarely get to see in such a fun and casual environment. There's goodwill and cheer to spare here and it's kind of like a big old group hug without that one creeper that always manages to cop a feel. So hopefully this paints a picture of what LDV is... and has been for many a year. If you've got one food event to go to, make it this one. But make sure your liver and your stomach are prepared for the best kind of assault. (Note: Since it was themed as a classy affair, perhaps next year the DJ will play some more sedate music vs. full on LMFAO)

This was my first year checking out Maifest at Saengerrunde Hall. It will not be my last. We…read morearrived around 6:15pm and got our cups and tickets for beer tasting. $25 in advance, 10 tastes, live music and merriment. The schedule said beer tasting only lasted until 7pm and then an after party through 11pm. So we headed inside to get a few tastes before they shut it down. They had a really nice assortment of local brews, plenty of hefeweizens and other German style beers. A taste was probably about 6-8oz. After about 3 tastes, we decided to go outside and grab some food from the Smokey Denmark which was on site serving up some delicious sausages and boudin, well worth it! I am definitely going to have to hit up their trailer proper sometime. Then we went back inside and around 6:35pm-ish all of the beer vendors started closing their tastings. Which made us sad since the hubs and I each had about 7 more tastes left to redeem. We got some conflicting guidance from the workers some of whom said the beer tasting was over and some of whom said they would reopen it outside again later. We were worried but hopeful, and boy am I glad that we stayed. Around 7:15, the indoor hall reopened with the Czech Melody Makers playing and the beer tasting back open at one end of the venue. There was also a very fancy spread of food set up, but it was restricted to VIP badges at first. The pours were generous, the choirs sang Germans songs, we sand along with our lyric sheets as best we could, and we made new friends. Around 8:45 p.m. or so the VIP food spread opened up to everyone, so as not to let any of the goodies go to waste. I enjoyed a fried pickle/sausage concoction as well as some divine fried cheesecake bites from that spread. This was like a smaller more intimate Wurstfest. And I liked it better for that. Next year I will come earlier and stay later at this hidden gem of a party. Plan ahead and buy your tickets in advance because they sold out this year. Prost!

Woohoo! What a great event! Thank you Yelp for being enablers! I kid, I kid…read more No better way to spend a sizzling saturday afternoon, than drinking some beer, listening to weird german fusion music, eating a pretzel, while surronded by people wearing lederhosens! The venue itself is a historical dance hall, whose name I can't pronounce to save my life. It is however located right next to Scholtz Garten (which I can pronounce). Thanks to everyone supplying the beers (Hops and Grain, LIve Oak, Austin Beerworks, and many more), thanks to bands such as Los Kolaches for supplying us with interesting music. And last and not the least, Yelp, for giving us the opportunity to go to such a great event!

I really wanted to love FoodieLand, especially with all the hype I'd heard going in, but…read moreunfortunately, my first experience was pretty disappointing. Across most of the vendors I tried, the food just didn't match the price point. Many stalls were charging premium prices, but the quality didn't reflect it. Portions were often inconsistent, and in some cases, there was more fat than actual meat. On top of that, wait times were long, which might've been understandable if the food came out fresh--but instead, a lot of it tasted like it had been prepared in bulk and left sitting. The result? Dry, overcooked dishes that lacked the flavor you'd expect at a festival like this. After a while, it honestly started to feel like I could've gone to a regular food court and gotten better quality for a fraction of the price. That's not what you hope for when you're attending something that's supposed to highlight great food and unique vendors. To be fair, there were a couple of standout stalls that were genuinely delicious, but they were few and far between, maybe 2% of what I tried. If I had one suggestion for the future, it would be for organizers to focus more on quality over quantity. Smaller portion options would also make a huge difference. For example, instead of committing to a $25 plate of 8 wings, it would be great to have the option to try one or two wings at a lower price. That way, people can try more vendors without spending a fortune. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and wishing the experience had lived up to its reputation. I'm hopeful for next year being an improvement.

FoodieLand definitely delivers a fun, high-energy, carnival-style experience that's perfect for a…read morenight out with friends or family. From the moment you walk in, there's a lively vibe with music, lights, and crowds that make it feel like a full-on festival. The entry fee is pretty affordable, which makes it easy to justify going--but be prepared for the parking situation. Parking was $30, which felt a bit steep and is something to factor into your overall cost. Where FoodieLand really shines is the variety of food. There's a huge selection of trendy and unique options--from Korean corn dogs and Bone Marrow to massive fried squid, Sushi Pizza and creative desserts. It's a great place if you like trying a little bit of everything or sharing bites with your group. That said, the popularity does come with a downside: long lines. Some of the most popular vendors had pretty long waits, especially during peak hours, so patience is definitely needed (or plan to go earlier if you can). Overall, FoodieLand is a great experience for the atmosphere and food variety, just be ready for crowds, lines, and higher parking costs.

Renegade craft fair is a jewel! Entrance is free, parking is $7. I'm regular to Austin arts &…read morecrafts fairs, but Renegade is something special. Sellers hail from Tulsa, Oregon, New York, and of course Austin too. Booths upon booths upon booths make this an hours-long browse. So much creativity overflows into jewelry, clothing, illustrative prints, ceramics, t-shirts, vintage items, and handmade goods of all kinds. Minus one star because a lot of the merchandise is overpriced, though certainly not all. I understand they are artists trying to make a living, but $72 for a screen printed t-shirt dress? The prices are not competitive when you realize gobs of similar lovely handmade items are selling for cheaper on http://etsy.com. Regardless, this fair is a gold mine for holiday presents, and I will definitely attend the second fair Nov 30-Dec 1. Children's games and lovely sitting places abound around the edges of the event space, but no one really seems to be using them. The concessions stand sells excellent pizza, sandwiches and vegetarian hot dogs (!). Some sellers accept credit cards, but best bring cash, or there's an ATM on premises. Drop in and give it a spin!

The Renegade Craft Fair is fantastic!…read more Let's not lie here - I LOVE craft fairs, and I love that Austin has so many of them. I am a sucker for all things handmade. The Renegade Craft Fair did not disappoint. There were quite a few booths and most everyone is based here in Austin. (Added bonus - some of my favorite artists and crafters were there! Yay!) I bought a candle that is Crazy Cat Lady scented. It smells fantastic and I pretty much had to have it. That same seller also had a lot of other wonderfully named candles, including unicorn puke, monkey farts, and princess sweat. (She also makes super cute stainless steel earrings - you know I picked out a pair of those, too.) I got a wonderful Austin postcard, some space cats postcards, a delightful "Home is where my cat is" print, and an embroidery hoop! I also got the most delightful smelling soap - I smell like honey and so does my bathroom. (Added bonus - it made my skin ridiculously soft. Pretty sure I found my new soap provider.) There were also a ton of other booths that I loved but didn't buy anything from. Everyone had little business cards, though, so I picked up cards for every seller that I knew I'd want to buy from at a later point. I saw a lot of things I'll want to buy as future gifts! I saw lots of really cute handmade and vintage clothing and shoes, booths selling the most fantastic bow ties, perfume, tea, lip gloss, jewelry, and even a booth featuring art made from recycled wood that was really pretty and well done. All those things I mentioned? That's not even the half of it. They even had quite a few booths with things just for little kiddos! Other added bonuses? They had a couple of photo booths and even some games - like huge dominoes, huge tangrams, and huge checkers. Awesome! There were a couple of chalkboards you could decorate and draw on. Refreshments are offered, too. (I'm not sure what was available because I did not get anything, but it might be worth checking out!) Would I go back? Absolutely.

Too bad this is no longer going. It was the best festival in Austin. I covered it as a journalist…read morefor five years. I interviewed and photographed legendary bands. I had fun. The promotor is a great guy who granted me an awesome interview. Bring back FFF Graham!

It's hard to follow up after a review like Heather's but to reiterate what she said, this festival…read moreis a blast. it continues to grow every year but it still manages to keep that intimate feel. You will often see celebrities meandering through the crowd, just looking to have a good time like the rest of us. Comedians Brian Posehn and Blake Anderson (Workaholics) were constantly seen hanging around Auditorium Shores as well as lesser known celebrities like the world's most tattoo'd man (the Lizard Man.) The place contains four stages, broken up by genre (Black=Metal/Punk, Blue=Hip Hop/Electronic, Orange-Indie/Rock, Yellow=Comedy/Spoken.) They were spaced out nicely, the sound didn't bleed much from stage to stage. They had a water refill station, so water wasn't an issue as long as you had a container. They offered plenty of food from vendors all over the Austin area. It was a little pricey, but hey, it's a festival, you have to expect that. 24 oz. Tecates were $9 dollar. Overall, I had a really good time. The scene was pretty hipster intensive, so if you have a problem with that, this may not be the place for you. If you are a cool person, looking to hear good tunes with good people, look no further. This is a festival for you!

Zilker Garden Festival is a fun festival for anyone with a thumb, green or otherwise, hosted in the…read moreZilker Botanical Garden. Not too big, not too small, it's bustling with a variety of items for sale. There are plants of all kinds, potted plant arrangements, outdoor decorative items, locally sourced food and bath and body products, jewelry, clothing, and baked goods for sale. The plants alone are a gardener's dream, and the prices are quite reasonable. There's a food court with picnic tables; the choices are good but expect high prices and little seating, like all festivals. Even better for the true 'greenie' are the professional talks on horticultural and outdoor topics, different on both Saturday and Sunday. As if that's not enough, there's live music too. I'd recommend coming early on Saturday if at all possible, as many plants are sold by Sunday. Leave extra time to walk around and see the gardens after all the booths and you'll be a happy camper. Bring a wagon if you have kids or plan to purchase plants. Don't forget bottled water, cash, and a hat. In 2014, the entrance fee was $7. Parking is in Zilker Park on the south side of Barton Springs, not the botanical gardens. Follow signs to the right for event parking. Parking is $5. Sure enough, the Zilker Garden Festival has been going for over 50 years. And for good reason!

I have gone to the ZGF every year for the past 20 years, but this will be my last year. Parking at…read morethe 4 Pay as you Park meters took almost 50 minutes. For the second or third year, there are more jewelry, craft & home improvement vendors than plant vendors. I don't go to the ZGF to buy a mop or new windows. Very sad to see it decline.

You have to be prepared for Lone Star Jam. And here I am, with all the dish:…read more -- It is cash only for the most part. $7+ beer -- It is long. Like ACL long. Wear comfy clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and a hat. -- No chairs. Bring a blanket if you're planning on sitting down. There are beautiful grassy hills to lay on -- Everyone's got fancy boots on. But boots are hot and the weather's hot. Figure out whether you want to fit in or be cool. -- The portapotties are really reasonable and usually have TP. Bring some just in case -- You will see 1000 pairs of kendra scott earrings. Wear yours to fit in. -- It's kid friendly though there aren't really that many little ones running around -- You can park in the garage right across the street for about $10 -- Take monday off if you are planning on going Sunday. If the beer doesn't get ya, the sun will. It's really a good festival/jam with great "red dirt" country music. They've always got a solid lineup and it's not overcrowded until the very end. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who isn't a fan of the Nashville country scene.

If I could give negative stars, I would. We spent nearly $200 to attend the Lone Star Jam 2023 and…read moreit was an absolute fiasco. It took them 1.5 hours to change musical sets leaving the audience listening to piped-in radio music. In 4 hours time, we had 45 mins of actual live music. They were behind schedule, had major sound and technical problems, and took hours to set up each band. Had we known this, we could have save time and money by simply turning on the radio at home. DO NOT ATTEND the Lone Star Jam. it's not worth your time or money. We will never return!