HONK!TX is a community music festival (non-profit) which occurs annually. Many other cities around…read morethe country have similar events and in fact musicians and groups will travel to and from to perform. These festivals also occur overseas. It's free and open to the public in Austin and lasts an entire weekend each year (Friday-Sunday). It's free to the public and held at various locations. For example, this year, March 2026, it took place at Jackalope South, Mueller Park, and Pan Am Park (aka Rec Center). There are a variety of genres included from West African and Brazilian music to New Orleans brass, bagpipes, and everything in between. It brings together a collaboration of community, music, and art. Family-friendly events. You can't help but have a good time. If you're not dancing and singing at a HONK!TX event then you're just not living!

This was a fabulously fun event! Community street bands playing in spots across Adams Park and…read morebehind Wheatsville. Lots of brass and drums and hilarious costumes; some really good music and some just playful, groups from Austin and across the country. What struck me was the pure joy coming from the musicians as they played and danced in these interestingly diverse groups - it was amazing. And the audience - kids and grown folks alike - really got into all the tomfoolery and rhythms. A terrific, very Austin kind of experience that, according to their web page, actually started in Massachusetts.... This was the first year of Honk! TX, and I hope it becomes a tradition!

You say you can't actually get in to the official SXSW showcases with your…read morelow-end-of-the-totem-pole wristband? You say the badges are too expensive and the snooty doormen are too mean to let you in? You say the venue is too crowded and you can't see the stage? How about a cool event with no-cost beverages, tons o' swag, and 4 days of music? Oh, did I mention it's all free? This "unofficial" SXSW event just had its 9th year, and I can't keep this little secret to myself any more. The Levi's FADER Fort is one of my favorite music happenings every year, like a mini-ACL Fest, except the tickets and beer don't cost a dime, there's plenty of shady resting spots, and I can get directly in front of the stage any time I feel like it. They always showcase some great acts I've never heard of from a range of up & coming pop/rock/hip-hop/Americana artists (like MIA and Amy Winehouse before anyone knew who they were), as well as a few surprise appearances by classics (Lou Reed in 2007, Kanye West in 2009, Bone Thugs N Harmony in 2010). My favorites from this year were Chico Mann (very catchy electro-afrofunk) and Yelawolf (an Alabama version of Eminem with a much more gracious stage persona). Here's the deal: you must get on the FADER e-mail list, text list, or FB fan list so that you'll get the announcement when the RSVP system is open. Respond by email immediately and get on the list. About a week before UT's Spring Break, you'll get an email telling you where & when to get wristbands (usually the Tuesday of SXSW week); show up early on the first day and get your wristbands (FYI, your +1 must be there to pick-up in person, too). Then all you have to do is show up Wed-Sat after 1pm to hang out and listen to music while soaking up free libations until the last act leaves the stage around 9 or 10pm. Then you can shuffle down the street to one of the many other venues offering free music and smile as you realize that some of the best things in life really are still free (if you are 21 or older). P.S. The weekday afternoons and early evenings are definitely the best times to come if crowds give you anxiety. By 5pm on Saturday, the place is packed and it's a chore getting through the drink or port-o-john lines. I have secrets for getting around these little snags, too, but you'll have to discover those for yourself, young grasshopper.

This year it was located at 6th and Waller in a much smaller venue than before. For Fri and Sat the…read morelines were long and moved slow. If/when you got in it was totally worth it. Jack Daniels and Budweiser were the featured drinks. It was a very laid back event with a few hundred drunk yet tame folks chatting and enjoying the great line up!

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)

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.

Absolutely PHENOMENAL! We spontaneously booked this magic show and we were not disappointed. It's a…read morefamily owned business and the museum was a storybook of life, history, and the art of magic. We had such a blast. The show was well curated and engaging. I was in shock and awe the whole time. Loved every minute and hopefully we can come back soon!!

FANTASTIC performance! We were honored to sit right by the table and we're amazed at the slight of…read morehand tricks. The history of the various items used was intriguing. The museum has an impressive collection of magicians, mentalists, and escape artists memorabilia including the milk can from Houdini's early 1900 performances. We highly recommend going!

Free day? I'll take it…read more My experience here was nice. The staff was helpful and I was able to check in easily. The art exhibit was cool and it make a statement. The gallery was busy, but spacious. I loved the view upstairs and got really good photos. I want to attend more events here. The bathroom was clean.

A good gallery to enjoy rotating modern art exhibitions…read more Every last week of the season is free, a good way to explore and get introduced to something new! We saw 3 different exhibits in one and it was a great time. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, especially valuable for when this is your first time visiting and you're not familiar with art/museums in general!

I went to the 2014 Austin Carnaval an event virgin and left a bonafide Brasilero woman!…read more From the walk to the Palmer Events Center to the Carnaval itself to the VIP lounge, the whole experience was a colorful blur of gyrating painted and feathered nudity to samba beats and boozey revelry! On the way from the parking lot to the Palmer Event Center, we just had to follow the colorful and scantily clad masses to find the fun! And though I expected an out of control night of pure debauchery based on previous reviews, the night was enjoyably tame. We got there around the 10pm mark and the party was already in full swing with the samba dancers and drummers showing off their mad crazy skills! From the minute we walked in the door our asses didn't stop shaking til they hit the cold leather of the car seat 3hrs later! I loved how open and friendly everyone was! Especially those in full on crazy and fabulous costumes! We watched the "parade" from the stands and then when the dance floor opened up joined a conga line right to the front of the stage where we shook it like a polaroid picture! The entertainment was just amazing and the energy permeated and flowed through the gleefully sweaty crowd! It wasn't nearly as awful as I imagined it would be in the crowd, it was packed, but not claustrophobically so. And, to my surprise, there was not nearly the amount of nudity I expected...I mean bare bootys and boobies abounded, but in a tasteful and non-gratuitous way. I ended up backstage because of my VIP pass because no one could tell me how to get to the "lounge", but that ended up being an awesome experience! Needless to say, I will be returning to Carnaval next year...and honestly, if you can't be in Rio, this is the next best thing! Braaaazilll ATX style baby!!

I know it's an event but it's annual sooo if anyone is curious about this party and does a little…read moreresearch here, let me shed some light (it's okay, I won't illuminate the darkest corners!). Imagine if a gay bar Halloween party and a strip club Halloween party were to have a baby....no, imagine if Mardi Gras had a super sexy, blatantly flirtatious Latino cousin.....no, imagine that dream you have with all the sexy demons and angels and they all want to have sex with you. Yeah, put all that together and you can get an idea. I've been going to this party for almost 15 years and I never get tired of it. Not only is it about the costumes and the flirting, but it's also about the incredible music. Every year they get a nationally known Brazilian Samba band to play the stage, but lately they have also used Austin's own Academicos da Opera which I think is even better cause they get right down on the floor in a huge drum circle. This music is intoxicating (which is great cause it's damn hard to get a drink here---lines too long). You cannot stop dancing and at the end of the night you get that all over warm body relaxation that you get after a great workout or even better sex. But if you are an exhibitionist or a voyeur or if you are not afraid of a large crowd of these, then this is your party. To get anywhere in the crowd, you have to get in a conga line and next thing you know, you are swept away with a bunch of fun-loving strangers to god knows where. And costumes! I am always awed by the work that goes into this event. From feathers and beads to leather and chains. Drag queens and dominatrixes. Fairies and well, fairies. Body painting to body stockings. It's all here and it doesn't mind being seen and photographed and danced with. Sigh. I always have a bit of post-Carnaval depression. So, don't be scerd. You are really missing out if you let your fears hold you back. True of Carnaval and of life.

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.