Everything Fun You Can Do in Austin This Weekend
Hit the dance floor, cheer on the home team, and head to an oyster fest.
Think of this weekend as the calm before the storm. Next week, SXSW begins to invade our streets, our collective consciousness, and make our ability get anywhere in a somewhat acceptable time frame near impossible. Make the most of this tourist-light weekend by slurping up bivalves at an oyster fest or hitting the dance floor to DJ tunes at Cheer Up Charlies. This and more awaits. We’ve got all the best ways to enjoy Austin before the chaos ensues here.
Groove out to dancey country
Friday, February 24
Cheer Up Charlies
If Shania Twain saying “let’s go girls” makes you want to put on your best Daisy Dukes, bust down a door, and take a shot of Jack Daniels, get ready cause you’re going out (Saturday) night and feeling all right. Party headquarters, a.k.a. Cheer Up Charlies, is hosting pop-country good times with Neon Rainbows, the “gayest little country dance” with a DJ set by Boi Orbison and The Gay Ole Opry Drag Show this weekend. Which means you can both belt out “Cowboy Take Me Away” and also be swept away in the moment by a Dolly Parton impersonator (we bet there will be at least one).
Cost: Free admission.
Take yourself out to the ballgame
Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26
The Dell Diamond
The third annual Round Rock Classic is bringing together four of the nation’s top college baseball teams (LSU, Iowa, Kansas State, and Sam Houston State) to compete in a round robin tournament over the course of three days. So, whether you are a die-hard Tiger or just a die-hard fan of drinking beer and eating hot dogs, you can cheer on some home-runs with friends in the ideal 70-degree sunshine this weekend. Be sure to check out their schedule to see when your favorite team is playing—and don’t forget to buy some peanuts and cracker-jacks.
Cost: General admission lawn seats start at $15.
Celebrate a (belated) National Margarita Day
Friday, February 24–Sunday, February 26
Various locations
Lone Star be damned! If there is an official alcohol drink of the city of Austin, it would have to be the sometimes salty, always delicious margarita. And, even while you true aficionados probably already celebrated National Margarita Day on February 22, tequila devotees are bound to take any excuse to observe such a prime holiday again. Whether you take it on the ice or frozen, we got all the details on where you can snag the best margaritas in Austin—chips and guac on the side is optional, but highly recommended.
Cost: Prices vary based on location
Shuck it up at Austin Oyster Festival
Saturday, February 25
Republic Square
You can dive into the most decadent dish in the ocean this Saturday at the 10th annual Austin Oyster Festival at Downtown’s Republic Square. And, for those who are still in doubt about the deliciousness of these briny mollusks, the festival has your back with three different preparation stations—the raw bar, the grill bar, and the fry bar—to put your previous conceptions about the morsel to the test. Not to mention, the outrageous Bloody Mary bar guarantees you have the perfect sip to accompany that smoked bacon Oysters Rockefeller. Top it all off with live music and the fact that the event benefits both the HOPE Campaign and the Central Texas Food Bank, and you have a real pearl of a weekend activity.
Cost: $70 per person for general admission, VIP packages also available.
Become a live audience laugh track
Saturday, February 25
The Ballroom at Spider House
Anyone with the comedy bug in the Live Music Capital is bound to tell you one of the best places to catch a laughter-filled show is the Spider House Ballroom. And, this Saturday, one of the venue’s most popular comedy shows, Stoned vs Drunk vs Sober, returns. If the name itself is not explanation enough, let us describe further: three teams of killer stand-ups, fresh out of Comedy Central and HBO appearances, get either in the sauce, the smoke, or nothing at all. Hilarity ensues as they compete for your laughs, whether or not you choose to get inebriated to their level.
Cost: Tickets run $20 per person, $25 at the door.
Shimmy in the light of the disco ball at a ABBA-tribute
Saturday, February 25
Empire Control Room & Garage
This one is for the homies who’ve watched Mamma Mia so many times they can practically reenact Meryl Streep’s entire performance. Yes, we’re talking about an ABBA-inspired party for all you aspiring dancing queens. Going down at the Empire Garage this Saturday, The Gimme Gimme Disco is sure to play all the hits from the Swedish pop group that will have you hitting the dance floor. Bonus points to whoever pulls out the sequined jumpsuit and feathers out their hair a la Farrah Fawcett to take the theme to the next level.
Cost: $17 per person.
Gaze through a gene-pool of artistic talent
Friday, February 25–Sunday, February 27
The Blanton Museum of Art
In addition to their individual studio practices, sisters and artists Lisa and Janelle Iglesias have created alongside each other under the moniker, Las Hermanas Iglesias, since 2005. Witness the synergy of this partnership IRL this weekend at University of Texas Austin’s Blanton Museum of Art, which is featuring an exhibit of Las Hermanas’ pieces. Through a variety of mediums, including textile and sculpture, the sisters examine the ideas and feelings evoked by pregnancy and caregiving.
Cost: $12 per adult for admission to the full museum.
Groove to the sounds of local, Black musicians
Sunday, February 26
Austin Public Libraries
February is Black History Month and while you should celebrate Black culture more than just once a year, it is a great time to reflect on the amazing contributions the Black community has made to this country. The Black Joy & Resistance Music Series hosted by the Austin Public Libraries is a great way to do just that—while helping you to level up the tracks on your Spotify playlists. This Sunday, the monthly series closes out on a high note with a live performance by Honey Made at the Carver Branch in East Austin. Drawing inspiration from soul and funk influences, this is one performance that is bound to get you up and dancing.
Cost: Free