Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone! A special thank you to our veterans and active members of the military for your service to our country.
After searching high and low, we found some exciting ways for you to celebrate your Memorial Day weekend in downtown Austin. Whether you want to squeeze in lots of quality time with family or spend a night on the town with friends, we have you covered. Get ready for some fun exploring our great city!
Take a Tour on Lady Bird Lake
Stay cool, move your body and learn something new by taking a standup paddleboard tour with Austin Rowing Center. Their tours focus on the landmarks and architectural marvels of downtown, Austin’s bats, or Barton Springs. Learn more and book a tour!
Listen to Some Live Music
There is always so much wonderful live music playing downtown in the Live Music Capital of the World, so we thought it would be best to list out this weekend’s lineups for you to choose from! Austin also has a couple of multi-day events for you to enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, including the Austin Live Music Revival! and Hot Luck celebrating live food and music.
Take a Mural Tour
We have curated a downtown mural tour that is perfect for a fun morning or afternoon walk or short bike trip. Learn more about the local mural artists and the stories behind some of your favorite public art pieces with the help of our map.
Celebrate Maifest
The annual Scholz/Saengerrrunde Maifest returns to Scholz on May 28 and they are rolling out the barrels! Gather your crew to blend Texas flare with German tradition at your new favorite event. Maifest includes a stein holding competition, more than 40 German and local beers, a vendor market, souvenirs, bowling and live music by Lorelei and Schatzi, Austin Polka Band, Austin Saengerrunde Choir and Terry Cavanagh’s Alpine Express. Hurry in, the first 200 guests receive a souvenir Scholz stein.
Watch a New Film
Throw it back to the times of drive-in theaters and enjoy a film with the skyline as your backdrop. This weekend, the Blue Starlite Drive-In Theater is showing Top Gun: Maverick, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Risky Business and Men.
Violet Crown Cinemas on 2nd Street features independent films, documentaries, international films, and studio films. They are featuring Top Gun: Maverick all throughout the long weekend. Enjoy snacks or a pizza with your popcorn and don’t forget you get four hours of free parking validation with your ticket purchase.
The Paramount is kicking off its Summer Classic Film Series, just in time for the holiday weekend with showings of Casablanca, Singing in the Rain and Goodfellas. Take an afternoon to take in the ambiance of the most stunning historic theater in all of Austin.
Take in Some Culture
There is no shortage of places to go downtown for an enriching experience. Enjoy art in numerous forms and mediums at the Blanton Museum of Art on the University of Texas campus, the Mexic-Arte Museum with free admission and tours on Sundays, or the The Contemporary Austin’s Jones Center.
For the history buffs out there, you can tour the State Capitol and find out more about Texas, its history, and the building’s art and architecture. On a nice day, the grounds make the perfect spot for a picnic. The Capitol is open on Monday and has materials available for self-guided tours. The Capitol Visitors Center even has a replica made of LEGO bricks of the 1888 Statehouse.
Shop Local
Plaza de Roses Shop the Block returns to the 600 Block of Congress on Saturday and Sunday with Wild About Music, Hideout Coffeehouse and Theater, Royal Blue Grocery and Jo Koen & Son’s Jeweler and several vendors. Enjoy a variety of unique artisan vendors and delicious food options with an awesome lineup of music including Aaron Navarro, The Side Saddles and Jaime Varela.
If you’re looking for a quirky toy store, a gift for yourself or anyone else, new shoes, or even some cool furniture, you can find just what you’re looking for on 2nd Street while supporting a local business! If you get hungry or thirsty on your stroll down 2nd Street, there is a myriad of restaurants and watering holes to choose from. Check out the 2nd Street District’s business directory to learn more about all the great options.
Whether you want to settle into a comfy chair at a theater or take a float on Lady Bird Lake, there is always something fun to do downtown! If you’re planning your route downtown or are looking for parking options, check out our transportation guide, Getting Around. We hope you have a safe, fun Memorial Day and that you enjoy your long weekend!