Austin Event Guide: February 18 — 20

For the Love of SIMS

Join the SIMS Foundation for a backyard concert that helps raise money to support mental health. Music by Shakey Graves, Torre Blake, and Mama Duke. The Far Out Lounge & Stage | Friday

Black History Month Block Party

Celebrate Black History Month at this free block party, featuring music by DJ Urban Mello, Andre Taylor, and more plus a vendor market. Carver Museum | Saturday

Palentine’s Party

Adoptable dogs from Happy Hearts Dog Rescue, pet-friendly vendors, Tito’s drink specials, and more! Lustre Pearl South | Sunday

Shagadelic Market

Let’s get funky, baby! This market is curated by Eastside Pop Up and features a festive glitter bar. What a way to spend a Sunday. Shag Salon | Sunday

Wine Down & Give Back Series

BOXT is hosting a series of events for wine lovers, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Kindness Campaign. Try a wine tasting class paired with yoga, or make your own cheeseboard – the options are plenty! Info | Ongoing

Come and Shave It

Hosted by the Austin Facial Hair Club, this battle of facial hair is welcoming to all types of folks (hairy and well, not so hairy). The party runs all day and into the night with beard and mustach competitions, and benefits The Other Ones Foundation. Mohawk | Saturday

Photo by Austin Facial Hair Club

Weekend Events in Austin: February 4 — 6

Queer Flea

The best market around curated by Eastside Pop Up! Check their social media for updates due to weather. The Little Gay Shop | Saturday

Drive-thru Pancake Breakfast

Support the Texas School for the Deaf and drive by for some pancakes. Plus you can meet the football team and see live music, ballet dancers, and more. Info | Saturday

Jackie Venson Residency

Every Saturday in February you can find Jackie Venson playing Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, how lucky are we?! This Saturday is even more special as Jackie is celebrating her birthday and her father Andrew Venson will join her on stage for a birthday jam. Lamberts | Saturday

Take Me Home Musical Fundraiser

Live music, incredible auction items, good food and more to support Take Me Home Transport’s mission to save pets. El Mercado South | Sunday

Jo’s 15th Annual Chili Cook Off

Beans or no beans? You decide the best chili in town while supporting the nonprofit group Free Lunch. Jo’s on South Congress | Sunday

Lunar New Year Festival

Ring in the Year of the Tiger with this family-friendly event featuring over 20+ vendors of Asian decent, hot pot on a stick, Kathy Phanastic designs, book readings and more. The Paper Craft+Pantry | Sunday

Photo by Austin Beerworks

The Baker’s Benefit for Texas French Bread

After the devasting loss of Texas French Bread to a fire, Austin’s bakers are coming together to raise some dough. Don’t miss this ultimate bake sale. Easy Tiger South | Sunday

Save the Date: Austin Music Awards

The Austin Music Awards return in person this year, celebrating winners from the Austin Chronicle’s Music Poll. Tickets benefit the SIMS Foundation and artists include Money Chicha, Greyhounds, Carolyn Wonderland, and more. Emo’s | March 8

Weekend Events in Austin: January 28 — 30

Nonprofit Happy Hour

Start your weekend off with shopping and cocktails while raising money for the Rosedale School. Hearth & Soul | Friday

The Cathedral Open House

This month’s open house features artwork from visiting artist Mary Catherine Rochford, plus tunes, drinks, and good times. The Cathedral | Friday

Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook Off

Live music by Chili Cold Blood, homemade chili from the best in town, and it’s all raising money for HAAM. Yeehaw. Sagebrush | Saturday

An inside look at the Cathedral

Bend and Brew

Get bendy with Waterloo Yoga and stay for nice cold beer. Vacancy Brewing | Saturday

Market Day

This market has a ton of fun just for you: plants, vintage treasures, pottery, art, tacos, coffee, tacos, and more! Pink Flamingo Plant Company | Saturday

Lunar New Year Celebration

Austin Beerworks is teaming up with Kaiju Cut + Sew to create a one-of-a-kind brew benefiting Stop AAPI Hate. Celebrate the year of the tiger with food from The Rice is Right food truck, shop with Austin Flea, and don’t forget to try this beer! Austin Beerworks | Sunday

Photo by Austin Beerworks

Weekend Events in Austin: January 21 — 23

Buda Art Brawl

Eight artists battle it out in a test of creativity and endurance, and not matter what happens - we’ll have ART! You’ll also have music by Money Chicha and Still Austin Whiskey cocktails. Inspired Minds Art Center | Friday

New Year, New Dog

Is getting a new pet on your list of resolutions? Stop by Austin Animal Center’s front lawn to meet lots of incredible pups and all adoption fees will be waived (don’t forget, there are kitties inside!). Austin Animal Center | Saturday

East Austin Cello Fest

Join the Cathedral and Austin Camerata for an evening of classical music, local art, and open bar. Tickets required. The Cathedral | Saturday

An inside look at the Cathedral

Le Garage Sale

It’s a shopper’s dream —hundreds of local boutiques and designers under one roof with majorly discounted items. Don’t miss it! Palmer Events Center | Saturday & Sunday

Green Eggs and Jam Brunch

Head to South Austin for brunch and jam out with live music from the Cream Cheese Accident. Totally family and dog friendly, too. Far Out Lounge & Stage | Sunday

Vixens of Volstead Drag Brunch

This is one Austin brunch option that is nonstop entertainment. The Vixens of Volstead bring a high energy drag show to the Volstead every Sunday, performing to your favorite pop covers and mingling with the crowd. Don’t forget your tip money and don’t skip on brunch, the food here is amazing. The Volstead Lounge/Hotel Vegas | Sunday

Our trip to Vixens of Volstead brunch was a success

Beginners Succulent Planting Party

Maybe having a green thumb just isn’t your thing. Never fear, this planting party will teach you how to pot, plant, arrange, and care for succulents so your new year starts off green and fresh. Succulent Native | Sunday

Things to do with Family in Austin for the Holidays

Day trip to Treaty Oak Distilling

We love driving out the Hill Country and soaking up this winter sunshine at Treaty Oak Distilling. With amazing whiskey and gin cocktails and delicious food from Alice’s Restaurant, it’s a place the whole family can enjoy. Plus the kiddos have plenty of space to run while you sip your beverage. Open through Dec. 23 | Treaty Oak Distilling

Holiday Hangs at the Buzzmill

The Buzzmill, now with two locations in East Austin, is a fantastic spot to take the family for a yummy coffee, fancy cocktail, or some good grub from one of their many food trucks. Even better, their Riverside location is open 24/7 all week long, even through the holidays. | Buzzmill

Over-the-top Cocktails at the W Austin

Feeling swanky? Swing by the Secret Bar at W Austin and show off the glamorous side of Austin while trying one of their many festive holiday cocktails. These drinks have everything - smoke, dry ice, candy - oh my! Afterwards you can cozy up in their record room or grab a bite at Trace. | W Austin

Photo by Four Seasons

Gingerbread Houses at Four Seasons

The North Pole has landed at the Four Seasons! The Gingerbread Village features 11 edible houses from Santa’s Workshop, and the display is up through December 28. | Four Seasons

Christmas Show at Parker Jazz Club

There’s something truly special about Parker Jazz Club’s Christmas Show this year. It’s an intimate setting with AMAZING acoustics, and their performers are some of the talented musicians in town. Shows run through December 23 and pickup again on December 28. | Parker Jazz Club

Cruise the Trail of Lights

An Austin tradition, the Trail of Lights is booked up to Christmas Day but will reopen on December 26 through December 31. | Info