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A guide to fun things to do in Austin this weekend.

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F1, ACL and football fuel Austin's October tourism boom

October is lucrative for hotels, which are nearly sold out ahead of Formula One race weekend.

News

October is Austin&#x27;s biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/08/03/world-cup-tourism-austin" data-vars-content-id="21581759-f478-402b-bcd8-100360028765" data-vars-headline="F1, ACL and football fuel Austin&#x27;s October tourism boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/08/03/world-cup-tourism-austin" target="_self">tourism</a> month, and a packed calendar of major events could push it to new highs this year.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula One" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/21/axios-live-formula-one-drives-sustainability-culture-austin" data-vars-content-id="21581759-f478-402b-bcd8-100360028765" data-vars-headline="F1, ACL and football fuel Austin&#x27;s October tourism boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/21/axios-live-formula-one-drives-sustainability-culture-austin" target="_self">Formula One</a>, a University of Texas football game and NBA basketball will converge this weekend, capping a packed month of major events that included two weekends of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin City Limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/05/acl-fest-charli-xcx-lorde-kings-of-leon" data-vars-content-id="21581759-f478-402b-bcd8-100360028765" data-vars-headline="F1, ACL and football fuel Austin&#x27;s October tourism boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/05/acl-fest-charli-xcx-lorde-kings-of-leon" target="_self">Austin City Limits</a> Music Festival.

Austin City Council race draws YIMBY movement into focus

The District 9 race has shaped up as a question of development and density.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A City Council race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/19/austin-election-midterm-city-council" data-vars-content-id="b67873de-83cf-4c35-9e63-e10826df8384" data-vars-headline="Austin City Council race draws YIMBY movement into focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/19/austin-election-midterm-city-council" target="_self">A City Council race</a> in Austin&#x27;s urban core could have important implications for the direction of city housing policy.Why it matters: The question animating the race is one that has concerned many American cities — how to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increase density" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/20/austin-city-council-housing-density" data-vars-content-id="b67873de-83cf-4c35-9e63-e10826df8384" data-vars-headline="Austin City Council race draws YIMBY movement into focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/07/20/austin-city-council-housing-density" target="_self">increase density</a> while preserving a city&#x27;s character.

Flu season gets an early start in Texas

Doctors nationwide urge Americans to get their flu shots now.

The flu is getting an earlier start in Texas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/09/flu-cases-rise-shot" data-vars-content-id="06e2be69-c1cb-4109-811b-bc24680eda7e" data-vars-headline="Flu season gets an early start in Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/09/flu-cases-rise-shot" target="_self">nationwide</a> this year.Why it matters: Health experts say it&#x27;s time to get your flu shot if you haven&#x27;t already.

Inside Austin's buzziest new Tex Mex spot

The restaurant opened last month on the grounds of the former Oak Hill elementary school.

Food and Drink

👋 Nicole here. I somehow scored a reservation to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Escuela" data-vars-click-url="https://escuelafarm.com/" data-vars-content-id="48b0102b-9f26-4b47-835e-4a04ff1eb8d4" data-vars-headline="Inside Austin&#x27;s buzziest new Tex Mex spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://escuelafarm.com/" target="_blank">Escuela</a> before Oak Hill&#x27;s newest farm-to-table Tex Mex spot blew up on social media.<ul><li>I now understand what all the fuss is about.</li></ul>

Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL

Big names are on deck for weekend two, but the music festival is also a chance to see homegrown talent.

Big names like Lorde, Kings of Leon and Charli XCX are on deck for weekend two of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin City Limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/04/acl-fest-zilker-mud-austin" data-vars-content-id="08e3898f-aeec-4174-bf35-abf014ae5643" data-vars-headline="Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/10/04/acl-fest-zilker-mud-austin" target="_self">Austin City Limits</a>, but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="music festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="08e3898f-aeec-4174-bf35-abf014ae5643" data-vars-headline="Austin artists to see during weekend two of ACL" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" target="_blank">music festival</a> is also a chance to see homegrown talent.Here are the local artists we&#x27;re watching this weekend.

Red River Cultural District fights for its future

Red River advocates are pressing Austin officials to move faster on protections for the city's iconic live music district.

The bars and nightclubs that helped Austin earn its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="live music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/02/red-river-cultural-district-free-week" data-vars-content-id="f6e41235-7fad-49be-a07d-ff1ffe32645b" data-vars-headline="Red River Cultural District fights for its future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/01/02/red-river-cultural-district-free-week" target="_self">live music</a> reputation are disappearing from Red River Street, and district advocates warn that the closures are outpacing the city&#x27;s efforts to put protections in place.Why it matters: Red River is at the heart of Austin&#x27;s live music scene, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising rents and operating costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/19/austins-independent-venues-feel-the-squeeze" data-vars-content-id="f6e41235-7fad-49be-a07d-ff1ffe32645b" data-vars-headline="Red River Cultural District fights for its future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/12/19/austins-independent-venues-feel-the-squeeze" target="_self">rising rents and operating costs</a> are putting growing pressure on venues that anchor the downtown district.

Antone's joins vinyl take-back program

Music fans can return damaged or unplayable vinyl records to potentially be recycled.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Antone&#x27;s Record Shop" data-vars-click-url="https://antonesrecordshop.com/" data-vars-content-id="776afb5e-35ae-41cb-a4c2-3d0d9458bf63" data-vars-headline="Antone&#x27;s joins vinyl take-back program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://antonesrecordshop.com/" target="_blank">Antone&#x27;s Record Shop</a> in Austin has joined a new nationwide vinyl take-back program that aims to give broken and unwanted records a second life.Why it matters: Vinyl has enjoyed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resurgence over the past decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/record-store-day-returns-amid-climbing-vinyl-sales" data-vars-content-id="776afb5e-35ae-41cb-a4c2-3d0d9458bf63" data-vars-headline="Antone&#x27;s joins vinyl take-back program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2023/04/21/record-store-day-returns-amid-climbing-vinyl-sales" target="_self">resurgence over the past decade</a>, but there&#x27;s been little focus on what happens when records become damaged, beyond repair or owners no longer want them.

5 questions with singer Iris Copperman

The Nashville singer will perform in Austin at the Andy Roddick Foundation's Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert.

At just 14 years old, Nashville singer-songwriter Iris Copperman is already turning painful middle school experiences into introspective pop music.Driving the news: Copperman will open for Fort Worth-native Leon Bridges Friday night at the Andy Roddick Foundation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.andyroddickfoundation.org/legacies" data-vars-content-id="c39e5af5-433a-42bc-8e32-7534189ee340" data-vars-headline="5 questions with singer Iris Copperman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.andyroddickfoundation.org/legacies" target="_blank">Lasting Legacies Benefit Concert</a> at Stubb&#x27;s in Austin.

Shakey Graves' very best Austin day

The inventive Austin musician has a new album coming out.

Music

Folk-blues musician Shakey Graves is a very busy man.Why it matters: Nearly 40 years old, he leads a new generation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Austin musicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" data-vars-content-id="84c9c2de-84cd-4cc0-838d-3474916da2ce" data-vars-headline="Shakey Graves&#x27; very best Austin day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/music" target="_self">Austin musicians</a> even as he is a father to a young child.

Austin's independent venues feel the squeeze

Even with their outsized economic and cultural impact, it's a tough time for indie music venues.

Austin&#x27;s independently owned venues anchor its music scene, but rising insurance costs and rents have many operators focused on survival over success.Why it matters: Independent venues aren&#x27;t just cultural touchstones that develop artists and support the city&#x27;s major festivals. They&#x27;re economic engines that underpin a multibillion-dollar state industry and Austin&#x27;s tourism economy.

Spotify: Austin's top songs of 2025

Kendrick Lamar's "luther (with sza)" took the top spot.

Culture

Kendrick Lamar&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Luther" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/45J4avUb9Ni0bnETYaYFVJ" target="_blank">Luther</a>&quot; (with SZA) was the most-streamed song on Spotify in Austin this year.Why it matters: Austin&#x27;s Wrapped shows a more Spanish-language tilt with Bad Bunny&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DtMF" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" data-vars-content-id="ebe6bf30-29fa-46f0-baf4-1495af208a6f" data-vars-headline="Spotify: Austin&#x27;s top songs of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3sK8wGT43QFpWrvNQsrQya?si=aa214c82321c4990" target="_blank">DtMF</a>&quot; landing in the No. 2 spot.

What to know before going to ACL Music Festival

Getting to the fest, what to bring and more.

Austin City Limits Music Festival returns Friday, with performances from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local artists to big names" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" data-vars-content-id="edf89090-a879-4c30-802d-acb6a871fd4d" data-vars-headline="What to know before going to ACL Music Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup" target="_blank">local artists to big names</a> like Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier and The Killers.Why it matters: The festival takes over Zilker Park for two weekends each year and brings thousands of music fans to Austin.

Hot Summer Nights festival returns to Austin

Over 150 artists will perform across 18 venues in the Red River district.

Hot Summer Nights, the three-day music and arts festival, returns to the Red River Cultural District on Thursday.Why it matters: The free festival, founded in 2017, provides additional revenue to venues and artists during slow summer months.

Texas grocer H-E-B gets into the music game

Marcia Ball's Boogie Trinity plays on Saturday.

H-E-B is partnering with Austin nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers" data-vars-click-url="https://homeaustin.networkforgood.com/" data-vars-content-id="372b194d-4764-4fc4-ba25-a5af53414fe6" data-vars-headline="Texas grocer H-E-B gets into the music game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://homeaustin.networkforgood.com/" target="_blank">Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers</a> (HOME) to host a new monthly concert series at the South Congress H-E-B.Why it matters: HOME provides financial housing assistance for aging musicians in need.