Austin, TX
Where to Watch the Solar Eclipse in Central Texas With Food, Beers, and Wines
Earth — and Texans, in particular — will experience a rare total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. The big, bright sun will be blocked by the little moon during the daytime, darkening our skies. And luckily for us, the total eclipse path includes Austin the Hill Country, and generally Central Texas.
This solar eclipse is an epic event: it encompasses a larger swatch of totality than the one from 2017, and lasts longer (over four minutes). The next one doesn’t happen until 2045, so don’t miss out.
To celebrate the giant astronomical occurrence, many Central Texas restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are hosting watch parties with foods, drinks, camping, science lessons (!), and much more. We’re rounding up the best of these, broken down by cities and towns along the eclipse path in chronological order based on either totality or partial totality timing. Everything below takes place on Monday, April 8, unless otherwise noted.
Fredericksburg, around 1:32 p.m.
Events
Arch Ray Resort
Arch Ray’s Amphitheater, 4160 East Highway 290, Fredericksburg
The huge resort is hosting a two-day concert event for the eclipse with headliners the Goo Goo Dolls, along with Fastball and Switchfoot. There’s access to Paul Bee Distillery, Ogle Brewery, Arch Ray Winery, and the 1894 restaurant, as well as space for RV camping.
When: Sunday, April 7 through Monday, April 8, starting at noon each day with the headlining bands playing at 9 p.m each evening
How to Attend: Early tickets are $200; club members will get 40 percent off; general admission tickets will be $300; parking passes are $40.
Grapetown Vineyard
8142 Old San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg
This is perhaps one of the most epic ways to experience the eclipse: from a hot air balloon. The winery’s VIP access to the event comes with the hot air balloon rides (including one timed to the eclipse), a dinner, wine tasting, and live music. General admission tickets offer entry to the grounds for eclipse viewing and/or the balloon ride. People can also book campsites.
When: noon to 8 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets can be bought online. General admission tickets to the grounds are $75, hot air balloon rides are $75, VIP is $195, tent camping passes are $75, RV camping passes are $450.
Guides
Stonewall, around 1:33 p.m.
Events
Kuhlman Cellars
18421 East 290 Highway, Stonewall
The Hill Country winery’s eclipse party includes a breakfast buffet, hot Italian food lunch (think lasagnas and cheesy garlic bread), two glasses of wine in a keepsake glass, blind wine tastings, tastings of 2023 vintages, and tours of the vineyards. There are glasses, a special sticker, and more activities.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $200 for wine club members, $225 for non-members, $50 for children between the ages of two to 20; parking passes are $25.
Burnet, around 1:34 p.m.
Events
Uplift Vineyard
1411 County Road 119, Burnet
William Chris Vineyard’s Burnet winery is tagging Austin chef Jesse Griffiths for its eclipse event. The Dai Due chef will live-fire cook a brunch and dinner, plus tickets come with two bottles of the winery’s eclipse red wine, more food, and a blending session.
When: It starts at 8:30 a.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $925; members can buy two tickets at special $775 pricing each; RV parking is $125.
Driftwood, around 1:34 p.m.
Events
Vista Brewing
13551 Farm-to-Market Road 150, Driftwood
The sprawling Hill Country brewery-restaurant-ranch is hosting a multi-day eclipse event with live music, wildflowers, glasses, beer and food specials such as the Dark Skies black pilsner and the Texas wagyu burger.
When: Wednesday, April 3 through Thursday, April 4, 4 to 9 p.m. each day; Friday, April 5, 2 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, April 6, noon to 9 p.m.; Sunday, April 7, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Monday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children.
Dripping Springs, around 1:34 p.m.
Events
Ghost Note Brewing
23663 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs
The Hill Country brewery’s eclipse party includes a special beer for the event, food trucks, purchasable glasses, and live music.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Attend: Book either RV camping reservations for $150 or parking passes for $25.
Guides
Kerrville, around 1:34 p.m.
Events
Kerrclipse Music Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch, 3876 Medina Highway, Kerrville
The annual Kerrville Folk Festival happens to coincide with the eclipse this year, and the organizers are using that to their advantage. The renamed event will feature live music, art, camping, and science presentations about eclipses. There will be food and drinks to be announced, but expect goodies from sponsors like Pint & Plow Brewing and Trailhead Beer Garden, and food/drinks from Central Provisions.
When: Saturday, April 5 through Monday, April 8
How to Attend: Currently, the festival is only offering multi-day passes. It will see if there is space to sell Monday day passes in mid-March. Advanced passes for nonmembers are $350, kids between the ages of five through 12 are $75, and anyone younger is free; there is also member pricing for foundation members. Then there are a la carte parking passes and RV spots.
San Antonio, around 1:34 p.m.
Events
The Moon’s Daughter
115 Lexington Ave, San Antonio
The Thompson San Antonio Greek-ish hotel restaurant is hosting a Monday brunch for a glimpse of the partial totality of the eclipse from its rooftop lounge. There will be themed drinks, glasses, and live entertainment.
When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $99.
Guides
Hye, around 1:35 p.m.
Events
Ron Yates Wines
6676 Highway 290 West, Hye
The Hill Country winery’s eclipse party is a jam-packed one. All tickets come with access to a breakfast taco bar, a wine bar showing the history of the winery, and even paella. Then there’s a free wine glass, glasses, and one free glass of wine, plus lawn games, live music, and viewing areas. VIP tickets come with a special bar, access to a bathroom trailer, a pig roast, and a special breakfast buffet. There’s also room for RV camping.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Attend: Early tickets are $125 for general admission, $250 for VIP, and $675 for RV camping; regular tickets will be $150 for general admission, $300 for VIP, and $750 for RVs.
William Chris Vineyards
10352 Highway 290, Hye
The lauded Hill Country winery is teaming up with the Austin-based restaurant group behind Southern restaurant Olamaie for its eclipse event. On deck are wine barrel tastings, astronomy sessions, live country music concerts, and breakfast and lunch courtesy of MaieB’s forthcoming Fredericksburg spot the Albert Hotel. The latter includes Little Ola’s biscuits, pork chops, and Texas chocolate sheet cake. The tickets come with parking, glasses, a poster, a picnic blanket, and a bag with two bottles of its special eclipse wines.
When: TBA
How to Attend: Tickets are $375 for adults and $100 for kids.
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Johnson City, around 1:35 p.m.
Guides
Lampasas and Kempner, around 1:35 p.m.
Events
Pillar Bluff Vineyards
300 County Road 111, Lampasas
The Hill Country winery is hosting an RV camping event for the eclipse. Camping passes come with access to two barbecue dinners, live music, and a special cabernet sauvignon made for the eclipse.
When: Sunday, April 7 through Monday, April 8
How to Attend: Tickets are $500
Thunderwolf Ranch
1079 County Road 4630, Kempner
The Texas horse rescue ranch and event space is hosting a four-day, two-night camping festival for the eclipse. There’s tent and car camping passes with access to live music, karaoke, and loads of food vendors such as pizza spot Slice Society, Yaya’s Southeast Asian Cuisine, and a tea lounge.
When: Friday, April 5 through Monday, April 8
How to Attend: Camping passes are $157 for two people
Austin, around 1:36 p.m.
Events
Jester King Brewery
13187 Fitzhugh Road, Far West Austin
The Hill Country brewery is hosting a huge total solar eclipse party. There will be a special beer release for the event, alongside other beers and food, Figure 8 coffee, mimosas, and more. For non-food activities, expect live psychedelic rock performances and the Austin Witches Market.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Attend: It’s free to attend, but there are $20 parking passes for people who want to drive themselves.
Meanwhile Brewing Co.
3901 Promontory Point Drive, Austin
This McKinney neighborhood brewery is one of several Austin locations that are participating in private science- and math-geared Simons Foundation’s special nationwide initiative timed to the eclipse, where the breweries will brew up a special beer for the celestial event, In the Path of Totality.Meanwhile’s event includes its new 01:36pm beer, a black IPA, as well as a special pint glass and glasses giveaways. There will be a live string quartet, too.
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
How to Attend: Free to attend, there are RSVPs.
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Otopia
1901 San Antonio Street, Suite 1100, Austin
The Otis Hotel’s rooftop bar will be a prime eclipse viewing spot, especially when it will serve cocktails benefitting the University of Texas at Austin’s astronomy department. Plus, there will be a live DJ and free eclipse glasses.
When: noon to 5 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $20.
Pioneer Farms
10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, Austin
The historic space and venue is hosting a two-day eclipse event. The first day includes seminars and activities, plus food truck Coco East and Sweet. The second includes its Citizen Scientist Sun Party with a live band, food from Ice Cream Peddler and Carla’s with chicken tenders, burgers, and fries.
When: Sunday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, April 8
How to Attend: Tickets are $12 for each day or $20 for both days.
The Long Center
701 West Riverside Drive, Austin
The Long Center and Simons Foundation are hosting this free eclipse event on the venue’s lawn. Food-wise, there will be vendors; and drinks-wise, Austin breweries will be at hand to offer special eclipse-themed brews. There’s also a Radiolab live-recording session, a visual storytelling experience led by authors Roxane Gay and Debbie Millman, and free tote bags for the first 1,000 guests. Everyone attending will get free eclipse glasses.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How to Attend: Free.
Austin Beerworks
3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin
The North Burnet brewery is also participating in the Simons Foundation’s In the Path of Totality beer event, though further details aren’t available at this time.
When: TBA
How to Attend: TBA
Zilker Brewing Company
1701 East Sixth Street, Austin
The East Austin brewery is also participating in the Simons Foundation’s In the Path of Totality beer event, though further details aren’t available at this time.
When: TBA
How to Attend: TBA
Guides
San Marcos, around 1:36 p.m.
Events
Middleton Brewing
101 Oakwood Loop, San Marcos
The brewpub is hosting a very chill partial-totality eclipse-viewing party with beer specials and glasses.
When: It starts at noon.
How to Attend: Free to attend.
Guides
Round Rock, around 1:37 p.m.
Guides
Temple, around 1:40 p.m.
Moose & Goose Winery
6300 Middle Road, Suite B, Temple
The Bell County fruit winery’s eclipse viewing party comes with a hummus snack lunch, bottle of wine, keepsake glass, and glasses.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to Attend: Tickets are $80.
General Central Texas and Hill Country Guides
AUSTIN, Texas – State and federal agriculture officials said highly pathogenic avian flu has been found in a herd of dairy cows in Texas.
What we know:
Officials said the H5N1 virus was confirmed with laboratory tests in late May after cows at an unspecified farm became sick and milk production dropped. The dairy has since been quarantined and an investigation is underway.
This is the first case of avian flu in a Texas dairy herd this year, officials said.
What they’re saying:
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confident that pasteurization is effective at inactivating H5N1, and that the commercial, pasteurized milk supply is safe,” officials at the Texas Animal Health Commission said in a statement.
A dairy cow is seen at a farm on June 1, 2026. (Tim Evans/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Dig deeper:
H5N1 has a high rate of severe disease and death in animals that become infected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to the general public from avian flu is low. Some sporadic human infections have been reported around the world since 1997. There have been no known cases of person-to-person spreading of avian flu.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Texas Animal Health Commission, the USDA, the FDA and the CDC.
AUSTIN, Texas — Self-driving cars have become a common sight on Austin streets, but a new Texas law is adding tougher requirements for the companies behind the wheelless vehicles.
Senate Bill 2807 imposes stricter rules on autonomous vehicle companies operating in the state, including state authorization, emergency response plans for law enforcement, and a public portal where residents can verify operators and file safety complaints.
The changes come as Austin continues to track incidents involving autonomous vehicles. The city’s autonomous vehicle dashboard shows 75 incidents in 2026, including a collision, eight near misses, and seven incidents of ignoring police direction.
Attorney Drew Gibbs, a partner at Slingshot Law, said one crash involved a Waymo vehicle.
“There was a T-bone collision. A pretty serious T-bone collision where a Waymo just crashed into the side of my client’s vehicle,” Gibbs said.
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One of the incidents of ignoring police direction happened during the mass shooting on West Sixth Street back in March, when three people died, and 15 others were injured.
Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock said autonomous vehicles can struggle in unusual situations.
“It didn’t impede on anything in the moment, but it’s not necessarily uncommon where these vehicles don’t quite know how to deal with these one-off scenarios,” Bullock said.
The new law requires autonomous vehicle companies to be authorized by the state, to provide an emergency response plan for law enforcement, and to participate in a public-facing portal that allows the public to verify operators and submit safety complaints.
Kara Kockelman, a professor of transportation and engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, welcomed the added oversight.
“I’m glad that the state is taking this a bit more seriously now,” she said. “It’s important not to just let others slip in without kind of meeting those basic minimums.”
Bullock said the emergency planning requirement may not make a major difference in fast-moving situations. Asked how impactful it is to have a fully laid out emergency response plan, Bullock said, “These plans are great, but it takes time to work through all of those versus the immediacy of having someone behind the wheel.”
The four autonomous vehicle companies operating in Austin — Waymo, Zoox, AV-Ride, and Tesla — are all state-authorized.
The Texas DMV said an autonomous vehicle company can lose its authorization to operate in Texas if the agency deems the vehicles are operating in a way that endangers public safety.
Waymo was contacted for comment, but had not responded.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson said Tuesday she will leave the post next month.
What we know:
In a statement, Nelson said her resignation will be effective July 17 but did not provide a reason for the departure.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of Texas in this role,” Nelson said. “My time as Secretary came at an important moment for Texas, and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish as an agency in under four years.”
Nelson has served in the role since 2023.
Among other things, the Secretary of State oversees elections and business filings in the state and serves as the chief diplomat of Texas.
View of Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, during the 80th Texas Legislature, on the floor of the Senate at the Texas State Capitol, Austin, Texas, January 22, 2007. (John Anderson/The Austin Chronicle / Getty Images)
What they’re saying:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott described Nelson as extraordinary.
“I am deeply grateful for her long and loyal service and outstanding leadership. She has represented our state with grace and honor across the globe, and Texas is better because of it,” Abbott said. “Cecilia and I wish her all the best in the next chapter of her distinguished career.”
Dig deeper:
According to the Secretary of State’s office, Nelson has presided over seven statewide elections during her tenure with a cumulative 27 million ballots cast and broke a record with more than 3 million active business filers.
Nelson also served three decades in the Texas Senate, where she remains the longest-serving Republican in state history.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
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