Austin, TX

Why some Texas cities are getting rid of their minimum parking rules

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2024

Why some Texas cities are getting rid of their minimum parking rules

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In car-dependent Texas, most cities have rules on how many parking spots must be built anywhere people live, play or do business. But those requirements have come under scrutiny in recent years, with critics saying they do more harm than good.

As the nation tries to curb carbon emissions and fight climate change, climate activists and urbanists have chided the regulations for encouraging car dependency. Housing advocates and developers have also identified those minimums as a barrier to building more homes and taming housing costs.

“This is a pretty obvious target for helping to address [the housing affordability crisis],” said Tony Jordan, co-founder of Parking Reform Network.

In major Texas cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso, developers usually can’t build single-family homes or apartments without parking. Government regulations like those, critics argue, effectively force housing developers to provide parking spots where they may have instead built housing — contributing to higher home prices and rents.

Doing away with parking minimums doesn’t mean parking will be abolished, reform proponents say. For instance, cities without parking mandates still must require properties to comply with federal law and build accessible parking spaces for people living with disabilities. And proponents expect developers will still build parking spots even if they’re not required to. But the decision of how much parking they should provide, reformers argue, should be left up to builders, not local governments.

Austin last year became the largest city in the country to do away with its minimum parking requirements, following in the steps of other major cities like Portland, Minneapolis and San Jose. Nixing parking minimums is part of a slate of reforms in Austin to loosen city land-use regulations and allow more housing to be built amid the city’s severe housing affordability crisis.

Before the parking rules were overturned, Austin required single-family homes to have at least two parking spots and apartment buildings to have one-and-a-half spaces for every one-bedroom apartment, plus half a space for every additional bedroom. Those requirements drove up construction prices and resulted in higher rent bills. A city estimate projected that requiring one additional parking space per unit raised monthly rent by up to $200.

And at a time when Austin is trying to beef up its public transit to the tune of billions of dollars and encourage denser transit-friendly development, policymakers concluded it didn’t make sense to continue requiring a minimum amount of parking spots.

“A city like Austin that has adopted progressive mobility, affordability and climate goals should not be in the business of requiring an arbitrary amount of car storage in every new development,” Austin City Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, the proposal’s author, said in a statement after the November vote.

Dallas could soon take Austin’s place as the largest U.S. city to get rid of its parking requirements. In January, a subcommittee of the Dallas’ City Plan Commission advanced a plan to nix parking minimums — a proposal the Dallas City Council could take up this year.

Dallas is also facing a dire housing shortage. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region surpassed 8 million people last year, and that booming population growth has put pressure on its housing stock. Dallas by itself is short some 33,000 homes that would fall within the price range of the city’s lowest earners, according to an estimate from the Child Poverty Action Lab. That shortage is expected to balloon to 83,000 by the end of the decade.

Allowing housing developers to determine how much parking they need rather than imposing city requirements on them is one way to speed up the development process and chip away at those needs, said Michael Wade, senior planner in Dallas’ planning and urban design department.

The current requirements are “slowing things down to a rate that makes it hard to meet our housing goals,” Wade said.

Rethinking parking in Texas

Reforming parking requirements isn’t just a big-city fixation. The week after Austin got rid of its parking minimums, Taylor, a town of about 17,000 people perched about an hour away, did the same as part of a broader rewrite of its land development code to allow denser housing stock. Taylor is the latest Texas town to ditch its minimum parking requirements, joining Bandera and Bastrop, according to the Parking Reform Network.

Taylor nixed its parking minimums, Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said, in an effort to bring down housing costs, boost their tax base by allowing denser development and encourage more walkable development — in line with how the town developed in its early years before the rise of the automobile and parking minimums.

“If we start to build neighborhoods that are built around small walkable blocks, maybe in the future we’ll have the opportunity in neighborhoods for people to walk or bicycle to the grocery store,” Yantis said.

Minimum parking spot mandates arose as automobile ownership took off in the middle of the last century. U.S. cities adopted these rules in an attempt to ease a shortage of curb parking spots, relieve traffic congestion and accommodate suburban commuters and shoppers arriving to the urban core by car. Now, it’s common for cities to have rules on the books determining how much parking should be built with homes and businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, offices, video game arcades and even places that serve and sell alcohol.

Critics say those requirements have had nasty side effects, including increased sprawl, overreliance on cars and a proliferation of unsightly parking lots. If people know there’s a parking spot waiting for them at their destination, they’re more likely to take a car than other modes of transportation. Parking is an invisible cost even when it appears to be free, they argue — landlords and businesses ultimately pass on the cost of providing that parking to consumers via routine costs like monthly rents, grocery bills and restaurant tabs.

An apartment parking garage in East Austin on Saturday, March 16, 2024. — An apartment parking garage in East Austin on March 16, 2024.

Credit:
John Jordan/The Texas Tribune

Some of the rules are also fairly arbitrary, opponents say. Jordan points out that, for example, Dallas requires sewage treatment plants to provide one parking spot for every million gallons of capacity and water treatment plants must provide two spots regardless of capacity.

“The constraint is completely artificial,” Jordan said. “It’s just based on some number that someone put in a book 40 or 50 years ago.”

Parking minimums drive up the cost of housing, too, critics say. A spot in a typical parking lot can cost between $5,000 to $10,000, some estimates show, while a spot in a parking garage can cost from $25,000 to $65,000. Landlords then pass the cost of building and maintaining those parking spots on to tenants — who are more likely to have fewer cars than homeowners or not own one at all — in the form of higher rents.

“If you’re not having to use land for parking, you can use it for housing,” said Claudia Aiken, director of new research partnerships at New York University’s Furman Center and Housing Solutions Lab. “If you’re not pouring that money into developing parking, you could provide units that are more affordable.”

Minimum parking requirements can limit how many housing units are built on a lot and discourage builders from creating homes with more bedrooms. In Dallas, housing developers must build one to two parking spots for single-family homes and one space for every bedroom in an apartment.

When designing a mixed-income development with 21 units that includes townhomes, duplexes and fourplexes in South Dallas, the city’s parking requirements limited how many housing units could ultimately go on the lot, said Lisa Neergaard, associate director of planning at buildingcommunityWORKSHOP, a nonprofit architecture and planning firm. The rules also prevented designers from including more three-bedroom units designed to accommodate families, Neergaard said.

“Land was pretty inexpensive for a very long time, so parking was not as big of a burden,” Neergaard said. “But as the value of our land continues to increase, because the amount of available land is decreasing, parking is infinitely more expensive.”

Life without parking minimums

Cities elsewhere that have retooled or nixed their parking minimums saw more home construction in the aftermath. Minneapolis got rid of its minimum parking requirements as part of a slate of reforms intended to spur housing production — which has helped the city keep rent growth in check and build housing at a quicker clip than other places in Minnesota and the Midwest, the Pew Charitable Trusts found. Seattle and Buffalo, New York, also saw more homes built after reducing or getting rid of their parking requirements.

Getting rid of parking requirements has its detractors. Neighborhood groups and residents opposed to such reforms worry that developers will skimp on parking spots, forcing drivers who can’t find adequate parking at their destination to search for it on neighboring streets and clog traffic. Laura Palmer, a Dallas resident, told the city panel that approved a proposal to nix parking minimums that patrons of the nearby Bishop Arts District, a pedestrian-friendly collection of shops, restaurants and bars, already take up the curb on streets in her neighborhood.

“We are asking you as the city to help protect our neighborhoods,” she told the panel in January.

There are ways to make sure that neighborhoods don’t suffer spillover effects, reform proponents argue, like only allowing residents to park on residential blocks or installing parking meters. But Dallas city staff and transportation officials with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which coordinates transportation planning for the region, agree that parking in “local districts, main street-like corridors, and transit-oriented developments tends to be either adequate for auto demand, or to even far surpass demand,” Dallas officials wrote in a recent report.

The decision of how much remaining parking to build will simply be left to developers, proponents say, and financiers are unlikely to back developments without parking if they think offering a certain amount of spaces makes financial sense. After Seattle retooled its parking requirements, developers built about 40% less parking than they would have without the changes, one study found. But more than two-thirds of developments that weren’t required to build parking still included some, the study found.

First: An older apartment complex in East Austin on March 16, 2024. Parking minimums can raise costs on housing and contribute to urban sprawl. Last: New apartment buildings under construction in East Austin.

Credit:
John Jordan/The Texas Tribune

It will likely take years if not generations to see the full effects of abolishing parking mandates, Wade said, but it’s a small step to allowing denser development and weaning people off of cars.

“We have the power to become an even more resilient city and provide that to the next generation,” Wade said.

We can’t wait to welcome you to downtown Austin Sept. 5-7 for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival! Join us at Texas’ breakout politics and policy event as we dig into the 2024 elections, state and national politics, the state of democracy, and so much more. When tickets go on sale this spring, Tribune members will save big. Donate to join or renew today.

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Austin, TX

Vice President JD Vance visits Austin for fundraising event

Published

7 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Vice President JD Vance visits Austin for fundraising event

AUSTIN, Texas – Vice President JD Vance is making a fundraising swing through Texas. His first stop is in Austin on Monday.

Why you should care:

Street barricades started going up around noon on Monday, March 23. The area in front of the Four Seasons Hotel, between Red River and Brazos, provided a protective buffer zone for a fundraising event featuring Vice President JD Vance.

The street closures may continue until Tuesday evening. The FAA has also issued a flight restriction notice over most of downtown Austin until Tuesday night.

Why is JD Vance in Austin?

The backstory:

The dinner at the Four Seasons with Vice President Vance is described as the Republican National Convention fundraiser for the midterm election.

Reportedly, individual tickets cost $50,000, with couples paying $100,000 and special access for couples costing a quarter of a million.

“Trips like this are absolutely critical because the midterms are critical,” said James dickey, the former chairman for the Texas GOP.

Dickey explained what big dollar donors are expecting to get from this high-profile meet-up.

AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN – MARCH 18: Vice President JD Vance speaks onstage at Engineering Design Services, Inc. on March 18, 2026 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. President Trump has appointed Vance as Vice Chairman of a newly formed Task Force to Eliminate

“I know what some of those donors are asking, which is, are you going to continue to fight? Are you going to continue to follow through on your promises? And what I hope and expect Vice President Vance and the administration will continue to say is what they have done, which we will keep our promises, we will execute the policies that will lead to a better, safer, more prosperous America,” said Dickey.

Software billionaire Joe Lonsdale reportedly is hosting the Austin event. He and other wealthy business owners, like Elon Musk, have now made Austin a destination for conservative politicians.

“Years ago, trips like this to Texas would only have happened in Dallas and Houston, then quickly came to San Antonio and Midland…It’s only fitting that now Austin takes its place among those other cities,” said Dickey.

Dig deeper:

But this realignment of fundraising territory, at least for now, isn’t about the Austin ballot box, according to SMU political analyst Mathew Wilson.

“The reality is that there’s a lot of money in Austin. We know that there has been a lot of tech entrepreneurship and Austin is increasingly important to the fundraising plans of people on both sides of the aisle, not just Democrats.

Vance’s visit to Austin, followed by stops in Dallas, and later in Nashville, is in a way, a case of catch-up. Texas Democrats announced back in February they were launching a $30 million campaign targeting key races in the Lone Star State.

Wilson believes Republicans will be able to make up ground and will have enough money to compete.

“But certainly, I think the reason that Vance is here now is that Republicans don’t want to be caught flat-footed, and you can’t wait until the summer to raise this money. So the money is there for Republicans, but they have to raise it, and they have to make their case to their donors that they’re taking these races seriously, that they can win. And more to the point that Democrats are a legitimate threat. And I think that’s the message that the vice president wants to convey to Republican donors is we can’t take things for granted in Texas,” said Wilson.

This visit is also a big chance for Vance to meet face to face with potential donors for his expected White House bid.

It gives him a head start of sorts on other possible contenders, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Rudy Koski

AustinJD VanceTexas Politics

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Austin, TX

Things To Do In Austin This Weekend | Mar 20-22

Published

19 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Things To Do In Austin This Weekend | Mar 20-22

Things to do in Austin this Weekend – March 27 - 29

The best things to do in Austin this weekend, Mar 27 – Mar 29, include 2026 Cal Tri Austin, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix, and more!

I’ve rounded up the top events and activities happening across the city, from festivals and outdoor fun to live shows and family-friendly picks. Please scroll down for my picks or use the links above to skip to your favorite section!

Weather this Weekend – Mar 27 – Mar 29: Austin will remain very warm through Friday before a cold front brings slightly cooler, more seasonable temperatures and breezy conditions for the remainder of the weekend.

Editor’s Note: We work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. However, all details are subject to change. Please verify information before heading out.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend experiences we truly believe in! Curious about how we choose our content? Here’s our process.

Check out our recent updates to our guides: April Events in Austin for Adults, April Events in Austin for Kids, and Spring Break Camps in Austin.

Free Things to Do in Austin this Weekend

Drink + Draw

Break out your sketchbooks and join the artists of Contracommon for a casual evening dedicated to creativity and camaraderie. Whether you arrive with a current project in hand or choose to dive into the provided supplies, you are invited to take a well-deserved break in a space free of expectations or judgments.

This month’s gathering runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and welcomes anyone working in any medium, regardless of their skill level.

Where: Contracommon, 12912 Hill Country Blvd f140, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Friday, March 27, 2026 | 5 pm – 8 pm
How Much: Free

Honk!TX

Experience the spontaneous energy of HONK!TX as street and brass bands from around the globe descend upon Austin for a free, community-driven musical takeover.

Follow the music as mobile and unamplified ensembles transform everyday public spaces into vibrant stages, dissolving the traditional line between the crowd and the performers. .

Where: Various locations in Austin
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Free

Austin’s Spring Vibe Art Fair

Celebrate the season of creativity at Austin’s largest indoor artisan market as Vibe Artisan Markets returns for Spring 2026. You will find a weather-proof sanctuary filled with over 100 local artists, makers, and creators showcasing a stunning array of handmade goods.

From intricate metal and gemstone jewelry to unique ceramics and slow fashion, this two-day shopping experience offers you a direct connection to the talented individuals behind every handcrafted piece.

Where: Distribution Hall, 1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28 – 29, 2026
How Much: Free

City of Round Rock Arts and Culture presents Mainly Art

Stroll through the historic heart of downtown as the City of Round Rock Arts and Culture presents Mainly Art, a vibrant monthly outdoor market. Wander along Main Street and discover a curated selection of visual works from 15 different local artists, each showcasing their unique creative vision.

Where: Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza, 221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10 am
How Much: Free

Art in ATX: Babes Market

Top weekend events in Austin Mar 27 - 29 2026 | Art in ATX

Image credit: The Gallery of ATX

Celebrate the creativity of women artists and makers at Babes Market, a vibrant community gathering held in honor of Women’s History Month. You can explore a curated selection of over 20 local vendors, each representing a unique woman-owned business and offering a diverse range of handcrafted goods.

Where: Central Machine Works Brewery, 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 11 am – 4 pm
How Much: Free

Rise Fest

Pack your blankets and lawn chairs for Rise Fest, a vibrant community gathering dedicated to engaging activities, music, and meaningful discussion. Prepare to be immersed in a day of celebration that honors local history and the spirit of togetherness in an inviting outdoor setting.

Where: Pease District Park, 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 2 pm – 5 pm
How Much: Free

Sazón Latin Food Festival 2026

Bring your appetite to the Sazón Latin Food Festival 2026, a family-friendly outdoor celebration that honors the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

You will find a curated selection of food vendors representing the very best of Latin American cuisine, from savory traditional dishes to indulgent desserts.

Where: Cabana Club, 5012 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 12 pm – 5 pm
How Much: Free entry

Things to Do in Austin this Friday | Weekend Kickoff Events

Weather on Friday: Mostly sunny and unseasonably hot with a high of 88°F, a low of 56°F, and a 5% chance of precipitation.

MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas

Image credit: Circuit of the Americas

Rev your engines and prepare for the fastest show on two wheels as the MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas roars into Austin from March 27 through 29, 2026. Witness the world’s premier motorcycle racing series at its only North American stop, where elite riders compete in three days of high-stakes, bar-banging action at COTA.

Where: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Starts at $89

Men on Boats

Step back in time to 1869 and join ten explorers as they navigate four small boats through the uncharted waters of the Grand Canyon. Follow the “true-ish” story of a one-armed captain and a crew of loyal misfits who set out to map the rugged wilderness of the American West.

This production of Men on Boats uses an innovative, gender-bent cast to offer a fresh perspective on the traditional tales of adventure and the nature of historical legacy.

Where: Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd, Unit #1, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, March 27 – April 12, 2026
How Much: Starts at $27.38

Prohibition: A Musical Comedy

Step into the year 1923 and find yourself in the middle of a high-stakes battle over booze in the Capital City. Experience the clash between the “Wets” and the “Drys” in this high-energy musical comedy, where the tension of the Prohibition era is brought to life by a vibrant live band.

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: Starts at $15

RE:IMAGINED – A Decade of Dance

Celebrate a milestone in contemporary movement as Spaces of Fontana presents RE:IMAGINED – A Decade of Dance to mark their ten-year anniversary. Enjoy a retrospective that revisits and re-envisions the company’s most impactful works, from their 2016 origins in New York City to their current home in Austin.

The program also features powerful excerpts from signature pieces such as Connected Roots, Unfolded, and Becoming, offering a window into a decade of storytelling rooted in hope and human connection.

Where: East Side Performing Arts, 979 Springdale Rd Ste 815, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: $15 for kids | $30 for adults

The Fab Four: Beatles’ “Help!” and the Hits

Top weekend events in Austin Mar 27 - 29 2026 - The Fab Four: Beatles'

Image credit: The Tobin Center

Celebrate the legacy of the Beatles’ second film, Help!, with a performance that features the iconic movie soundtrack alongside legendary hits from every era of the band’s career.

You can look forward to a setlist that includes timeless classics such as “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” and “Twist And Shout,” as well as favorites like “Here Comes The Sun” and “Hey Jude.”

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, March 27, 2026 | 8 pm
How Much: Not stated

Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles

Step into a mysteriously seductive reimagining of history as Stephen Mills transforms the infamous Marie Antoinette into a powerful creature of the night.

Follow the world premiere of this full-length production, where the queen wields her influence through a blend of allure, ambition, and an insatiable thirst for power. Drawing inspiration from the real events of Versailles, the performance masterfully blends high drama with the chilling intrigue of the supernatural.

Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Rodeo Austin

Experience the ultimate family tradition at the Travis County Expo Center as Rodeo Austin returns with its signature blend of high-octane ProRodeo events and livestock shows.

You can explore the sprawling fairgrounds starting at 10 am daily, where a world of carnival rides, games, and educational activities awaits. Families should also swing by Kidztown to visit the petting zoo or browse the diverse shopping and food stalls that capture the true spirit of Texas.

There is also a stellar 2026 concert lineup featuring heavy hitters like the Eli Young Band, Midland, Clint Black, and Aaron Watson. You can also catch performances by 49 Winchester, Hudson Westbrook, and Flatland Cavalry, alongside many other celebrated artists throughout the two-week celebration.

Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Ln, Austin, TX 78724
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: Starts at $5

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Top Picks Saturday

Weather on Saturday: Partly cloudy and cooler with breezy north winds, a high of 76°F, a low of 55°F, and a 10% chance of precipitation.

Broadway Rave

Sing and dance your heart out as Resound Presents: Broadway Rave at the 29th St. Ballroom. Whether you are a lifelong fan of the classics or obsessed with the latest hits, you can expect an evening filled with fellow theater lovers celebrating the music that defines Broadway.

Where: 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10 pm
How Much: Starts at $17

Strange & Extraordinary Fest

Step into a world of the uncanny at the Strange & Extraordinary Fest, where the curious gather to explore the unexplained.

Discover the immersive Parapeculiar Museum of Haunted Items and wander through the Bizarre Bazaar to find unique treasures from another realm. And engage with leading paranormal researchers, occult historians, and psychic mediums who invite you to attend fascinating talks on the metaphysical and the mysterious.

Where: KMFA Classical 89.5, 41 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
How Much: $45

The Neighbourhood

Don’t miss your chance to see The Neighbourhood live in concert as they take the stage at the Moody Center ATX for an unforgettable night of music. Enjoy the atmospheric sound and signature style that have made them a global sensation, all within one of Austin’s premier concert venues.

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Not stated

Waterloo Ice House 50th Anniversary Party

Celebrate a half-century of food, friendship, and community as Waterloo Ice House marks its 50th Anniversary at the 360 & 2222 location.

Step back in time to 1976 by dressing in your finest ’70s attire and joining the festivities. Enjoy a nostalgic afternoon filled with live music and classic carnival games that capture the spirit of where it all began.

Where: Waterloo Ice House, 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 11 am – 4 pm
How Much: No cover

Water Lantern Festival

Image credit: Water Lantern Festival

Experience a magical evening of light and connection as the Water Lantern Festival brings the community together for a celebration of love, hope, and happiness. As the sun sets, you will join thousands of others in releasing glowing lanterns onto the water, creating a breathtaking display that illuminates the night.

You can also enjoy a variety of local food trucks and live music while participating in engaging activities designed for all ages.

Where: Volente Beach Waterpark, 16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 Suite D, Leander, TX 78641
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 5 pm
How Much: Not stated

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Step into a world of intrigue and suspense at The Dinner Detective, where you can tackle a challenging crime while feasting on a multi-course dinner.

You will find yourself in the middle of a high-stakes investigation as the criminal lurks somewhere in the room, hidden in plain sight among the guests. Keep your wits about you, as you may find yourself becoming a prime suspect before the first course is even cleared.

Where: Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown – University by IHG, 810 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 6 pm
How Much: $69.99

Georgetown Palace Theatre presents Oklahoma!

Travel back to 1906 to experience the spirited rivalry between charming cowboy Curly McLain and the brooding Jud Fry. As they both vie for the hand of Laurey Williams, you’ll be swept up in a story that redefined the American musical through its seamless blend of song and character.

The show also features the playful, flirtatious romance of Will Parker and Ado Annie, adding a layer of humor to this classic frontier tale.

Where: Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Saturday, March 28 – April 19, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Story Starts: Improv for kids and their adults

Step into a world where the script hasn’t been written yet and your wildest suggestions take center stage at ColdTowne’s “Story Starts.” Here, kids and adults alike become the architects of the story.

Watch as a stellar adult cast from Excused Absence Comedy transforms your ideas into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience where the plot could veer in a million hilarious directions.

Where: ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Every Saturday)
How Much: $6

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend | Sunday Funday

Weather on Sunday: Sunny and pleasant with light winds, a high of 85°F, a low of 59°F, and a 0% chance of precipitation.

2026 Cal Tri Austin

Image credit: Cal Tri Events

Join athletes from across the globe in “The Live Music Capital of the World” for the 2026 Cal Tri Austin, a premier multi-sport challenge featuring 18 distinct event options.

You can choose your perfect race from a massive lineup that includes traditional triathlons, run-bike-run duathlons, and specialized swim-bike or swim-run competitions.

Where: Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, 6620 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 8 am
How Much: Starts at $47.49

Strength In The City Festival

Join your neighbors at the iconic Waterloo Park for the STRENGTH IN THE CITY Festival, a vibrant health and wellness celebration designed to immerse you in Austin’s active culture.

This intentionally curated event brings the community together for a full day of movement, mindfulness, and connection in the heart of the city. You can kick off the morning with a high-energy community run or walk, setting the perfect tone for a day dedicated to physical and mental well-being.

Where: Waterloo Park, 500 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 9 am – 2 pm
How Much: Starts at $39

Sistine Chapel Experience

Step inside a breathtaking recreation of the Vatican’s most famous masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel Experience in Austin.

You can see Michelangelo’s legendary frescoes in a full-scale replica that brings every brushstroke and hidden detail within reach, accompanied by cinematic storytelling that explores the lives of Renaissance masters.

Where: Barton Creek Square, 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
When: Sunday, March 29 – April 26, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend with Kids – Family Friendly Events

Rodeo Austin

Experience the ultimate family tradition at the Travis County Expo Center as Rodeo Austin returns with its signature blend of high-octane ProRodeo events and livestock shows.

You can explore the sprawling fairgrounds starting at 10 am daily, where a world of carnival rides, games, and educational activities awaits. Families should swing by Kidztown to visit the petting zoo or browse the diverse shopping and food stalls that capture the true spirit of Texas.

Additionally, prepare for a stellar musical experience with a 2026 concert lineup featuring heavy hitters like the Eli Young Band, Midland, Clint Black, and Aaron Watson. You can also catch performances by 49 Winchester, Hudson Westbrook, and Flatland Cavalry, alongside many other celebrated artists throughout the two-week celebration.

Where: Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Ln, Austin, TX 78724
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: Starts at $5

Austin’s Spring Vibe Art Fair

Where: Distribution Hall, 1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28 – 29, 2026
How Much: Free

Waterloo Ice House 50th Anniversary Party

Celebrate a half-century of food, friendship, and community as Waterloo Ice House marks its 50th Anniversary at the 360 & 2222 location.

Step back in time to 1976 by dressing in your finest ’70s attire and joining the festivities. enjoy a nostalgic afternoon filled with live music and classic carnival games that capture the spirit of where it all began.

Where: Waterloo Ice House, 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 11 am – 4 pm
How Much: No cover

City of Round Rock Arts and Culture presents Mainly Art

Where: Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza, 221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10 am
How Much: Free

Water Lantern Festival

You can also enjoy a variety of local food trucks and live music while participating in engaging activities designed for all ages.

Where: Volente Beach Waterpark, 16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 Suite D, Leander, TX 78641
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 5 pm
How Much: Not stated

Story Starts: Improv for kids and their adults

Watch as a stellar adult cast from Excused Absence Comedy transforms your ideas into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience where the plot could veer in a million hilarious directions.

Where: ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Every Saturday)
How Much: $6

Art in ATX: Babes Market

Where: Central Machine Works Brewery, 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 11 am – 4 pm
How Much: Free

Rise Fest

Where: Pease District Park, 1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 2 pm – 5 pm
How Much: Free

Sazón Latin Food Festival 2026

Bring your appetite to the Sazón Latin Food Festival 2026, a family-friendly outdoor celebration that honors the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

You will find a curated selection of food vendors representing the very best of Latin American cuisine, from savory traditional dishes to indulgent desserts.

Where: Cabana Club, 5012 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 12 pm – 5 pm
How Much: Free entry

Things to Do in Austin this Weekend for Adults

MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas

Where: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Del Valle, TX 78617
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Starts at $89

Drink + Draw

This month’s gathering runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and welcomes anyone working in any medium, regardless of their skill level.

Where: Contracommon, 12912 Hill Country Blvd f140, Bee Cave, TX 78738
When: Friday, March 27, 2026 | 5 pm – 8 pm
How Much: Free

Honk!TX

Experience the spontaneous energy of HONK!TX as street and brass bands from around the globe descend upon Austin for a free, community-driven musical takeover.

Follow the music as mobile and unamplified ensembles transform everyday public spaces into vibrant stages, dissolving the traditional line between the crowd and the performers. .

Where: Various locations in Austin
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Free

Men on Boats

This production of Men on Boats uses an innovative, gender-bent cast to offer a fresh perspective on the traditional tales of adventure and the nature of historical legacy.

Where: Genesis Creative Collective, 1507 Wilshire Blvd Unit #1, Austin, TX 78722
When: Friday, March 27 – April 12, 2026
How Much: Starts at $27.38

Prohibition: A Musical Comedy

Where: Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: Starts at $15

RE:IMAGINED – A Decade of Dance

Where: East Side Performing Arts, 979 Springdale Rd Ste 815, Austin, TX 78702
When: Friday, March 27 – 28, 2026
How Much: $15 for kids | $30 for adults

The Fab Four: Beatles’ “Help!” and the Hits

Celebrate the legacy of the Beatles’ second film, Help!, with a performance that features the iconic movie soundtrack alongside legendary hits from every era of the band’s career.

Where: The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, March 27, 2026 | 8 pm
How Much: Not stated

Marie Antoinette: Vampire Queen of Versailles

Step into a mysteriously seductive reimagining of history as Stephen Mills transforms the infamous Marie Antoinette into a powerful creature of the night.

Where: The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704
When: Friday, March 27 – 29, 2026
How Much: Not stated

Broadway Rave

Where: 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St, Austin, TX 78705
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 10 pm
How Much: Starts at $17

Strange & Extraordinary Fest

Step into a world of the uncanny at the Strange & Extraordinary Fest, where the curious gather to explore the unexplained.

Where: KMFA Classical 89.5, 41 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
How Much: $45

The Neighbourhood

Where: Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Not stated

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Step into a world of intrigue and suspense at The Dinner Detective, where you can tackle a challenging crime while feasting on a multi-course dinner.

Where: Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown – University by IHG, 810 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 6 pm
How Much: $69.99

Georgetown Palace Theatre presents Oklahoma!

The show also features the playful, flirtatious romance of Will Parker and Ado Annie, adding a layer of humor to this classic frontier tale.

Where: Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Saturday, March 28 – April 19, 2026
How Much: Not stated

2026 Cal Tri Austin

Join athletes from across the globe in “The Live Music Capital of the World” for the 2026 Cal Tri Austin, a premier multi-sport challenge featuring 18 distinct event options.

You can choose your perfect race from a massive lineup that includes traditional triathlons, run-bike-run duathlons, and specialized swim-bike or swim-run competitions.

Where: Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park, 6620 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 8 am
How Much: Starts at $47.49

Strength In The City Festival

Join your neighbors at the iconic Waterloo Park for the STRENGTH IN THE CITY Festival, a vibrant health and wellness celebration designed to immerse you in Austin’s active culture.

Where: Waterloo Park, 500 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78701
When: Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 9 am – 2 pm
How Much: Starts at $39

Looking for more local fun? Check out our master guide to Things to do in Austin this weekend!

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Austin, TX

Race to Cure Sarcoma raises awareness for a rare type of cancer

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Race to Cure Sarcoma raises awareness for a rare type of cancer

AUSTIN, Texas – More than 400 walkers and runners lined up for the Race to Cure Sarcoma 5K Saturday morning, March 21st, at Mueller Lake Park in East Austin.