Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Austin North, TX

For fans of the Americana and roots genres (think country, folk and bluegrass with a pinch of alt rock), this festival...

For fans of the Americana and roots genres (think country, folk and bluegrass with a pinch of alt rock), this festival is sort of like Lollapalooza or Woodstock. Most attendees prefer to camp for the weekend, and there's plenty to keep you and the family occupied for the duration, starting with more than two dozen performances on multiple stages from the likes of Iris Dement, Joan Osborne, the Del McCoury Band, Eddie From Ohio, Kinky Friedman, Bela Fleck, Terri Hendrix, Patty Griffin, Michelle Shocked and Bruce Hornsby. Additionally, there's a big arts and crafts area, storytelling, activities and games, and an abundance of food and drink from a wide variety of vendors.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Thu, Apr 18, 2013 Fri, Apr 19, 2013 Sat, Apr 20, 2013 Sun, Apr 21, 2013

If you're in Austin in the spring and find yourself longing for a taste of down-home Louisiana, you're in luck! The...

If you're in Austin in the spring and find yourself longing for a taste of down-home Louisiana, you're in luck! The food, the music -- it's all intended to evoke the spirit of New Orleans. Gorge on crawfish (6000 pounds of it!), po' boys, barbecue, red beans and rice, gator-on-a-stick, gumbo, muffulettas, frog legs, and peel 'n eat shrimp. Music runs from zydeco to jazz to blues, and you can expect lots of dancing and general revelry -- anticipate acquiring some Mardi Gras beads before the day is done!

Hours: Sat, Apr 6, 2013: 11am - 11pm

This two-day extravaganza of indie, punk, post punk, and other music styles takes place on three stages. Although still...

This two-day extravaganza of indie, punk, post punk, and other music styles takes place on three stages. Although still in its infancy, the event has gained huge credibility, booking bands like Mates of State, Spoon, Circle Jerks, Peaches, Diplo, Brothers and Sisters, Okkervil River, Of Montreal, Cat Power, New Pornographers, Angry Samoans, and Murder City Devils. Fun Fun Fun is shaping up to be the Austin music festival.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Nov 2, 2012 Sat, Nov 3, 2012 Sun, Nov 4, 2012

Austinites let their freak flags fly at this annual celebration of spring, dedicated to A.A. Milne's forlorn donkey...

Austinites let their freak flags fly at this annual celebration of spring, dedicated to A.A. Milne's forlorn donkey character. Partake in the hippie atmosphere by opting to wear nothing but colorful body paint, joining the continuous (aka endless) drum circle, playing footbag or frisbee, wandering aimlessly among jam bands and food vendors, or just soaking up the whole psychedelic scene.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sat, Apr 27, 2013

The world's largest hot sauce festival takes place right here in Austin. Some 300 homemade and restaurant-served...

The world's largest hot sauce festival takes place right here in Austin. Some 300 homemade and restaurant-served versions are judged by local chefs and food critics, while commercially bottled varieties are voted on by festival attendees (15,000 strong). By the end of the day, folks have consumed hundreds of gallons of salsa, not to mention vast quantities of beer and Tex-Mex food from local establishments. If your mouth needs a rest, plenty of booths offer crafts, clothing, and (what else?) hot sauce. Great local bands, too.

Hours: Sun, Aug 25, 2013: 11am - 5:30pm

This event is the Southwest's oldest and biggest GLBT film festival, featuring more than 150 films from 14 or more...

This event is the Southwest's oldest and biggest GLBT film festival, featuring more than 150 films from 14 or more countries and drawing over 16,000 attendees. Shorts, features, animation, and documentaries are all scheduled, and recent screenings have included The Bubble, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Trained in the Ways of Men, Hellbent, and Anger Me.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Wed, Oct 3, 2012 Thu, Oct 4, 2012 Fri, Oct 5, 2012 Sat, Oct 6, 2012 Sun, Oct 7, 2012

Instituted in 1995 by Laura Bush, this festival brings in authors from all over the country for book talks, panel...

Instituted in 1995 by Laura Bush, this festival brings in authors from all over the country for book talks, panel discussions, readings, and interviews. Both fiction and nonfiction writers are present; past attendees have included Jeffrey Toobin, Roy Blount, Jr., Michael Connelly, Kinky Friedman, Shelby Hearon, Elmer Kelton, Amy Sedaris, Frank McCourt, Richard Ford, Sandra Cisneros, and Salman Rushdie. The event also includes live music and a children's tent with entertainment and well-known writers like Lemony Snicket, Louis Sachar, and Richard Peck. Most events take place at the State Capitol Building and the surrounding area.

Hours: Sat, Oct 27, 2012 Sun, Oct 28, 2012

Every Sunday through the summer, the Austin Symphony presents free concert at Wooldridge Park. Mall ensembles perform...

Every Sunday through the summer, the Austin Symphony presents free concert at Wooldridge Park. Mall ensembles perform mostly familiar classics, from Mozart to Gershwin to Ellington. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic supper (but unfortunately, you'll have to leave the wine at home since no alcohol is permitted in the park).

Hours: Sun, Jun 3, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jun 10, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jun 17, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jun 24, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jul 1, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jul 8, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jul 15, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jul 22, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Jul 29, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Aug 5, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Aug 12, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Aug 19, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm Sun, Aug 26, 2012: 7:30pm - 10pm

Austinites adore getting decked out in unusual dress, and Halloween provides the perfect excuse to take it higher! Sixth...

Austinites adore getting decked out in unusual dress, and Halloween provides the perfect excuse to take it higher! Sixth Street, from Brazos to I-35, is closed after 8pm on October 31, and the zombies, goblins, and assorted other spooks take over. This stretch of Sixth Street is always a bit eccentric and wild, but on Halloween, watch out! People 17 and under are permitted to attend until 10pm only.

Hours: Wed, Oct 31, 2012: 8pm - 10pm

Austin revels in its uniqueness, and this festival is one of the many ways the city expresses itself. The "main...

Austin revels in its uniqueness, and this festival is one of the many ways the city expresses itself. The "main event" is a 5K fun run -- most participants arrive in wacky costumes, and many of them prefer to stroll or stumble along the route rather than actually run. After the athletic portion of the day, everyone lets their hair down and enjoys games, activities, rides, some very unhealthy but wonderful food and, of course, lots of live music. A guaranteed good time!

Hours: June 2013