Locals Know Tacos Tours | Fridays, 1:30pm & Saturdays, 11:30am
Ready to go deeper than Austin’s best barbecue? We’re leveraging our local expertise to showcase the talented taco trucks that deliver the best of the best in Austin. This walking tour samples tacos, chips & dips, and Mexican traditions and delicacies from various iconic spots like Michelin Guide-recognized La Santa Barbacha. It also includes sipping margs and taking in murals while exploring the savory and sweet sides of East Austin’s culinary scene. Tickets start at $85 and provide more than enough food to fill bellies for both lunch and dinner. eastsideatx.com/tacotours
Free Summer Concert Series | Thursdays until August 13, 8pm
Find a spot on the Hartman Concert Lawn at Long Center for the return of the Free Drop-In Summer Concert Series. To do the series right, be sure to check the Long Center’s socials for the next artist playing each Friday, RSVP on Mondays, and then hang out on the lawn every Thursday. Featuring artists across a wide range of genres from country to cinematic alt-pop, there will surely be a night for everyone to remember. 701 W Riverside Dr. | thelongcenter.org
Central Texas Juneteenth 2K, Parade, & Festival | June 19, times vary
In East Austin, parade floats and bands will make their way to Rosewood Park to mark the anniversary of Union troops landing in Galveston to announce that all enslaved Texans were free. Along with a 2K run and a park festival with live music acts, it’ll be a full day of free communal celebrations. 2300 Rosewood Ave. | juneteenthcentraltexas.com
Touch the Art | Daily until July 5, 11am-6pm
Finally, indulge that intrusive thought by touching the art in the Almost Real Things exhibition at the Canopy. With over 80 artists featured, the show displays a range of sensory artworks intended to be a physically immersive experience for the viewer. Created in collaboration with artists and students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the gallery opens the art world to greater inclusivity with an emphasis on accessibility. Tickets are $24 for adults and $15 for children. 916 Springdale Rd., Bldg. 2, #101 | almostrealthings.com/event/touch-the-art
TLGS Pride Party | June 20-21, 11am-5pm
To celebrate Pride Month in full fantastic force, Little Gay Shop is hosting a two-day party at Distribution Hall. Free to attend, Austinites are invited to check out over 100 queer artists, businesses, and organizations, while partying from 11 am to 5 pm. Be sure to RSVP for a chance to win a $500 prize package from the shop itself. 1500 E 4th St. | pridepartyxthelittlegayshop.com
& Juliet | July 14-16, showtimes vary
Written by Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read, this latest Broadway hit musical is making its way to Bass Concert Hall this summer. Asking the question “What if Juliet didn’t end it all for Romeo?” & Juliet is a jukebox musical that weaves pop songs into this spin-off tale. Tickets for performances start at $48 with showtimes ranging from 1 pm to 8 pm. 2350 Robert Dedman Dr. | texasperformingarts.org
Hot Summer Nights | July 16-18, times vary
In the middle of one of the hottest months of the year, Red River Cultural District gets even hotter with live musical acts taking stage along the street’s various venues. Free shows with acts pop up at Chess Club, The Creek and the Cave, Elysium, Flamingo Cantina, Kingdom, Liberty Lunch, Marlow, Stubb’s, Swan Dive, the 13th Floor, and Valhalla, basically a block-to-block party across three days. With a night market on July 18 by Future Front at Liberty Lunch and food trucks lined up for late-night eats, it’ll be one of the coolest reasons to go out this summer. multiple venues | redriverculturaldistrict.org/hot-summer-nights
Hot Pearl Summer Cocktail Masterclass | July 26, 2-4pm
Savor the savory and take on a new skill at Butterfly Bar with their Hot Pearl Summer cocktail masterclass. Tickets are $66 to learn from a professional mixologist how to make three cocktails, along with a lush charcuterie spread to pair with each drink. Concoct creative cocktails like a Ceviche Soda, Oyster Martini, and Mushroom Truffle Punch, all designed to showcase the power of savory sipping. 2307 Manor Rd. | vortexrep.org
Locals Know BBQ Tours | Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-2pm
There’s an overwhelming number of choices when it comes to barbecue joints to try around town, and it’s easy to put off sampling the best when the lines are long. But for $145 per person, locals and visitors alike can experience the priceless joy of not facing the dreaded “rest-room dilemma” of “should I stay or should I go?” while waiting in said lines but skipping them altogether at each spot: Mum’s Foods, KG BBQ, la Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Parish Barbecue, and a secret location kept on the down low. Have your brisket and eat it too, as you’re chauffeured from pit to pit learning about the rich history of Texas’s best smoky goodness. eastsideatx.com/foodtours |Central East Austin
Annie | June 24-Aug 2, showtimes vary
With unshakable hope and Broadway heart, Annie takes the stage at Zach Theater this summer in a fresh contemporary staging of the beloved musical. Featuring iconic songs like “Tomorrow” and “Hard-Knock Life,” the Tony Award-winning classic follows the spunky orphan as she searches for family, belonging, and brighter days ahead. Tickets start at $28, with special performances including Pride Night, Pay What You Wish Week, and an ASL performance. 202 S Lamar Blvd. | zachtheater.org/annie
Leagues Cup 2026 Matches | August 6, 8pm
For the first of the three matches for the Leagues Cup of 2026, Austin FC takes on Tijuana at Q2 Stadium on August 6. Later matches against LIGA MX opponents Club Puebla and Club América (Mexico City-based) will take place on August 9 and 13, respectively. Tickets start at $36 for GA Supporters, but the experience of cheering on with Los Verdes supporters is priceless. 10414 Mc Kalla Pl. | austinfc.com
Join the Club (Literally)! | June 29 & July 27, 7-8pm
EASTside ATX Mag hosts monthly Book Club Meet-ups the last Monday of each month at 7pm. Expect local coffee, occasional custom cocktails, and discussions over whether fictional characters deserve redemption arcs. Each month features a new book (voted on by you) and a rotating venue: think patios, bookstores, and breweries. June’s Meet-up takes place at Granny’s Tacos discussing Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid in honor of Pride Month. July’s Meet-up is at Strangelove to discuss a summer romance. Follow along on Insta for details or sign up to vote on the next read and get notifications. eastsideatx.com/bookclub | @eastsideatxmag | Granny’s: 1401 E 7th St. & Strangelove: 2614 E Cesar Chavez St.
