Austin in August
August 12, 2022
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Handpicked selections from our local experts on what to see and do in Austin, Texas, in August.
Austin has a lot going on this month! Whether you are interested in music, movies, sports or just grabbing something good to eat, August is a great time to visit Austin.
Our stellar concierge team at the Heywood Hotel is pleased to share our favorite things to see in do in Austin in August.
Photo courtesy of Austin Symphony
Free Outdoor Concerts with Austin Symphony
Enjoy relaxing Sunday evenings with the Austin Symphony’s free Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park. In its 20th summer season, these free ensemble concerts take place on the Long Center Lawn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket!
Photo courtesy of Paramount Theater
Classic Films at the Gorgeous Paramount Theater
In its 49th year, the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series offers the opportunity to see classic films in the cinematic environment they were originally made for — giant screen, velvet curtains, buttery popcorn, and cold air conditioning. Catch the end-of-summer dates of this popular summer film series at the historic Paramount Theater.
Heartless Bastards photo by David Brendan Hall, courtesy of The Mohawk The legendary Continental Club celebrates the return of live music in Austin with several great shows, including August residencies with some of our absolute favorite local musicians. The Heartless Bastards have recently begun playing together again after a five-year break and can be seen at the Continental Club every Saturday in August (and also at C Boy’s Heart & Soul every Friday). Ephraim Owens, jazz trumpeter and band leader plays every Tuesday in the Continental Club Gallery. And rockabilly icon Rosie Flores brings her Blue Moon Jazz Quartet to the Continental Club Gallery every Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark Austin’s most sought after summer movie event returns for its sixth year. The Alamo Drafthouse presents Jaws on the Water, the opportunity to see the classic 1975 film while floating in the dark waters of Lake Travis. This year the event is BYOF (bring your own float) and reduced occupancy to allow more social distancing between patrons. Join in on the fun August 7, 14 and 21. Ticket prices include access to the myriad of water rides, lagoons, cabana bars and dining options at Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark. plus plenty of scares during the movie. Are those really great white sharks in the waters of Lake Travis or a school of professionally trained SCUBA divers? Who knows! Purchase tickets in advance — this will sell out! Photo of the Peterson Brothers by Erika Rich courtesy of ACL Radio’s Blues on the Green Austin’s beloved Blues on the Green has two shows remaining in August. Head to Zilker Park to celebrate 30 years of Austin’s longest-running free concert series. On August 10, groove to a handpicked and diverse lineup by Grupo Fantasma featuring Third Root (hip hop), Kalu James (psychedelic blues), Tomar Williams (funky soul) and more. On August 11, enjoy a night of free music with wild child R&B songstress Sir Woman and young blues guitarist phenom, Zach Person. Update: As of August 9, these shows have been postponed. Stay tuned for reschedule information. Read more about local shows, free concerts this summer and fall, and nationally touring acts visiting Austin over at our regularly updated Live Music in Austin story. Photo courtesy of Waterloo Greenway On August 14, CommUNITY Day celebrates the long-awaited reopening of the 11-acre Waterloo Park in downtown Austin and debut of the new Moody Amphitheater. This free event features a full day of programming, including a ribbon cutting, local music and dance, family activities, and local food vendors. See Ballet Folklorico de Austin, the Huston-Tillotson University President’s jazz ensemble and more. In the evening, enjoy some of Austin’s top musical talent as they break in the new Moody Amphitheater stage, including Gina Chavez, Mélat, Tameca Jones and Riders Against the Storm. Photo courtesy of Austin Pride Whether you’re an ally or a part of the LGBTQA+ community, Austin Pride is something to celebrate! And it’s Texas, so you know the celebration will be BIG. On August 14, the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation caps off a month of activities with the annual Austin Pride parade. This year, the event takes place at 8pm, beginning at the Texas Capitol building and proceeding down Congress Ave. Then an all-night block party will commence downtown on Fourth Street in the Warehouse District, where the street will be closed for party goers. The Heywood is near all of the action. Book a new reservation at the Heywood Hotel from August 9-16 with the code LOVEISLOVE for a 10% discount! Photo courtesy of Austin FC Austin’s Q2 Stadium opened in June and is already the talk of the town. Its clever architecture means there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and its lovely landscaping provides several outdoor gathering opportunities to enjoy a pint before or after the game. Wear your green and cheer on Austin FC against Vancouver on August 18, Portland on August 21 and Dallas on August 29. Heywood Hotel guests can easily reach the stadium and avoid troubles parking by hopping on the Austin Metrorail at nearby Saltillo Station and disembarking at Kramer. Photo courtesy of Gary Clark Jr. August 20 and 21, celebrate the grand opening of the 5,000-seat Moody Amphitheater at the newly reopened Waterloo Park with a night (or two) of rollicking rock ’n’ roll and blues with Grammy-Award winning Austinite Gary Clark Jr. These will be shows to remember! Downtown’s newest venue is set to be an Austin staple for local legends and nationally touring acts for decades to come. Tickets available here. Photo courtesy of Austin Sound & Cinema On August 20, Sound & Cinema returns to the Long Center lawn. These free events combine live local music with classic and cult films projected onto a giant, inflatable outdoor screen. Bands and film collaborations will soon be announced on the Sound & Cinema calendar for the following confirmed dates: Friday August 20, Wednesday August 25, Friday September 3 and Wednesday September 8. Willie Nelson photo by ChunkyGlasses On August 22, the Outlaw Music Festival is on the road again, celebrating musicians who make music outside of the mainstream. The Germania Insurance Amphitheater at Circuit of the Americas is the first stage of the 14-stop tour and features local hero Willie Nelson and Family, Sturgill Simpson, Ryan Bingham and Yola. The Heywood Hotel is conveniently located just a few miles from the action! Photo courtesy of Austin Justice Coalition Choose from a selection of curated restaurants and food trucks around town from the guidance of local advocacy organization, Austin Justice Coalition. Support Black-owned businesses while meeting members of the community and discovering new favorite meals. The very popular Bird Bird Biscuit on Manor Road kicks off the two-week event that starts on August 24 and runs through September 13. Other highlights include Aster’s Ethiopian, Country Boyz Fixins, Sassy’s Vegetarian Soul Food, Sam’s Bar-B-Que and the Historic Victory Grill. Bat Fest photo courtesy of Roadway Productions Austin is famous for its colony of 1.5 million Mexican free tail bats and the end of summer is the best time to see them emerge en masse at dusk. On August 26, the city celebrates its tiny celebrities with the 16th Annual Bat Fest. Held at the Congress Ave. “Bat” Bridge, the event features two outdoor music stages along with arts and crafts vendors, food and drinks, and of course a bat costume contest. Purchase your tickets to see nearly a dozen acts including the Toadies, Fetty Wap, Kevin Fowler and Chamillionaire. Photo by Steve McNicholas, courtesy of Stomp Immerse yourself in the explosive experience of STOMP! The award-winning and world-traveling eight-member troupe explores sound and rhythm with unconventional instruments like brooms, garbage cans, lighters and hub caps. Cheer and stomp along at Bass Concert Hall August 28 and 29. Book your August stay at the Heywood Hotel! The Heywood Hotel is an award-winning Austin boutique hotel located near all of the action. Walk to downtown Austin, live music venues and hip East Austin indie businesses, then retreat to the quiet and comfort of your luxury room. And, bonus!, our August rates are the lowest of the year. We would love to help you plan a great August in Austin adventure! Book your stay at Austin’s cutest boutique hotel! 
Musical Residencies at the Continental Club
Jaws on the Water
Blues on the Green (Free!)
Reopening of Waterloo Park (Free!)
Austin Pride Parade
Austin FC Home Games
Gary Clark Jr. at the Moody Amphitheater
Sound & Cinema (Free!)
Willie Nelson!
ATX Black Food Week
Bat Fest!
STOMP At Bass Concert Hall
Lowest Rates of the Year at the Heywood Hotel!
Featured image courtesy of Austin Symphony
Ready for an August getaway? Check our rates and book your stay at the Heywood Hotel. Our concierge team will curate for you a perfect 24 hours (or more!) in Austin!