AUSTIN, Texas — The weekend is here and, as always, there are a ton of things going on in the Austin area! From pop-up markets to a puppy bowl, there's no shortage of fun activities happening over the next few days.
Here’s a breakdown of just some of the events you can attend this weekend.
Celebrate Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is observed this weekend, and Central Texans are ready to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!
On Friday, Suds Monkey Brewing Company in Dripping Springs is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration, complete with a traditional dragon dance and themed crafts.
Then on Saturday, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is hosting a Family Day - Lunar New Year. The event will include mini dumpling sculpture making, a West China tea demonstration, story time and more.
And Austin Beerworks is celebrating Lunar New Year at its Sprinkle Valley taproom with its annual release of a collaboration brew with Lucky Envelope Brewing and Kaiju Cut + Sew. The Lunar New Year Party will also include an Asian-inspired entrée at Yellow Bell Tacos, food from Rice is Right and Elsie's Egg Rolls, a performance by Summit Lion and Dragon Dance Team and vendors from Austin Flea.
Galentine's and Valentine's events
The sweet celebrations continue this weekend ahead of Galentine's Day and Valentine's Day. Here are just some of the events scheduled this weekend to celebrate your gal pals, your sweetheart or yourself:
- Dancin' & Romancin' - Two Step Sweetheart Dance – Friday at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa
- Galentine's Paint Night – Friday at The Art Garage Oak Hill and The Art Garage Brentwood
- Valentine's Second Saturday – Saturday at the Blanton Museum of Art
- She Dance - Galentine's Ladies Night – Saturday at Hanovers Draught Haus in Pflugerville
- Refugee Valentine's Arts & Crafts Bazaar – Saturday at YMCA of Austin - North Austin
- Galentine's Flower Crown Workshop – Saturday at Lefty's Brick Bar
- Galentine's Event – Saturday at The Roommate Collective
- Galentine's Day – Saturday at Vacancy Brewing
- Valentine's Flower Market – Saturday and Sunday at Mozart's Coffee Roasters
- Galentine's Maven Market – Sunday at Clover + Maven
- Galentine's Pop Up Market – Sunday at The Commune
- Art in ATX: Valentine's Market – Sunday at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches
17th Annual Puppy Bowl + Super Bowl parties
It's time for the big event – no, not that one. Austin Humane Society's 17th Annual Puppy Bowl! On Saturday, the shelter will host the Puppy Bowl, featuring vendors, kids' activities and, of course, puppies. Then when the festivities wrap up there, the fun continues at Yard Bar.
Meanwhile, a lot of Austin-area bars are hosting Super Bowl watch parties on Sunday, but a few are doing something extra, beyond just the usual big screens and beer specials.
Starting at noon, Independence Brewing and Hoodoo Crawfish are teaming up for "Super Boil Sunday," a crawfish boil and Super Bowl watch party. And at 3 p.m., Black Sheep Lodge will host a barbecue for the big game, featuring plates of smoked ribs, chicken, potato salad and more.
Starting at 5 p.m., Blue Owl Brewing will host its "Superb Owl" party, where attendees can watch the game on a classic household TV setup and enjoy a special snack menu featuring cheeseboards, corn dogs and freshly popped popcorn.
Other things happening this weekend:
- Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin – Friday at Moody Center
- Shakey Graves Day – Friday at the Paramount Theatre
- Gimme Gimme Disco – Friday at Empire Control Room & Garage
- PBR: Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour – Friday and Saturday at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
- Texas Men's Basketball vs. West Virginia – Saturday at Moody Center
- "Beetlejuice: The Musical" – Bass Concert Hall through Sunday