AUSTIN, Texas — The weekend is upon us and, as always, there are a ton of things going on in the Austin area! From a festival celebrating bats to one centered around hot sauce, 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.
Farewell, "Brat Summer"
If you've been paying attention to pop culture at all over the past few months, you've probably heard a thing or two about "Brat summer," inspired by Charli XCX's latest album. Though the phenomenon has been declared officially over by Charli herself, brat summer can live on in people's hearts – and on the dancefloor – this weekend.
The Ballroom @ Spiderhouse is hosting "Club XCX" Friday night, a dance party dedicated to the pop party girl and other artists she's inspired. And that's not the only Charli party: Empire Control Room & Garage is also hosting a "Brat Rave" featuring Charli XCX songs and other "party girl anthems."
Bat Fest
An Austin classic returns this weekend: the 18th annual Bat Fest! The festival is a celebration of the bat colony that lives under the Congress Avenue Bridge, and attendees can expect live music, food, a bat costume contest, bat education and more.
The party starts at 3 p.m., and the bats typically fly out from under the bridge between 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Bat Fest isn't the only big event scheduled for this weekend. The Austin Chronicle's 34th Annual Hot Sauce Festival will be held at The Far Out Lounge and Stage on Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m.
Brave spice lovers will have the opportunity to taste dozens of hot sauces and vote for their favorites. There will also be live music, food trucks and on-site vendors. Plus, a bonus: it's all for a good cause! The Hot Sauce Festival serves as a major fundraiser for the Central Texas Food Bank.
Other events happening this weekend:
- Whitney Cummings – Friday at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- Gary Allan – Friday at Round Rock Amp
- Zilker Relays – Friday at Zilker Park
- Stony LaRue – Friday and Saturday at Gruene Hall
- Incubus with Coheed & Cambria – Saturday at Moody Center
- Pat Green – Saturday at Buck's Backyard
- "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" with O'Brien's Orchestra - SepTimBurton Show – Saturday at Southwest Theaters
- Austin Gay Men's Chorus: Crescendo - A Benefit Concert – Saturday at KMFA's Draylen Mason Studio
- Master Pancake Riffs: "The Lady Vanishes" – Sunday at Alamo Drafthouse Mueller
