Prepare to go back to school, learn about vegan cuisine or check out a train show with this list of upcoming events in the Central Austin area.

Pop Cats

Presented by Purina and Friskies, this festival will have all things cat-related for attendees’ furry friends. There will be a gaming zone, a cat art exhibit, cat coloring activities, a permanent and temporary cat tattoo parlor and more. The Austin Humane Society and other local organizations will be in attendance with adoptable cats.
  • Aug. 3-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday)
  • $10-$100
  • Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin
  • www.popcats.org/austin2024
H-E-B Free First Sunday: Back to School

Enjoy free admission to the Bullock Texas State History Museum on the first Sunday of each month. August’s program will be back-to-school-themed with activities like interactive STEM demos and rides aboard Austin ISD’s new electric school buses. There will also be resources to learn more about school registration and college programs.Austin Pride Parade & Festival

Austin Pride 2024’s theme is ‘Queer Cabaret: Unleashed Glamour + Glitz.’ Austinites can expect to see bold and glamorous outfits, drag looks, performances and more at this year’s festival. There will be games and carnival rides, drag queen storytime, vendor booths and food and drinks. The parade will follow the festival and start at the Texas State Capitol.
  • Aug. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (festival); 8-11 p.m. (parade)
  • Festival: free (ages 6 and under), $10 (ages 7-17), $20 (ages 18 and up); Parade: Free (admission)
  • Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse Segovia St., Austin (festival); Texas State Capitol Building, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin (parade)
  • www.austinpride.org
Cirque de Soleil: Songblazers


Taking over the Bass Concert Hall stage, Cirque de Soleil’s show Songblazers pays tribute to legendary and modern artists in country music. Attendees can expect to hear songs like Billy Ray Cyrus' “Achy Breaky Heart” and Shania Twain's “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”Celebrate Your Cellulite Pool Party

You Me She Fest will host this pool party to promote diversity, sisterhood, body positivity, and self-celebration in the community. There will be and open bar, food trucks, DJs, games, giveaways and more. This event is for ages 21 and up.Plant Culture Food Festival

Latin City will present this inaugural festival to showcase local chefs and their knowledge of global plant-based dishes. The family-friendly event will have opportunities to taste vegan dishes prepared by chefs, live music and an eco-friendly market with sustainable and vegan-friendly products. Preregistration is encouraged to help event organizers plan.
  • Aug. 17-18, 4-10 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • The Vegan Nom, 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
  • Facebook: Latin City
Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala

The Abigail E. Keller Foundation will present this sixth annual gala with food, music, entertainment and an auction. All funds raised will go toward the foundation's mission of supporting Central Texas families who are caring for medically fragile children.Austin Train Show


Check out over 25,000 square feet of operating model and lego trains at this event sponsored by the Austin Model Railroad Society. There will be over 100 vendors, a raffle of railroad-related items, kids activities and self-guided tours of model railroads.
  • Aug. 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday)
  • Free ( children 12 and under), $8 (advance tickets), $10 (door tickets)
  • Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin
  • www.austintrainshow.org
Come Dance 2024

Ballet Austin’s annual Free Day of Dance returns. The Come Dance classes are geared toward adults, are open to all experience levels and could include styles like hip-hop, Bollywood, jazz, ballet, tap, salsa, and more. While the event is free, Ballet Austin asks guests to bring a non-perishable food item for a community food drive if they are able.