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
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.
- Aug. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Free (admission)
- Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue., Austin
- www.thestoryoftexas.com/education/programs
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
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!”
- Aug. 14-18, show times vary
- $43-$123
- Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin
- www.cirquedusoleil.com/songblazers
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.
- Aug. 17, 1-8 p.m.
- $67-$167
- Buena Vida Estate, 3001 Abbotsbury Drive, Cedar Park
- www.youmeshefest.com/pool-party
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
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.
- Aug. 24, 5 p.m.
- $325
- Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin
- www.aekellerfoundation.org
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
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.
- Aug. 25, class times vary
- Free (admission)
- Ballet Austin Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. 3rd St., Austin
- www.balletaustin.org/dance-fitness/come-dance