Week of May 26

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders On Tour

6pm (DOORS) @ Paramount and Stateside Theatres, $79

Experience the iconic DCC like never before in this 100-minute live spectacle featuring their legendary "Thunderstruck" performance, exclusive Q&A sessions, and LIVE solo auditions where you vote to send hopefuls to Dallas! Get insider secrets from the directors about the audition process while enjoying dynamic choreography that brings America's Sweethearts off the field and onto the stage.

Grammy-Award Winner Josh Baca Headlines with Durawa

7pm doors @ El Mercado South - $15 cash only

Watch a Grammy-winning accordion virtuoso completely reinvent the instrument into something mind-blowingly cool! Josh Baca transforms traditional Tejano into experimental soundscapes that have graced stages from the Kennedy Center to New Orleans Jazz Fest. Experience this musical revolution with Tex-Mex bites, margaritas, and free parking—cash only adds to the authentic underground vibe.

Dungeons And Drafts with Wizard City

6pm - 10pm @ Buzz Mill

Dive into an epic fantasy adventure featuring themed cocktails, live puppet shows, and interactive RPG gameplay! Whether you're a dragon-slaying veteran or complete newbie, this magical evening combines outrageous humor, catchy tunes, and guided wizard city gameplay. Join the quest for an unforgettable night of magic, mayhem, and adventure with fellow explorers!

Monthly Transgender Makeup Workshop: Beauty Tools

6:30pm - 7:30pm @ Coco Coquette - Sliding Scale

Decode the mysterious world of makeup brushes in this inclusive workshop breaking down "fluffiness, pointiness, and everything in between!" Learn which beauty tools are must-haves versus total duds, from bristles to doe foot applicators. Pro tip: 15% off brush sets after class, plus this supports a sliding scale payment system for accessibility.

Food House Terrorizes Texas w/ P.M. ft. Zombae in the Control Room

7pm - 10pm @ Empire Control Room & Garage - $20-25

This hyperpop duo cranks out chaotic beats, absurd humor, and tons of pop culture nods in what critics call an emotional rollercoaster of experimental music. Their album "Two House" really upped the emotional ante, making this all-ages show a wild blend of throwback pop vibes and cutting-edge sounds driven by spontaneous creativity.

Emo Karaoke - hosted by TX Emo Club

9pm - 2am @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge - FREE

Belt out those angsty anthems that defined your teenage years! Sign-up starts at 8:30pm for this free, 21+ emotional journey through emo classics. Whether you're channeling My Chemical Romance or Dashboard Confessional, this is your moment to relive those feelings with fellow emo souls until 2am.

2025 Mr/Ms/Mx/Elite Austin Pride Pageant

10pm @ RAIN on 4th - FREE

Celebrate QUEER ICON vibes at this epic pageant with only 12 contestant spots available! Winners will dazzle thousands on the Main Stage at Austin PRIDE Festival and snag a coveted spot on the parade float. From seasoned performers to first-timers, this is your chance to represent Austin's vibrant LGBTQIA+ community with categories for everyone, including non-binary/genderfluid folks.

Sleep Better, Austin — Free Pillow Every Thursday!

12pm - 4pm @ Austin Premier Mattress | ATX - Free

Want a cozy nap in the middle of your workday? This local mattress shop gives away FREE pillows every Thursday to the first 5 people who show up, plus you can test out their complimentary beer, coffee, and massage chair while you're there. It's like a mini spa break with a free pillow to take home—because who doesn't need better sleep in Austin?

Nerd Nite Austin #170: Life Interrupted

7:30pm @ Barrel O' Fun (Alamo Drafthouse Mueller), FREE!

Join Austin's smartest night out for fascinating talks about rebuilding after life's setbacks. This month features Craig Knapp sharing his powerful stroke recovery journey through neurorehabilitation, and Josh Davis revealing how to protect yourself from identity theft in our data-breach world. Free admission with validated parking, full bar, and great food make this the perfect Thursday night blend of learning and socializing.

MagicProv: The Mashup

10pm - 11pm @ Fallout Theater - $13.54

Where else can you witness mind-blowing magic for adults mixed with side-splitting improv comedy? This unique mashup show features Austin's best magicians and improvisers creating spontaneous magic-themed comedy that keeps Austin appropriately weird. It's like if Harry Potter met Whose Line Is It Anyway.

Movies on the Lake | Top Gun: Maverick

8:30pm @ Mozart's Coffee Roasters - Free deck / $20-30 waterside

Watch Tom Cruise's aerial stunts while floating on Lake Austin! Mozart's offers free deck viewing or waterside paddleboard/floater chair rentals so you can literally watch Maverick fly while you're floating. Plus fresh popcorn and coffee—because nothing says Austin like caffeinated lake cinema.

Prick Up Your Ears: indie sleaze dance party

9:30pm @ Elysium - $4 (21+) • $4+

Get ready to vibe to ELECTROCLASH, DANCE PUNK, NU-DISCO, and INDIESLEAZE tunes at this monthly throwdown featuring Fischerspooner, Bloc Party, and Goldfrapp. It's a nostalgic dive into the early 2000s indie sleaze scene that'll have you dancing like it's 2005 again—but with better hair products.

Shuffle It Up - Queer Mixer

6pm - 9pm @ Austin Motel - Free

Kick off Pride season at the iconic Austin Motel with rotating group activities, shuffleboard, cornhole, and special Pride drinks, all while DJ Ed West spins the vibes. Work up a sweat, then dive into the legendary pool for the ultimate Austin queer scene starter. Your Pride adventure begins poolside! 🌈

1-800-CLOWN-TOWN: PPP

8:30pm @ Kick Butt Coffee Music & Booze - $15-$35

Welcome to the Meat Department's third descent into absolute chaos! This ALL POLE CLOWN SHOW delivers a mind-bending fusion of comedy, horror, and rebellion through epic clown pole performances. Expect stubbing-your-toe rage meets DMV frustration, all wrapped in leotard-wearing existential dread with BBQ-themed clown decor, raw hotdogs, and a full-cast dance party finale.

Cumbia Night! El Combo Oscuro

10pm @ The Continental Club - $15 cover

Dance the night away to El Combo Oscuro's intoxicating blend of retro cumbia vibes and psychedelic twists! This unique Austin collective features alumni from El Tule and Del Toros plus a seasoned New Orleans bass player, creating sounds that are both familiar and refreshingly modern. No advance tickets needed - just show up ready to move your feet to these irresistible grooves.

Riot 2077: Cyberpunk Cosplay Rave

9pm @ Parish - $25+

Immerse yourself in Austin's most exclusive cyberpunk nightclub experience! Don your flashiest cybernetic attire and let DJs jack into your mainframe while you dance under Night City aesthetics and neon decor. Complete with themed cocktails and cosplay contests, this 18+ event promises to blow your kiroshi optics out with pure futuristic mayhem.

Antonio Dionisio ~ Brazil Music Night

7pm @ Sahara Lounge - Free

Transport yourself to Brazil with this incredible lineup featuring Antonio Dionisio's new music, the percussion mastery of Bateristas do Coração, and the Zazueira Brazilian Allstars! DJ Sampa spins between sets while you enjoy free parking and chill patio vibes - a perfect cultural escape without leaving Austin.

Parking Lot Movie Night: Clueless

7pm @ Lou's Eastside, FREE!

Kick off your weekend with this totally awesome free movie night! Watch the classic 90s film "Clueless" on a massive 25-foot screen while KUTX DJs spin vinyl sets to set the mood. Powered by KUTX with surprise pop-ups and all your favorite Lou's food, this monthly tradition promises good vibes for all ages as the movie rolls out at sundown.

KUTX Vinyl Happy Hour

4pm-7pm @ Lou's Eastside, FREE!

Bring the whole family to this chill spring happy hour featuring Paul Carrubba, host of Uptown Saturday Night, spinning favorite tunes on vinyl. This family-friendly event offers great vibes with no cost, making it the perfect way to ease into your Friday evening with live music and community connection.

Ballet Under the Stars

8pm @ Zilker Hillside Theater, FREE!

Experience magical dance under the night sky with this Austin staple featuring "The Awakening of Flora," "La Viviandiere," and the stunning Balcony Pas de Deux from "Romeo and Juliet." Arrive early to spread out blankets, enjoy park vibes, and catch behind-the-scenes glimpses of dancers preparing. This free, all-ages event starts just before sunset and offers incredible artistry perfect for dance newcomers and seasoned arts enthusiasts alike.

Sacred Expressions: Women's Wellness Retreat Day

8am - 4pm @ The Commune - $222-444

This isn't your basic self-care day - it's a full sisterhood experience with creative explorations, wellness activations, and empowerment circles. The Cosmic Cowgirl theme brings 2000s nostalgia vibes while supporting woman-owned businesses through scholarship fundraising. Choose your investment level from Sacred Sister ($222) to Transformative Light ($444) with increasingly bougie perks.

KhushFest 2025 - Austin Color Festival

11am - 5pm @ Republic Square - $18.74

Get ready to get DIRTY at Austin's biggest color festival! This epic celebration combines Bollywood beats with top chart hits while you throw TONS of colored powder at fellow festival-goers. Don't miss the massive color toss at 3pm when everyone throws handfuls of color in the air simultaneously - it's pure magic! Each wristband includes 2 FREE bags of color, plus amazing food trucks and live music all day.

30 Over Rave: Golden Era Dance Music

6pm - 9pm @ Vulcan Gas Company

Finally, a rave for adults who remember when EDM was actually good! Relive the glory days of Tiësto, Avicii, and Daft Punk without worrying about your knees giving out. This is pure nostalgia for the generation that lived through bloghaus and neon tank tops - This one is already sold out, but there is a waitlist so make sure to get on it just in case.

Masskrugstemmen - German Beer Stein Holding Contest

8pm @ Krause's Cafe & Biergarten (New Braunfels) - $20

Think you can hold a full liter of German beer straight out in front of you longer than anyone else? This traditional Bavarian strength contest is pure endurance torture disguised as fun. Register for $20 and the last person standing wins the stein plus advances to finals in August, where winners could score a weekend trip to NYC with VIP perks.

Lesbian Speed Dating: Stud vs Fem Edition

6pm @ The Common Interest - $19+

Skip the dating apps and meet someone IRL at this structured speed dating event specifically for the lesbian community. The format splits participants into Studs and Fems for balanced matchups, followed by open mingling time. Secure your spot for this low-pressure way to make real connections in Austin's LGBTQ+ scene.

METROPOLIS with Live Original Score

7pm @ Hyperreal Film Club - $10

Watch the iconic silent film Metropolis while composer David DiDonato performs his brand-new contemporary soundtrack live on double-neck electric guitar. This four-year passion project blends synthwave, industrial, dreampop, vaporwave, black metal, and classical music - all perfectly synced to the film for a totally unique cinematic experience that Fritz Lang never imagined.

Corpus Offal Death Metal Mayhem

9pm @ Hotel Vegas - $24.08

Dive into the underground with this gnarly death metal lineup featuring Corpus Offal, Mephitic Corpse, Necropsy Odor, and Crawl. This isn't your typical Saturday night - expect crushing riffs, blast beats, and an atmosphere so intense it'll make your grandmother clutch her pearls. Secure your spot in Austin's most brutally beautiful musical experience.

Nautickle: A Queer Women's Boat Party

11am - 3pm @ Beach Front Boat Rentals - $37/person or $140/4-pack

Escape to Lake Travis for the ultimate Sunday Funday on the Lez Boat! This queer women's boat party features swimming, dancing, a water slide, and collaborative playlists. Open to all queer-identified women-loving folks, it's packed with flirty vibes and new friend potential – the kind of epic summer bash you'll rave about until Labor Day.

Austin Drag Queen Loteria - PRIDE KICKOFF!

2pm - 4pm @ Drinks Backyard - $5 Suggested Donation

Kick off Pride month with maxed-out fun at this drag queen-hosted loteria game benefiting HIV and AIDS service groups through the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. Maxine LaQueene and Simone Riviera will serve fierce performances while you compete for prizes from local shops. Join the fabulous chaos for just $5 per card – it's bingo with serious attitude.

Cigars 101: Learn to Roll Cigars at Bobalu Cigar Co

1pm - 5pm @ Bobalu Cigar Company - $44.50

Master the art of cigar rolling in this rare, hands-on 4-hour workshop that only happens once or twice a year! Limited to just 13 people, you'll learn from a pro how to craft your own stogies from start to finish. Secure your spot for this intimate, adults-only experience that combines craftsmanship with serious relaxation vibes.

"If You Can Kill It, I Can Cook It": Swamp Dogg's Cookbook Tasting Event

5pm @ Antone's Upstairs - $95

Step into this one-of-a-kind culinary adventure where Chef Nick Middleton creates five wild tastings straight from Swamp Dogg's cookbook. Your ticket includes a welcome cocktail, bizarre food pairings, and a pass to the legendary musician's show downstairs at 7pm. It's part dinner party, part concert – completely unforgettable.