Celebrate July 4th From a Boat on Lady Bird Lake

On Tuesday, July 4th, make your way down to the rowing dock at Lady Bird Lake (which is only a short trip from Folio) for the July 4th Fireworks Paddle. Guests of this fun event can watch the impressive July 4th fireworks show above the lake while rowing around on a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. At the dock, guests can rent their choice of boat for an affordable price: just $55 for a single kayak, $90 for a three-person canoe, and just $45 for a stand-up paddleboard. Those interested in renting boats are just asked to reserve their boats ahead of time.

Check-in starts at 7:15 p.m. on and continues until 8:30 p.m. Everyone who is renting a boat to watch the fireworks is asked to be on the water by 8:45 p.m. because the fireworks show will start around 9:30 p.m. Enjoy this unique July 4th celebration this summer!

Public Domain/Pixabay/geralt

Keep Austin Weird Festival and 5K 2017: Wear Your Weirdest Costume for This Fun 5K

The point of the Keep Austin Weird Festival and 5K 2017 isn't to beat your personal record or place in the top three. The race is actually described as the "slowest 5K in the world." It's really more about keeping Austin weird than keeping Austin fit. That's why the athletic and not-so-athletic alike are invited to put on their weirdest costumes and jog or stroll their way through a distinctly weird course.

That course includes 15 fun stops, each outfitted with its own odd activity. At one stop you might zoom down a slip and slide, and at another you might submerge a festival volunteer in a dunk tank. You might even get some treats and sweets along the way. The 5K culminates in a music festival with enough live entertainment and food to keep you going all day long. Tickets start at $27 for adults and $11 for kids.

Public Domain/Pixabay/maxmann

Austin Solstice Festival 2017: Celebrate World Music Day at Pan Am Park

If you've never heard of World Music Day—more formally known as Fête de la Musique —you're missing out on an enchanting annual celebration. Cities all around the globe celebrate World Music Day each June, including Austin. The Austin Solstice Festival returns in 2017 from June 15th to the 17th.

Bring friends or family to this citywide event, which unfolds in a mix of venues in the Red River Entertainment District and Pan Am Park. The main event is the live music. Dozens of artists come to Pan Am Park for 10 hours of tunes on Saturday, June 17th and throughout the three-day fest. Headliners include local and national acts, and your general admission ticket ($35) grants you access to all three days of tunes, plus other activities like yoga workshops and shopping at the art market. Don't miss it!

Learn All About Tap Dance at Soul to Sole Festival

If you thought that tap was an old-fashioned form of dance, Tapestry Dance Company is about to prove you wrong. It's the continent's only pro repertory tap dance company, and each June, its teachers put on the Soul to Sole Festival. Now in its 17th year, the 2017 Soul to Sole Fest showcases the instructors who are on the cutting-edge of contemporary tap.

More than 75 classes unfold over the course of the five-day festival from June 14th to the 18th. Sign up for one of the workshops to delve deeper into the art of tap, embracing time-tested traditions in a classic class or trying something totally new in a modern session. In addition to tap classes, you can also expect panel discussions about the art of tap and tap jams showing off the fun side of this form of dance. Don't miss this fun fest!

Come to the Republic of Texas Biker Rally for Some Summer Fun

Each year, bikers from all over the state of Texas descend upon Austin for what can only be described as one amazing block party. The city shuts down 50 blocks for the Republic of Texas Biker Rally. It's not only the biggest event of its kind in central Texas but also one of the largest anywhere in the country.

So you don't want to miss your chance to be part of this year's Republic of Texas Biker Rally. Along with the live music, food, drinks, and fun unfolding across those 50 blocks downtown, the Travis County Expo Center also holds some fun. It's where live bands will play while the Bike Rodeo Games keep guests entertained. The Republic of Texas Biker Rally is slated for June 8th to the 11th, so mark your calendar now if you don't want to miss out on the fun.

Town Lake Metropolitan Parks Make Up a Sprawling Green Space in Austin

One of the best parts about living in Austin—in addition to the live music, eclectic eateries, and independent coffee shops—is that you have tons of access to the outdoors. From Lady Bird Lake to Zilker Park, there are many places you can get some fresh air without ever leaving the city. Town Lake Metropolitan Parks contributes to this outdoorsy vibe in Austin.

Town Lake Metropolitan Parks are a collection of smaller parks that form one massive green space. Those who frequent these parks particularly enjoy the hiking and biking trail, which loops around Lady Bird Lake and hosts tons of cyclists, runners, and walkers every day. Will you be stopping by Town Lake Metropolitan Parks this spring?

Public Domain/Pixabay/Larisa-K

Enjoy a Front-Row Seat at the Debut of Trendy Ensembles at Austin Fashion Week

You don't have to fly to New York or Paris to experience trending fashions. Austin Fashion Week brings the chic, modern apparel to you. From May 12th to the 21st, the JW Marriott Austin invites local fashionistas to come and see what's coming up this season, as modeled by professionals on the catwalk.

May 13th to the 17th is the best time to visit Austin Fashion Week, as these days hold a little something special. The Moda X Mexico black tie soiree unfolds on Saturday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m. You'll get a sneak peek at what Mexico's up-and-coming fashion designers have been working on. Then over the course of the next few days, local boutiques, salons, and spas will host special events in between fashion shows. Don't miss the fun at this year's Austin Fashion Week. Ticket prices vary based on the event.

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Experience Art in Austin at the Big Medium: West Austin Studio Tour

If you're an art enthusiast, Austin is a prime place to be. The proudly weird city is overflowing with art in the form of live music, inventive cuisine, and colorful murals year-round. But if you want a concentrated dose of art, mark your calendar for Big Medium: West Austin Studio Tour on May 13th and 14th as well as the 20th and 21st.

The free art show takes place at Big Medium each year, granting the public the chance to meet local artists and ask them about their work. This year's Big Medium event will draw about 300 artists to the city and open up more than 175 art studios to the public, not to mention 50 art galleries. In addition, nearly 90 temporary exhibits pop up specifically for these special weekends, so don't miss this great event!

Public Domain/Pixabay/weinstock

See Racecars Up Close at the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is breaking into the racing scene with its very first race weekend in Austin, the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown on May 5th and 6th. Jam-packed with auto-centric events that get you up close to the action, the Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown promises fun for everyone.

The Showdown will feature all different types of roadsters from big-name manufacturers such as Ford, Porsche, Audi, and BMW, to name just a few, and you'll be able to see the cars in stunning detail. Race weekend tickets vary in price, depending on the event, but kids under 12 are admitted for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Don’t Miss the Austin Reggae Fest

For the past 10 years, the Austin Reggae Fest has done more than just attract some of reggae's biggest names to Texas. It has also raised more than a million dollars for the Central Texas Food Bank, an organization that delivers nourishment to families in need around the region. So when you purchase your tickets for this year's fest on April 14th, 15th, and 16th, you can feel good about where your dollars are going.

Tickets start at just $15 for a one-day wristband, but you can also opt for a $40 ticket for all three days, or splurge on VIP admission. VIPs gain access to the special Chill Zone where you can kick back with a drink and relax right offstage. Regardless of where you're sitting, though, you'll be able to enjoy the talents of this year's performers. The headliners include Tarrus Riley on Friday, Jesse Royal on Saturday night, and Akae Beka on Sunday. That's not to mention the myriad of other smaller performers peppered throughout the weekend at the Austin Reggae Fest.

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