Ahh, February. Our shortest, lovey-doveiest, and most educational month of the year. It’s also the last month before Austin descends into South by Southwest chaos. Here’s what you need to know:
📅 Don’t Forget: Austin’s MLK Day Festival Was Rescheduled.
After inclement weather canceled Austin’s MLK Day March and Festival, the festival was pushed to Feb. 1. Huston-Tillotson University is hosting the event, which kicks off at 11 a.m.
🎉 The MLK Day Festival Is Just the First of Many Black History Month Events Happening in February.
Black History Month events are happening all over the city all month long. Looking for a good place to start? Check out the George Washington Carver Museum’s events. Black History Month-centric events are also happening at Austin Public Library branches.
🏃 Avoid Downtown Feb. 14–16.
The Ascension Seton Austin Marathon and Half Marathon takes place on Feb. 16 and goes through most of downtown. Road closures related to the race will start as early as Feb. 14, so we highly recommend getting your downtown errands done beforehand. A list of street closures can be found here.
🧑🎨 OUTsider Fest Is Austin’s Best Fest for Your Money.
It’s not every day that you can buy relatively cheap tickets for a festival in Austin. (Austin City Limits Music Festival tickets can be upwards of $320 and SXSW badges start at nearly $900.) OUTsider Fest is an annual arts festival at The Vortex and runs Feb. 19-23 this year. Badges are $129.
💃 Dance It Out at Carnaval Brasileiro.
Austin’s annual Brazilian-style Mardi Gras party, Carnaval Brasileiro, is on Feb. 22 and includes lots of live samba music, body paint, ornate outfits, and more. Tickets start at $40.
🏁 NASCAR Caps Off the Month at Circuit of the Americas.
Finish February with a weekend of racecar driving at COTA. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, which is part of the NASCAR Cup Series, will be held at the racetrack Feb. 28-March 2. General admission tickets for the whole weekend start at $90.93.
🥱 Phew! Even just writing out all that’s happening in February is tiring. See y’all out there!
