We made it to 2026, y’all! January is always a weird month – everyone is tired from the holidays but also looking for fresh starts with resolutions. In Austin, there’s lots of fun to be had. Here’s what you’ve gotta know this month:
🫗 It’s Dry January
Dry January is an annual challenge where participants don’t drink alcohol during the month. Whether you want to cut back on drinking, or go fully dry, Austin has plenty of good mocktails to help you reach your goals. Start with this guide.
🕯️ You Can Still Celebrate Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa may have ended yesterday, but you still have time to celebrate. The city’s Kwanzaa celebration starts tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. Live music, dance performances, and good food are part of the free event.
🎶 Free Week Kicks Off the Year
Free Week returns to downtown’s Red River Cultural District Jan. 9-10. The annual free music festival will take over venues like Swan Dive, Mohawk Austin, Flamingo Cantina, and more.
👏 Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day With a Festival
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Jan. 19 this year, and in Austin, you can celebrate with a march that ends with a festival at Huston-Tillotson University. The march starts at 9:30 a.m. on the south steps of the Texas Capitol. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both events are free to attend.
🐸 Hi, How Are You Day 2026 Is This Month
Hi, How Are You Day, which is an effort to raise mental health awareness and celebrate Daniel Johnston, is on Jan. 23. Celebrations include a Nathaniel Rateliff benefit concert at Paramount Theatre.
🥶 Winter Starts Now
December was a pretty temperate month with no white Christmas. January is typically when temperatures start to match the season we’re in. For example, last January, the National Weather Service recorded temperatures as low as 20 degrees in the Austin area. What does that mean for you? It’s time to double check your emergency kits and plans.
Listen to our monthly guide podcast today for more January tips and events:
