The school year is winding down, graduation season is getting into gear and the Austin area packs the rest of the month with engaging and fun cultural festivals.
The month starts out with dragon boat races, but it really picks up for Cinco de Mayo and Austin’s Hispanic heritage takes the spotlight — not to mention plenty of big brand commercials that jump in. You’ll find plenty of happy hours, parties and food experiences on the actual holiday, which falls on a Thursday, and a big festival the following weekend.
Art lovers will find intriguing experiences at a downtown arts and crafts festival or exploring dozens of cool studios in west Austin. The city also hosts an international film festival in May.
So, don’t let that graduation party planning and spring cleaning steal all of your weekends away. Schedule in a little fun, and have a great month.
May 1
Lady Bird Lake transforms from its usual scene of lazy kayakers and competitive rowers into a river of racing dragon boats for the weekend. And there’s plenty of fun on the shore where Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian cultures combine with dancing, games and delicious food during the Austin Dragon Boat Festival. Keep an eye on the weather. Saturday’s races have been cancelled, and all the races have been shifted to Sunday.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Festival Beach, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St
More information
May 4-8
Do you love foreign documentary films? Then you probably don’t want to miss Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. The festival features some of the best films that look into the lives of indigenous groups from Latin America and Spain. There are all-encompassing film passes, single film screenings and free screenings.
When: Check website for a full schedule.
Where: The Marchesa Hall & Theatre, 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd.
More information
May 7-8
Back in the day, Austin’s famous Sixth Street was Pecan Street. And it was a place of offices, specialty stores and other merchants — plus a saloon or two. Now, of course, it’s known nationally for its party scene. But that old merchant spirit blends with Austin’s more recent creative culture during the Pecan Street Festival. From high-quality art to cheesy knick knacks, the historic Sixth Street district fills with artists, food vendors and three stages of music that runs almost all day.
When: All weekend
Where: Sixth Street between Congress Ave and I-35
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May 7-8
Cinco de Mayo lands during the week, but the biggest celebration in Austin happens on the weekend. The festival, which celebrates the Mexican army’s improbably victory over the French in 1862, is put on by the nonprofit Fiestas Patrias group down at Fiesta Gardens Park just east of I-35 on Lady Bird Lake. It’s a great chance to celebrate Hispanic culture and see about a dozen bands play while checking out toys, snacks and drinks.
When: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Fiesta Gardens Park, 1901 Jesse Segovia St.
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May 14-15 & 21-22
Discover local artists, explore the amazing design and creative spaces inside artist studios and mingle with some of Austin’s most interesting painters, sculptors and mixed-media creatives. It’s all part of Big Medium’s West Austin Studio Tour. It’s a free, self-guided tour of select studios and spaces where people are invited in to ask questions and learn from artists — and maybe buy a piece or two. The tour is free and runs both weekends. But the kickoff fundraiser party, Due West, is on Friday from 7-10 p.m., and the $65-$150 tickets get you drinks and bites from some of Austin’s most popular and top-notch restaurants.
When: Various times throughout the weekend
Where: Check the list for participating studios
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