# Things to Do in Austin with Friends This Weekend \(Oct 16–18\)

Things to do in Austin with friends this weekend, Oct 16–18: 6 dated events, buzzy bars, group-friendly restaurants and plans. Updated Oct 17.

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This weekend in Austin: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 6 dated events

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

What's on in Austin, TX this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.

## Happening Today

Events and things to do tonight

### Joy Oladokun: The Heavy Things Tour
Catch an open-air evening under the pecan trees with the genre-blending Nashville singer-songwriter on historic East 4th.
- Venue: Scoot Inn
- Location: East Austin
- Date: 2026-10-17 6:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/joy-oladokun-the-heavy-things-tour-austin-texas-10-17-2026/event/3A0064F5B746BDBF

### Texas Longhorns vs. Florida Gators
High noon kickoff at Darrell K Royal. Tailgates along Bevo Boulevard kick off this morning before the SEC showdown inside.
- Venue: Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium
- Location: UT Campus, Austin
- Date: 2026-10-17 11:00 AM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Sports Fans & Families
- Link: https://texassports.com/sports/football/schedule/2026

### Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday night match under the floodlights at Q2 Stadium, accompanied by 90 straight minutes of live brass from La Murga.
- Venue: Q2 Stadium
- Location: North Burnet, Austin
- Date: 2026-10-17 7:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Soccer Fans & Groups
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7rov4

## This Weekend in Austin, TX

Top picks across town for Sunday

### Hermanos Gutiérrez Under the Stars
The Swiss-Ecuadorian guitar duo brings their cinematic desert sounds to Waterloo Park's lawn as evening temperatures cool off.
- Venue: Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
- Location: Downtown Austin
- Date: 2026-10-18 7:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Music Lovers
- Link: https://waterloogreenway.org/events/hermanos-gutierrez/

### Sunday Gospel Brunch at Stubb's
Live uplifting harmonies from Shields of Faith paired with slow-smoked Texas brisket, jalapeño cheddar grits, and a bloody mary bar.
- Venue: Stubb's Indoors
- Location: Red River Cultural District
- Date: 2026-10-18 10:30 AM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Brunch Goers & Families
- Link: https://stubbsaustin.com/concert-listings/

### Weezer: The Gathering Tour
Rivers Cuomo and company bring three decades of anthems to the campus arena for a high-energy Sunday night closeout.
- Venue: Moody Center ATX
- Location: Central Austin
- Date: 2026-10-18 7:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Rock Fans
- Link: https://moodycenteratx.com/event/weezer/

## Eat & Drink

Where to pull up a chair right now

### East Austin Patio Brunch at Launderette
A sunny converted midcentury laundromat serving buttermilk pull-apart cinnamon rolls, sunny eggs, and iced cafe de olla out on Holly Street.
- Location: Holly, East Austin
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Friends & Couples
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=East%20Austin%20Patio%20Brunch%20at%20Launderette%20Holly%2C%20East%20Austin

### Peach-Glazed Pork Belly at InterStellar BBQ
Arrive before noon for John Bates' award-winning brisket, smoked scalloped potatoes, and spiced peach tea pork belly ribs in North Austin.
- Location: Northwest Austin
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Barbecue Aficionados
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Peach-Glazed%20Pork%20Belly%20at%20InterStellar%20BBQ%20Northwest%20Austin

### Brass Band & Manmosas at Banger's
200-tap wall, house-stuffed sausages, and a live brass section performing horn-heavy pop covers in Rainey Street's deep backyard.
- Location: Rainey Street Historic District
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Groups & Day Drinking
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Brass%20Band%20%26%20Manmosas%20at%20Banger%27s%20Rainey%20Street%20Historic%20District

## New & Notable

Seasonal highlights and fresh spaces

### Autumn Emergence: Congress Avenue Bridge Bats
Late October is the final call before the million-strong Mexican free-tailed bat colony migrates south for winter. Arrive at the water's edge 30 minutes before dusk.
- Location: Lady Bird Lake, Downtown
- Cost: $
- Best for: All Ages & Visitors
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Autumn%20Emergence%3A%20Congress%20Avenue%20Bridge%20Bats%20Lady%20Bird%20Lake%2C%20Downtown

### Blanton Museum's Moody Patio & Shaded Soundscape
Wander the shade petals designed by Snøhetta and experience the outdoor sound gallery before walking inside Ellsworth Kelly's stone sanctuary, 'Austin'.
- Venue: Blanton Museum of Art
- Location: UT Campus / MLK Blvd
- Date: 2026-10-17 10:00 AM
- Cost: $
- Best for: Culture Lovers & Families
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Blanton%20Museum%27s%20Moody%20Patio%20%26%20Shaded%20Soundscape%20UT%20Campus%20%2F%20MLK%20Blvd

## Quick Escape

Easy road trips within 2–3 hours

### Hill Country Granite & Tasting Rooms: Fredericksburg
Drive 90 minutes west for a morning summit hike up the pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock, followed by a sourdough schnitzel lunch at Otto's Bistro and crisp white wine along Highway 290.
- Location: Fredericksburg, TX \(1.5 hrs west\)
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Couples & Hikers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Hill%20Country%20Granite%20%26%20Tasting%20Rooms%3A%20Fredericksburg%20Fredericksburg%2C%20TX%20(1.5%20hrs%20west)

### Spring-Fed Cypress & Village Strolls: Wimberley
Head an hour southwest into the Blanco River valley. Walk the trails beneath cypress giants at Blue Hole, hunt for hand-blown glass at Wimberley Glassworks, and pick up warm buttermilk pie in town square.
- Location: Wimberley, TX \(1 hr southwest\)
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Families & Day Trippers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Spring-Fed%20Cypress%20%26%20Village%20Strolls%3A%20Wimberley%20Wimberley%2C%20TX%20(1%20hr%20southwest)

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