Austin Weekend Events: FREE Activities Happening Throughout ATX

AUSTIN, TX -- If you're looking for a break from SXSW, you'll want to check out several of the events happening in and around Austin this weekend. The best part, this week's featured events are all FREE and several are family-friendly. So if you're just starting to plan out your weekend, you won't want to miss what we've got featured happening near you!

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

• Community Records/Gold Flake Paint - SXSW 2018: Community Records & GoldFlakePaint will host their unofficial SXSW showcase on Friday, March 16 beginning at 12 PM. All ages are welcome to enjoy a FREE show with FREE drinks and come out to make new friends. For more details on this family-friendly event, click HERE. FREE Event. 2822 Salado Street, Austin, TX 78705
• Sounds of ATX - A Local's Showcase of Good Stories and Live Music: Audio Austin Podcast is teaming up with LIVE A GREAT STORY and The Traveling Good to invite you to celebrate Austin's culture on Friday, March 16 at 1 PM. This one-of-a-kind event will share the stories and listen to the music of Austin. Share a great time getting to know your neighbors and making new friends while listening to live performances from fantastic local bands. For more event details, click HERE. FREE Event. 422 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
• Newk's Austin - Private Sampling - Dinner: Newk's Eatery invites you to a private preview tasting party on Friday, March 16 beginning at 6 PM at the 408 Congress Avenue location. This is a training event for team member to prepare for the Saturday, March 17 opening. Featured will be a complimentary limited menu, providing one entree and drink per guest, per event. Time slots and seating are limited, please register as soon as possible. Be sure to select the time that you would like to attend by clicking the Register button located at the top right of the registration page screen. Please honor our request to sign-up for only one meal session. To register to this FREE Event, click HERE. Newk's Eatery, 408 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - Community Cinema: Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites everyone to its FREE Movie Night at Community First! Village on Friday, March 16 at 7 PM. Bring chairs and a blanket, invite your friends and family, and enjoy a special screening of the 1982 film ET. This event is FREE, but a $5 donation is appreciated. Support the Community Grille rather than bringing outside food and drinks. Friendly dogs on leashes welcome. For event details, click HERE. FREE Event. Community First! Village Amphitheater, 9301 Hog Eye Road, Austin, TX 78724.
• Beautiful Machines at SXSW (Synth/Electro/Retrofuture80's) Best Lil Big Fest: Come out and enjoy great live music at the Tiniest Bar in Texas on Friday, March 16 beginning at 8 PM. Beautiful Machines will perform at this year's live synthwave, synthpop, electrorock and cinematic showcase with live vocals, guitar, synthesizers and other electromagical instruments. For more information on this event, click HERE. FREE Event. Tiniest Bar in Texas, 817 West 5th Street, Austin, TX 78703

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 & SUNDAY, MARCH 18

• Austin Kid's Directory Fair: Austin Kid's Directory invites you to its 3rd Annual Spring Fair on Saturday, March 17 beginning at 10 AM. Several local businesses will be featured and there will be entertainment and fun events for the family. There will be great prizes available to be won and the event will be held with the Fairytale Threads Children's Consignment Event where you'll find kids clothing, toys, books, baby equipment and more! For a list of participating businesses, as well as the entertainment schedule, click HERE. FREE Event. Austin's Sports Center, 1420 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613
• Brooklyn Country Cantina 2018: Celebrate Brooklyn Country Cantina's 10th year at SXSW on Saturday, March 17 at 11 AM. This great event will include female artists including Caroline Rose, Lauren Ruth Ward, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Dead Horses, Ruby Boots, and more. TEXAS BREAKFAST featuring Sixpoint Micheladas and Tito's Bloody Marys served at 11am! For more details and to register, click HERE. FREE Event. Licha's Cantina, 1306 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78702
• Urban Fêtes Panel Discussion, Media Lounge & Artist Showcase: The Urban Fêtes Panel Discussion & Artist Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 12 PM. This is a great opportunity for artists looking to showcase their talents alongside today's hottest acts. Lineup will feature various local and nationally recognized artists as well as emerging talent. For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. Peckerheads, 402 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
• The Backyard Set - SXSW Hip-Hop Showcase: CopyWrite Magazine will host its Backyard Set - SXSW Hip-Hop Showcase on Saturday, March 17 at 2 PM. Enjoy performances by ELSZ, Grey Genius, Paper Stacks, Aye Cue, Don Ether, Shun Millions, YT 3K, Auti Marie, Mosaico X, and will feature vendors and more! For more information and Eventbrite tickets, click HERE. FREE Event. NEPANTLA, USA, 1209i E. Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702
• Rock + Read Festival: Austin's greatest music and book festival is back and invites the entire family on Saturday, March 17 beginning at 3 PM. There will be music fromThe Hoots, 123 Andrés, Laura Doherty and the Heartbeats, The Que Pastas, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship, Red Yarn, Sugar Free Allstars, and El Tule, and readings from authors Jessica Anderson, Keith Graves, PJ Hoover, and Mary Sullivan. This fun event will feature crafts for the kids, trampoline bounce, putt putt game courtesy of Topgolf, mini hockey from Chaparral Ice, and great giveaways plus much more! For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
• March Car Show: The Round Rock Police Officers Association and the City of Round Rock will host their March Car Show on Sunday, March 18 beginning at 10 AM. This family-friendly car show welcome everyone and there is no charge to attend or to show your collector, classic, favorite, sport, antique car or truck. For event details, click HERE. FREE Event. 301 West Bagdad Avenue, Round Rock, TX 78664
• Panache's Annual SX Hangover Party!: Panache Booking will host its Annual SX Hangover Party on Sunday, March 18 beginning at 11 AM. This free event will feature live bands from noon to 8 PM. For lineup and more details, click HERE. FREE Event. Beerland, Texas, 711 1/2 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701
• P&W on Congress Avenue 2018: Celebrating its fifth year, P&W on Congress Avenue invites you to a FREE outdoor Christian Music Festival on Sunday, March 18 at 11 AM. Come out and listen to great music, enjoy food trucks and free snow cones. All are invited to attend. For information, click HERE. FREE Event. 1511 Congress Avenue South, Austin, TX 78704
• The Austin Puppy Party 2K18: Support Austin Pets Alive! with The Austin Puppy Party 2K18 taking place Sunday, March 18 at 12 PM. This ultimate dog-friendly party will feature adoptable puppies from Austin Pets Alive! and all are invited to snuggle or adopt at this celebration. For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. Lustre Pearl, 94 Rainey Street, Austin, TX 78701
• South Austin Market at the Moontower: Join Moontower Saloon for their Handmade Market on Sunday, March 18 at 1 PM. Enjoy Live Music, Food, Drinks, Henna by Moonchild Mehndi and Mini Mani's by Adamo Nail Bar. For more details, click HERE. FREE Event. Moontower Saloon, 10212 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748