January Curated: Austin’s Top Events This Month
Make plans to enjoy these top cultural events — from live music to theatre, film, art and more!
Step into the new year with plans to experience Austin’s vibrant arts and culture opportunities. From live music to comedy, theatre, art openings, charity fundraisers and more — we’re sharing some top events to add to your calendar this January.
Free Week
Red River Cultural Arts District
January 9 & 10
Music fans are in for a treat each January when hundreds of local bands participate in Free Week, playing concerts in venues around Austin completely free of charge. It’s a great chance to get out and get to know some the city’s newest talent.
Broadway in Austin Presents: “SIX”
Bass Concert Hall
January 20-25
The global hit musical “SIX” transforms the stories of Henry VIII’s wives into a high-energy celebration of 21st-century girl power, earning 23 awards including the Tony for Best Original Score.
MoonLAUF
The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum
January 7 & 21
Make plans to visit the UMLAUF during one of two evenings where the museum will be open late with extended hours until 8 p.m. During MoonLAUF, you can enjoy the garden after dark and view the current lit outdoor exhibit: Design Shine. Admission can be purchased at the door.
“The Canvas Can Do Miracles”
Jones Center
Through January 11
This exhibit presents an intergenerational group of artists who share a commitment to abstraction unbound by formalism and embody an artistic ethos rooted in alchemy, process, and resistance. Artists include: Ragna Bley, Nathan Carter, Suzanne Jackson and Hayal Pozanti.
“The Look of Love”: An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach
Bass Concert Hall
January 17
Mark Morris Dance Group returns with a heartfelt tribute to Burt Bacharach. Set to beloved classics performed live, this elegant evening pairs Morris’s expressive choreography with lush new arrangements, celebrating love, longing, and musical brilliance through exquisitely musical contemporary dance.
MLK Day Festival
South steps of the State Capitol & Huston-Tillotson University
January 19
Enjoy a walk from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University for the MLK Festival and enjoy activities and live music in celebration of MLK Day.
“Murder on the Orient Express”
Zach Theater
January 21 – March 1, 2026
Agatha Christie’s glamorous mystery comes to life in a visually stunning production at Zach Theater. Join Hercule Poirot aboard a luxurious 1930s train where intrigue, suspense, and razor-sharp wit collide. Lavish sets and cinematic video design make this edge-of-your-seat thriller a full sensory experience.
ISHIDA Dance Presents “Rara Avis”
The Long Center
January 23
Rara avis which means “rare bird” in Latin is a highly physical, visually stunning and emotionally resonant international program with critically acclaimed dancers and choreography. The world premiere of Rara avisby ISHIDA follows a singer who struggles with imposter syndrome as she returns to stage after taking a hiatus.
Hi, How Are You Day Concert
Paramount Theatre
January 23
Join a fundraising concert featuring headliner Nathaniel Rateliff. This 8th annual celebration of the life and legacy of the late great Daniel Johnston is both a tribute and a call to action to remove the stigma around mental health, and to encourage open conversations about well-being.
11th Annual TRIBEZA Interiors Tour
Select homes across Austin
January 24 & 25
Don’t miss the 11th Annual Tribeza Interiors Tour, presented by SWBC Mortgage – The Breed Team and Heritage Title of Austin. The event offers an exciting glimpse into 8 of the area’s most gorgeous homes. Join hundreds of design fans on a self-guided, self-paced tour showcasing stunning styles across the city. Learn more about this year’s selected design teams.
The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short
Bass Concert Hall
January 30–31
Comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short bring their rapid-fire wit and decades-long friendship to the stage. With razor-sharp jokes, musical moments, and relentless mutual roasting, this joyful live show showcases impeccable timing, absurdist humor, and the chemistry of two true masters.
“T. rex: The Ultimate Predator”
Bullock Museum
Through Feb. 8
The Bullock Texas State History Museum presents “T. rex: The Ultimate Predator,” a limited-time exhibition organized by the American Museum of Natural History. The immersive show explores the full tyrannosaur family, tracing how the species evolved into one of the most formidable predators in Earth’s history.
More January Events
Of course there are plenty more exciting events in Austin this month. As always, check out our curated calendar of events for more suggestions.