7 Things to Do in Austin This Father’s Day Weekend
Barbecue, beer gardens, live music and more ways to treat Dad this weekend
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, and Austin offers plenty of ways to celebrate all weekend long. Treat dad to interactive experiences, laid-back outings and festive events with a little something for everyone. Here are some of the top events happening around town.
For the barbecue master: Masters of the Flavor Barbecue Showdown
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Pitmasters from Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama face off in a Southern barbecue showdown at the hotel’s Hill Country Pavilion & Lawn, with tastings from top restaurants, cocktails, desserts, artisan vendors and interactive culinary activations. The evening also features live music from Clay Walker and Channing Wilson, a celebrity judging panel, awards presentation and fireworks finale. Tickets are $179 for adults and $72 for children ages 3 to 12; children 2 and younger are free.
For the cocktail connoisseur: The Roosevelt Room’s Master Class Series
The Roosevelt Room
The Roosevelt Room’s master class invites guests to build on the basics with an advanced, hands-on course in homemade cocktail ingredients, flavor extraction and modern techniques like fat-washing and clarification. Attendees will create a signature cocktail, enjoy three drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and leave with tools for crafting original recipes at home. The class, open to guests 21 and older, takes place Sunday, June 21, from noon to 2:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $70.
For the movie buff: “Jaws” on the Water
Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
See Steven Spielberg’s classic 1975 thriller “Jaws” from the water during Volente Beach Resort’s floating movie night on Lake Travis. Guests can watch from tubes as the film plays on a giant outdoor screen, with themed food and drinks, photo ops and playful scares from divers throughout the movie. Admission is $25 and includes water park access after 3 p.m.; tube rentals and food options are available for an additional cost.
For the car enthusiast: Vintage Car Show
Vista Brewing
Vista Brewing hosts a laid-back Father’s Day weekend car show on its 21-acre Driftwood ranch, featuring vintage classics, trucks and weekend cruisers under the live oaks. Guests can enjoy cold drinks, lunch from Vista’s kitchen, live music, family-friendly activities and awards including People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice. The event takes place Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend with an RSVP; car registration is $10.
For the music lover: Tour ACL Live
ACL Live at The Moody Theater
Go behind the scenes of ACL Live at the Moody Theater with a new daytime tour celebrating 50 years of “Austin City Limits.” The 90-minute guided experience explores the history of the longest-running music series in television history through interactive exhibits, archival footage, photos, memorabilia, backstage access and a look inside the control room. Tours are offered Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on select dates, with tickets priced at $20.
For the dad rock fan: Yacht Rock Party
St. Elmo Brewing
St. Elmo Brewing Co. Springdale celebrates Father’s Day with a yacht rock party featuring Local Dad spinning records. Guests can enjoy St. Elmo Dad beer, Father’s Day frozen specials like the Papa Colada and Dad’s Daiquiri, and family-friendly fun from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 21.
For the bowling champs: Bowling and Brews
Scholz Garten
Scholz Garten celebrates Father’s Day with a “Dad’s Day Out” featuring live music, bowling, burger specials and complimentary beer for dads. The free event includes a performance by Van Halen tribute band Diamond Days from 3 to 5 p.m., bowling from 1 to 4 p.m. and counter service from noon to 6 p.m. at the historic beer garden.