Things to Do in Austin This January: Free Week, a City-Wide Vintage Sale, Bowie’s B-Day
Kick off the new year with new threads and new friends.
Austin may be hailed as a live music paradise—and it very much is—but the central Texas city bursts with oh so much more. Just look at the variety: cool indie bookstores, vintage shops for days, produce-packed farmers markets, bar arcades and gaming hotspots, impressive restaurants, eclectic bars, stellar record stores (of course), coffee shops, elite barbecue, and the list goes on.
Austinites, lest you forget, love the great outdoors. Such nature-basking recreation come in the form of hiking, getting into spring pools or swimming holes, paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake, or—and, yes, this absolutely counts—chilling on a patio.
When romance is in the air, discover plenty of places for a great date
(the dating scene itself, however, is another story entirely). There’s also Austin’s rich AAPI and Latinx cultures and a welcoming LGBTQIA+ community that make this Texas capitol feel like home to so many people.
With all this in mind, our monthly events guide will help keep your calendar full with a variety of fun things to do in January 2024. Stay tuned here to discover the best things to do in Austin, updated monthly.
Live Music in Austin
January 4–6
Various locations, Free
It wouldn’t be Austin if 2024 wasn’t kicked off with some serious live music. And nothing does that better than the city tradition of Free Week. For our recent transplants from New York and Los Angeles, we will explain: Originally started as a way to keep venues alive during the traditional low-business time of early January, Free Walk features tons of free shows from amazing performers across a plethora of local stages. While you can’t go wrong with any of the performances happening across such varied venues—Empire, Mohawk, Stubb’s, and Cheer Up Charlies—two in particular are on our must-catch list. On Thursday at Valhalla, head-bang to a rocking bill featuring string-shredders Transit Method. Then, on Saturday, hop over to Flamingo Cantina for a killer show headlined by Latina power trio, The Tiarras.
January 21, 6 pm
The Paramount Theatre, $39
While the “Hi, How Are You” mural is well-known as one of Austin’s most iconic landmarks, many may still be unaware of the story behind the image of the big-eyed frog. Mainly, that it was created by Daniel Johnson, a musician and visual artist whose work we can promise influenced at least one of your favorite bands. And, the non-profit founded in honor of Johnson, the Hi, How Are You Project, is dedicated to creating conversations about mental health and ending the stigma surrounding it. This month, you can support the organization’s cause, and also groove it out, at the sixth annual Hi, How Are You Day. This year’s concert lineup is sure to help you shake off some stress: Robin Pecknold, from legendary indie rock band, Fleet Foxes, will be performing, as well as country-soul songstress, Valerie June.
Every Sunday, 8 pm
The Skylark Lounge
As a bonanza of big names artists descend upon the city ever more frequently, it’s more important than ever to honor the local acts that make us worthy of being called “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Enter Soul Sundays with Soul Man Sam: a weekly showcase which consistently brings the essence and authenticity of the Austin sound back to the forefront of every single attendee’s ears. After your first Soul Sunday performance at Skylark, you are bound to become one of the regular devotees who show up time-and-time again to take in the impeccable renditions of soul and blues standards, and fantastic wardrobe choices, of Soul Man Sam and his group, the SMS band.
Special Events in Austin
January 6, 9 pm
Drinks Lounge & Records, $5
This Sunday would mark David Bowie’s 77th birthday, and you can celebrate this Capricorn king of rock in the all-out style he deserves at Drinks Lounge & Records’ Bowie Birthday Bash event. In other words, put on your red shoes and get ready to dance the blues all night to the musical classics of the Thin White Duke, as spun on vinyl by DJ Sue. Additionally, there will be face painting (go for the lighting bolt!) and on-site shirt printing — with all funds from the night benefiting the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine. See ya there, Major Tom.
January 6 & 7
Palmer Events Center, $10
There’s no better place than Austin to get those coveted single-stitch vintage tee. And there’s no better place in Austin to find them, or anything thrifty, than the always epic City-Wide Vintage Sale. Taking place at the Palmer Events Center, you can expect racks upon racks of unique clothing, interior decor, and other chachkis that you somehow can’t live without. Keep an eye out for their open tables of discounted sweaters, cowboy boots, and costume jewelry. You may have to put in a little elbow grease to dig out the perfect find, but, rest assured, your hard work will be rewarded every time someone asks you, “where did you get that?”
January 24 & 29
Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, $19.48
Hey, you guys! It’s time to celebrate everyone’s favorite childhood movie, The Goonies, at Alamo Drafthouse’s The Goonies Movie Party. While you can enjoy the twists and turns of this treasure-seeking adventure, and the scenes of questionable dialogue that will make you wonder why this was approved as a kid’s film, anytime you watch this classic, only at the Drafthouse event can you play and quote-along with other Sloth superfans. Not to mention they provide everything at the showing you need to be a true-“never say die” Goonie yourself: including a pirate eye patch, a marble bag filled with pirate treasure, a bandana, and a fun-sized Baby Ruth.
Sports and Wellness in Austin
January 7, 10 am
Inner Diva Studios, $25
You’ve heard of hot yoga and goat yoga, now may we introduce you to the latest way to get into the namaste: kitten yoga. Set up your mat amongst some baby kittens at Inner Diva Studios in North Austin, and plank pose is bound to feel a bit more tolerable with the faces of some whiskered munchkins starring back at you. The whole event benefits local animal shelter, Austin Pets Alive!, which helps work to take care of, and find home for, the cute little furballs you’ll be exercising with.
January 20, 7 pm
H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, $10+
Get your NBA fix, without having to make the hour-and-a-half drive to San Antonio, by checking the OG Spurs’ development team, the Austin Spurs, as they take on the Memphis Hustle. Even if your experience with the sport starts and ends with Space Jam, you can still show your Lone Star loyalty, and cheer on the Silver and Black. After you witness one slam-dunk in-person, you may just get caught up in the net of fandom yourself.
Art and Performance in Austin
Daily
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, $15
Whether you want to crawl through tunnels like you’re on the elementary school playground, take some killer shots for the ‘Gram, or a combination of both, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s annual Fortlandia event has got you covered. While there, you can journey through the fields and take in a collection of custom built fort installations created by various artists and architectural firms. This year’s standout might be Texas Wild Cards, a life-size deck of aces and jokers from artist Jennifer Robichaux.
January 6, 10:30 pm
Southwest Theaters Lake Creek 7, $13.99
This is your chance to break out the black corset that hasn't seen the light of day since three Halloweens ago, as cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, is being performed with a live orchestra and interactive cast at North Austin’s Southwest Theaters. Get ready to shiver with anticipation over a night filled with eccentric characters, rocking tunes, and, of course, the high levels of audience participation that has made this musical so beloved by so many. Bonus points if you can ace all the high notes in badass jam, “Hot Patootie (Bless My Soul),” as well as the legendary Meat Loaf did.
January 9–14
Bass Concert Hall, $35
For a night of rolling on the river — and dancing in the aisles — look no further than the Bass Concert Hall this month. As part of their Broadway in Austin series, they will be hosting the national touring production of TINA -The Tina Turner Musical, which tells the story of the Queen of Rock n Roll herself. Tina Turner overcame great hardships to become the 12 Grammy Award-winning goddess she was, and you can experience the whole story through her iconic songs in this musical. Love may have nothing to do with it, but you’re sure to feel the emotion by the time the curtains close.
January 24–28
Bass Concert Hall, $45
You’ve seen his cute mug radiate from your television set as the host of The Daily Show and, now, you can see it in-person at Bass Concert Hall. Comedian, author, and host extraordinaire, Trevor Noah, will be showing up in Bat City for an epic four-night run this January. He will be performing a brand new stand-up set which is sure to touch on the current issues of the day, and make them somewhat palpable enough to be laughed about. For hardcore Trevorites, you can even throw down for a special VIP package that will get you a seat in the first five rows, exclusive merch, and an autographed copy of Trevor’s book.