Weekend roundup: Austin events include outdoor movie screening, food festival, charity paddle and family activities

August 6, 2026

Several community events across Austin will take place this weekend, with additional exhibits and performances continuing through mid-August. Offerings range from outdoor screenings and live music to family festivals and fundraising paddles.

On Aug. 8 at 3 p.m., Volente Beach will host a waterside screening of a classic shark film at 16107 Farm to Market Road 2769, Ste. D, in Leander. Organizers note scuba divers will be in the water during the screening and may come near viewers' legs.

Also on Aug. 8 at 3 p.m., Far Out Lounge on South Congress will present a brisket and live music event at 8504 S. Congress Ave. Food trucks scheduled to appear include Stack City BBQ & Beer, Good BBQ Company, Ed's Smokehouse and KG BBQ. Bands on the bill include Jimmy Eat Brisket, LORE, Wicklow and Lucyspin. Event organizers say parking is limited and suggest using rideshare services.

On Aug. 9, a fundraiser for Austin Pets Alive will send paddlers down Lady Bird Lake. Participants can rent kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards from Rowing Dock and paddle together for the Parvo ICU Program. Registration opens at 6:45 a.m. and the event begins at 8 a.m., meeting at 2418 Stratford Drive.

Family activities will be available Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Amy's Ice Creams and Phil's Icehouse on 5624 Burnet Road, produced in partnership with Austin PBS. The day will include PBS KIDS activities, balloon art, bubbles, face painting, crafts, games and a mini splash pad. Guests who mention Austin PBS at checkout will trigger a portion of proceeds to be donated back to the station.

Hotel Magdalena will host a water aerobics class on Aug. 9 at 10 a.m., led by Callie Milbrandt of Bloom by Callie. The one-hour class includes complimentary all-day pool access. The hotel is located at 1101 Music Lane.

A Titanic audio guide exhibit remains open through Aug. 16 at 11000 Middle Fiskville Road, with various visiting times. The presentation features personal items, photographs and other relics, along with recreated first-class suites and third-class cabins.

Zilker Hillside Theater is staging a free, annual summer musical adaptation of a well-known movie through Aug. 15. Performances run Thursday through Sunday nights at dusk, with an on-stage rain effect. Show times list 8:15 p.m. at 2206 William Barton Drive. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and insect repellent.

These events cover food, family fun, live performance and fundraising opportunities across the city through the weekend and into mid-August.