Live researched • Friday, September 4, 2026
Mike & Cheryl's Friday Texas Events Digest
Rolling window: September 4 through October 3, 2026. Origin: ZIP 78628, Georgetown. Boundary: Georgetown and Liberty Hill south through Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, North Austin and Austin proper only.
Fourteen choices cleared the quality gate. The mix deliberately protects space for sports, food, and beverage events: 4 sports, 5 music, 4 food-centered, and 2 beverage-centered choices, with overlap where an event genuinely fits more than one category.
This weekend: Sep 4-6Next weekend: Sep 11-13All times CentralNo filler
This Weekend
Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
#1 • Georgetown
4.7 / 5First Friday Live Music on the Square
Mike & Cheryl PickBest Value15 Minutes AwayTonight
The lowest-friction win: live music, dinner choices and an easy downtown evening without committing the whole weekend.
Date and startFri, Sep 4 • 6:00 PM (ends 8:00 PM)
VenueGeorgetown Square • Georgetown
From 78628Approx. 5 mi • 10-15 min
Status and costConfirmed • Free
ParkingFree City garage at 502 S. Austin Ave.; additional city/county lots listed by organizer
Attire / weatherCasual; lawn chairs welcome. Warm with storm risk, so check radar before leaving.
#2 • Motorsports
4.8 / 5FIA World Endurance Championship: Lone Star Le Mans
Once-a-Year OpportunityMike PickLimited Tickets
The only North American WEC round and a genuine international racing event. Sunday’s six-hour race is the main draw.
Date and startSep 4-6; main race Sun, Sep 6 • 1:00 PM-7:00 PM
VenueCircuit of The Americas • Austin
From 78628Approx. 52 mi • 60-75 min, plus race traffic
Status and costLimited tickets; 3-day grounds pass $74.50 each, fees included ($149 for two)
ParkingOfficial parking required/recommended; Lot F suggested for grounds passes. Buy before departure.
Attire / weatherClosed-toe shoes, hat, sunscreen, hearing protection. Hot; Sunday thunderstorm risk. Follow COTA app alerts.
#3 • Food + Music
4.6 / 5Empanada Festival
AI Surprise PickBest ValueFood Pick
A once-a-year, curated spread of savory and sweet empanadas from across Latin America, with live music and drinks. Good discovery-to-effort ratio.
Date and startSun, Sep 6 • 12:00 PM-5:00 PM
VenueThe Fieldhouse at The Crossover • Leander
From 78628Approx. 23 mi • 28-35 min
Status and costFree RSVP available; food and drinks extra
ParkingUse The Crossover/Fieldhouse parking; arrive early because organizer says space is limited
Attire / weatherCasual, heat-smart. Outdoor event; 94°F and thunderstorm risk. Recheck day-of status.
#4 • Music
4.5 / 5Brandi Carlile with The Head and the Heart
Cheryl Will Probably Love ThisStrong Double Bill
Two emotionally direct, harmony-rich acts in one seated arena show. It is the strongest comfortable Sunday-night concert option.
Date and startSun, Sep 6 • 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM)
VenueMoody Center • Austin
From 78628Approx. 33 mi • 40-55 min
Status and costTickets on sale; price not published by venue
ParkingPre-purchase a nearby garage; leave early for campus traffic. Rideshare uses LBJ Library Lot 37.
Attire / weatherSmart casual; clear-bag rules. Indoor show.
Next Weekend
Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13
#1 • Wine + Food
4.8 / 5Round Rock Wino Fest: Texas Wine Showcase
Mike & Cheryl PickHidden Gem25+ Spaces LeftBest Value
More than 40 Texas wines, food vendors and live music indoors, deliberately capped for a more personal tasting experience.
Date and startSat, Sep 12 • 1:00 PM-8:00 PM
VenueThe Texas Hall • Round Rock
From 78628Approx. 17 mi • 22-28 min
Status and cost25+ spaces shown; $20 each before tax/fees now ($40 for two), regular $40 each
ParkingOrganizer directs guests to The Texas Hall parking; do not drive after tasting
Attire / weather“Dress to impress” suggested, but atmosphere described as relaxed. Indoor/weatherproof.
#2 • Local Culture
4.3 / 5Williamson Museum Harvest Festival
Best ValueLocal HistoryEasy Daytime Choice
A true local annual festival rather than a generic market, staged on the historic Old Settlers grounds with the Williamson Museum.
Date and startSat, Sep 12 • 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
VenueOld Settlers Association grounds • Round Rock
From 78628Approx. 22 mi • 28-35 min
Status and costConfirmed • Free
ParkingUse event/Old Settlers grounds parking; arrive near opening to reduce heat and traffic
Attire / weatherCasual, walking shoes, hat and water. Forecast currently sunny near 99°F; recheck 48 hours before.
#3 • Motorsports
4.5 / 5MotoAmerica Superbikes at Texas
Mike Pick190 MPHOpen Paddock
Five racing classes, an open paddock and the wonderfully excessive King of the Baggers. Saturday and Sunday deliver full race cards.
Date and startSep 11-13; Sat racing from 8:30 AM, Superbike 3:12 PM
VenueCircuit of The Americas • Austin
From 78628Approx. 52 mi • 60-75 min, plus event traffic
Status and costTickets on sale; price shown only in official checkout
ParkingPurchase/confirm event parking through ticket flow and follow COTA routing
Attire / weatherClosed-toe shoes, hearing protection, hat and water. Early forecast very hot; recheck 48 hours before.
#4 • Music Festival
4.4 / 5LEVITATION 2026
AI Surprise Pick4-Day Passes Sold OutIndependent Music
A broad psych-rock, punk, indie and darkwave lineup across Austin. Best approached as a targeted individual-show night, not a marathon.
Date and startSep 10-13; Far Out doors Fri/Sat 3:30 PM, Sun 3:00 PM
VenueFar Out Lounge plus downtown/east venues • Austin
From 78628Approx. 34-42 mi • 45-65 min depending on venue
Status and cost4-day passes sold out; 3-day Far Out GA $185 each + fees/tax ($370+ for two); individual shows available
ParkingVenue-specific. Confirm the exact show and venue before choosing parking or rideshare.
Attire / weatherCasual, comfortable shoes; many sets are outdoor. Recheck forecast/status 48 hours before.
This Month
Monday, September 14 through Saturday, October 3
#1 • Landmark Music Event
5.0 / 5Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival
Mike PickOnce-a-Year OpportunityBuy Soon
The clear personal-fit winner: Clapton both nights, plus Pete Townshend, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer, Tedeschi Trucks Band and rare collaborations. Not every artist plays both nights.
Date and startSat, Sep 26 • 5:30 PM; Sun, Sep 27 • 4:00 PM
VenueMoody Center • Austin
From 78628Approx. 33 mi • 40-55 min
Status and costTickets on sale; price not published by venue
ParkingPre-purchase a Moody Center garage; allow extra campus traffic time
Attire / weatherSmart casual; clear-bag rules. Indoor.
#2 • Sports
4.6 / 5Texas Stars Home Opener vs. Iowa Wild
Best Local Sports NightParking IncludedHome Opener
A real season-opening atmosphere at the closest major professional sports venue, without Austin parking friction.
Date and startFri, Oct 2 • 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM)
VenueH-E-B Center • Cedar Park
From 78628Approx. 20 mi • 25-32 min
Status and costIndividual tickets on sale; price not published by venue
ParkingGeneral parking included in ticket; 2,600+ on-site spaces
Attire / weatherCasual; light layer for arena. Clear-bag/security screening.
#3 • Beer + Food + Music
4.7 / 5AustOberfest 2026
Mike & Cheryl PickSausage CompetitionDoor Tickets Limited
The most complete food-and-drink event in the window: Central Texas sausage tastings, $5 select drafts, live bands, historic bowling lanes and steinholding contests.
Date and startSat, Oct 3 • 12:00 PM-10:00 PM; sausage tasting 1:00-4:00 PM or until gone
VenueScholz Garten • Austin
From 78628Approx. 34 mi • 42-58 min
Status and costOn sale; adults $40 online now ($80 for two), rises to $55 on Sep 26; VIP $100
ParkingDowntown/Capitol-area parking is limited; use a paid garage or rideshare and plan a sober return
Attire / weatherCasual or lederhosen/dirndl; outdoor garden. Recheck weather/status 48 hours before.
#4 • Georgetown
4.4 / 5Georgetown Garden Show
Cheryl Will Probably Love ThisBest Value15 Minutes Away
A focused special event with live demonstrations on composting, tree planting, water conservation and beekeeping, plus plants and garden design vendors.
Date and startSat, Sep 26 • 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
VenueLight & Waterworks District Plaza • Georgetown
From 78628Approx. 5 mi • 10-15 min
Status and costConfirmed • Free
ParkingUse nearby downtown public lots/City garage; arrive early for closest spaces
Attire / weatherCasual, walking shoes, hat. Outdoor; recheck weather/status 48 hours before.
#5 • Comedy + Music
4.5 / 5“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder
AI Surprise PickFull ProductionPuddles Pity Party
A multigenerational comedy-rock spectacle with a larger band and multimedia production. Puddles Pity Party makes the pairing stranger and better.
Date and startTue, Sep 22 • 7:30 PM
VenueMoody Center • Austin
From 78628Approx. 33 mi • 40-55 min
Status and costTickets available; price not published by venue
ParkingPre-purchase a Moody Center garage; rideshare at LBJ Library Lot 37
Attire / weatherCasual; clear-bag rules. Indoor.
#6 • Dance
4.1 / 5National Dance Day
Hidden GemBest ValueTry Something New
A playful, participatory morning offering several styles in downtown Round Rock. It is more distinctive than another passive market stroll.
Date and startSat, Sep 19 • 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
VenuePrete Plaza • Round Rock
From 78628Approx. 14 mi • 20-25 min
Status and costConfirmed; no admission price published by city
ParkingUse downtown Round Rock public parking; bring lawn chairs and refreshments
Attire / weatherComfortable clothes and shoes. Outdoor; recheck weather/status 48 hours before.
Three ready-made packages
1. Local Friday Reset • Tonight
4:00-5:30 PM: early dinner at City Post Chophouse, whose official hours show Friday dinner from 4:00-10:00 PM. 6:00-8:00 PM: ranked event #1, First Friday Live Music. Park once downtown. Reservation recommended.
2. Round Rock Wine Afternoon • Saturday, Sep 12
Arrive at The Texas Hall around 12:40 PM for ranked event #1, Round Rock Wino Fest. Taste from 1:00-4:00 PM, stay for music and food, then use a designated driver or rideshare. This is deliberately a one-stop package because the tasting is the meal and the entertainment.
3. Garden to Guitar • Saturday, Sep 26
10:00 AM-1:30 PM: ranked event #4, Georgetown Garden Show. Rest at home, then leave about 3:30 PM for ranked event #1, Crossroads Guitar Festival at 5:30 PM. If you want a pre-show bite, Scholz Garten lists Saturday service and is near Moody Center; reserve enough parking and walking time.