Events

Events and Attractions in the Lake Travis Area and Beyond

It's easy to find something to do in the Lake Travis area. Surrounding venues offer a little something for everyone — from live music to local festivals, there's always something going on.

Every Thursday we put together the Lake Travis Lifestyle weekly that covers all the happenings in our fantastic community, including our Weekend Roundup with the only comprehensive list of events in the Lake Travis area.

Not only are there tons of things to do and see in the Lake Travis area, but a quick trip to downtown Austin or the surrounding Hill Country will open up another world of cool places to explore.

Stay connected with LakeTravisLifestyle.com for events and attractions happening in the Lake Travis area and beyond.

The Inaugural South Shore Blues Festival this Weekend

Written by Todd Hower | November 1, 2013

You can always find live music in the Lake Travis area and this weekend is no exception. If you’re a fan of the blues or just a fan of festivals, you will not want to miss the inaugural South Shore Blues Festival, happening this Saturday just west of weird at the Iguana Grill.

The weather and views of Lake Travis will be spectacular, seven Austin-based blues artists will be taking the stage, Mexican food and cold drinks with table side service, a Dia De Los Muertos costume contest…and you can buy an adult ticket for $15—say what?

The festival kicks off at 3pm with The Jacqui Walker Band and each band following will take the stage at the top of the hour, every hour. The headliner and 2013 Heart of Texas Blues Challenge Winner – J.T. Coldfire will bring his own style of blues starting at 9pm. The lineup in-between includes Mojo House, Skye Downing, The Every Day Blues Band, Swamp Bats, and Austin Rogue Gypsies—you can read more about each band and listen to their music here.

Austin Beer Week Events at Whole Foods Bee Cave

Written by Emily O'Shaughnessy | October 30, 2013

One of the things I love about Austin is how it seems to effortlessly flow from one organized event or festival into the next. The month started out with ACL Music Fest, then moved on to the Austin Film Festival, Texas Book Festival and now here we are closing out the month with Austin Beer Week. Yes, there’s a week for that.

Austin Beer Week (ABW), now in it’s fourth year, is a “multi-day, multi-event, brewer-centric showcase of all things craft beer.” It benefits Texas Craft Brewers Guild , a non-profit dedicated to promoting and educating the public about craft beer.

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Austin Beer Week hosts 200+ events over a nine-day period. Activities include food pairings, special tappings, book signings, movie premieres, trivia nights, and other unique events such as a burlesque show, ping pong tournament and even keg-lifting competitions.

Many of the events are held in central Austin locations, but there are several participating venues a little further out of the city. Fortunately for those of us in the Lake Travis area, the Whole Foods Bee Cave is one, hosting four official events throughout the week. They’re also offering happy hour pricing all day on Halloween for anyone dressed in costume. So go ahead an stop by on your way home from the office – you can tell them you’re Lumbergh from Office Space. Who will argue with that? You may even get a free pint.

Save Lake Travis – Rescheduled for Sunday October 20

Written by Todd Hower | October 18, 2013

Even with all the recent rains, our water issues have not gone away. The September date for Save Lake Travis was cancelled due to rain, but the weather forecast for this Sunday is partly sunny and beautiful.

Grab your favorite outdoor chair and head over to the Sail & Ski Yacht Club this Sunday evening. Shades Cafe will provide a full service bar (cash only) and the outdoor stage for live music by Lohman’s Crossing Band. Keith’s BBQ and ATX Corndog food trucks will be on the scene.

Besides an evening of fun, you’ll gain a better understanding of how the way water is being (mis)managed in the Lower Colorado River Basin and learn more about what you can do to help and what is already being done.

Did you know?

In 2011, the hottest year on record combined with the lowest inflow of water, LCRA released huge amounts of water from Lake Travis to the rice farmers downstream. It was 3 times the amount of water than the City of Austin used for the whole year.
Austin receives 170 acre feet of raw stored water annually for their customers at a cost of $151 per acre foot. In 2011, irrigators downstream received 433,000 acre feet of stored water at less than $6 per acre foot.
Due to LCRA selling water out of Spicewood Beach wells combined with low lake levels, water has had to be trucked into the community since December 2011.
LCRA’s proposed Water Management Plan does not take into account recent drought years of 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Central Texas Water Coalition (CTWC) supports proper water management of the Lower Colorado River Basin to protect and maintain a safe and reliable water supply.

Lake Travis Area Halloween Events

Written by Todd Hower | October 15, 2013

Amazing fall weather and family fun is what October is all about in the Lake Travis area. Your kids may not get too excited about driving around the Hill Country in search of fall colors, but have you taken them for a drive to see all the Halloween decorations? It’s getting as serious as Christmas around here.

But it’s not Christmas yet…even though Home Depot and Target may be trying to fool you with the early arrival of Christmas decorations—forget that. People around here are excited for Halloween. It’s time for costume parties, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, haunted houses, and playing pranks. The festivities begin this weekend and we have a list of Halloween events in the Lake Travis area.

Have fun and be sure to let us know in the comments of any local Halloween events you would like to see on the list.

Great Goblin Glow in Lakeway

10/19 – The 8th Annual Great Goblin Glow in Lakeway is on Saturday, October 19 from 7pm – 9pm at Lakeway City Park, 502 Hurst Creek Road (map).

Wear your costumes and enjoy an evening featuring hot air balloons illuminating the night sky, glitter tattoo artists, balloon twisters, a juggler, and a spin-out swings ride. Be sure to check out the live bats exhibit and venture into Lakeway’s Dead End Cemetery if you dare. Enjoy live music by The Loose Wheels. Food will be available for purchase from Man Bites Dog, WhaTaTaco, IceCream4U, Kona Ice, and Kettle King caramel corn. Please do not bring dogs to the park on this night.

Trick-or-Treat at the Hill Country Galleria

10/26 – The fun starts at 2 pm in the outdoor Amphitheater with a dance performance by PAIYH Dance Studios. Make the rounds at over 100 stores and restaurants at the Hill Country Galleria to trick-or-treat from 4-6 pm. Other activities include free face painting, bounce houses, and bungee jumping. Be sure to wear your costume and stop by the Hill Country Galleria Guest Services booth to get a free trick-or-treat bag. Enjoy live music with The Loose Wheels from 7 – 9 pm.

Fright Fest at the Lakeway Regional Medical Center

10/25-26-27 – The Lakeway Regional Medical Center will be the place for you to check out three nights of Fright Fest. The haunted maze is for ages 10 & up (this is too scary for the little ones). Enjoy games, food, pumpkin carving, bouncy house, trunk-or-treat, and a costume contest for all ages. All proceeds benefit Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. LRMC 100 Medical Parkway, Lakeway TX 78734 (map) Oct 25 & 26 7-11 pm / Oct 27 5-9 pm

The Oasis Halloween Bash

10/31 – Head over to the Oasis on Lake Travis for dinner and a night of dancing in the Starlight Terrace with music by LC Rocks. Witching hours from 7-10 pm.

There's Always Live Music in the Lake Travis Area – Weekend Shows

Written by Todd Hower | October 11, 2013

With the second weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival underway and a weekend weather forecast with a good chance of rain, it’s looking like last weekend was the weekend to stay dry. No one would dare complain because everyone knows we need the rain…right? Put on your rain gear and enjoy.

I’ll be leaving the Lake Travis area and heading into traffic, possible rain, and crowds on my way to Stubb’s for an official ACL late night show and an evening with Wilco—a band that justifies leaving the bubble…at least I thought so when I was offered the ticket. If you’re not heading downtown to the festival, here are the live music events in the Lake Travis area for you to enjoy.

The Backyard

Friday 10/11 – Joe Ely, Jimmy Dale Gilmore and a VERY special guest. Doors open at 7 pm – showtime 8 pm. Get there early for this up close and personal meet and greet. Tickets for this event are $50 and you can purchase them here. Who is this very special guest?

The Austin Jazz Festival isn’t happening until next weekend, but I wanted to give you the heads up.

Saturday 10/19 – The Backyard will host the Austin Jazz Festival beginning at noon. The event, which benefits the Austin Area Urban League, features national jazz legends Ronnie Laws, Tom Browne, Debra Laws and Eloise Laws. General admission tickets start at $25. Visit The Backyard for purchasing and more information.

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

Friday 10/11 – The Sophisticates – This band can play everything from “Sinatra” era material to the most current hits. They like keeping it mellow until everyone is done eating. The dance floor will get crazy when the sun goes down.

Saturday 10/12 – Duck Soup – a rock ‘n’ roll band from Austin, Texas that plays many genres of music. Affectionately known as “the Unofficial Band of the PGA Tour”, making people smile and feel like they’re still in high school. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re in high school when dancing at the SR Steakhouse?

The Oasis

Friday 10/11 – The Kopy Kats – Classic rock dance music that is entertaining, exciting, and fun. Just check out their Facebook Page to see what the Starlight Terrace dance floor looked like when they played in August.

Saturday 10/12 – The Eggmen – Austin’s premier Beatles Tribute Band – Nothing is Real.

Sunday 10/13 – The Brew – A Latin jazz band based in Austin, Texas and formed around three brothers, Michael, Mark and Joe Rodriguez, who have played together for more than 30 years. The Brew will be performing year round at The Oasis beginning this Sunday.

The Hill Country Galleria Saturday Night Concert Series

Saturday 10/12 – Will Taylor & Strings – Pop, Classical, Rock and Jazz String Quartet. The music begins at 7pm in the Hill Country Galleria’s outdoor amphitheater. Spread out a blanket, place a delivery order with All-Star Burger, and enjoy dinner with your music.