2005 Walnut Creek Events

January

March for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

 A parade and march in Austin celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Check the American-Statesman in January for information and events.

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February

Carnaval Brasiliero

February. An Austin tradition since 1975. The 2002 Carnaval was the last to be held at the Coliseum. Check out recent celebrations at the Palmer Events Center. Discover the history of this wild and crazy Brazilian carnival in the heart of Texas.

Mardi Gras Austin

February. Why go to New Orleans? Get your beads on 6th Street.

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March

Texas Independence

March. The Republic of Texas was born on March 2, 1836 when a delegation at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. Events on or around March 2 include parades and a BBQ Cook-off.

Explore UT

March. A family favorite, UT opens its doors and invites everyone to explore the many offerings at the University of Texas in a fun-filled way. Visit the exhibits and participate in many hands-on activities involving art, science, and more found throughout campus.

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April

Austin Fine Arts Festival

 April 3-4. National artists, local restaurants, two music stages and hands-on art activities for adults and children. Fifth and Guadalupe streets. 458-6073.

Old Settlers Music Festival

 April 15-18. International, national and regional artists performing American roots and Texas music. Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch, Driftwood. 370-4630.

Austin International Poetry Festival

 April 15-18. Hear more than 200 poets from around the world at more than 20 venues. 502-8294.

Bob Marley Festival

 April 17-18. Music, arts and crafts, and vendors. Benefits Capital Area Food Bank. Auditorium Shores, Riverside Drive and South First Street. 773-5177. . Yesterfest — April 24. Storytelling, snake handlers, petting zoo, crafts, music and food vendors. Bastrop. (512) 321-2419. .

Viva Cinco de Mayo

 April 29-30 and May 1. Celebration of Hispanic heritage including music, food, parade, state championship menudo cook-off, folklorico dancers and beauty pageant. Civic Center, San Marcos. Richard Cruz, (512) 245-2502.

Eeyore's Birthday

 Late April. Benefits nonprofit groups in Austin. Pease Park, 1100 Kingsbury St. 448-5160.

Easter Pfestival

 Call for dates. Event for children includes face painting, clowns and egg hunt. Heritage Park, Pflugerville. 251-5082.

Evening Lion's Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt

 Call for dates and location. Elgin. (512) 285-4515.

Spamarama

 Call for dates. Recipe contests, food sports to celebrate the potted meat. Auditorium Shores, Riverside Drive and South First Street. 467-7848.

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May

Cinco de Mayo

 Call for dates. Hispanic heritage festival features music, food and games. Check the American-Statesman during May for more information. 867-1999.

 Deutschen Pfest

 May 14-16. German festival includes music, parade, food, arts and crafts, children's activities and 5K run and walk. Pfluger Park, Pflugerville. 251-5082.

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June

Juneteenth

 Call for dates. Three-on-three basketball tournament, music, Miss Juneteenth and Miss Tiny-tot pageants, arts and crafts, and baked goods. Downtown Elgin. 281-5724.

Austin Chamber Music Festival

 Call for dates. Festival and workshop features Anderson String Quartet and Blue-bonnet Brass. Various venues. 454-0026.

Luling Watermelon Thump

 June 24-27. Parade, seed-spitting contest, and watermelon-eating contest. Downtown Luling. (830) 875-3214.

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July

Young Latino Artists

 July 25-Aug. 30. Annual exhibit of artists under 30 working in experimental, nontraditional media. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave. 480-9373.

Zilker Summer Musical

 Through Aug. 9, Thursday through Sunday evenings. The 45th annual summer musical is 'Crazy for You.' Bring a blanket and picnic. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Road. 479-9491.

4th of July in Austin Texas - US Independence Day Celebrations

Each year the main Independence Day event in Austin is the annual concert and fireworks show along Auditorium Shores. However, there are other celebrations in and around town on the 4th of July.

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August

Elgin Market Days

 First Saturday of every month through November. Antiques to garage sale items. Elgin Memorial Park, FM 1120, Main Street. Aletha Krebs, 281-4380.

Blanco County Fair and Rodeo

Aug. 14-16. Livestock show, arts and crafts, food and country music. Blanco County Fairgrounds, U.S. 281, Johnson City. (830) 868-7684.

Austin Latino Comedy Fiesta

 Aug. 22- 23. Latino stand-up and sketch comedy hosted by the Latino Comedy Project. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. 472-5470. 389-0892.

Fall Creek Vineyards Grape Stomp Celebration

 Aug. 16 and 23. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grape stomping, hay rides, children's activities, winery tours and tastings, music and more. Fall Creek Vineyards, 1820 County Road 222, Tow. (915) 379-5361.

Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival

 Aug. 21-Sept. 1. Films by and about gays and lesbians. Various venues. 302-9889.

Annual Bamboo Festival

 Aug. 23-24. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival with bamboo plants, walking sticks, demonstrations, jewelry and all other things bamboo. Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Walnut Creek. 477-8672.

Summerfest

 Aug. 23. Symposium on African American culture with art exhibits, hair and fashion shows and live music. Givens Recreation Center, 3811 E. 12th St. 836-9544.

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September

Chili Pepper Fest

 Sept. 13-14. Diez y Seis celebration features mariachis, folkorico dancing, food and music. Veterans' Memorial Park, Elgin. (512) 285-4515.

KLBJ-FM Shore Thang

 Sept. 5. Concert with arts and crafts, food and drinks. Auditorium Shores, Riverside Drive and South First Street. 441-9015.

2003 Diez y Seis Celebration

 Sept. 15-16. Mexican history and live music on Sept. 15 at Republic Square. Family event celebrating Mexican Independence Day with music, food and dance. Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal St. 974-2264.

Cinematexas International Short Film and Video Festival

 Sept. 16-21. International and student competition and screenings. Various venues. 471-6497.

Austin City Limits Festival

 Sept. 19-21. More than 100 bands performing during three days with food and arts and crafts vendors. Zilker Park, 2100 Walnut Creek.

Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival

 Sept. 27-28. Live music, arts and crafts vendors and a children's carnival. East Sixth Street. 441-9015.

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October

Texas Wildlife Expo

 Oct. 4- 5. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn about wildlife management and conservation, hunting, fishing, birding, boating and camping. Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters Complex, Burleson Road. Ernie Gammage, 389-4472.

Salsa Music Festival

 Oct. 12. International salsa and merengue music, dance lessons, booths and children's activities. Waterloo Park, 403 E. 15th St. 899-8585.

Austin Film Festival

 Oct. 9-16. Celebrates screenwriter's art. Various venues. 478-4795 or (800) 310-FEST.

San Marcos River Fall Fest

 Oct. 11-12. Music, golf, softball and racquetball, food, arts and crafts and rides. San Marcos Plaza. (512) 353-1103.

Hutto Old Tyme Days

 Oct. 16-18. Family-oriented festival, arts and crafts, live entertainment, street dance and more. Hutto. 759-4461.

Hogeye Festival

 Oct. 25. Music, arts and crafts, street dance, sausage cook-off and hog-calling contest. Downtown Elgin. (512) 285-5721.

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November

Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival — Nov. 1. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Celebrates Native American culture with dance, food, arts and crafts, music and storytellers. Tony Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road. 414-0159.

Dia de los Muertos — Nov. 1. 6 p.m. parade along Congress Avenue, 7-9 p.m. reception at the Mexic-Arte Museum. A series of mixed media works on canvas, photographs and poetry. An altar will be available for 16 days. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave. 480-9373.

Austin Celtic Festival

 Nov. 1- 2. Celtic bands from Austin and around the world. Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Bergman Ave. 498-4908.

Austin Artists Harvest

 Nov. 1-2. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The largest juried fine-art exhibit and sale in Central Texas. Crockett Center, 6301 E. Highway 290. $5. 231-9724.

Texas Book Festival

Nov. 8-9. Books and authors from around the world. Capitol, 11th Street and Congress Avenue. 477-4055.

A Christmas Affair

 Nov. 19-23. Sponsored by Junior League of Austin. Retail merchants sell antiques, clothing, children's items, holiday items and jewelry. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. 467-8982.

Victorian Christmas on Sixth Street

 Nov. 29-30. Arts and crafts, carolers and food vendors in Dickens-era period costumes. Sixth Street. 441-9015.

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December

Holidays at Heritage Park

 Call for dates. Santa Claus, carols, music, choir and hot chocolate. Downtown Pflugerville. 251-5082.

Lights of the Blacklands

 December. Drive-through tour of holiday scenes in Elgin, Coupland, Taylor, Thrall, Bartlett and Granger. (512) 285-5721. .

Trail of Lights and Zilker Christmas Tree

 Tree is lighted Dec. 7-31, while Trail of Lights starts a few weeks before Christmas. Zilker Park, 2201 Walnut Creek. 974-6700.

The Sights and Sounds of Christmas

 Dec. 4-6. Along the San Marcos River. Reproduction of Bethlehem and arts and crafts booths. (512) 393-5900.

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

 Dec. 11-24. Artwork and music. Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces St. 447-1605.

Divine Art Auction

 Call for dates. Traditional Christmas mercado with food and music plus silent art auction from Mexican artists. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave. 480-9373.

Budafest

 Call for dates. Carnival, arts and crafts. Downtown Buda. (512) 295-6331.