
City Cast Austin
☀️ The best Labor Day tips
September 4, 2026 · – Kelsey Bradshaw
🎉 Happy Friday and Beyoncé’s birthday to all who celebrate! A fun little story to get our long weekend started: Texas A&M fans were found to be a more obnoxious fanbase compared to the Longhorns in a new survey.

First Up

Labor Day Weekend Is Here! What To Know:
We made it to Labor Day, y’all. Some consider the three-day weekend the official end of summer, but with zero fall conditions on the horizon, I tend to disagree! Here’s what you need to know about the holiday weekend:
- Surprise! It’s going to be hot. Temperatures will be in the upper 90s throughout the weekend and are expected to peak around 99 degrees on Saturday, forecasters say. Keep your water and sunscreen handy if you plan on being outside! Some reprieve may be on its way, though. There are small rain chances today and Sunday. [National Weather Service]
- Get to the airport early. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expected to see more than 30,000 passengers daily this weekend with the busiest days being today and Tuesday. Airport officials say travelers should arrive two and a half hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Everything at the airport — TSA lines, luggage check, parking, and rental car returns — will be busier than usual. [Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]
- Parking is changing at Commons Ford Ranch. Because of the holiday, the city is limiting vehicle capacity at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park Saturday through Monday. Parking will be limited to certain areas and no parking will be allowed outside the park’s gated entrance. [City of Austin]
- Police are targeting drunk drivers. Austin police are conducting a no-refusal initiative every night through Monday with additional officers making traffic stops. Officers will be able to more easily obtain search warrants for blood and breath samples from suspected drunken drivers who refuse to provide such samples. [Austin Police Department]

What's CITY Talking About
The Jones Center Is Getting a Really Cool Exhibit
The Contemporary Austin will host the largest U.S. exhibit of Swedish artist Moki Cherry’s work starting Sept. 18. The exhibit, which includes colorful textiles, costumes, ceramics, sculptures, and more, runs through Jan. 17 at the Jones Center. [Tribeza]
Hasan Piker To Visit UT
Political commentator and leftist influencer Hasan Piker will speak at the University of Texas at Austin on Sept. 30 during a sold-out University Democrats event. Organizers say Piker will speak on immigration, genocide, and the future of the Democratic party. [University Democrats]
Southwest Lounge Coming to Austin Airport
Southwest Airlines is opening lounges in airports across the country for the first time and Austin is one of them. The lounge is slated to open late next year. [KVUE]
Abbott and Hinojosa Are Neck-and-Neck
Three nonpartisan public polls have Gov. Greg Abbott up by just one point against his Democratic opponent Gina Hinojosa in the race for Texas Governor. Hinojosa has not surpassed Abbott in recent polling, but she’s never trailed by more than eight points. [KXAN]
- Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate race, James Talarico has accepted CNN’s invitation to debate Ken Paxton, who has not said if he will join the debate. [Austin American-Statesman]

What To Do
Friday, Sep. 4
- 🎵 Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds at the Moody Center
- 🎤 Alex Lambert at ACL Live at 3TEN
- 🧘 Qigong Meditation at Austin Public Library Spicewood Springs Branch
- 🎥 "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" at Hyperreal Film Club
- ✍️ R.M. Gray: “Cursebreaker” at BookPeople
- 🍿 Movie Night at Delores Duffie Recreation Center
- 🎸 Nate Miller at Stubb's Bar-B-Q
- 📚 ATX Book Fair at Ani's Day & Night
- 🎞️ Tim Curry Movie Night at Radio Coffee & Beer (South)
Saturday, Sep. 5
- 🎵 Malcolm Todd at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- 🦇 Bat Fest at Ann W Richards Congress Avenue Bridge
- 🍺 College Football Saturdays at The ABGB
- 🏈 University of Texas vs. Texas State University at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
- 🎸 Longhorn City Limits: Eli Young Band at LBJ Lawn
- 🪡 DIY Homecoming Mums at Austin Public Library Windsor Park Branch
- 🛍️ Retro Market at The Highball
- 🎉 Carpenter x Vinyl Ranch Labor Day Family Reunion at Carpenter Hotel
- ♥️ Dolly All Day at Radio Coffee & Beer (South)
- 🚲 Free First Saturdays: Cycle the City at Pease Park
Sunday, Sep. 6
- 🎵 Brandi Carlile at the Moody Center
- 🎶 Malcolm Todd at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- 🎉 Barton Fest at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
- 🤠 Yeehawties: Labor Gay at Austin Motel
- 💃 Labor Day Sunday at Hotel Vegas
- 🚰 H-E-B Free First Sunday: Texas Water at Bullock Texas State History Museum
- 🍺 5th Annual Lagers and Literature at Meanwhile Brewing Co.
- 🎧 Austin Rooftop Silent Party: Labor Day Weekend at Speakeasy
- 🛍️ ThillerCon Austin at Palmer Events Center
- 🍦 Sundae Funday at St. Elmo Springdale
Monday, Sep. 7
- 🎥 "Patron Saint of Roadkill" at Hyperreal Film Club
- 🤠 Labor Gay: Shania Twain Tribute Night at Sagebrush
- 👙 Labor Day Pool Party at Zanzibar
- ✍️ Monthy Journaling and Collage Club at Make at Rosie
- 🧘 Free Day of Yoga at Castle Hill Fitness
- 🎉 Thinkery Carnival at Thinkery
👋 Have a great weekend, everyone!
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