Austin Wedding Black-Out Dates
Austin is a unique city. We’ve got extreme weather conditions (hello 112 degree July day) and big events with crazy crowds at some of the most pleasant times of year. Even if you're based in the best city in the world, you will likely have friends and family traveling in from outside the city, consider how these events will affect their travel costs. So here is a quick guide to 2026 dates to avoid (or look into)- and WHY!
When is Austin wedding season?
Austin wedding season is September - November and March-May, some of the fairest months in our fair city. There are lots of reasons to plan your wedding in these gorgeous months, but do take note- you will be dealing with “in-season” pricing across venues, (if you’re planning <12 months out) less vendor selection since these months book out first, and on particular weekends, extra expensive plane tickets and hotel blocks (see below).
Consider choosing a winter wedding (December - February) in Austin. While winter can bring some chilly days to Texas Hill Country, there is a very low chance that your nuptials will be interrupted by a snowstorm, although, as February 2021 taught us, never say never #SNOVID (IYKYK)).
On summer weddings in Austin… Yes, it’s hot- but it’s Texas. If you can stand the heat, and are open to indoor festivities, there is no reason not to choose an indoor wedding in the Texas summer. I personally had an August wedding- our ceremony was in a Church and our brunch reception was in a beautiful room at the South Congress Hotel. It worked for us- and helped us save a few dollars while getting a dream venue.
Austin Wedding Black Out Dates (and Details)
Austin’s Zilker Park is transformed for Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct 2–4 & Oct 9–11, 2026 (not confirmed). This famous fest brings in music lovers of all ages from across Texas, the country, and the world. It is a blast, but hotels will book up early… so plan accordingly my friends.
Formula 1 returns to Austin Thursday, October 22- Sunday, October 2026. While the festivities tend to avoid downtown, which means venues are likely to have availability, there are a lot more visitors in town, and those with deep pocket books, scooping up rooms on luxury resorts. Consider going out to Hill Country and inviting your friends and family to stay at spots like
The Bygone Hotel (a new boutique hotel in Wimberly),
Camp Lucy, a luxury report in the wilds of Texas Hill Country,
or Lucky Arrow Retreat , a gorgeous retreat with cabin and yurt accomadaitons in Dripping Springs, TX (and one of my personal favorites).
SXSW is March 12-18, 2026. If you’re planning anything in and around downtown, just say no. This is arguably the largest event in our city. Venues big and small book up early with brand activations, wedding and event vendors book up for corporate projects, and hotels are booked and busy.
Fun events to plan your wedding around in Austin:
These events SHOULD NOT affect travel costs that would be an incredible addition to your wedding weekend festivities—
Are you a book lover? Plan your nuptials around The Texas Book Festival (first half of November, 2026 dates TBA)
Goth gal? Animal lover? Austin has you covered. There is a large colony of bats that calls the underside of the Congress Avenue Bridge home from mid-March-October. While Bat season is mid-March- October, the best time to view the bats is at sundown in late summer- August and September. This is a super fun little wedding weekend outing for the right group of people.
More soon.
