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Best time to visit Austin

Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.

Best time to visit Austin, United States

Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Highlights
January	8-18°C, cool and crisp with occasional rain.	low	low	• Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations • South Austin popular culture museum exhibits ⚠ Occasional cold snaps can occur.
February	10-20°C, mild and pleasant with increasing sunshine.	low	low	• Austin Marathon • early wildflowers start blooming
March	14-24°C, warm and sunny with low humidity.	peak	peak	• South by Southwest (SXSW) • Concerts across the city • Ideal outdoor weather ⚠ SXSW brings massive crowds and inflated prices.
April	17-27°C, warm and sunny, occasional spring showers.	high	high	• Texas Hill Country wildflowers in full bloom • Austin Food + Wine Festival • Outdoor activities abound ⚠ Spring break crowds can extend into early April.
May	20-30°C, hot and humid with increasing chances of thunderstorms.	moderate	moderate	• Austin City Limits Music Festival (early tickets) • Bats emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge • Enjoying Barton Springs Pool ⚠ Heat and humidity begin to build.
June	24-34°C, very hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms.	moderate	moderate	• Early start to bat emergence • Summer solstice events ⚠ Extreme heat and humidity make outdoor activities challenging.
July	26-36°C, extremely hot and humid with daily thunderstorms.	moderate	moderate	• Peak bat activity ⚠ Searing heat and humidity are the norm; seek indoor or water activities.
August	26-36°C, extremely hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms.	moderate	moderate	• Last chance for peak bat activity ⚠ Similar to July; intense heat and humidity persist.
September	22-32°C, still hot and humid, but gradually cooling with fewer thunderstorms.	moderate	moderate	• Austin City Limits Music Festival (late September) • End of the intense heat ⚠ Heat lingers, but outdoor comfort begins to improve by month's end.
October	17-27°C, warm and pleasant with lower humidity and ample sunshine.	high	high	• Austin City Limits Music Festival • Texas Book Festival • Fall colors begin to appear • Ideal outdoor weather ⚠ ACL Fest brings significant crowds and prices.
November	12-22°C, cool and crisp with sunny days and occasional rain.	moderate	moderate	• Thanksgiving week events • Fall foliage in Hill Country • Enjoying outdoor patios without extreme heat
December	8-18°C, cool with a chance of rain or even a rare cold snap.	moderate	moderate	• Austin Trail of Lights • Holiday markets • Winter festivals ⚠ Christmas and New Year's can see a bump in prices and crowds.

Annual events worth timing your trip around

March

South by Southwest (SXSW)

A massive convergence of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences.

April

Texas Hill Country Wildflower Season

Vibrant displays of bluebonnets and other wildflowers across the surrounding countryside.

April

Austin Food + Wine Festival

Celebration of Austin's culinary scene with chefs, wine, and spirits.

March-October

Bats Emerge from Congress Avenue Bridge

North America's largest urban bat colony emerges nightly, a spectacular natural phenomenon.

October

Austin City Limits Music Festival

Two weekends of diverse musical performances across Zilker Park.

October

Texas Book Festival

One of the nation's largest and most prestigious literary events.

December

Austin Trail of Lights

A beloved holiday tradition featuring millions of lights and festive displays in Zilker Park.

Insider timing tips

•June through August is characterized by oppressive heat and humidity, making outdoor exploration uncomfortable for most visitors. Prioritize water activities and indoor attractions during these months.
•The 'shoulder seasons' of April and October offer the best balance of pleasant weather and vibrant events, but come with peak crowds and prices, especially during major festivals like SXSW and ACL.
•While the bats emerge from March to October, their numbers and visibility are generally strongest from late summer through early fall (August-September).
•Austin's live music scene thrives year-round, but the sheer volume of performances and related events is amplified during SXSW (March) and Austin City Limits (October).
•The Texas Hill Country wildflowers, particularly bluebonnets, are typically at their peak in April, offering a beautiful scenic drive just outside the city.