Austin, TX

If you prefer sleek new vessels, then head over to the annual Austin Boat Show each January. The show features fishing boats, wakeboard boats, kayaks, runabouts, and cruisers from local and national dealers.

Address: 918 Congress Ave., Austin TX 78701 - MAP
Phone: (512) 494-1128
Web: www.austinboatshow.com

Attend the South by Southwest Music + Film Interactive Festival, a two-week-long conference, festival, and trade show in March. Features up-and-coming bands, filmmakers and a host of creative types.

Web: www.sxsw.com

Ride 'em cowboy! Enjoy one of the largest indoor Pro Rodeo events in the world, the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Every March, the 16 days of fun include Pro Rodeos, a Livestock Show, concerts, a carnival, food, shopping and more!

Address: 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin TX 78724 - MAP
Phone: (512) 919-3000
Web: www.rodeoaustin.com

Fly a kite or just gaze at the colorful sky during the Zilker Kite Festival, held the first Sunday in March. A kite-making workshop, face painting, games, contests, rock wall, moonwalks, and plenty of tasty food will hold your interest all afternoon.

Web: www.zilkerkitefestival.com

Jam out at the Old Settler's Music Festival, where you can count on the very best in roots and Americana music every April. The festival typically features over two dozen bands on four stages as well as performance workshops, arts and crafts, kids' activities, music store, and a youth talent competition.

Address: 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX, 78619 - MAP
Web: www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org

If you want to Keep Austin Weird (the unofficial city motto), then get yourself to the annual Eeyore's Birthday Party every April, where the bizarre and unusual are, well, perfectly normal. Come in costume, or else you'll stand out like a sore thumb.

Web: www.eeyores.com

Awaken your senses at the Austin Wine & Music Festival every May. Much more than what the name suggests, the festival features gourmet dishes, artisans and craftsmen, music, Texas wines and artisan local beers.

Address: 11410 Century Oaks Terr., Austin TX 78758 - MAP
Web: www.austinwineandmusicfestival.com

Rock the catwalk at Austin Fashion Week in August, where the fashionably weird meet the stunningly hip in this parade of style setting look. Whether you're into makeup, hair, clothing or accessories, you'll find your muse before it's all over.

Web: www.fashionweekaustin.com

Don't let the musical event of the year pass you by. Buy a 3-day pass to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a 130+ band outdoor festival every September on the banks of Lake Austin. New artists like The National share the stage with heavyweights like Dave Matthews Band and Norah Jones.

Web: www.aclfestival.com

Indulge in a variety of culinary offerings during Austin Restaurant Week every September. Dozens of cutting-edge restaurants and perennial favorites offer lunch and dinner specials for foodies, with tasting portions at special prices.

Web: www.restaurantweekaustin.com

Step back into another era at the Austin Vintage & Antique Boat Show every September, where wooden boats rule the day. These sleek vessels capture the essence of luxury during their heyday.

Web: www.austinantiqueboatclub.com

Enjoy street performers and plenty of slight-of-hand at the annual Austin Street Magic Festival every September. You'll find performers of every stripe, including magicians, musicians, jugglers, clowns, ventriloquists, puppeteers and balloon twisters.

Web: www.austinstreetmagic.com

Book lovers unite! Each October in the State Capitol, Austin holds the annual Texas Book Festival featuring more than 100 guest authors, speakers and special programs for kiddos. A bibliophile's dream come true.

Web: www.texasbookfestival.org