UT Austin graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Austin

Saturday, 8 May 2027 · ExpectedAustin, United States

UT Austin Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Austin for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Austin Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Main Mall and the UT Tower

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA.

Walk or bus from downtown; the Tower lights up orange.

Public transport directions to Main Mall and the UT Tower

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	East Austin and the airport	Rentals and chains.
Mid-range	South Congress	Shops, music and food trucks.
Splurge	Downtown and Lady Bird Lake	High-rise hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 7 May to 9 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for Saturday, 8 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Friday 7 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeZilker Park.
EatTerry Black's BBQ without the wait

Ceremony day

Saturday 8 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatVeracruz All Natural Migas tacos
Easy outingBarbecue tour Half day · Food
Brisket at the legends.

The day after

Sunday 9 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayHamilton Pool and swimming holes Half day · Family
Book Hamilton Pool ahead.
EatTorchy's Tacos Local chain

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickKayak on Lady Bird Lake Half day · Family
Paddle under the skyline.
Rain or heat backupLBJ Library.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Hamilton Pool and swimming holes

Book Hamilton Pool ahead.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Kayak on Lady Bird Lake

Paddle under the skyline.

See times and prices

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Thinkery children's museum.
Bullock Texas State History Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Family · Low walking

Bat watching cruise

Congress Avenue Bridge bats (March to October).

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife

Live music crawl

Sixth Street and Rainey Street.

See times and prices

Full day · Food

Hill Country wine tour

Fredericksburg wineries.

See times and prices

After dark

Sixth Street, Rainey Street and East Austin.

6 tours worth booking for UT Austin

Tour	Length	Good for
Hamilton Pool and swimming holes	Half day	Families
Hill Country wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Barbecue tour	Half day	Food lovers
Kayak on Lady Bird Lake	Half day	Families
Bat watching cruise	Evening	Families, Tired legs
Live music crawl	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Franklin Barbecue Queue from 8 am
Terry Black's BBQ without the wait
Veracruz All Natural Migas tacos
Torchy's Tacos Local chain

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Blanton Museum of Art.
LBJ Library.

Getting around on event days

CapMetro buses and rideshare; event weeks have heavy traffic.

Day trips from Austin

Fredericksburg: 1.5 hours
San Antonio: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for UT Austin.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is UT Austin Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 8 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Main Mall and the UT Tower?

Austin-Bergstrom (AUS) is 15 minutes from downtown and 15 minutes from COTA. Walk or bus from downtown; the Tower lights up orange.

Where should I stay for UT Austin Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is South Congress: Shops, music and food trucks.

What else can we do around UT Austin Commencement?

Good short outings in Austin include Barbecue tour, Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near UT Austin Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Kayak on Lady Bird Lake, Bat watching cruise, Hamilton Pool and swimming holes. Thinkery children's museum.

How far is Main Mall and the UT Tower from Austin centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Walk or bus from downtown; the Tower lights up orange.

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