Ciara O’Rourke

Rain, fluctuating weather, festival madness—yup, spring has definitely arrived, which means you can start filling your calendar with the best Austin events in March. On sunny days, Austin's best rooftop bars are filling up with thirsty Austinites looking for happy hour deals; when it's raining, we're heading to the best movie theaters in town to catch up on all the Oscar winners. Oh, and then there's SXSW 2018. If you're not going to Austin's biggest festival, there's still plenty to do this month. Check out a few of our favorites. 

We're not sure how this happened, but Valentine's Day is here already—and with it, plenty of Valentine's Day events taking place across Austin. Along with special Valentine's Day dinners at romantic restaurants and dreamy cocktails at Austin's best happy hours, there are themed concerts, burlesque acts and plenty of wine pairings to indulge in with your bae. Not that you need one—these V-Day events are perfect for meeting your future dreamboat, too. RECOMMENDED: Our guide to Valentine's Day in Austin

Get out your glitter and raise your rainbow flag—Pride Week is back from August 18 to 26, and we've rounded up the best Austin Pride Week events to celebrate. From a bar crawl through the best Austin gay bars to a rooftop celebration at one of the city's top museums to a big ol’ gay brunch, there's no chance you'll be left without the best things to do in Austin during the fun-filled week. Check out our guide of events, and be sure to snag tickets to the Pride Festival—you won't want to miss Betty Who, Jessica Wild and Mykki Blanco take the stage. 

Fireworks, parades, the best BBQ in the city—there are plenty of things to do in Austin on a regular basis, but we've rounded up the very best 4th of July events to kick your Independence Day up a notch. From drink specials at the best bars in Austin to patriotic paddles down the river to corn dog eating contests, there's no way you'll be without something to do come July 4. Slap on some sunscreen, sport that red, white and blue, and celebrate 'Murica with our favorite activities this holiday weekend. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to 4th of July in Austin

Women take over Cheer Up Charlies, Mohawk and more for several days of performances, talks, crafts and films at this festival focused on females in creative industries.  

Free press, free speech, freedom to eat as many Habanero house-picked eggs as you can in five minutes. Haymaker will award the winner $250 cash, which can buy you 83 boozy snow cones (they're on special for $3). The $20 contest entry includes a commemorative Fourth of July T-shirt and a drink of choice (like a digestif). The fees and a portion of all sales during the event will be donated to Helping Hand Home for Children. You can sign up at Haymaker or by emailing events@haymakeraustin.com.  

Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 regularly appears on lists of the best 10 films of all time, so why not knock it off your bucket list? Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee and more. 

Michael J. Fox stars as a teenager who travels through time and accidentally prevents his parents from falling in love, threatening his existence in the present. Also starring Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover.

The Long Center partners with Ballet Austin to bring free dance lessons to the Dell Hall Stage. No experience necessary to take your rightful place in the limelight as you learn dancing styles from around the world and, in July, some of Michael Jackson's moves. The doors open at 7pm, lessons start at 7:30pm and dancing lasts until 8:45pm, but you can come and go as you please. 

Sample some of the city's best fare on the Long Center lawn for a few nights this summer. More than a dozen food trailers are scheduled to have food and drinks for purchase and live music will keep you entertained as you enjoy a taco while looking across the river at skyline views. Personal water bottles, folding chairs, blankets, lawn and board games, and pets on-leash are all welcome. Alcoholic beverages and glass bottles are not. 

Of course, summer doesn't officially start for another few weeks, but the last day of classes in the Austin school district is early June. There are worse ways for kids to celebrate than making bubbles on the Long Center's lawn. The seventh annual celebration also features a giant rock climbing wall, trampolines, face-painting and foam pits. Big Don, Trout Fishing in America and The Saddle Sores (White Ghost Shivers) will take the stage. 

Catch a classic movie with a cocktail and food truck fare as soon as the sun sets at the Long Center this summer, or get there a little early and brave the heat to hear a live band that pairs well with the flick. Doors and food trucks open at 6pm, live music starts at 7:30pm and the movie starts at dark—around 9pm. Just remember to BYO blankets and chairs. 

The summer heat in Austin is liable to fray your nerves, so why not get a head start on soothing them with this summer cocktail dinner curated by Erin Ashford? Punch bowls and several courses ahead. Make a reservation by emailing reservations@olamaieaustin.com. 

Cochon555 is back! This year, five Austin chefs will have one week to prepare six dishes using every bit of a whole 200-pound heritage breed pig for this national nose-to-tail cooking tour that crowns a prince or princess of Porc (that's pork en français). The 2018 chefs include Abril Galindo Lopez and James Flowers (TRIO), Ben Runkle and Louis Ciola (Salt & Time), Fiore Tedesco (L’Oca d’Oro), Gabriel Erales (Dai Due Taqueria) and Nathan Lemley and Sarah Heard (Foreign & Domestic). Don't worry if you're not feeling pig feet—a salami snack bar, pop-up bakery and beef tartare tasting are among the alternative options. Two beverage competitions will be taking place as well, pairing punches and wine that pair best with the event's dishes.

Don your finest Fritz Bernaise dress (or your best dri-wick) and join the Bridesmaids Pub Run for what Whole Foods is calling "the ultimate wedding party." The grocer is organizing the event, which starts at the Paramount and Stateside Theatres. From there, participants will dash to the market for some food, beer and music compliments of an actual wedding emcee. The fête continues back at the Paramount with a costume contest and movie screening. You can répondez s'il vous plaît here.