Austin Event Guide – 2024 United States Grand Prix

There’s lots happening in Austin as F1 heads to town for 2024 United States Grand Prix at COTA. Here are the top off-track events!

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Formula 1 is back in Austin for the 12th running of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas. On track, it’s set to be a hotly contested Grand Prix, with the title race still very much on. The Sprint format means that there an additional eight points on offer for whichever driver can master the modern classic circuit. As ever, away from the on track dramas, there’s lots to take in away from the track in lively Austin over the race weekend. We’ve selected some of the biggest and best events happening across the city!

College Football: Texas Longhorns vs Georgia Bulldogs

The 2024 United States Grand Prix weekend is set to be a big one for Austin. Coinciding with the on-track action at COTA, a college football meeting between the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs is set to bring around 100,000 more sporting fans to the city on Saturday October 19. The two top-ranked teams face off at the DKR Texas Memorial Stadium, with limited tickets remaining available.

Williams F1 Austin Fan Zone

The Williams Formula 1 team will be returning for the third successive year to 800 Congress from Monday October 14 to Sunday October 20 with their Austin Fan Zone. The Williams pop up experience has been a hit at other races across the world in recent years, including the Miami, Canadian, Singapore and British Grands Prix.

Guest appearances will come from Williams’ current drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, who’ll be making a special appearance for Q&A and autograph sessions in the build up to the United States Grand Prix. Other Williams team members will be appearing at the event, including James Vowles and Jamie Chadwick. There’ll be a range of other experiences on offer too. Play on the Scalextric track, take part in a scavenger hunt and take a look at the team’s heritage display. Exclusive merchandise will also be available.

The Williams pop up experience at 800 Congress will be open from 11:00 Monday-Wednesday and from 10:00 Thursday-Sunday. More details can be found on the Williams F1 team website.

Dystopia Grand Prix

Summit Austin – home of the US GP after party (more on that below) – will be hosting a Latin nightclub experience on the day that the COTA race weekend begins. Taking place from 22:00 until 02:00 on Friday October 18, head to Summit after Sprint Qualifying and dance the night away to Latin beats. Tickets are priced from $18.

Celebrate Spooky Season

With the United States Grand Prix weekend taking place in the second half of October, the autumnal vibes are strong in Austin when F1 rolls into COTA. Celebrate the season with a family trip to the Austin Pumpkin Festival, complete with a corn pit, Ferris wheel, train ride, live music and – of course – 45 varieties of pumpkins. There’s also a pumpkin patch south of Austin, at Indian Springs. Both experiences should be booked in advance.

With Halloween approaching, head to St. David’s Episcopal Church for an atmospheric evening of classical music. Classic Halloween songs – including Michael Jackson’s Thriller and scores from iconic horror movies – will be played by the Austin Camerata String Quartet in the candlelit church. There will be four performances across two nights, on Friday October 18 and Saturday October 19. Tickets are priced from $32.

2024 marks 50 years since the release of the classic horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Celebrate the groundbreaking film’s legacy with a special screening and a Q&A session with co-writer Kim Henkel, actress Teri McMinn and composer Wayne Bell. Run by the Texas Film Commission, the event takes place at Bullock Texas State History Museum from 18:00 to 21:30 on Friday October 18. Tickets are priced at $12.

Head to the After Party

After the 2024 United States Grand Prix on Sunday October 20, Summit Rooftop is the place to be for the biggest race after party! A staple of the COTA race weekend since 2016, you’re likely to find some of the current drivers and other F1 personalities unwinding here after a hard fought weekend.

Friend Zone and Danny Quest are among the DJs taking to the decks for the evening, with VIP guests expected to arrive from 21:00. The end of race party runs from 20:00 to 02:00 at 120 W 5th St, Austin. Tickets are priced from $44.

Trackside Entertainment at the 2024 United States Grand Prix

You don’t even have to leave the circuit gates to be entertained well into the night at Circuit of The Americas. COTA will once again have a stellar line-up of musical guests performing at the Germania Insurance Super Stage over the race weekend. Sting will headline on Friday night, while Eminem will perform on Saturday evening. DJ duo Two Friends will also be performing post-race on Sunday.

Further headline acts will perform as part of the “The American Soundtrack” series, showcasing performers from global superstars to amazing local bands. Rob Baird, Jane Leo, The Ugly Beats and Half Dream are among those performing across a number of stages at the track. See the full line-up on the COTA website.

More to Explore in Austin

• The artworks of Van Gogh and Monet will be showcased at the Austin American-Statesman Building in immersive exhibitions, with projections and multimedia experiences breathing new life into classic pieces. Open Tuesday-Sunday, book tickets online.
• 100 years of Surrealist artwork is celebrated in an exhibition at the Blanton Museum of Art. Delve into the works of Hans Bellmer, Leonora Carrington, Max Ernst and more.
• Learn more about the history of Texas with an exhibition on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at Bullock Texas State History Museum. The famous treaty ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, establishing the border between Texas and Mexico. The exhibition is open daily.
• Austin is the live music capital. Head to practically any bar downtown and be greeted with live music. Who knows – you might find your new favourite band!
• Get more tips on what to see and do in Austin in our guide to the best year-round off-track activities.