out of bounds comedy festival (September 1-7)For fans of off the cuff comedy, it doesn’t get better than Out Of Bounds. Non-stop improv shows, comedy classes, and other events will have you laughing so hard that you’ll pee a tiny bit.

austin gay and lesbian film festival (September 8-13)Austin’s gay community hosts this film festival focusing on the loves, lives, and legal battles of gay and transgender folks around the world.

fantastic fest (September 24 - October 1)The official motto, “like a film festival with all the boring parts cut out,” couldn’t be more accurate. Zombies, vampires, and all sorts of freaks and geeks abound at this international expose of the obscure and obscene.

acl (October 2-4) In the past few years, this fall music festival has eclipsed the live performance show that gave it its name. Now one of the most popular music fests in the country, Austin City Limits festival is a weekend of fun and great bands, both nostalgic and up and coming.

austin film festival (October 22 -29)Austin has a vibrant film community all year long, but Austin Film Festival is the time of year where we put it on display and proudly show it off. Both internationally celebrated dramas and shorts by local auteurs are featured, giving the festival a rather eclectic array of programming.

fun fun fun fest (November 7-8) Though no longer free, fall’s Fun Fun Fun festival does its best to live up to its name while providing a cheap alternative to the stiff ACL ticket prices. Artists tend to be a little more low profile and tents sway toward themes like indie, comedy, and punk.

zilker park trail of lights (December 13-23)In the spirit of non- denominational holiday celebration, Austin illuminates this stretch of Zilker Park with retina wowing light displays. Come check out the pretty lights, they’re like, totally awesome.

frontera fest (January 13-February 6)Frontera Fest is Austin’s highly creative fringe theater scene’s time to shine. Over several weeks, across several stages, Austinites and outsiders put on short and long form plays ranging from drama to comedy to outright weird and experimental.

zilker park kite festival (March 7)Let’s go fly a kite! For anyone who thinks a kite is a paper diamond on string, be prepared to be amazed as fighting kites, flying dragons, and a fantastic array of aerial acrobatics overtake Zilker Park.

star of texas fair and rodeo (March 12-27)Despite Austin’s liberal rep, we’re still Texans through and through. Anyone doubting will find all the cow wrassling evidence they could ever want at this truly Texan rodeo/fair.

sxsw (March 12-16)The little music industry shindig that put Austin on the map has since exploded into a week long blowout of hot bands, cutting edge films, and more events and parties than most other cities see in a calendar year.

austin reggae festival (April 17-18)Formerly known as Marley Fest, until the Marley estate took issue with the use of their name, Austin Reggae Fest is an outdoor concert where fans of Caribbean originated rhythms gather to enjoy the iration.

eeyore’s birthday party (April 24)In one of A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie the Pooh tales, downtrodden donkey Eeyore is depressed that no one re-membered his birthday until he stumbles onto his very own surprise party. Austin hippies have continued to make that dear old donkey proud with this annual celebration of drum circles and dreadlocks in Pease Park.

fusebox (Spring)Austin is a city with a rich and diverse artistic community. For those scratching their heads trying to figure out what’s worth seeing, Fusebox pulls in the best of the best from the cultural edge and then offers up dance, perfor-mance art, stand up, and music acts for a more than affordable price.

chaos in tejas (Spring)There are more than a few music festivals each year in Austin, but Chaos in Tejas is hands down the most punk rockinest of them all. Get ready for mohawks and heavy metal mayhem.

rot rally (June 10-13)Each June, swarms of bikers flood downtown to rev their engines and party. Even if you try to avoid the hullabaloo, you’ll still see packs of custom choppers tearing down I-35 all week long.

ustin

alendarestival

2009-2010

afcThis is a sample of some of the staff’s favorite festivals. For more information about Austin festivals, visit:austin360.comaustinchronicle.com