Austin 2026: The Grand Prix Is Only the Start

Free Williams and Red Bull fan events, a downtown history stop, time beside Lady Bird Lake and concerts at COTA. Here’s a selective guide to making more of Austin race week.

The United States Grand Prix gives you a reason to visit Austin. Leave some room to enjoy the city while you’re there.

For race week, start with an accessible team event, add a local experience that fits your schedule, and decide whether the circuit’s evening entertainment is worth staying for. You don’t need to fill every spare hour.

These five choices offer different ways to spend your time. Four are off-site and free to enter. The concert option is at COTA and requires the appropriate race admission.

Details checked October 14, 2026. All times are Austin local time, Central Daylight Time.

Get closer to F1 at the Williams Fan Zone

The Atlassian Williams F1 Team Fan Zone presented by Kraken is the straightforward choice for fans who want an F1 experience downtown without buying another event ticket.

At 800 Congress Avenue, you can see a full-scale FW48 show car, try racing simulators and test your reactions. It gives you something to do even if your visit doesn’t coincide with a team appearance.

Williams has announced Alex Albon and team principal James Vowles among the planned guests. Specific appearance times have not yet been published in the announcement, so check the team’s latest schedule before arranging your day around them. Entry does not guarantee a meeting.

When: October 19–24. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Where: 800 Congress Avenue, downtown Austin.

Admission and cost: Free entry. Download the Williams app and register for access. Merchandise purchases are separate.

Try Red Bull’s Austin Race Nights

Red Bull Austin Race Nights brings Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls into the city with racing simulators, a pit-stop challenge and a replica team garage.

It’s a free evening option for fans who want more hands-on F1 activities. Driver appearances are advertised, but specific guests and appearance times have not been confirmed in the listing.

When: October 22–25, 4–10 p.m. All ages are welcome before 8 p.m.; entry after 8 p.m. is restricted to guests aged 18 and older.

Where: Red Bull’s event header lists Riviere Austin, 1501 E. 7th Street, while its description names Big Texas. Confirm the venue with Red Bull before traveling.

Admission and cost: Free and open to the public. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Add a Texas Capitol visit to your downtown plans

The Texas Capitol is a useful pairing with the Williams Fan Zone: both are on Congress Avenue, and a guided tour offers a manageable introduction to Texas history and the building’s architecture.

Tours generally last about 40 minutes. That makes this an option for an earlier arrival day or a gap in your downtown plans, rather than an outing that needs most of the day.

If you prefer to explore independently, self-guided visits are also available.

When: Guided tours depart periodically Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until the final departure at 4:15 p.m. Sunday departures begin at noon and finish at 4:15 p.m.

Where: 1100 Congress Avenue. Guided tours leave from the South Foyer.

Admission and cost: Free. Groups larger than 10 should arrange a reservation in advance.

Take a shorter walk beside Lady Bird Lake

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail offers a change of pace from fan events and race-week crowds. The full loop is about 10 miles, but there’s no need to make it an endurance session.

Choose a short daytime walk along the waterfront, using the Trail Conservancy’s map to select an access point and a route that suits your available time and mobility.

Check the detour map before setting off. Current notices include a two-day south-shore reroute beginning October 19 between the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and the MoPac Colorado River Railroad Bridge, plus longer-running work near Waller Beach and I-35. Follow the posted route rather than assuming the entire loop is unobstructed.

When: Available throughout race week. Published park hours are 5 a.m.–10 p.m.; daylight is the practical choice for sightseeing.

Where: Along Lady Bird Lake. The city lists the trail at 800 W. Riverside Drive, with multiple access points shown on the trail map.

Admission and cost: Free public access. No event registration is required for a self-guided walk.

Already attending COTA? Consider staying for the music

This final option is at the circuit, rather than elsewhere in Austin.

COTA’s lineup lists Maroon 5 on Friday, October 23, and Post Malone on Saturday, October 24, at the Germania Insurance Super Stage. Alesso performs after the race on Sunday, October 25, at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater.

For race attendees, the appeal is simple: the entertainment is part of the day’s visit, without adding another downtown venue to your itinerary.

When: Friday and Saturday evening performances, plus Sunday’s post-race show. Check the final event schedule for start times.

Where: Circuit of the Americas.

Admission and cost: Standard concert access is included with race admission valid for the relevant day. Concert-floor access and reserved Super Stage seating are paid upgrades. Confirm your ticket’s dates before buying an add-on.

A sensible Austin week can be as simple as Williams and the Capitol on a downtown day, Red Bull for an evening activity, a waterfront walk when you have breathing room, and a concert if you’re already at COTA. Pick what fits around the racing, and give the city some time too.