The 8 Weirdest And Wackiest Festivals In All Of Austin You Can’t Miss This Year

Austin City Limits takes over Zilker Park every October and South By Southwest fills the city with color every March, but these massive fests are only the tip of the iceberg. In Austin, there's hardly ever a weekend without a major event going on. Whether we're celebrating the birthday of a fictional children's book character or embracing our competitive side at a colorful race, one thing is certain: Austinites know how to have fun. These are the 8 weirdest and wackiest Austin festivals you can't miss this year.

1. Eeyore's Birthday Party

Expect to see lots of color, sparkles, and creativity at Eeyore's Birthday Party. This kooky Austin event has been going strong for 55 years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. Wear your flashiest costume and swing around the maypole. This whimsical party takes place from 11 AM to dark on April 28th at Pease Park. For more information about this year's event, click here.

2. The Buda Weiner Dog Races

The 21st annual Buda wiener dog race will take place on April 28th and 29th, and it's sure to get your tail wagging. Watch the adorable dachshunds pounce and play as they compete for the title of ultimate champion. Don't be mislead by their adorable demeanor, this competition can get fierce. To learn more about this spirited event, click here.

3. Honk!

When you hear trumpets blare and cymbals crash along the bustling city streets, it can only mean one thing: HONK! has descended upon Austin once again. This brassy and celebratory event features the best marching bands in the country. You'll hear everything from New Orleans brass bands to West African rhythms. This year's revelry kicks off April 6th and wraps up on the 8th. For more information, visit www.honktx.org.

4. The O. Henry Pun-Off

If you fancy yourself a wordplay pundit, you should enter the 2018 O. Henry Pun Off this May. Spout out a list of humorous phrases, and you could take home the gold! To stay up to date on this year's competition, visit punoff.com.

5. Keep Austin Weird Festival and 5K.

Hailed as the "slowest 5K in the world," The Keep Austin Weird Fest is wildly silly. Hundreds of Austinites dress up in their goofiest costumes and make their way through the city. They're in no hurry, of course! At the end of this leisurely stroll, participants can chow down on food truck treats and dance the night away at The Long Center. This year's event is scheduled to take place on June 23rd.

6. Jugglefest

Let your inner child run free at Jugglefest 2018. This spectacular event celebrates everything about the circus arts. You can gape at the unicyclists and jugglers during the free Saturday night show and even take classes to learn how to do it yourself! Jugglefest runs from February 23rd-25th at The Texas School For The Deaf. To learn more, visit www.juggling.place.org.

7. Bat Fest

In peak season, we have about 1.5 million of these little guys flying around, and they eat a ton of mosquitos! Why wouldn't we celebrate Texas' state flying mammal with a festival? This exciting event will take over the South Congress Bridge on August 18th. Prepare yourself for scrumptious food, exhilarating music, and a stunning view of the bats' sunset flight.

8. The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival

It's already sweltering in August, so you might as well embrace the heat with a hearty helping of salsa. The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival scorches tastes buds every summer, but Austinites love it anyway. Here, you can sample a wide variety of hot sauces and dips while listening to some smoky blues and wailing country music. You can even vote on your favorite flavor -- if your tastebuds can handle the heat!

Which festival are you looking forward to this year?