McLaren Formula 1 Team driver Lando Norris of Team Great Britain races in the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas Sunday October 20, 2024.
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Austin is revving its engines for Formula 1 weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. From espresso martinis and daytime raves to scooter-delivered pasta and champagne towers, the city’s off-track events are giving fans plenty of ways to celebrate the race without leaving town.
Fans heading to COTA can catch the F1 Sprint and the United States Grand Prix, then stick around for headlining concerts from Kygo and Garth Brooks.
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For fans who aren’t at the racetrack, bars, restaurants and local pop-ups are bringing the F1 energy to the city streets.
Open through Oct. 18: Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone
Alfa Romeo F1 driver Valtteri Bottas (77) and Williams Racing F1 driver Alexander Albon (23) round turn 17 in front of fans on a lawn during the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Oct. 23, 2022.
Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman
The Atlassian Williams Racing Fan Zone makes a pit stop downtown at 800 Congress Ave. The free fan experience brings Formula 1 to street level with Q&A sessions featuring driver Alex Albon, team principal James Vowles and F1 champ Jenson Button. Attendees can test their reflexes in the Pit Stop Challenge, try esports simulators and check out the FW46 show car. The activation is open through Oct. 18.
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Open through Oct. 20: F1 Hub on South Congress
Austin’s South Congress is getting a full Formula 1 makeover with the return of the F1 Hub at 1712 South Congress Ave. The pop-up shop features exclusive merch from every major team — Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull — as well as collaborations with Peanuts and the new Premium U.S. Grand Prix Collection.
Brochures.formula1.com/f175/f1hub.
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Oct. 16: Esses Bazaar ATX
Cheer Up Charlie’s in downtown Austin, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025
Sara Diggins/American-Statesman
Ahead of the Grand Prix, Esses Bazaar ATX offers an evening of local shopping, music and food on Oct. 16, from 6 to10 p.m. at Cheer Up Charlies. The event celebrates a year of Esses Magazine and includes vintage and thrift vendors, local food trucks, a live DJ, cocktails, a tattoo artist and even a show car on display. Organized in partnership with Visa and Cash App, the bazaar mixes Austin’s unique cultural flair with the energy of F1 weekend.
Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands drives in Practice Session 1 at the Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Friday Oct. 18, 2024.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Fans pour onto the track after Oracle Red Bull Racing F1 driver Max Verstappen wins the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, on Oct. 22.
Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman
F1 fan Robert Risch walks the grounds wearing a hotdog costume and a crown ahead of the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Oct. 23, 2022. Risch said he and his friends have a fantasy F1 league and the person in last place, Risch, had to wear a hotdog costume and crown to the race.
Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman
900 Red River St. Cheerupcharlies.com.
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Oct. 16-18: McLaren: The Zone Studio at LZR
McLaren is hosting a pop-up at The Zone Studio at 612 W. Fourth St. The free event blends a gallery vibe with garage energy — featuring original works inspired by being “In the Zone,” McLaren team members and the 2025 MCL39 F1 car on display. Guests can test their reflexes in racing simulators, compete in a pit stop challenge and explore heritage steering wheels alongside immersive installations.
Mclaren.com/racing/mclaren-racing-live-zone-studio.
Oct. 16-19: Barilla pasta pop-ups
Scooters delivering 5,513 free pasta meal kits — a nod to every meter of the Circuit of the Americas — will zip through downtown streets. Fans can also pick up kits at Fareground Austin, or find Barilla’s Al Bronzo pasta featured at 20 local restaurants, including The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen and Dovetail Pizza.
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Barilla.com/en-us/campaign/formula-1.
Oct. 18: Mr. Black x AM.Radio Coffee Rave
The Mr. Black x AM.Radio Coffee Rave transforms Cosmic Saltillo into a daytime dance party. Espresso martinis take center stage alongside high-energy DJ sets, creating a buzz that has drawn crowds in cities like Los Angeles. Free with RSVP, the event caters to fans looking for an F1 experience beyond the track, blending coffee culture with live music and daytime festivities.
1300 E. Fourth St. 512-763-7216, cosmichospitalitygroup.com/saltillo.
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Oct. 19: Codependent F1 watch party
Codependent Cocktails + Coffee is hosting an F1-themed watch party on Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests can take turns in a race simulator, sip Chivas cocktails paired with chocolate, or sample drinks from a race car ice luge. The coffee bar will stream live F1 races on TVs, feature a champagne tower from G.H. Mumm and offer experiences to put fans in the driver’s seat (metaphorically). Entry is free and open to the public.
301 West Ave., Ste.110. Codependentatx.com.
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Oct. 19: Guenther Steiner Live at The Paramount Theatre
Guenther Steiner, former Haas Team Principal, looks on from the track during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Canada.
Kym Illman/Getty Images
Fans of F1 strategy can catch former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner at The Paramount Theatre on Oct. 19. The show, featuring Brian and Matt from The Red Flags Podcast, promises a comedic recap of the U.S. Grand Prix. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the show starting at 9 p.m., offering an off-track perspective on racing for fans who want insight with a side of laughs. Tickets start at $35 at the theater’s website.
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713 Congress Ave. 512-472-5470, austintheatre.org.