One of Austin’s most laid back and quietly underrated spring events is back. The 13th Annual Pop-Up Picnic from Waterloo Greenway returns on Saturday, April 18, 2026, taking over the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park from 6 to 10 p.m. This is the kind of event that feels very Austin in the best way. Good food, live music, blankets on the lawn, and a crowd that actually wants to be there.
At its core, Pop-Up Picnic is a community driven fundraiser supporting Waterloo Greenway’s public programming and park spaces, including the upcoming Phase II expansion, The Confluence, opening later this year. But it never feels like a typical fundraiser. It leans more into the experience.
Guests can bring their own picnic setup or go all in with one of the curated restaurant baskets, which is where things get interesting. Each basket is built for two and includes event entry, with options ranging from $100 to $350 depending on how serious you want to get about your dinner situation.
The $100 tier keeps things classic with options like Home Slice Pizza serving up full 18 inch pies, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken bringing heat with jumbo tenders and sides, and Local Foods offering a full spread of sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
Step up to the $250 baskets and you start to see more elevated builds from spots like Justine’s Brasserie, Uptown Sports Club, and Hank’s, each putting together multi course picnic friendly menus that feel more like a curated tasting than a casual snack.
At the top end, the $350 baskets bring out some heavy hitters. Franklin Barbecue is serving brisket, pulled pork, and barbecue chicken on site, while the Best of MML Hospitality basket pulls together a mix of oysters, fried chicken, salads, and desserts from across its portfolio.
If you are not trying to plan your meal in advance, entry only tickets are available starting at $25, with kids five and under getting in free.
Beyond the food, the event keeps things moving with live music and a full evening atmosphere that encourages people to settle in and stay awhile. There is also a raffle component with prizes available, adding another layer to the night without overcomplicating it.
For those looking to go a little further, giving tiers are available with added perks like valet parking, early access to baskets, reserved picnic setup, and even concert related benefits tied to Waterloo Greenway programming.
What makes Pop-Up Picnic work year after year is its simplicity. It does not try to do too much. It just creates a space where people can show up, eat well, and spend time outside in one of the city’s best green spaces while supporting something that benefits the community long term.
Curated picnic baskets and tickets are available now at waterloogreenway.org/picnic.