by Lauren Montgomery

If you find yourself sitting at home on a Thursday night in Austin, wishing the weekend was already here, you could be in luck. If it is the first Thursday of the month, grab your stuff and immediately head down to SoCo, the trendy strip of South Congress Avenue, where the local merchants put on a wonderful celebration for the residents of the city.

The not-to-be-missed First Thursdays, as the event is aptly named, occur year-round on the first Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Austinites and visitors flock to the area and stroll up and down the street to hear great local bands, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, and shop in their favorite stores and boutiques, many of which offer special promotions for the event. A great number of local artists and merchants fill in the spaces between buildings with their own wares.

The wonderful part about First Thursdays is that there is something for everyone. From frosty Mexican margaritas to hot roasted veggie dogs, beautiful antique wooden furniture to organic handcrafted soap, the beat of bass drums to the twang of a harmonica, gleaming jewelry to posh designer clothing…it is all there.

If you step off the sidewalk for a moment and remove yourself from the pedestrian traffic milling up and down the street, you will find miniature art fairs where local artists proudly display their merchandise on tables set up in empty parking lots. An eclectic-shopper’s paradise, every type of art and craft fashioned under the sun can be found. You will discover leather goods, photography, paintings, glass work, hand crafted jewelry, candles, soaps, furniture, antiques, children’s toys, wood work, clothing and many other crafts – all at reasonable prices. If all the shopping makes you crave a snack, stop at a street vendor for some hot kettle corn or perhaps a juicy bratwurst. Need to wash it down? Step into a bar or coffee shop for a quick drink, and stay to hear a local band play to a packed house.

Once you’ve made it up the street, turn around and take in the magnificent view of downtown lit up at night, with the Capitol building standing proudly in the forefront. Very soon you will begin to understand why Austinites love their city so much.

Pictured above, Allens Boots, one of our favorite Austin, TX traditions!! 

For more information on First Thursdays, go to: http://www.firstthursday.info.