Where to Celebrate Selena’s Birthday in Austin 2026
In Texas, April 16 is Selena Day, a time when Selena fans commemorate the anniversary of her birthday with various celebrations throughout April. Check out how Austin will honor her legacy.
Selena Day, observed on April 16, honors the birthday of Selena Quintanilla. In 1995, Gov. George W. Bush officially declared the day to recognize her cultural impact and Tejanos have been celebrating ever since.
For us Selena fans, it’s a big deal: Not just one day, but a whole month of celebrating the Queen of Tejano and the way her legacy shows up in our cultura, music and everyday lives. This year feels especially meaningful as the first Selena Day following the passing of her father, Abraham Quintanilla, in December.
Across Austin, our comunidad is coming together to celebrate her life with joy, creativity and orgullo! Here’s some ways to celebrate Selena this month that we’re “muy excited” for:
April 10: St. Elmo Brewing hosts a Selena-inspired beer release party from 6–10 p.m. at both its south and east locations, featuring live music, DJs, themed drinks and local pop-ups, all coming together for a night that honors Selena’s spirit while supporting women and nonbinary folks in the brewing industry.
April 12: The Big Gay Selena Drag Brunch brings high-energy performances, iconic looks and all the Selena hits you love for a dazzling noon celebration and a whole lot of sparkle for la comunidad at Brewtorium (6015 Dillard Circle, Suite A). Tickets, supporting Austin Pride, start at $36.70.
April 16: Selena on Strings transforms Selena’s greatest hits into a cinematic live experience inside the ConcertDome at Austin Beerworks Sprinkle Valley, with performances at 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets start at $48.
April 16: Try a Selena-themed Painting With A Twist class at the Southpark Meadows location (9600 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Suite P600) from 7–9 p.m., where Selena fans ages 10 and up can create their own tribute to la Reina while enjoying a creative night out!
April 16: Celebrate Selena’s birthday at Hotel Vegas & Volstead Lounge with a free, all-noche fiesta starting at 6 p.m. and spanning three stages of live música, DJs, dance and performances. Get ready for everything from Selena tribute bands and cumbia sets to a free dance class and late-night karaoke, all bringing puro Selena vibes to the East Side! 21+; free entry. RSVP on Facebook.
April 18: Miguel St. Michael y Los Milagros bring the fiesta to Sahara Lounge for a Selena Birthday Bash filled with live music, dancing and puro Selena energy, plus a late-night pizza moment to keep the celebration going.
All April: “The Selena Effect” exhibit at The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University offers a new y unique look at Selena’s legacy through rare fotos, personal items and artwork, highlighting how her influence continues to shape música, fashion and cultura today.
For the Readers: University of Texas Press’s recently-released “The Selena Reader” brings together essays, stories and reflections that honor Selena’s lasting impact, exploring how her music, image and legacy continue to shape identity and cultura across generations. Purchase online (paperback for $34.95 and hardcover for $105) and available to recommend to your local bidi-bidi-biblioteca!
Know of another Selena celebration we should highlight? Send it our way at news@austinvida.com and help us keep honoring la Queen of Tejano together!
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