Classic Game Fest

Classic Game Fest calls itself “the biggest retro gaming event in Texas,” with more than 15,000 attendees and 200+ vendor booths. It’s three days at the Palmer Events Center on Austin’s Barton Springs Road, mixing a huge buy/sell/trade floor with free-play consoles and arcades, tournaments, special guests, live music, and cosplay.

When it happens

Classic Game Fest is a late-July weekend. The 2026 edition ran July 24–26 (Friday 1–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.). The official site has a 2027 countdown running, and full dates will be posted there.

Tips

• Friday afternoon is the collector’s window, before Saturday crowds pick over the vendor floor.
• Palmer has a garage next door, or bike or ride in along Lady Bird Lake.