City of Austin Hosts Second Annual Welcoming Week September 10–19, 2026

The City of Austin will host its second annual Welcoming Week from September 10 -19, 2026. Welcoming Week is a global initiative encouraging communities to deepen understanding and connection among neighbors through local events rooted in shared values of belonging.

This year’s theme, “Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect,” calls on Austinites to show up for one another in ways that reflect the city’s longstanding spirit of creativity, resilience, and community care. Many immigrant families in Austin continue to navigate uncertainty, whether tied to displacement, climate pressures, shifting economies, or changes in local neighborhoods. Welcoming Week offers a time to acknowledge these challenges while celebrating the courage it takes to share experiences, seek connection, and build a community where everyone can thrive. The work of belonging is ongoing, and Welcoming Week provides a starting point for that commitment. 

“Austin’s identity has always been shaped by the people who choose to call it home—from longtime residents to neighbors who arrived more recently” Mayor Kirk Watson said. “Welcoming Week is about honoring those stories and about recognizing that community is something we build together. I encourage every Austinite to participate, meet new neighbors, and discover the connections that make our city stronger.”

Throughout the week, the City is partnering with community organizations, cultural institutions, and local leaders to host events that offer resources, uplift immigrant voices, honor cultural heritage, and encourage storytelling across communities. Events this year will include a Citizenship Clinic and Resource Fair, the Austin Utilities Resource Fair, language classes, a health and wellness fair, a refugee arts, crafts, and food bazaar, expanded programs through Austin Public Library branches, and additional neighborhood-based activities.

In 2025, Austin hosted its first Welcoming Week and earned its 2‑Star Certified Welcoming City designation. Today, immigrants make up approximately 22% of Austin’s population, representing cultures from around the world and speaking dozens of languages, including Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Telugu, Vietnamese, Tamil, Korean, Japanese, Malayalam, Kannada, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, French, Nepali, Marathi, and many others. These languages and cultural traditions reflect not only the diversity of our city but also the stories that continue to shape Austin’s future.

“Welcoming Week reminds us that belonging is built through everyday courage—the courage to listen, to share, to act and show up for one another” said Austin Equity and Inclusion Director, Dr. Lindsey Wilson. “Welcoming Week is about honoring the contributions of immigrant communities while acknowledging the real challenges they face. Our commitment as a city is to keep working toward systems that foster inclusivity and belonging all year round.”

All residents are invited to participate in Welcoming Week events throughout Austin and join the conversation online using #atxwelcomingweek2026.

For the full calendar of events and more information, visit: bit.ly/atxwelcomingweek2026

About Welcoming America 
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization leading a global movement of inclusive communities working to ensure everyone belongs. Through the Welcoming Network, the organization supports communities in developing policies, practices, and culture that create environments where everyone can thrive. Learn more at welcomingamerica.org.