MrJohnny's Kidevents - activities for children, kids and families in Austin Back to Kidevents

ANNUAL Austin Events

JANUARY - More Info
  • Free Admission Days: Wildflower Center
  • KLRU Kids Club Celebration
    FEBRUARY - More Info
  • Austin JuggleFest Public Show
    MARCH - More Info
  • Austin Science Fun Day
  • Explore UT
  • Texas Independence Day Parade - starts at the Congress Avenue Bridge
  • Zilker Park Kite Festival
  • Easter Egg Hunts & events - Austin Parks & Rec
  • Cowboy Breakfast - Star of Texas Rodeo
  • SXSW Town Lake Stage Free Concerts
    APRIL - More Info
  • Movies in the Park
  • Celebration of Families
  • Healthy Kids Day
  • Texas Relays - 1st 2 days
  • Austin Art Car Parade & show
  • Paddlefest
  • Old Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival
  • Dragon Boat Race
  • The Austin Fine Arts Festival Family Fun Weekend
  • Band-O-Rama Concert
    MAY - More Info
  • Austin Symphonic Band's Mother's Day Concert
  • Junior Builder's Festival
  • Youth Ballet Under the Stars
  • Concerts in the Park - Free Summer Sundays
    JUNE - More Info
  • Austin Public Library Summer Reading Program
  • Regal Cinema Free Family Film Festival
  • Zilker Pops Concerts
  • Austin Symphonic Band's Father's Day Concert
    JULY - More Info
  • Summer Musical for children
  • Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks
  • Zilker Summer Musical
    AUGUST - More Info
  • Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Tejas
  • Annual Hot Sauce Festival
    SEPTEMBER
  • Austin Museum Day
  • Annual Mexican Independence Parade & Festival
  • The Harvest Moon Festival
  • La Piazza Italiana - Italian Festival
  • Annual Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival
    OCTOBER - More Info
  • Muster Days
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo
  • Austin Cave Festival
  • Texas Book Festival
    NOVEMBER - More Info
  • Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival
  • Children Giving to Children Parade
  • 11th Annual Victorian Christmas on 6th Street
    DECEMBER - More Info
  • Tree Lighting and John Aielli's Holiday Sing-Along
  • Lighting of the Zilker Tree
  • Trail of Lights
  • Annual Wheatsville Arts Festival
  • Annual YMCA Children's Christmas Party
  • Austin Symphony's Christmas Sing-Along
    SEASONAL OR ONGOING - More Info
  • Saturday Morning Kids Club
  • The Austin Farmer's Market
  • Suset Valley Farmers Market
  • Star Saturdays at Faulk Central Library
  • Austin Children's Museum - Community Night
    (More Information Below) "FREE" Annual AUSTIN EVENTS
    JANUARY
  • Free Admission Days: Wildflower Center Free all month long, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, 292-4100. Admission to the Wildflower Center is free all month (open Tuesday through Sunday). Kids will enjoy using the Discovery Packs.
  • KLRU Kids Club Celebration Highland Mall. Live music, popular PBS characters, fun arts & crafts activities, free give-aways.
    FEBRUARY
  • Austin JuggleFest Public Show Location changes each year. Show is schedueld in the evening. Featuring lots of colorful balls, wild flames, juggling and unicycling acts and more.
    MARCH
  • Austin Science Fun Day Texas Memorial Museum, 471-1604. Interactive booths with free science activities for the whole family.
  • Explore UT UT campus, 471-7753. Held the same day as Austin Science Fun Day University of Texas "The Biggest Open House in Texas" includes a showcase of UT's literary and art collections, student performances of dance, music and theater and cutting-edge scientific research.
  • Texas Independence Day Parade - starts at the Congress Avenue Bridge
  • Zilker Park Kite Festival Zilker Park, 647-7488. One of the nation’s oldest kite-flying events draws thousands of professional & amateur kite-flyers. Bring own kite and join in the fun.
  • Easter Egg Hunts & events - Austin Parks & Rec various Austin Parks & Rec locations. Join the Easter Bunny & his friends at the "Easter Eggstravaganza" at House Park Stadium; Meet Peter Cottontail on the "Bunny Trail Bonanza" at Northwest Rec Center or "Search for the Lost Eggs" at Dittmar Park and more. (Most are free some may charge a small fee of $1 - $2.)
  • Cowboy Breakfast - Star of Texas Rodeo Auditorium Shores. Join more then 5,000 folks from around town rustling up FREE grub! Grab a breakfast taco, some Cowboy Coffee and enjoy live music and a free breakfast served from authentic Chuck wagons.
  • SXSW Town Lake Stage Free Concerts Auditorium Shores Town Lake Stage, Three evenings of free concerts featuring well-known bands and kid's musician Joe McDermott. Free shuttle service from Austin High School.
    APRIL
  • Movies in the Park Thursdays (through May), Republic Square Park, 5th and Guadalupe streets Bring your blankets, chairs, picnics and pets. A series of movies from classic to crazy G and PG movies. Admission is free. Popcorn, drinks, snacks, hot dogs for sale.
  • Celebration of Families Palmer Events Center, 478-5725. Annual festival includes seminars on positive parenting, childcare, exhibitors showcasing programs and services, entertainment stage.
  • Healthy Kids Day TownLake, Northwest YMCA, East Communities, Northpark YMCA. 542-9622; 335-9622. Booths showcasing programs - good eating, exercise, sports & games, activities, and more.
  • Texas Relays Track & Field competitions - 1st two days are free admission. UT campus - Mike Meyers Stadium (800) 982-2386 or (512) 471-3333.
  • Austin Art Car Parade & show Congress Ave, 459-4070. Art Car Parade down Congress Ave. See all sorts of oddly ornamented automobiles, bicycles, lawn mowers, wheeled contraptions and more.
  • Paddlefest Town Lake and Big Webberville Park canoe races for experienced paddlers followed by demonstrations for beginners. Youngsters can try out paddling and kayaking.
  • Old Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival 6th street from IH 35 to Brazos, 441-9015. Over 300 arts & crafts booths, 40 food booths, 5 music stages with over 75 bands, carnival rides, clowns, face painters, street performers, and more. Costs for food, rides.
  • Dragon Boat Race Festival Beach, NE corner I 35 & Town Lake. 336-5069. Sponsored by the Asian American Community Partnership features authentic 40 foot long dragon boats with 24 paddlers paced by a drummer. Dances, Asian food, and martial arts demonstrations.
  • The Austin Fine Arts Festival Family Fun Weekend Austin Museum of Art downtown - weekend of free activities & free admission. Visitors can enjoy the current exhibition as well as hands-on art activities.
  • Band-O-Rama Concert Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River, 471-4471. Annual concert and tradition from the UT Longhorn Marching Band, aka the "Showband of the Southwest." Free Tickets must be picked up in advance at the Erwin Center Box Office or the University's Performing Arts Center Box Office. Reserved seating is on a first come, first served basis.
    MAY
  • Austin Symphonic Band's Mother's Day Concert Zilker Hillside Theatre - Bring blanket and picnic.
  • Junior Builder's Festival Crockett Events Center, 6301 Hwy. 290 E., 442-7887 Kids can explore the world of building, see demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities involving carpentry, painting, masonry, electricity, heavy equipment and more.
  • Youth Ballet Under the Stars Zilker Hillside Theater, 502-8634. The Youth Ballet Theater of Austin presents a special free dance production each year.
  • Concerts in the Park - Free Summer Sundays Wooldridge Park, 9th & Guadalupe, 476-6064. Starting at dusk each Sunday, different ensemble is featured under the gazebo. Performing arrangements by composers from Mozart to Ellington to Rodgers & Hammerstein. Bring a picnic dinner & blanket.
    JUNE
  • Austin Public Library Summer Reading Program June - July, various library locations, 974-7302. Special programs feature kid's musicians, magic shows, puppet shows, storytellers, and much more.
  • Austin Symphony 'Children's Day Art Park' - small fee June - July, (Wednesdays), Symphony Square, 1101 Red River, 476-6064. Features local musicians, Instrumental Petting Zoo, craft projects, Art Tent and the Pied piper. $.50 cents/child; adults/free.
  • Regal Cinema Free Family Film Festival June - Aug, Every Tues & Wed morning - Free G and PG movies at participating theatres.
  • Zilker Pops Concerts Zilker Hillside Theater, 990-8ACO. These popular outdoor concerts presented by the Austin Civic Orchestra feature pop music from a variety of Broadway musicals including West Side Story, The Producers, Guys and Dolls. Refreshments will be sold No cost for admission.
  • Austin Symphonic Band's Father's Day Concert Zilker Hillside theatre, Annual concert featuring marches, patriotic melodies, & other familiar works. Bring a picnic basket.
    JULY
  • Summer Musical for children 2 weekends - late July/early Aug, Austin Scottish Rite Theatre, 18th & Lavaca. 2005 will feature Peter Pan and his lost Shadow. Tickets are free but get there early!
  • Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks Zilker Park, features patriotic music and the ever-popular 1812 Overture--the latter punctuated by 75-millimeter Howitzer cannons courtesy of Texas National Guard Salute Battery and spectacular fireworks over Town Lake.
  • Zilker Summer Musical July - August (Thurs - Sun), 8:30 pm, Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton, 479-9491. A must see - bring a picnic blanket and get there early for best seats. this is free but donations are accepted.
    AUGUST
  • Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Tejas Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Dr, 479-9491. Professional multi-cultural dance company featuring adult, junior and children's performances.
  • Annual Hot Sauce Festival Waterloo Park, 12th at Red River, 454-5766. Homegrown hot sauces, along with live music and some of Austin's favorite eateries. No cost for admission with your donation of a non-perishable food item for the Capital Area Food Bank.
    SEPTEMBER
  • Austin Museum Day The Austin Museum Partnership hosts Austin Museum Day - a free, city-wide rediscovery of Austin museums throughout the day on a Sunday in Sept. Special activities for families. Admission is free.
  • Annual Mexican Independence Parade & Festival Starts at the corner of Riverside & Congress and proceeds to the Texas State Capitol down Congress Ave, 477-5829. Charros, motorcyclists, lowriders, race cars, bikes, and floats will parade up the avenue followed by music at the Capitol.
  • The Harvest Moon Festival Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Rd., 336-5069. Asian cultural performances: Japanese Taiko drum, Lion Dance, different dances of Chinese, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese & Tahitian; Musical performances, Martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts, Chinese calligraphy, traditional Asian foods, and more.
  • La Piazza Italiana - Italian Festival Wooldridge Square Park, 800 Guadalupe St., 345-8941. Italian music, bocce ball, soccer games, cheese tasting, Italian food, and more.
  • Annual Old Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival Sixth Street between Congress & I-35, 441-9015. Beautiful handmade arts and crafts, vast array of food and beverages, live music on six stages, "Kid's Korner" featuring a carnival, petting zoo, & entertainment. Fees for rides and concessions.
    OCTOBER
  • Muster Days Camp Mabry, 2200 W. 35th St. 782-6732. The Texas Military Forces Museum invites the public to take a trip back in history. Activities include parade of armor, band concerts by the 36th Division Band, WWII aircraft flyovers, re-enactments of several historical events and more.
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo Texas Parks and Wildlife HQ, 4200 Smith School Rd., 389-8900. Kids can try fishing, shooting, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. Lots of info about state parks, archaeology, camping, and outdoor skills.
  • Austin Cave Festival The Karst Preserve (La Cresada and Davis Lane just west of Mopac). Each year, the Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and the Texas Cave Management Association hold this event to educate visitors about the importance and sensitivity of the aquifer and its recharge features. Event features informational booths, activities for children, live bats, and short adventures into the Preserve’s Live Oak Cave.
  • Texas Book Festival State Capitol grounds. Two-day festival featuring authors from Texas and across the country. readings & panels plus the book fair. Bring the kids to meet their favorite authors and get books autographed, make book-related crafts, hear storytelling and music, and much more. Entertainment tent features many Austin favorite kids entertainers.
    NOVEMBER
  • Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Rd, 448-1960. The nation's largest American Indian annual gathering in Texas. The event draws more than 25,000 people for a single-day gathering of traditional American Indian dancing, singing, arts, crafts, foods and contemporary entertainment.
  • Children Giving to Children Parade Starts at the Capitol, travels south on Congress. A procession of giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children's characters, spectacular marching bands, cool classic cars, live music and Santa usher in the season of giving. This event is a toy drive for Operation Blue Santa.
  • 11th Annual Victorian Christmas on 6th Street 6th Street, downtown, 441-9015. Re-live the turn-of-the-century and rejoice in the spirit of Christmas on Austin's historic 6th Street. 150 booths of handmade arts and crafts, Christmas carolers, choirs, and handbells, petting zoo, pony rides, victorian costumes, juggling, zoo show, photos with Santa Fees for rides, photos.
    DECEMBER
  • Tree Lighting and John Aielli's Holiday Sing-Along Texas State Capitol grounds. Annual tree lighting and singing of traditional carols followed by a stroll along Congress Ave. where some of the merchants will have their windows decorated in holiday themes and will provide free refreshments and entertainment.
  • Lighting of the Zilker Tree The "moon tower" in Zilker Park will be lit ablaze in this 37th year of the Austin holiday tradition of turning the Zilker Moon Tower into the "largest man made" Christmas tree, no cost.
  • Trail of Lights Join the thousands of visitors and enjoy the one mile walk through lighted displays. Enjoy hot chocolate, food, entertainment, Santa Clause and the mini Zilker Zepher train rides (fee for train rides)
  • Annual Wheatsville Arts Festival Wheatsville Coop, 3101 Guadalupe, 478-2667. Live Music, Puppet Shows and the work of over 75 Artists at Austin's oldest community owned grocery store.
  • Annual YMCA Children's Christmas Party Austin Music Hall, 542-9622. Kids of all ages will enjoy games, food, holiday arts & crafts, inflatables, face painting, music and a visit with Santa. Every child will receive a free wrapped gift.
  • Austin Symphony's Christmas Sing-Along Riverbend Centre, 4214 Capital of Texas Hwy, 476-6064. The Austin Symphony merrily presents the annual Christmas Sing-Along -- a fun holiday event for the whole family. This is a free event but tickets are required for admission. Tickets can be picked up at the Symphony Box Office, 1101 Red River.
    SEASONAL OR ONGOING
  • Saturday Morning Kids Club Alamo Drafthouse, 409 Colorado. The last Saturday of every month features free screenings for children including classic, timeless children's films, from 50's sci-fi, to Harryhausen classics, swashbucklers to pirates, from from King Kong to Swiss Family Robinson. Call for film rating. This Saturday's film: "Flight of the Navigator".
  • The Austin Farmer's Market Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Republic Square, 4th and Guadalupe, 236-0074. The Austin Farmer's Market features fresh and local vegetables, herbs, cheeses, eggs, meats, breads, honey, flowers, prepared foods, artisans and more, kids activities, live music.
  • Suset Valley Farmers Market Saturdays, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm, Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Rd. Fresh produce, fruits, from local growers. Plus great prepared foods fresh fruits and veggies, kids activities, live music.
  • Star Saturdays at Faulk Central Library Special performances at 2:00 pm - music, puppets, storytelling.
  • Austin Children's Museum - Free admission Wed, 5:00 - 8:00 pm for Community Night Sundays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm