May is heating up Austin with warm temps and hot events. The weather brings us all out of our homes and into the sunshine (and moonlight) to enjoy some of our favorite activities. Be sure to check out the closest movies in the park events near you for a fun family night out, encourage your kiddos to become little entrepreneurs on Lemonade Day, and enjoy Mother’s Day with complimentary mimosas. May the Fourth Be with you all month long!
Pajama Story Time
Tuesday, May 1 | 6 p.m. | Yarborough Branch, Austin Public Library, 2200 Hancock Drive
Feel free to wear pajamas to this family story time in the evening featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Program length can vary. Programs begin on time, for best experience we recommend you do too! Please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. Note that in some locations, FREE tickets (available in the branch on the day of the program) will be required for admittance. Contact individual branches to arrange group visits of 5 or more children to story times.
Story Time Yoga
Wednesday, May 2 | from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. | The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway Dr.
Bring your kids of all ages (babies are very welcome!) to watch their favorite stories come to life through yoga poses in this FREE class!
Cuddle Up and Read: Infant Story Time
Thursday, May 3 | from 2 to 3 p.m. | Manchaca Road Branch Library, 5500 Manchaca Rd
New at the Manchaca Road Branch beginning on March 22, the Austin Public Library will be providing our special lap-sit story time designed for our very youngest library users, infants ages 0-12 months! Join us for this sweet, weekly, social, story time where together we will sing, chant read and play, helping parents and caregivers incorporate early childhood literacy practices into their daily lives! FREE
67th National Day of Prayer Texas Capitol Event
Thursday, May 3 | from 12 to 1 p.m. | Texas Capitol Rotunda, 1100 Congress Ave
Come join us in the Texas Capitol rotunda at noon on Thursday May 3rd as we celebrate the 67th Annual National Day of Prayer with worship, song and prayer. The National Day of Prayer will be observed with thousands of events across America on May 3rd and in all 50 State Capitols. The invocation and benediction will be offered by Pastor Tom Deviney, senior pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church. We will be praying over the Seven Centers of Power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Family, and Church. FREE
Movies in the Park
Friday, May 4 | from 8 to 10 p.m. | Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy Cars 3 under the stars. Concessions will not be available, but you are welcome to bring a picnic. Glass containers are prohibited. Admission is FREE.
May the Fourth Be with You: Music from the Galactic Empire
Friday, May 4 | from 8 to 9 p.m. | Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W Slaughter Ln
Cinematic Symphony performs, live in concert, John Williams’s music from the Galactic Empire! New episodes means new music. Come enjoy this stellar performance through time and space. This is another FREE concert with amazing sound, cool visuals, and fun trivia. Costumes welcome. Doors open at 7:45pm. Not affiliated with the church, but concert will be held in their wonderful sanctuary.
Lemonade Day Austin
Saturday, May 5 | All Day | Citywide
The West Austin Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be presenting Lemonade Day Austin 2018! What is Lemonade Day Austin? Lemonade Day is a community-wide educational program to empower today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs! Participation in the program is FREE and provides the resources for children to learn how to start, own and operate their very own business… a lemonade stand! The program reaches its grand finale on Saturday May, 5th when thousands of kids host lemonade stands throughout the city of Austin. This day is promoted through media and marketing, and the kids keep their earnings, encouraged to follow the Lemonade Day mantra to “keep some, save some, share some”.
Outright Fitness and Performance Open House
Saturday, May 5 | from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Outright Fitness & Performance Facility, 15508 Bratton Ln, #625
Outright Fitness & Performance is celebrating its new location with an Open House on May 5 from 7am to 4pm. There will be FREE youth and adult assessments including the 40yd dash, vertical jump, bench press, among other tests. There will also be FREE group exercise classes, softball and basketball skills camp for youth and much more! The event is free and all are welcome! For more information, you can go to outrightfitness.com/openhouse or you can email us at [email protected] or call/text 512-348-7113.
Greater Austin Ecoblitz
Saturday, May 5 | from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | YMCA Camp Cypress, 1302 S 1st Street
Join the YMCA of Austin and multiple community partners in celebrating biodiversity. Explore Camp Cypress, a pristine, 85-acre preserve along the banks of Onion Creek. The EcoBlitz will be a collaborative effort in which researchers and the general public work together to identify as many species as possible in a four-hour period. Youth and families of all ages are invited to join biologists, park interpreters and naturalists as they learn about the plants and animals around them.
Activities include:
- Photography
- Guided hikes
- Species identifications and wildlife tracking using the iNaturalist mobile app
- Kid-friendly activity booths
FREE and lunch provided!
Blair Woods Family Nature Day
Saturday, May 5 | from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Blair Woods Sanctuary, 5401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Join Travis Audubon for a morning of educational activities at Blair Woods Sanctuary, a natural oasis in east Austin! The theme of this Nature Day will be POLLINATORS, and will include guided walks, crafts, and other fun and family-friendly activities!
This event is FREE and open to the public.
$tart-Up! Kid’s Market
Saturday, May 5 | from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Valley View Elementary School, 1201 S Capital of Texas Hwy
Come out and support Austin’s young entrepreneurs at the $tart-Up! Kid’s Market, where students from across the city will be debuting their businesses! With a wide assortment of booths, you won’t leave empty handed. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate the wonderful things our future leaders are capable of. Live Music and food will be available, so make sure to bring your appetite. Parking will be available on site. The event is FREE and open to the public. $tart-Up! Kid’s Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are appreciated to ensure the continual support of our students! Your donation will help us to continue to provide entrepreneurial education to students free of charge.
Dancer’s Shape Hosts Free Fitness Series “Pilates in the Park”
Monday, May 7 | from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. | Dancers Shape, 13742 Bee Cave Pkwy
With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to take your workout outside with Dancers Shape’s free four-week fitness series, “Pilates in the Park”. Beginning Monday, April 30 and taking place weekly, the studio will host a FREE mat Pilates class at Bee Cave Central Park next door to their new studio at Hill Country Indoor. Come for one class or all four as the series kicks off April 30 at 9:30am with a one hour, full body, power-packed class combining traditional elements of pilates, yoga, and barre into a quick paced flow on the mat. The classes will focus on functional movement to build strength throughout the core while sculpting the most difficult trouble areas just in time for summer. Guests should bring their own mat, water, and full length towel. The group will meet under the pavilion at the park.
Story Time with Dru Woods Interactive Story Time
Tuesday, May 8 | from 10:30 to 11 a.m. | Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Join Dru Woods, Storyteller Unleashed, and her friends for an interactive story time that incorporates music and puppets. This program will be offered in lieu of Bilingual Story Time today. Partially funded by Texas Commission on the Arts. FREE! Space is limited. First come, first served.
Community Wellness Hour
Thursday, May 10 | from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. | 4701 West Gate Boulevard, Building C
Join us at AOMA for an hour of wellness and self-care! FREE NADA acupuncture, group support, mindfulness exercises, and more. All are welcome!
Austin Park’s Foundation Presents The Emperor’s New Groove for Movies in the Park
Thursday, May 10 | from 8:45 to 10:45 p.m. | Dick Nichols Park, 8011 Beckett Rd
Get your groove on this summer for Movies in the Park. Join us for a unique showing of The Emperor’s New Groove at Dick Nichols Park. Every summer, Austin Parks Foundation and the Alamo Drafthouse partner up to bring FREE movies to parks across Austin. Make sure to bring your kids for a fun-filled summer night under the stars!
Celebrasia 2018: Five Years, Five Spices
Saturday, May 12 | from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd
May is nationally recognized as Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. This year, the Asian American Resource Center – City of Austin celebrates its fifth annual CelebrASIA Austin APA Food and Heritage Festival. In honor of the AARC’s five year anniversary, this year’s theme is Five Spices. With uniquely themed foods, cultural performances and experiences, culinary demonstrations and fun interactive children’s activities, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Admission is FREE. Accessible parking provided. Food, beverages and merchandise are available for purchase.
Waller Creek Conservancy Field Day
Saturday, May 12 | From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Palm Park, 711 E 3rd St
The programming kicks off with a 8:30 a.m. yoga class by Yoga in Da Hood followed by a cooking demonstration by Green Ninja Cooks at 9:30 a.m., a step performance by Campbell Elementary at 10:30 a.m. and live music by G’beda at 11:30 a.m. During these performances, various activity stations will be set up across the park where children can participate in games designed to make physical activity easy and fun and receive tokens redeemable for free prizes. The games, designed for ages 5-12, include javelin throw, sack race and ring toss as well as a rock wall, YMCA obstacle course, Yoga N Da Hood station and Dance Waterloo station. Drinks and snacks will be provided. FREE!
Complimentary Mother’s Day Chocolate Tasting and Mimosa Bar
Sunday, May 13 | from 12 to 5 p.m. | Delysia Chocolatier Culinary Center, 2000 Windy Ter, Ste 2C
Mother’s Day is all about spoiling the most important women in our lives. Join Delysia Chocolatier on Mother’s Day as we thank moms with two of the most indulgent gifts around: chocolate and roses. On May 13th from noon to 5 p.m., we’ll host a special day of complimentary chocolate tastings and give molded chocolate roses to mothers. We’ll also host a complimentary mimosa bar to help moms relax and enjoy some chocolate. Enjoy a sweet treat with Delysia Chocolatier. We look forward to you joining us!
Board with Books: Youth Edition
Tuesday, May 15 | From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Yarborough Branch, Austin Public Library, 2200 Hancock Drive
Do you love playing board games? Then come to Board with Books! A wide range of modern and traditional board games are available to play. Come and learn something new or bring a personal favorite and teach someone else how to play! FREE
Free Skin Cancer Presentation in Lago Vista
Tuesday, May 15 | from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. | Lago Vista Library, 5803 Thunderbird St., Suite 40, Lago Vista, TX 78645
Learn about the different kinds of skin cancers and ways to reduce your risk of developing them at a FREE presentation by Dr. Loren Fisher.
Second Annual Festival of Good
Saturday, May 19 | from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Goodnight Ranch, Blaze Dr.
Bring a friend and your dog to the Goodnight neighborhood in southeast Austin for the 2nd Annual Festival of Good – a fun, block party-style event celebrating the “good” things of Austin. The family-friendly event will feature over 10 local vendors, offering everything from handmade leather goods to apothecary products to purchase, to dog adoptions and face painting. Attendees can also enjoy local food trucks, visit the Austin Public Library’s Bookmobile, play yard games and listen to live music – all manifesting the live, work, play aspects of the Goodnight community. This family-friendly gathering is FREE and open to the public and sure to be a fun way to spend a Saturday.
Renegade Craft Austin
Saturday, May 19 | from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Fair Market, 1100 E 5th St
We’re rounding out our Spring Tour with good vibes, great food, and exceptional independent design at the iconic Fair Market! Renegade Austin brings together a curated roster of local and national Maker talent alongside food trucks, DJ sets, craft cocktails, delightful photo ops, and all-around good times. Always FREE & all are welcome.
