There’s no shortage of fun things to do in November. We’ve rounded up all the festivals, events, and more so you can start planning your month. Check out these FREE “Don’t Miss” events in and around Austin this November!
Krispy Kreme Family Night
November 1 from 6-8 p.m. | Krispy Kreme Austin Locations
There will be doughnut decorating, arts and crafts, and it is FREE!
Wednesday Night Live: Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
Wednesday, November 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Mueller Austin, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin
It’s a special Wednesday Night Live to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos! The event takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. on the Aldrich Street Paseo near B. D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller. Enjoy a ballet folklorico performance, free face painting, and salsa lessons. FREE!
Starry Nights: Native American Mythology
Thursday, November 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. | Girlstart STEM Center, 1400 W Anderson Ln. Austin
Girlstart’s STEM Studio and Mini-Planetarium is a unique space for families to explore astronomy. Starry Nights are held the 1st Thursday of every month (except January, June, July, and August), with each month featuring a new astronomy experience and related hands-on activities. This month, you can create a solar system in a jar, engineer a device prototype to take soil samples on other planets, design your own satellite dish, and xplore the planets’ path of revolution around the sun. All ages are welcome to stop by any time between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. RSVP is recommended but not required to attend. FREE!
Concert & Picnic in West Austin Park
Friday, November 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | West Austin Park, 1317 W 10th St, Austin
Bring a blanket and picnic to the downtown West Austin Park located in the historic Clarksville neighborhood for a FREE concert and picnic, hosted by Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (OWANA). Music by local award winning songwriter, Aimee Bobruk, with additional support from Austin’s House of Songs. The Melting Potluck is a co-host of the event promoting diversity through music. Enjoy a playscape, dog park, and kickball field as well! FREE!
Wurstfest ($10)
November 3-12, hours vary | 120 Landa Street, New Braunfels
Attend a unique and massively fun annual celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun! Located near the headwaters of the beautiful Comal River in New Braunfels, Texas. Here you’ll enjoy good food, music, dancing, exciting carnival rides and games, German, Texan and domestic beer, special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian Style Entertainment. It all happens at Wurstfest! The best ten days in sausage history. Tickets are $10 for adults, kids are FREE. No admission ticket is required if you enter the gates before 7 p.m. on Friday, 11/3 or after 3 p.m. on Sunday, 11/12. If you’re coming Sunday, 11/5 – Wednesday, 11/8, be sure to download the BOGO coupon!
It’s My Park Day 2017
Saturday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Various City of Austin Parks
It’s the Austin Parks Foundation’s biggest city-wide volunteer event! Each year, thousands of volunteers work to improve parks and greenbelts throughout the city. This is a great chance to teach your family how to help create a more beautiful Austin, and give back to the community! Sign up for a shift here. FREE!
2017 Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival ($5)
Saturday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Ln, Austin
The Austin Powwow is one of the largest single day Native American Powwows in the country. In addition to a traditional Powwow with dance contests, Native drumming, and singing, we feature outdoor storytelling and indigenous music, a Native American arts and crafts fair, and Native American food. By honoring traditions of the past and sharing them with the community, we are preserving them for the future. The Austin Powwow is a family oriented cultural event. Adult tickets are $5, kids under 12 are FREE!
First Saturdays at the Carver
Saturday, November 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. | George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin
The George Washington Carver Museum’s FREE, once-a-month event created for people of color celebrates a range of themes each month. It’s family friendly, diverse, and the programming is intelligent. Activities, music, vendors, discussions, and more.
Passport to the World
Saturday, November 4 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Austin Community College: Eastview Campus
3401 Webberville Rd, Austin
Be ready for a fun day of kids’ activities and games, and explore Austin’s sister cities!
Kids will receive a passport and visit each sister city to get a stamp. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.,
live performances and kids’ activities from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be door prizes and more! FREE and open to the public.
Fall Festival and Star Party
Saturday, November 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. | Austin Nature & Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin
Travel through the solar system in a new planetarium furnished through grant funding by Austin Parks Foundation. See the stars through a telescope. Check out the Masters of the Night Exhibit and meet a live bat. FREE!
27th Annual Fossil Fest ($3)
Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Old Settlers Heritage Association, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock
Spotlight on Texas Dinosaurs!! Come for guest speakers, fossil identification, Q&A with a scientist, hands-on demos, a fossil touch table and microscope, exhibits, dig pit, door prizes and more! Tickets are $3/adult, $2/child (6-12), children under 6 FREE.
Texas Book Festival
Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Texas State Capitol and Grounds, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin
One of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, the annual Texas Book Festival features 250+ nationally and critically recognized authors, 20+ venues including the State Capitol, 80+ exhibitors, live music, local food trucks, family activities, and countless opportunities to meet authors and fellow book lovers. Founded in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, the Festival has hosted thousands of notable and award-winning authors over the years. The Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Click here for complete schedule. The Texas Book Festival Weekend is FREE and open to the public and takes place in Austin, Texas, at the State Capitol and surrounding grounds.
15th Annual Travis Heights Art Trail
Saturday, Nov. 4 and Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Various locations in the Travis Heights neighborhood
This is a collaborative two-day neighborhood interactive art, music and literary event. In it’s 15th year, this cultural gem showcases more than 40 of the city’s longest practicing artists as they open up their homes and studios to the public in this FREE event. This year will also feature an Author’s Showcase at the Fairview Inn where local authors will be on hand reading from their books. There will also be book making demonstrations. The Travis Heights Elementary School Arts Program parents and children will display and sell “kid” art and provide art activities for visiting children as fundraiser for the school art program. The event is FREE!
Free Kids’ Music at Cherrywood Coffee House
Sundays in November from 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E 38 1/2 St, Austin
November 5: Big Don. November 12: Groundwork Music. November 19: The Que Pastas. November 26: Staci Gray. FREE all ages shows. Schedule is subject to change.
H-E-B Free First Sunday
Sunday, November 5 from noon to 5 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave, Austin
Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state.
Sunday Funday: Free Basic Printing Techniques Workshop
Sunday, November 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin
When the historic Neill-Cochran House was built in 1856, not even typewriters were available. Hard to imagine, right? That’s why they decided to explore what printing text used to be like. History lab experimenters will be able to set up and print their own messages as well as a few pre-made images. This activity is best suited for experimenters ages 8 and up but younger children are always welcome to work with a grown-up. And what’s cooler than a hand-printed-by-a-kid greeting card? Entry to the museum is FREE for all visitors to Sunday Fundays and includes access to the exhibits on display in the historic house, annex, and grounds. Parking is available free of charge behind the museum.
Polish Film Festival – Children’s Program
Sunday, November 5 at 12:30 p.m. | AFS Cinema, 6226 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin
See Storks with Polish dubbing, shorts, and make some arts & crafts! This multi-day film festival has several FREE components, see complete schedule for details.
Movie Moxie for Kids! Family Trivia Event
Sunday, November 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. | Barrel O’ Fun, 1911 Aldrich St, Ste 120, Austin
Bring the whole family and test your cinema knowledge. This trivia game designed by the folks at MOVIE MOXIE Game Show is a free, all-ages show for teams of 2-4.
First, teams will face a variety of motion picture questions. Then, members of the top-scoring teams will be invited onstage to participate in the Audio/Videodrome round! Fun will be had, new film facts will be learned, and there’ll be prizes for those who can prove their Movie Moxie™. FREE!
Experiencing Artist’s Books
Tuesday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m. | Fine Arts Library, 510 E 23rd St, Austin
The Fine Arts Library (FAL) at the University of Texas contains over 200 artists’ books, exemplifying different binding techniques, materials, sculptural forms and conceptual approache. Some of the books in the collection push the boundaries of reading by engaging with other senses such as smell, touch and taste. This event is associated programming for the new Visual Arts Center (VAC) exhibition Fool’s Romance / Books from Aeromoto curated by Allison Myers, Art History PhD candidate and 2016-2017 VAC Curatorial Fellow. Myers will lead a dialogue between local artists and bookmakers. After the dialogue, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the unusual books in the collection. Pizza will be served while it lasts. FREE!
AARC Open House
Wednesday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m. | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin
Join the Asian American Resource Center – City of Austin for the 2nd Annual Open House! Learn about all the AARC has to offer-from flexible rental spaces to the new art residency program. Make sure to come early for food, engage with staff, and experience hands-on activities. As they enter their fifth year of operation, your input about the AARC is more valuable than ever. Refreshments and children’s activities provided. FREE!
An Evening with Shawn Johnson
Wednesday, November 8 at 7 p.m. | AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave, Austin
Olympic gymnast and gold medalist, Shawn Johnson, will speak on values and ethics in a lectureship presentation hosted by the Beta Eta Chapter of Delta Gamma at the University of Texas at Austin. This event will be FREE to the general public, click here to RSVP. Johnson’s presentation promises to promote educational and cultural interests, create a true sense of social responsibility, and how to develop the best qualities of character.
Science Under the Stars: A Fungus Among Us – Mushrooms and Beyond
Thursday, November 9 at 6 p.m. | Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin
What does baker’s yeast have in common with the world’s largest organism? What feeds plants through their roots, while related species can survive on bare rock? Fungi!!! Fungi are more closely related to humans than they are to plants, and play a variety of different roles within ecosystems. For instance, fungi can be plant mutualists, animal pathogens, or decomposers. At Science Under the Stars this November, explore this amazing Kingdom – the shocking lifestyles, outlandish physiology, and the ways that fungi touch our lives every day. There will be plant and animal displays, guided tours, kids activities, food and more! Science Under the Stars is a FREE public outreach lecture series.
Movies in the Park: The Muppet Christmas Carol
November 9 at 6:30 p.m. | 4301 N. Rosedale Ave., Austin
Head to Ramsey park for a very Muppet Christmas tale. Movie begins around 6pm, but get there early to grab your spot! Movies in the Park is a series of free films brought to you by Austin Parks Foundation in partnership with Alamo Drafthouse and presented by Carvana. Each year, APF and the Drafthouse bring you free movies in parks all over Austin. Residents and visitors bring their blanket or lawn chairs (and often a picnic dinner!) for a fun and relaxing evening under the beautiful Austin night sky. FREE!
Creek Show
Friday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly | Waller Creek between 5th and 8th Streets
Creek Show, now in its fourth year, spans nine nights and includes six light-based, site-specific art installations, which will be installed on Waller Creek between 5th and 8th Streets. The community is invited to walk along Waller Creek to view the art designed to bring attention to the future revitalization of Waller Creek and its transformation into a series of urban parks. Family-friendly activities will be hosted by the Thinkery at the Sabine Tree deck from 6 to 8 p.m. each Friday and Saturday. Creek Show is FREE and open to the public.
E.A.S.T. (East Austin Studio Tour)
November 11-12 & 18-19, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Multiple east Austin locations
This is a FREE, annual, self-guided art event. EAST provides opportunities for the public to meet the artists and artisans of Austin in their creative spaces.This year marks the 15th edition of the tour. Since East’s inception in 2003, participation has grown from 28 creatives to over 400 – attracting over 30,000 audience members, ranging from local neighbors to international visitors. With so much growth, they are working to bring you more personalized experiences – from themed tours to neighborhood hubs – to help you make the most of all there is to see and do. FREE!
Second Saturdays are for Families: Action Painting!
Saturday, November 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | The Contemporary Austin at The Jones Center, 700 Congress Ave, Austin
Make a painting using your whole body! Practice throwing paper pulp to create a work of art inspired by artist Wangechi Mutu’s exhibition. See Mutu’s work in the gallery, and be sure to stop by the first floor to take in the immersive film and sculptures by John Bock. Recommended for ages 2–11. Reservations are requested for family art-making workshops; please reserve your spot here beginning the 1st of each month. FREE!
Barnes & Noble Mini Maker Faire
Saturday November 11, 2017 at Noon | Barnes and Noble Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd, Austin
Barnes & Noble, in partnership with Maker Media, presents the 3rd annual Mini Maker Faire for kids of all ages. Experience the latest in creative photography, virtual reality, DIY radio control, robotics, programming, and more. Hear from local Makers, thought leaders, and top brands about the latest trends in designing, building, creating and making. Immerse yourself in the process of ideating, creating, and constructing. FREE!
Austin Classical Guitar Youth Orchestra Family Concert
Saturday, November 11 at 4 p.m. | Barrel O’ Fun, 1911 Aldrich St., Suite 120, Austin
Come see Austin’s youth shine in this FREE concert presented by the Austin Classical Guitar. Their Youth Orchestra has played in venues all over Austin from the Paramount Theater to the Long Center and they now make their way to Barrel O’ Fun. Come be inspired and learn more about this great Austin nonprofit organization and Austin’s talented youth orchestra.
UMLAUF Family Day
Sunday, November 12 from noon to 4 p.m. | UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee Road, Austin
Monthly Family Days are designed for families and friends to explore and create. On the second Sunday of each month, we feature a line-up of activities including Sculpture Safaris, children’s art activities, family tours, yoga in the Garden, story time, music and dance performances. FREE!
ATX Think Bilingual Fair
Sunday, November 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin
Bilingualism “expands horizons, opens gateways, and breaks down barriers.” Join Think Bilingual Austin to find bilingual and multicultural resources for the entire family. Engage your kids in fun, multicultural and language-based activities, programs, and performances, and get in the know with workshops and panel sessions for parents. FREE and open to the public.
KUTX Live @ Mueller
Friday, November 17 at 7 p.m. | Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin
The fun starts at 7 p.m. Enjoy music from Sugar Free All-Stars and Sweet Spirit. Food trucks, fun, and live music on the lake! FREE!
Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade
Saturday, November 18 at 11 a.m. | Downtown Austin – click here for the parade map
The parade is FREE, but you can help Operation Blue Santa by bringing new, unwrapped toys to donate! At a designated time during the Parade Procession, all units will stop to collect the toys. Santa’s Helpers will line the parade route and help spectators give their toy. All toys will be distributed by the Operation Blue Santa Program to another child just in time for the holidays. There will be giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children’s characters, spectacular marching bands, cool classic cars, and Santa!
Austin Families Give Back
Saturday, November 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St, Austin
Bring your family to Austin Families Give Back: Family Volunteer Day 2017! Hosted by Generation SERVE (formerly Little Helping Hands), this event is an opportunity for families to learn about our community’s needs and sample service projects to benefit many local nonprofit organizations. All ages are welcome and the event is FREE and open to the public, but to attend, pre-register your family for a specific shift.
The Community’s Table: Opening Brunch at Republic Square
Saturday, November 18 at 11 a.m. | Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe Street, Austin
Join the Downtown Austin Alliance at the Sustainable Food Center Farmers’ Market downtown for the unveiling of a new community public art piece – The Community’s Table. This event is FREE! Learn more about the collaborative piece and what it means for Austin here.
Annual Lighting of the Square (Georgetown)
Friday, November 24 at 5:30 p.m. | Georgetown Town Square, 103 W 7th St, Georgetown
During the Lighting of the Square on November 24th, revelers join Mayor Dale Ross and Santa in the countdown as they flip the switch on thousands of lights across the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas” at 5:30 p.m. The Austin Carolers will perform classic holiday songs and Santa will be on-site for photos. Event attendees can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and merchants remain open later than usual. The Downtown holiday lights will remain on after the lighting through New Year’s Day. This event is FREE!
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