The month of February promises to be a fun one in Austin – our Free Fun Calendar is jam packed with events you won’t want to miss! Here are a few for you to take note of, so you can start looking forward to the weeks ahead.
Shakespeare in Print and Performance
Daily, hours vary | Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin
Explore the legacy of William Shakespeare at the Ransom Center. The Elizabethan world of Shakespeare and his contemporaries is presented through early printed books documenting his contemporary reputation, his textual sources, and his plays, all drawn from the Ransom Center’s holdings. Costume and set designs and promptbooks showcase the variety of ways artists have translated his plays into performance. Admission is FREE; your donation supports the Ransom Center’s exhibitions and public programs. Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended Thursday evening hours to 7 p.m. Open Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Free public tours every day at Noon, Thursdays at 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Free Kids’ Music at Strange Brew
Saturdays in February from 10-11 a.m. | Strange Brew, Lounge Side, 5326 Manchaca Rd, Austin
Groundwork Music (February 6), Staci Gray (February 13), The Que Pastas (February 20), and Big Don (February 27) will be performing FREE all ages shows. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Free Kids’ Music at Cherrywood Coffee House
Sundays in February from 10-11:30 a.m. | Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin
Hey Lollies (February 7), The Que Pastas (February 14), and Staci Gray (February 28) will be performing FREE all ages shows.
Obra Gráfica: Selections from the Mexic-Arte Museum Print Collection
Sundays from 12-5 p.m. | Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave, Austin
Obra Gráfica: Selections from the Mexic-Arte Museum Print Collection features the Museum’s growing contemporary print collection with works from over a hundred significant artists. Many of the artworks have been generously donated by the artists or collectors and encompass a diverse range of techniques and subject matter. FREE on Sundays.
University Co-op 120 Year Birthday Bash
February 4 from 4-6 p.m. | University Co-op, 2246 Guadalupe St, Austin
The University Co-op is celebrating its 120th birthday! FREE food from the Co-op Food Court trailers, plus giveaways from High Brew Coffee, Tiffs Treats, Skinny Pop, KIND Snacks, Red Bull, Favor, Texas Exes, Alamo Drafthouse, Painting with a Twist and more. FREE koozies, tote bags and t-shirts from The University Co-op, while supplies last.
Home Depot Kids Workshop: Valentine’s Mailbox
February 6 from 9 a.m. – Noon | Home Depot Stores
Kids are invited to make a wooden Valentine’s mailbox, personalize it with paint, and take it home… all for FREE!
2nd Annual Food+City Challenge Prize Showcase Day
February 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | McCombs School of Business, 2110 Speedway Ave, Austin
The Food+City Challenge Prize Showcase Day is the finale of the Food+City Challenge Prize, a competition among business start-ups encouraging innovative ideas to improve the urban food system. More than 20 finalists from across the world will convene in Austin February 6th to compete for up to $50,000 and assorted startup business benefits. After 12 weeks of working with a specially-paired industry mentor, each team will present its business idea before a panel of judges and attendees. Everyone is encouraged to vote in the People’s Choice Award for their favorite new food business finalist – see Facebook the week prior to Showcase Day. Food and drink samples from local businesses such as 512 Brewery, Wholy Bagel, Tiff’s Treats and Snap Kitchen will be on hand. FREE and open to the public.
The Austin Humane Society’s 9th Annual Puppy Bowl
February 6 from 12-2 p.m. | Austin Humane Society, 124 W Anderson Ln, Austin
The 9th annual Austin Humane Society Puppy Bowl is a Super Bowl-themed, family-friendly FREE community adoption event featuring AHS adoptable puppies dressed in uniform, children’s activities, and local vendors and businesses. Be a part of the fun and make an impact today!
Kite Making Workshop
February 6 from 1-3 p.m. | Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 E 3rd St, Austin
Build your own kite to fly at the upcoming Zilker Kite Festival happening on Sunday, March 6! FREE!
Swap Til You Drop
February 7 from 12-3 p.m. | HOPE Farmers Market, 412 Comal St, Austin
Do you have clothes piling up in your closet or do you want to freshen up your wardrobe for FREE? Join The Austin Clothes Exchange for their monthly clothes swap at HOPE Farmers Market. There is no cost to participate. Invite your friends and enjoy an afternoon of clothes swapping! Please bring only gently used and clean clothes.
Free First Sunday at the Bullock Museum: Weatherfest
February 7 from 12-5 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave, Austin
Enjoy FREE exhibit admission all day during Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month, and family activities from 12-3 p.m. At February’s Free First Sunday, you get to experience WeatherFest, and enjoy hands-on science experiments, weather-related films and panel discussions, and family-friendly activities. Meet your favorite local meteorologist, and more!
Sunday Funday at the Neill Cochran House Museum: Pop Up Books
February 7 from 1-4 p.m. | 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin
Movable image books date back at least to the 18th century, but they were not mass produced until 1930. By designing and building your own pop up, you’ll get to think a little bit about the know-how it took to bring these familiar childhood books into our homes and lives – and have fun being creative, too! Staff and volunteers will be available to help with designs and pop-up book making, and there will also be pre-made pop-ups that younger kids can decorate and take with them. Throughout the afternoon, the historic house will be open for informal and self-guided tours. Let a docent guide you through one of the floors, or browse at your own pace through 1850s-1920s Austin. For those who wish to look more closely and carefully at some of the details of the architecture and historic furnishings, there will also be a museum seek-and-find guide (age appropriate to 7-11). Weather permitting, snacks and lawn games will be set up on the museum’s front lawn. No RSVP required, just drop in anytime. This event is FREE and all materials will be provided! Parking is 100% free in the 40 space museum lot off of 23rd street between San Gabriel and Leon. Overflow parking is available on the street or 1 block away at the University Towers parking garage.
Chinese New Year Festival
February 7 from 2-4 p.m. | Carver Museum Boyd Vance Theatre, 1165 Angelina St., Austin
Celebration of the Chinese New Year with dance and music. FREE and open to the public.
10th Annual Black History Month Concert
February 7 at 7:30 p.m. | Bates Recital Hall at the University of Texas, 2420 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin
Featuring the spiritual music of Duke Ellington. Guest artist Leon P. Turner, bass-baritone, joins this fabulous evening with the UT Austin Choirs, Huston-Tillotson Choirs, UT Jazz Orchestra, and more. FREE admission.
Youth Valentine’s Dance
February 11 from 5:30-7 p.m. | Metz Recreation Center, 2407 Canterbury Street, Austin
All elementary school students are invited to come and have a blasts dancing the evening away. They will crown Metz King and Queen ages 9-12 and Prince and Princess and ages 4-8 for 2016. First 50 girls will receive a flower. All children will receive a hot dog, chips and drink. Door prizes will be given. FREE!
Hands On History (Georgetown)
February 13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Williamson Museum, 716 S Austin Ave, Georgetown
The second Saturday of each month, the museum hosts an interactive activity where children can get up close and personal with the history of the county, learning something new and creating their own artifact. On February 13, celebrate Valentine’s Day by learning about past valentine traditions. Children will make their own vintage valentine at the Museum! FREE for children of all ages.
Second Saturdays are for Families: MyopiaFest
February 13 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue, Austin
Join The Contemporary Austin at the Jones Center for a celebration of Mark Mothersbaugh’s colorful career as they open Myopia! Hear and see the artist’s musical and artistic creations. Play games, watch vintage children’s programming, and make art to take home. FREE!
Black Family History Day
February 13 from 12-3 p.m. | Texas State Archive, 1201 Brazos Street, Austin
Join the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for an afternoon devoted to black family history research. In collaboration with the Austin History Center and the Carver Genealogy Center, attendees will have the opportunity to learn tips for starting their research, learn about area resources, and ask questions related to their research. Spaces are limited. For more information or to reserve a space, email Ashley Stevens (ARIS) at [email protected] or call at 512-463-9807.
Black History Month Kids Day
February 13 from 12-4 p.m. | Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St., Austin
Family event with crafts for kids. Join this first annual Black History Month Kids Day, which will feature activities, crafts, fun and games in celebration of Black History Month. FREE and open to the public.
Umlauf Family Day
February 14 from 12-4 p.m. | 605 Robert E. Lee Road | Austin
Family Days offer special, hands-on programs designed for families with children, ages four to ten years old. Families have the opportunity to explore the UMLAUF while engaging in creative activities. Listen to stories, do yoga in the garden, watch sculpture demos, enjoy live music and more. FREE and open to the public.
Free Admission to the LBJ Presidential Library
February 15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | LBJ Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin
Enjoy FREE admission for Presidents Day.
ATX Youth Summit 2016: A Celebration of Creativity
February 15 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Carver Museum Boyd Vance Theatre, 1165 Angelina St., Austin
The Women in Jazz Association, Inc. will host the ATX Teen Summit 2016 at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. The Summit is FREE to the public. The purpose of the ATX Youth Summit 2016 project is to provide an artistic learning experience for Austin youth between the ages of 8 and 18 by having them participate in the following activities: Born Again Bodies – Health and Fitness, Visual Art, Dancing with Ballet Afrique, Let’s Make a Film, Plan and Produce Your Own Concert, Women in Jazz Performance Workshop and Concert. For more information and registration visit www.atxyouthsummit2016.eventbrite.com or call 512-258-6947.
Third Thursdays at the Blanton
February 18 from 12-9 p.m. | Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin
Every third Thursday, the Blanton has a FREE themed event that features extended hours, multiple programs including Yoga in the Galleries, tours, and other offerings. See the schedule. Thursdays are always FREE at The Blanton.
Just Between Friends Children’s and Maternity Consignment Sale
February 19 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and February 20 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hawaiian Falls Event Center, 18500 N SH 130 SVRD SB, Pflugerville
Just Between Friends hosts events twice a year in clean, well-organized venues where shoppers can find all they need for their family at substantial savings! Merchandise is inspected to insure only high quality items will be sold. At a typical Just Between Friends event, you can find clothing, toys, baby equipment, strollers, high chairs, cribs, joggers, nursery gear, sporting goods, maternity wear, baby carriers, play yards, play sets, coats, shoes… well, you can see the list of items just goes on and on! And so do the savings! Families save 50-90% off of retail prices! Friday, February 19, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ($3 admission); Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (FREE admission–no coupon necessary–and most items will be 50% off) *Please note that the entrance is off of the 130 service road and NOT 685.*
Chinese New Year Celebration
February 20 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Chinatown Center, 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin
Welcome the Year of the Monkey with special performances, family-friendly attractions and food. FREE!
Cars and Coffee
February 21 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | The Oasis on Lake Travis, 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin
Enjoy a low-key display of classic cars. FREE!
Celebrate Barbara Jordan’s 80th birthday
February 22-27 | Texas Capitol Rotunda, Ground Floor, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin
Celebrate Barbara Jordan’s 80th birthday and her legacy as a Texas leader of the Civil Rights movement with The Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation’s interactive exhibit of Jordan’s life on the ground floor of the Texas Capitol Rotunda. The exhibit is FREE and open to the public. February, which is also Black History Month, is the perfect opportunity to honor the legendary leader Barbara Jordan. All are welcome to visit the exhibit. With extended hours on Saturday, it is the perfect way to celebrate Black History Month.
Northwest Recreation Center Kite Festival
February 27 from 1-3 p.m. | Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr, Austin
Fly on by Northwest Recreation Center and learn how to make a kite for the annual Zilker Kite Festival while enjoying vibrant live music in the Park. Children will have the opportunity to make multiple kites and then fly them in the park.
Hooked on Mueller
February 27 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd,, Austin
This year, Texas Parks and Wildlife will be stocking Mueller Lake Park with 2,300 rainbow trout fish for the Third Annual Hooked on Mueller fishing event. Aside from fishing, Texas Parks and Wildlife will be on hand with demonstrations and additional activities, snacks, and coffee will be sponsored by Mueller businesses. Start practicing your fishing skills and stay tuned for event updates. FREE!
17th Annual African American Community Heritage Festival
February 27 from 1-5 p.m. | Huston Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St, Austin
Enjoy a family-friendly extravaganza filled with games and vendors. Back by popular demand, grammy award winning and multiplatinum artist, Howard Hewett will perform. FREE!
Community Art Sundays
February 28 from 2-5 p.m. | Center for Creative Action, 2921 E. 17th St. Bldg B, Austin
Creative Action opens its doors and offers a Sunday afternoon of FREE fun for everyone! Celebrate community through dance, music, creativity, food, and the arts.
