Just like that, it’s time to turn the calendar page again and head into the second month of 2015 here in Austin. February, the month we most often associate with love (although often Austin’s coldest month), is upon us.
What should you have on your calendar this month? Here’s a great place to start:
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| Monochrome for Austin |
Landmarks Public Art Tour – Sunday, February 1
Join Landmarks student docents from the University of Texas for a walking tour of the public art collection and get a sneak peek of the new Monochrome for Austin (pictured above)! Meet at Mark di Suvero’s Clock Knot near East Dean Keeton Street and Speedway to learn about the materiality of large-scale sculptures and the effect they have on surrounding space. 11 a.m until noon. Free.
Free First Sundays: WeatherFest at the Bullock Museum – Sunday, February 1
Keep weather on your radar at this event co-presented by the Bullock Museum and Time Warner Cable News. WeatherFest is part of the Bullock’s Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of the month. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state. From noon until 3pm, the family can enjoy WeatherFest, featuring hands-on science experiments by Girlstart, weather-related films and panel discussions, and family-friendly activities. Plus, meet your favorite local meteorologist, and more! For more information, click here. Free First Sundays take place from noon until 5 p.m. and WeatherFest takes place from noon until 3 p.m. Free.
Family Day at the Umlauf – Sunday, February 1
First Sundays offer a special, hands-on program designed for families with children, four to 15 years old. Families have the opportunity to explore the Umlauf collection and exhibitions in the garden and museum while engaging in creative activities. The theme of the February Family Day is Let’s Celebrate Birds! For a full schedule, click here. Family Day takes place from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Free.
Sunday-Fundays: Old-Fashioned Valentine – Sunday, February 1
Every first Sunday of the month the Neill-Cochran House Museum will be open to the public. Each Sunday will include an activity highlighting a theme that embodies both the history of Texas and the Neill-Cochran House Museum. Walk-through tours of the house will also be available. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Free Kids Workshop: Learn How to Build a Heart Box – Saturday, February 7
Kids are invited to head to their local Home Depot to make a heart box, just in time for Valentine’s Day! This hands-on workshop will be held from 9 a.m. – noon. Free.
Texas Wildlife Day – Saturday, February 7
Celebrate everything feathered, furred, smooth and scaled at Texas Memorial Museum! Family-friendly activities hosted by local naturalists and science educators. Museum exhibits open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the activities run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free.
Awesome Animal Mornings at Millie & Mox – Saturday, February 7
Every first Saturday of the month, kids can learn about many different kinds of animals and have the opportunity to meet them up close. Help Austin Pets Alive by donating a can of pet food. Free photo provided for each family. Complimentary coffee and juice provided. 10 to 11 a.m. Free.
Austin Alternative School Fair – Saturday, February 7
Education Transformation Alliance will host this free, fun, and informative Fair on the downtown rooftop plaza of Whole Foods Market! Make plans to stop by the Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Don’t miss the free performance by Lucas Miller, the Singing Zoologist, at 1 p.m. Free.
Friend Fest at Central Market – Saturday, February 7
Join Creative Action for a family celebration of friendship, featuring interactive fun for kids and adults. Create friendship bracelets, make Valentines for kids and adults, decorate cookies and sample sweet treats. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
Hooked on Mueller – Sunday, February 8
The 2nd Annual Hooked on Mueller event invites everyone to come to Mueller Lake Park and catch one of the 2,000 rainbow trout that will be stocked by Texas Parks & Wildlife. The Mueller Farmers Market will run cooking demos and there will be fun prizes. A fishing license is not required for this event, but you need to bring your own fishing gear. 10 a.m. until noon. Free.
Creative Action Community Art Sundays – Sunday, February 8
Free Fun in Austin is proud to sponsor this monthly Sunday afternoon of art activities at the new Center for Creative Action in East Austin. Each event will include active workshops, interactive art experiences, and performances by professional artists that celebrate community through dance, music, food, gardening, parades, and inventing. These free activities are family friendly and open to all. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Free Family Fun at The Art Garage – Sunday, February 8
The Art Garage hosts a Free Family Fun event almost every month. This is a time that families are welcome to pop in and create crafts, get to know The Art Garage and enjoy in-studio discounts. Make some adorable Valentine’s Day crafts during their I Heart Art! event. 2 to 4 p.m. Free.
Sunday Funday with Staci Gray at BabyEarth (Round Rock) – Sunday February 8
On the second Sunday of every month, BabyEarth opens its back room for special activities, often including kiddie crafts, musical instruments, blocks, a parachute and more. Plus, enjoy a private concert with Staci Gray each month which starts at 4 p.m. Other special guests include The Signing Connection & Usborne Books. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Free.
Hello Lamp Post: Austin Launch Party – Thursday, February 12
Starting February 12, anyone can text the official Hello Lamp Post phone number and “wake up” objects around town to discover what they have to say. The public is invited to a free kick-off event, complete with drinks and bites, at Republic Square Park (422 Guadalupe Street). The event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. and you can head over to Facebook to RSVP. For more about the Art in Public Places’ Hello Lamp Post art project, click here. Free.
The Que Pastas at Strange Brew – Saturday, February 14
The Que Pastas are a funny and interactive family friendly band that serves up their music with a generous helping of fun sauce. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free.
Heart Party at the Carver Museum and Cultural Center – Saturday, February 14
Kids can create tokens of love for Mom, Dad, family and friends at this event. 10 a.m. until noon. RSVP here. Free.
Totally Cool Totally Art Mid-Year Exhibition Reception – Wednesday, February 18
Totally Cool, Totally Art (TCTA) is a free after school art program that takes place in 16 recreation centers throughout Austin. Mexic-Arte Museum will host the opening reception from 6 – 7 p.m. Free.
Black History Program at Turner-Roberts Recreation Center – Friday, February 20
This program, honoring our African-American leaders of yesterday and today, features many forms of entertainment, including the children who are part of the Turner-Roberts afterschool program. 6 to 8 p.m. Free, with dinner and drinks provided.
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| Chinatown Center |
Year of the Goat Chinese New Year Celebration – Saturday February 21
Enjoy Lion and Dragon Dances, a community resource fair and rides. 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Opening ceremonies from 10 a.m. until noon) Free.
Austin Sustainable Swap at Cherrywood Coffeehouse – Saturday, February 21
The Austin Sustainable Swap provides a space to enjoy a few hours with friends, while practicing sustainability through re-use (redistribution of goods/stuff), sharing skills (learning is awesome!), and trading home-grown veggies and plants. Noon until 4 p.m. Free.
Celebration of Urban Birds at the Elisabet Ney Museum – Saturday, February 21
Look for birds near Waller Creek and create bird art. 1 to 4 p.m. Free.
Kite Workshop at Northwest Recreation Center – Saturday, February 21
Fly on by 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. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
KUTX 98.9’s MapJam – Saturday, February 21
This year, nine bands — from Pan American and marimba, to singer-songwriters and rock, to Afridelic, electro groove and neo-soul — will perform in four locations across East Austin. Much like the East Austin Studio Tour, participants are encouraged to bike or walk to each destination. This is an all-ages event. Performances begin at 1 p.m. on on Saturday and last until midnight. Free.
2ND Street Soundcheck – Saturday, February 28
2ND Street Soundcheck is the locals’ kickoff party to Austin’s Month of music, featuring 22 artists and dozens of options for food, drinks, shopping and more. The music and street festival, now in its fourth year, benefits the Austin Music Foundation. 1 to 8 p.m. Free.
You may also be interested in Free Austin Festivals in 2015.
A recovering workaholic, Nicole Basham now spends her time rediscovering Austin through her 8-year-old son’s eyes. A soccer-playing mom, Nicole also enjoys tickling too close to bedtime, taking in some live music and being silly. You can also find her writing at LiveMom.
