One more month of summer and so many fun Austin events to squeeze in! Here is a sampling of the free fun coming up in August that you don’t want to miss!
A big thank you to OurPact, for partnering with us to present this curated list of free August fun in Austin! OurPact is a leading parental control app for iPhones, iPads, and iPods that makes it easy for you to set limits on how much time your child is spending on mobile devices. Download your free OurPact app for iPhone or Android, and make plans to leave screens behind as you get out and enjoy some free summer fun together as a family!
Free Things to do in Austin this August
Moviehouse & Eatery’s Free Summer Kids Camp
August 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 9 a.m. | 8300 N FM 620, Building B, Austin
Summer Kids Camp is back! Every Tuesday morning in August, see a hand-picked family favorite for FREE! Tickets are given away starting at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis. August 2: Home; August 9: Alvin and the Chipmunks; August 16: Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian; August 23: Monsters vs. Aliens.
Blues on the Green: Sweet Spirit with The Suffers
August 3 at 8 p.m. | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road, Austin
KGSR’s Blues on the Green is at Zilker Park with FREE, live music. Take your blankets or lawn chairs and join in the fun.
Teachers Day Out at Hill Country Science Mill (Johnson City)
August 3-5 | 101 S Lady Bird Ln, Johnson City
K-12 teachers, administrators and employees get FREE admission!
Austin Creative Reuse Back to School Tax-Free Shopping Day
August 4 & 6 at 10 a.m. | Austin Creative Reuse Center, 6406 N IH35 #1801, Austin
FREE craft activity for everyone during Austin Creative Reuse’s tax-free back-to-school shopping days. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Shrek: The Musical
August 4-13, Thursdays through Sundays at 8:15 p.m. | Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin
Nominated for eight Tony Awards and 12 Drama Desk Awards, Shrek: The Musical brings the beloved characters from the popular animated film to life onstage. Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre. The Zilker Summer Musical is family friendly and FREE!
Unplugged at the Grove
August 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 8 p.m. | Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
KGSR’s Unplugged at the Grove series is returning for its 23rd season. Austinites of all ages have the opportunity to experience one of Austin’s longest-running FREE live music series on Shady Grove’s iconic pecan tree shaded patio. Every Thursday night through September 22, Unplugged-goers will enjoy live music as well as a special patio menu of Austin-inspired home cooking and drink specials. August 4: The Damn Quails; August 11: Bob Schneider; August 18: The Rocketboys; August 25: Jackie Venson.
Music on the Square (Georgetown)
August 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Courthouse Square, Georgetown
The “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas” will be the stage for weekly Friday night concerts featuring regional musicians. Attendees are encouraged to dine at a downtown restaurant or bring a picnic. Seating will be on the lawn so concertgoers should bring chairs or a blanket. Beverages, including alcohol, are permitted but no glass containers are allowed. All concerts are FREE! August 5: Mike Hamilton; August 12: Detentions Acoustic; August 19: Adan Davila; August 26: Roland Waits.
Music in the Park (Pflugerville)
August 5 & 19 at 7:30 p.m. | Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Rd, Pflugerville
Music In The Park provides a variety of entertainment on select Friday nights. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, friends and neighbors for a FREE evening of music, entertainment and relaxation. August 5: John Gaar Band; August 19: Glen Collins & the Alibis.
Home Depot Kids Workshop: Skateboard Pencil Box
August 6 from 9 a.m. – noon | The Home Depot; locations vary
Join a FREE hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a rolling skateboard pencil case just in time for back to school. Once the pencil box is built, your child can decorate it with The Home Depot stickers.
Free Kids’ Music at Strange Brew
August 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 10-11 a.m. | Strange Brew, Lounge Side, 5326 Manchaca Rd, Austin
Staci Gray (August 6), Groundwork Music (August 13), The Que Pastas (August 20) and Big Don (August 27) will be performing FREE all ages shows. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Austin Bollywood Day
August 6 from 6-8 p.m. | Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave, Austin
Celebrate Bollywood dance and Indian culture. Bollywood Day is a FREE festival showcasing Indian culture, Indian food, clothing, music, vendors and contests. The festival will culminate in a record-breaking Bollywood dance attempt, where dancers and non-dancers alike participate in one massive dance number. This year the goal is 3,000 people of all age groups and ethnicities dancing together! Help make it happen! Apart from the practice videos for the event, practice sessions for the dance will also be held every hour on the hour at the venue. Want a reason to dress up in Indian clothes and dance to Indian music? Here is your chance!
Austin Summer Musical for Children: The Big Bad Musical
August 6-21, Saturdays and Sundays; times vary | Boyd Vance Theatre, 1165 Angelina St, Austin
Enjoy a FREE original musical for kids about the big, bad wolf! Tickets are FREE, but you must arrive early to snag seats! Read more about the ticking policy here.
AISD Back to School Bash
August 6 from 9 a.m. to noon | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies, while supplies last.
Free Kids’ Music at Cherrywood Coffeehouse
August 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. | Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin
August 7: Hey Lollies; August 14: Groundwork Music; August 21: The Que Pastas; August 28: Staci Gray will be performing FREE all ages shows. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Austin Symphony Concerts in the Park
August 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 7:30 p.m. | Long Center Terrace, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin
Austin Symphony Hartman Foundation “Concerts in the Park” will return to the Long Center for a 14th season of FREE ensemble concerts on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Each Sunday, a different ensemble of the Austin Symphony will be featured at the Hartman Park, located on the grounds of the Long Center, performing music from jazz and light classical to pops selections and film scores. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and blanket and make it a group outing. August 7: Strings; August 14: Brass; August 21: Woodwinds; August 28: Big Band. Free Parking will be available at One Texas Center located on Barton Springs Rd. at S. 1st St. Paid parking will be available at the Palmer Garage for $8.
Sound & Cinema
August 10 & 17 at 7 p.m. | Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin
Austin Sound & Cinema is a series of great live bands paired with classic Hollywood movies. All Sound & Cinema events are FREE! August 10: Labyrinth; August 17: Tommy Boy.
Rhythm on Stage (RSVP)
August 11 at 7 p.m. | The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin
Rhythm on Stage is back for its 5th year. Austin’s only instructional dance series invites you to take center stage in the Long Center’s Dell Hall. Learn how to dance Michael Jackson’s BEAT IT! with Jenny, on the Dell Hall Stage. Long Center Partners with Ballet Austin to bring you a FREE evening of dance for everyone. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Dance instruction begins at 7:30 p.m. The event is come and go. No experience is necessary. All ages welcome.
Movie in the Park: Inside Out (Hutto)
August 12 at 8:45 p.m. | Hutto Lake Park, 805 Estate Dr, Hutto
Bring your chairs, blankets, coolers and popcorn and enjoy a FREE movie under the stars! The show begins at sundown.
Hands On History (Georgetown)
August 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 history, learning something new and creating their own artifact. Bat’s Incredible: learn about the Mexican free tail bats in Williamson county. FREE for children of all ages.
Back to School Bash with Microsoft (RSVP)
August 13 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Microsoft Store – The Domain, 3309 Esperanza Crossing #104, Austin
Want to help make your summer memories last? Select your favorite summer experience and create a story in SWAY for FREE! Bring your completed story to the Microsoft Store on Saturday, August 13th, anytime between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and tell them about your summer to win some back to school goodies. There will be other back to school activities, including hourly raffle prizes, for the whole family. Plus, get 10% off your purchase that day.
Second Saturdays are for Families: Ice Painting (RSVP)
August 13 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street, Austin
Beat the heat with this icy workshop! Make a colorful painting using ice cubes, then watch professional ice sculptor Sean Leahy create a one-of-a-kind work of art before your eyes. Reservations are requested for family art-making workshops; please reserve your spot here beginning the 1st of each month.
Umlauf Family Day
August 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.
Kutz 4 Kidz (Round Rock)
August 14 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Round Rock High School, 201 Deep Wood Drive, Round Rock
Students who attend RRISD schools will receive a FREE haircut and free school supplies, free food and free wellness checks, while supplies last.
Trailer Food Tuesdays
August 16 at 5 p.m. | The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin
Sample the delicious food trucks of Austin in one convenient location featuring the best view in town. The downtown skyline is the backdrop as 14-16 of Austin’s finest food trailers roll on to the City Terrace. Add family-friendly live music and Austin’s Best Downtown View, and you’ve got a HUGE hit! Bring your picnic blanket, friends and family, and join the Long Center for the biggest Trailer Food Tuesdays season this city has ever seen. This event is FREE and open to the public, with food and drink available for purchase.
Summer Concerts in the Park (Cedar Park)
August 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. | Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main St, Cedar Park
Listen to the sounds of the summer with cover band UndisKovered.
Third Thursdays at the Blanton
August 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. Thursdays are always FREE at The Blanton.
Friday Night Flix: The Goonies
August 19 at 8 p.m. | Lone Star Court, 10901 Domain Dr, Austin
This outdoor screening is FREE and open to the public. Pre-screening happy hour starts at 6 p.m.
Austin Amazing Pet Festival
August 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and August 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
The Austin Amazing Pet Expo is the ultimate pet event. Check out tons of pet-friendly exhibitors and rescues, see live demos in positive-reinforcement obedience training, and let your pet take a spin with the latest pet sports. Learn about pet care and activism, great giveaways and prizes, amazing discounts on your favorite pet products, talent and costume contests, and fabulous retailers. Plus shopping, adoptions, free nail trims, low-cost vaccinations, agility, and much more fun for the whole family. Admission is FREE and pets are welcome.
Back to School Fair at Gus Garcia
August 20 from 10 a.m. – noon | Gus Garcia Rec Center, 1201 E Rundberg Ln, Austin
Join Easter Seals for their 3rd annual Back to School Fair. The event is open to the public and will be a chance for families to receive FREE high-quality school supplies and information from local organizations. There will be FREE backpacks for all grade levels, information and resources to start the school year off on the right foot, healthy snacks, games and activities for all ability levels, including rock climbing, balloon animals, face painting, bubbles and more fun.
Back to School Fair at Montopolis
August 20 from 8 a.m. to noon | Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin
FREE backpacks, school supplies, and healthy snacks, while supplies last.
Back 2 School Bash & Stuff the Bus (Cedar Creek)
August 20 from 8:30-10:30am (Stuff the Bus at 8 a.m.) | Memorial Stadium, 755 Hwy 21, Cedar Creek
In celebration of education in our community, Bastrop Independent School District hosts an annual Back to School Bash and Stuff the Bus school supply distribution to kick off the upcoming school year! The event is always held the Saturday before school starts at the beautiful BISD Memorial Stadium in Cedar Creek. Thanks to generous community partners and fundraisers at local businesses, Stuff the Bus will provide 1,400 backpacks with school supplies to Pre K-8th grade students on a first come, first serve basis. Students must be present to receive a backpack with school supplies. For the Back to School Bash, all games, activities and food will be available free of charge for all attendees. Vendors will include businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, BISD campuses, governmental agencies and local organizations.
Back to School Bash at Dove Springs
August 20 from 10 a.m. to noon | Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin
Back to School Festival
August 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Delco Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Austin
El Mundo’s annual Back to School event brings together children and parents. This event gives an opportunity to provide valuable community resources to the public, related to education, health and wellness, nutrition, and much more. Back pack and school supplies giveaway, vaccines, health screenings, vision screenings, raffles & door prizes, resource fair community event, music & entertainment, fun for kids, snacks, family fun. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Back to School Storytime
August 20 from 11:30 a.m. | BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, Austin
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air, which can only mean one thing: school’s about to start! Some of us are even heading off to school for the very first time, which can be scary and exciting and nerve-wracking all at once. So to calm some of those first day butterflies, they’re going to be reading School’s First Day of School along with other stories all about school!
Back to School Splash Bash
August 20 from 1-3 p.m. | TownLake YMCA, 1100 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin
TownLake YMCA is hosting a Back to School Splash Bash with a bounce house, snacks, drinks, games, and more FREE fun for the whole family. This event is FREE and open to the public, so invite your friends. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
August 21 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E Segovia St, Austin
Test your ability to withstand the spice with free samples and live music on August 23rd at Fiesta Gardens. Entry to the Festival is FREE with a donation of three healthy, non-perishable food items (or a suggested $5 cash donation) to the Capital Area Food Bank.
Free Back to School Haircuts (K-12th)
August 21 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Trinity Abundant Life Church, 412 Cumberland Rd, Austin
Free haircuts for kids from k-12th. Learn more and confirm event details here.
Noche de Folklor at Zilker Hillside Theater
August 27 from 7:30-10 p.m. | Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy this FREE dance performance!
The Wine Down
August 31 from 5-8 p.m. | 3TEN Austin City Limits Live, 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Ste 1A, Austin
With music from BLUE HEALER, bites from The Bonneville, and pop-up shop from Luxe Apothetique. 3TEN ACL Live brings you the latest edition of The Wine Down, a music series presented by Ruffino along with new collaborator KUTX 98.9, as well as returning supporters 2ND Street District – Austin, TX and Elite 25 Austin—proceeds once again will benefit the Austin Music Foundation. This year’s The Wine Down series happens the last Wednesday of the month, through September. Each month, a different restaurant from 2ND Street District will be on-site providing food samples while guests enjoy free tastings and happy hour priced glasses featuring Ruffino. Each evening’s entertainment will be emceed by KUTX D.J.s and will feature pop-up shops from local retailers. The Wine Down is FREE, open to the public, and takes place from 5–8 p.m. at 3TEN ACL Live. Each event hosts giveaways for merchandise from businesses around the 2ND Street neighborhood.
Adults pay, but kids get in free:
Ice Cream Festival
August 13 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E Segovia St, Austin
The 10th Scoop will include lots of games, activities, contests and live entertainment, as well as what we all scream for–ice cream! Cost: $10 entry with free ice cream. Kids 8 and under are FREE!
Austin Bat Fest
August 20 from 4:00 p.m. – Midnight | Congress Ave Bridge, 100 South Congress Ave, Austin What will you see at Bat Fest this year? 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk, 3 stages with live music, more than 75 arts & crafts vendors, delicious food and drinks, fun children’s activities, a bat costume contest and other bat activities. Cost: $19 per person for early bird tickets. Kids 8 and under are FREE!
More Summer Fun:
- Free Splash Pads in Austin
- 2016 List of Austin-Area School Supply Drives
- Free Pools in Austin
- Cool Pools in Austin
- Swimming Holes in Central Texas
- Daytrips from Austin
- Free Fun Calendar
About OurPact
OurPact is a free parental control app for iPhones, iPads, and iPods that makes it easy for you to set limits on how much time your children are spending on their mobile devices. OurPact is now also available for parents on Web, Android and iOS through its Web Application. Create schedules, block all Internet and app use at a moment’s notice, or reward them with the allowance feature.
