The good news: it’s almost August, and we have yet to reach 100 degrees here in the sunny ATX (lest you think I am jinxing us, I’m knocking on wood…often). The bad news: summer is quickly coming to a close. But wait! There is more good news: the fun never stops here in Austin, and this month is no exception!
There is something free to do in Austin every single day of August:
4th Annual Back to School Clothing Swap – August 1 from 9am-noon
Bring what you can: infant, youth to adult clothing in good condition, and back-to-school items like backpacks. Take what you need. Leftover items will be donated to FreeStore Austin. Please presort items by type/size. When you arrive, clothes will be distributed to marked tables, then you can shop. Remember to bring your own bags. Crestview United Methodist Church, 1300 Morrow St, Austin, TX 78757.
Summer Reading Club Finale Picnic (Cedar Park) – August 1 from 11:30am-1pm
The Summer Reading Club Finale Picnic will be held on August 1st at Elizabeth Milburn Park. Bring a sack lunch; a cool treat and water will be provided. Bonzo Crunch the Clown will perform at noon. Prize winners will also be announced! Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
Adventures of Tintin – August 1 at 2pm
Intrepid reporter Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock’s ancestor. APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin, TX 78723.
Trace’s Fourth Annual Ice Cream Social Benefitting SafePlace – August 2 from 3-5pm
TRACE invites guests to cool down with delicious summer treats while giving back to the community. Guests are invited to kick back on the TRACE patio while sampling some of TRACE Pastry Chef Angel Begaye’s unique seasonal ice cream flavors. Begaye won’t be excluding four-legged friends, whipping up a batch of pup-friendly treats as well. A free event for the whole family, guests are encouraged to “earn your scoop” by bringing a school supply donation for SafePlace’s back-to-school drive benefiting Austin area children. Learn more about the supplies needed here. TRACE, 200 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701.
Family Story Time at the Bullock – August 3 from 11-11:30am
Where will your imagination take you? At Family Story Time, 2- to 6-year-olds will enjoy a free experience just for them with hands-on activities, stories, songs, games, and more! Every Monday from June 8 – August 17, explore a new topic related to the Lone Star State. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701.
Frank Reaugh: Landscapes of Texas and the American West – August 4 from 10am-5pm
August 4th marks the first day of a new exhibit at the Ransom Center, showcasing the art of Frank Reaugh (1860–1945), one of the Southwest’s earliest and most distinguished artists. Drawing on more than 100 artworks from the Harry Ransom Center’s collection, as well as public and private collections across the state, the exhibition showcases Reaugh’s approach to landscape painting and his mastery of the pastel medium. Open until Novembber 29, 2015. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin 78712.
Blues on the Green with Jamestown Revival and Kaleo – August 5 at 8pm
Take your blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy live music at Zilker Park. For more information, visit the KGSR website and read the FAQs. For updates, join the Blues on the Green Text Alert Club by texting “BLUES” to 29217 and like KGSR’s Blues on the Green Facebook page. The stage for Blues on the Green is located on the east end of Zilker Park where Lou Neff Road wraps around (similar to the location of the main ACL stage). Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden – August 6 from 10am-4pm
Thanks to Amplify Austin donors, explore the grounds of Umlauf for free, all summer long. Open 10am-4pm on weekdays and noon until 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Movie in the Park: Mary Poppins Sing-along (Pflugerville) – August 7 at 8:30pm
Come ready to sing about “a spoonful of sugar” and practice your “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” as Pflugerville continues to celebrate 50 years as an incorporated city and brings back this 1960s musical favorite. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Song of the Sea at the Bullock – August 8 from 2-3:30pm
On August 8, the Bullock will host a free screening of the movie Song of the Sea, a breathtakingly gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece. Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch Macha and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever. This screening is free, but each attendee must get a ticket from the front counter prior to making their way to the Spirit Theater. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701.
Austin Symphony Hartman Foundation “Concerts in the Park”: Woodwinds – August 9 at 7:30pm
Kids frolicking, couples lounging on blankets, old friends in their trusty folding chairs, lone bicyclists and pedestrians who have been distracted from their destinations—all united by the sound of music. The Hartman Foundation “Concerts in the Park,” presented by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, brings together ardent enthusiasts and unwitting attendees alike just as similar events did in town centers years ago. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and blanket and make it a group outing. Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704.
Splash Mob (Round Rock) – August 10 from 11am-noon and 6:30pm-7:30pm
The Round Rock Public Library will be hosting a Splash Mob fountain fun event. Come get soaked, to celebrate the conclusion of the Round Rock Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Bring your water guns, blasters, and balloons to a splash mob at Prete Main Street Plaza at 11 am & 6:30 pm. All ages are welcome. Prete Main Street Plaza, 221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664.
Free Outdoor Movies at Amy’s Ice Creams: Shrek – August 10 at 8:30pm
Summer Mooovie Mondays return to Amy’s Ice Creams on Burnet Road! Shrek will start at dusk, and there will be themed ice cream flavors and activities. Amy’s Ice Creams, 5624 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – August 11 at 10am
Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9am. The movie itself will start at 10am in one of the dine-in theaters. Moviehouse & Eatery, 8300 North FM 620, Building B, Austin, TX 78726.
Amy’s Ice Creams Trick Olympics – August 11 at 7pm
The summer’s biggest blockbuster isn’t at a movie theater. It’s at Amy’s Ice Creams Trick Olympics, back for its 11th year of high flying, in your face, crowd pleasing action. Amy’s Ice Creams at The Grove, 9600 IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78748.
The Neverending Story with Calliope Musicals – August 12 at 7pm
Now in its third season, Sound & Cinema 2015 features unique pairings of classic movies with a diverse array of local musical guests. Each band plays a musical tribute to the night’s movie, followed by a screening of the film on the Alamo’s giant inflatable outdoor screen – all against the backdrop of the Austin skyline. The Long Center lawn is open seating all afternoon, so everyone can feel free to hang out and grab a good spot on the grass whenever they’d like. Food trucks open at 6pm each night. The sunset concerts start around 8pm. Movies begin shortly after dusk. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and folding chairs. Pets and outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704.
101X Summer Cinema Series: The Princess Bride – August 12 at 8:30pm
Arrive early with your blankets, lawn chairs, kids and leashed pets to enjoy The Princess Bride. The movie starts at dusk, but prior to the show, you will be able to enjoy plenty of fun-filled family activities, food specials in the cafe and more! No outside food or drinks allowed. Additional event parking in the Heart Hospital garage, located next door (3rd floor and up). Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756.
Hairspray! presented by Zilker Theatre Productions – August 13 at 8:15pm
Zilker Theatre Production’s summer musical is a cherished Austin cultural event, attracting over 40,000 visitors each summer. The 57th Annual Zilker Summer Musical, Hairspray, winner of 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a high-energy musical comedy phenomenon that will have the whole Hillside on their feet! Set in 1962 Baltimore, this musical is chock full of dazzling, toe-tapping production numbers and soulful rhythm and blues. Although Hairspray free, donations are greatly appreciated! The production opens July 10 and runs Thursdays – Sundays through August 15th. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Goonies (Leander) – August 14 at 7:30pm
In order to save their home from foreclosure, a group of misfits set out to find a pirate’s ancient treasure in 80s classic, Goonies. The Movies in the Park series provides families the opportunity to spend time together under the stars while enjoying family-friendly movies.Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner. Concessions are also available. Glass containers are prohibited. Friendly pets are welcomed on a leash. Movie begins at dusk. Robin Bledsoe Park. 601 S Bagdad Rd, Leander, TX 78641.
E.T. (Kyle) – August 14 at 9pm
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy E.T. at the amphitheater at Lake Kyle. Movie begins 30 minutes after sunset. Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Rd, Kyle 78640.
Rockin’ Dudz Consignment Event – August 15 from 9am – 2pm
Rockin’ Dudz is a seasonal consignment event that features quality, gently-used or new kids and maternity clothing. Parking and admission are free. Frank Fickett Boy Scout Center, 12500 North IH-35, Austin, TX 78753.
Family Yoga in the Park – August 16 from 9:30-10:30am
Family classes are led by certified instructors from The Little Yoga House. The Little Yoga House is a boutique children’s and family yoga school with a specific focus on healthy child development through yoga, music, dance, and art. Please bring your own yoga mat to class. Wooldridge Park, 900 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701.
Free Outdoor Movies at Amy’s Ice Creams: Toy Story 1 & 2 – August 17 at 8:30pm
Summer Mooovie Mondays return to Amy’s Ice Creams on Burnet Road! A special back to school double feature, Toy Story 1 & 2, will start at dusk, and there will be themed ice cream flavors and activities. Amy’s Ice Creams, 5624 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756.
The LEGO Movie – August 18 at 10am
Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9am. The movie itself will start at 10am in one of the dine-in theaters. Moviehouse & Eatery, 8300 North FM 620, Building B, Austin, TX 78726.
Summer Concert Series: Know Alternative (Cedar Park) – August 19 from 7-8:30pm
Bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the Know Alternative. Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater, 2525 W New Hope Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
Art and Activities at the Blanton’s Third Thursday – August 20 from 10am-9pm
On the third Thursday of each month, The Blanton Museum of Art offers free admission, extended evening hours, and a range of activities including gallery tours, live music performances, yoga, and more. Open until 9pm, the Blanton Café offers a special Happy Hour, with a glass of wine and a slice of gourmet pizza for $5, while the Museum Shop keeps its doors open late as well for all of your shopping needs. Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701.
Music in the Park (Pflugerville) – August 21 from 6:30-9:30
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, friends and neighbors for a free evening of music from the Dillon Havins Band and Clyde (“porch stomp” with a bit of “Texas street-country” and blues), entertainment and relaxation. Pfluger Park, 515 City Park Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Nocturna at the Bullock – August 22 from 2-3:30pm
On August 22, the Bullock will screen Nocturna, a movie about a young boy named Tim who has an unusual discovery on the rooftop of his orphanage, which plunges him into the secret world of Nocturna, inhabited by curious creatures who control the night. This screening is free, but each attendee must get a ticket from the front counter prior to making their way to the Spirit Theater. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701.
Austin Arts Block Party (RSVP) – August 23 from 1-6pm
For the first time ever, the Long Center is partnering with the Austin Opera, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Shakespeare, Ballet Austin, Conspirare, Pollyanna Theatre Company, Tapestry Fance Company, Umlauf Scultpure Garden & Museum, and ZACH Theatre for the Austin Arts Block Party. Ten of Austin’s best and brightest arts organizations invite you to an unprecedented joint effort – the Austin Arts Block Party, celebrating more than 150 shows, concerts, exhibits and events through the 2015-16 season. Never before have so many of Austin’s leading arts organizations collaborated on this scale, inviting the public to preview upcoming productions, enjoy performances, a Kids’ Zone, and exclusive tours. Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704.
Signing Storytime with Ms. Amy (Round Rock) – August 24 from 10-10:30am
This class is geared for children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 N IH 35, Ste 375, Round Rock, TX 78681.
Hotel Transylvania – August 25 at 10am
Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9am. The movie itself will start at 10am in one of the dine-in theaters. Moviehouse & Eatery, 8300 North FM 620, Building B, Austin, TX 78726.
Tunebugz Demo Class (RSVP) – August 26 at 10:30am
Are you ready to sing and play-along with music from all over the world, in a wide range of styles, meters and tonalities? We know that music is the language of Austin, so why not let some of your earliest conversations with your child be musical ones? Reserve your free spot here. 5811 Berkman Dr, Ste 107, Austin, TX 78723.
Free Admission at the LBJ Library – August 27 from 9am-5pm
The LBJ Presidential Library is one of thirteen Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. Admission is free on select days, including August 27 (LBJ’s Birthday). It houses 45 million pages of historical documents which include the papers from the entire public career of Lyndon Baines Johnson and those of his close associates. In addition to the permanent exhibits, you can now see Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles!, a traveling exhibit curated by the GRAMMY Museum® and Fab Four Exhibits that explores the impact The Beatles’ arrival had on American pop culture, including fashion, art, advertising, media and music, from early 1964 through mid-1966 – when the British boy band was at its peak. On display will be more than 400 pieces of memorabilia, records, rare photographs, tour artifacts, video, and instruments from private collectors and the GRAMMY Museum, including the original Ludwig drum head Ringo played on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It even includes an oral history booth where visitors can leave their own impressions of the timeless group. The LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Leander) – August 28 at 7:30pm
Alexander’s day begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by more calamities. Though he finds little sympathy from his family and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him, his mom, dad, brother, and sister all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The Movies in the Park series provides families the opportunity to spend time together under the stars while enjoying family-friendly movies.Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner. Concessions are also available. Glass containers are prohibited. Friendly pets are welcomed on a leash. Movie begins at dusk. Robin Bledsoe Park. 601 S Bagdad Rd, Leander, TX 78641.
Noche de Folklor – August 29 at 7:30pm
Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklorico de Texas presents “Noche de Folklor” with special guests the Irish Dance Company. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Free Day of Dance – August 30 from 1-5:45pm
Whether you have danced before or never danced a step in your life, Come Dance is your day to get your groove on! Come try as many of the fun dance styles as you can! Dance Classes Offered at Come Dance! 2015 may include (final schedule posted early August): Ballet, Bollywood, Brazilian, Broadway Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Hula, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Modern, West African Dance & Drums, Videodance, and more. Dance Fitness Classes Offered: Bollywood Cardio & Tone, CardioPOP! Top 40’s Fitness, Cardio Dance & Tone, & Zumba®. Prizes, giveaways, and lots of fun! Ballet Austin, 501 W 3rd St, Austin, TX 78701.
Night Crafters (17+) – August 31 from 6-7:30pm
Are you a crafter? Do you wish you were a crafter? Well then, Central’s monthly Night Crafters program is for you! Meet on the 2nd floor in the programming area. For more information please call 512-974-9700, option 1. Night Crafters is an adult only program. Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701.
For more free events happening all over Austin, be sure to check out our Free Fun Calendar!
