Get ready for another action-packed weekend in Austin. Enjoy Earth Day celebrations, art, live music, dance, faerie fun, and festivals!
Free fun in Austin this weekend:
- 11th Annual Texas Community Music Festival – Friday from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ranging in size from single performers to ensembles of 70 pieces or more, and running the musical gamut from classical to rock to jazz to world beat and everything in between, TCMF11 truly has something for everybody’s musical taste. Rain or shine. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
- Hot Science – Cool Talks: How a Salamander Saved a City – Friday from 5:45-8:15 p.m. How are endangered species discovered? How can they save a city? Dr. David Hillis, Professor of Integrative Biology at UT-Austin, will share the history and politics of how the Barton Springs salamander was discovered and recognized as an endangered species. A Community Science Fair filled with engaging activities for the whole family will precede Dr. Hillis’s presentation. FREE! Welch Hall (UT-Austin campus), 105 E 24th St, Austin.
- Golden Afternoon: Public Art Dedication & Celebration – Friday from 6-8:00 p.m. Golden Afternoon, a responsive art installation inspired by Texas wildflowers and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was recently installed in the Seaholm neighborhood. Austin Art in Public Places is hosting a slightly mad Tea Party to celebrate – and you are invited. Enjoy tea and cookies with the artists and learn more about this exciting new public artwork for the Seaholm EcoDistrict. Pick up your own packet of Texas wildflower seeds and Alice in Wonderland activity books, courtesy of the Harry Ransom Center. Family friendly and FREE! Seaholm Plaza, 211 Walter Seaholm Dr, Austin.
- Austin Nature Day – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Observe the signs of Spring: see what the buzz is about at the bee exhibit; uncover hidden surprises using GPS units; discover pond life with microscopes; craft toys for the animals from recycled materials; and investigate eggs and the animals that hatch from them. Plus, you can attend the Texas Nature Challenge Opening Ceremony while you’re there. FREE! Austin Nature & Science Center, 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin.
- Sunset Valley ArtFest – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary, hosts many artists from the area, displaying varying forms of art and featuring live music on two stages (including performances by Joe McDermott and The Biscuit Brothers), local foods, and much more. Admission is FREE! Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Rd, Austin.
- Earth Day Austin – Saturday from Noon to 7:00 p.m. There will be 150+ exhibitors, hands-on activities for kids and adults, inspiring speakers, and delicious food available for purchase. Be in the record-breaking aerial photo emceed by Mayor Adler. Enjoy live performances by Asleep at the Wheel, Ruby Jane, Sweet Spirit, Riders Against the Storm, and more. Admission is FREE! Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin.
- Austin Dance India Dance-a-Thon and Community Fair – Saturday from 1-4:00 p.m. The community is invited to experience India at this fun fair with on-the-hour traditional Indian and cultural dance performances along with several booths featuring henna, Indian food, face painting, photo booth, games, and much more. Experience India! Admission is FREE! Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin.
- Animal Well-Fair – Saturday from 3-5:00 p.m. This is an incredible opportunity to visit with many of the largest animal shelters, animal rescues, and animal welfare organizations in the Austin metro area under one roof. Introduce your entire family to the life-saving services these groups provide and learn how you can get involved and make a difference. Weather permitting, there will be adoptable animals outside the building. All ages are welcome. FREE but donations will be gratefully accepted. Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr, Austin.
- Classical Music for the World: Free but Happy – Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Classical Music for the World believes in bringing beautiful music to everyone. This cello and piano dual recital will feature works by Johannes Brahms. After the concert, all are invited to join a reception with the artists in attendance. FREE but donations will be gratefully accepted at the door. Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W Slaughter Ln, Austin.
- Kids Club Music Hour – Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Join Johnny, Sharon, Amber, Nick and the “Hopsters” for a highly interactive music show. Have fun with the kids while drumming, dancing, singing, blowing bubbles, having a scarf snowball fight, dancing in a conga line, and watching a special mini-musical story with costumed characters, sets, and cool backdrops. Gets there early for snacks, coffee, and juice. Admission is FREE for Free Fun in Austin readers when you download a voucher here. (FREE tickets must be claimed by Noon on Saturday, as seating is limited.) Scottish Rite Theatre, 207 W 18th St, Austin.
Bonus nearly free fun:
- Afternoon in the Garden: Faeries, Pollinators, and Their Flowers – Sunday from 1-4:00 p.m. Play a fun matching game linking unique faeries with their specific plant allies. Plant extraordinary flowers that attract faeries, pollinators, and support wildlife. Learn about the healing and mystical qualities of plants and their allies. Family friendly and FREE with garden admission ($1 for ages 3-12; $2 for ages 13-61, Austin resident; $3 for ages 13-61, non-resident; $1 for age 62+) Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
More fun beyond Austin:
- Save the Earth Day Weekend (Buda) – Friday from 4-11:00 p.m.; Saturday from Noon to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday from 5-7:00 p.m. Celebrate the environment with great music, great food, a great atmosphere, and unbeatable beer samplings (21+). A fun-fun-fundraiser, attendees will have an opportunity to donate to one of the world’s most efficient, global environmental solutions if they choose. Venue is family friendly, so bring the kiddos and get ready to rock in the name of Mama Earth. Admission is FREE! Tavern on Main, 116 N Main St, Buda.
- Red Poppy Festival (Georgetown) – Friday from 6-9:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. A Georgetown and Central Texas tradition, the Red Poppy Festival is a time to enjoy family and friends, music, food, and fun. View the full event schedule here. Find parking and shuttle info here. Admission is FREE! Georgetown Square.
- 29th Annual Founders Day Festival (Dripping Springs) – Friday from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. With a theme of Destination Drippin’, the festival will kick off Friday with a grand parade. The event continues all weekend long with live music and entertainment, street dances, the Mighty Thomas Carnival for kids, cook-off competitions, more than 150 arts and crafts vendors and business booths, tasty BBQ, and traditional fair food. In addition, many non-profit and charitable organizations will be represented. View the full event schedule here. Admission is FREE! Historic Mercer Street, Downtown Dripping Springs.
- Saturday Night Concert Series: Guy Forsyth (Bee Cave) – Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Bring your family, friends, and a blanket to lounge on the grassy lawn during the show. Browse the vendors, order to-go food and have it delivered to your spot on the lawn, and enjoy FREE kids’ activities like face painting or balloon twisters. Arrive early to ensure you get a FREE swag bag filled with fun items and discounts from the Hill Country Galleria merchants and sponsors. FREE! Check the Facebook page for weather updates. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
For even more weekend fun, check out Free Date Nights in Austin and our Free Fun Calendar!
