Free Fun in Austin This Weekend:
- KUTX Live at Mueller – Friday at 7:00 p.m. The fun starts with kid-friendly tunes by The Que Pastas followed by intense Afrobeats from Hard Proof. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. FREE! Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin.
- Movie Night at Community Cinema: High Noon (RSVP) – Friday at 7:50 p.m. Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends, and enjoy a special screening of High Noon, in honor of Ishmael Mohammed Jr. – aka “Junior the Wendy’s Guy.” Arrive early to explore Community First! Village, pick your spot, and enjoy a classic Western on the big screen. Candy, popcorn, water, and sodas will be available for purchase (cash only). Concession sales and tips help Community First! friends who will be serving you to earn a modest living income. Movie begins at sundown. Reserve your FREE tickets here. Community First! Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd, Austin.
- Shakespeare in Zilker Park: Macbeth – Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 p.m. This is the 32nd year of FREE Shakespeare in Zilker Park, returning with a military-themed version of Shakespeare’s supernatural story of ambition gone awry. Audiences are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics. Admission is FREE! Weather updates are posted here beginning at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the performance. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
- Safe Kids Day – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Join Safe Kids Austin for a fun, family-friendly event promoting child safety and featuring activities for kids, information for parents, and giveaways. Enjoy music provided by Latino 102.7 as they broadcast live on location. Activities will include a bike rodeo (bring your bike and helmet or borrow theirs), water safety games, pedestrian safety activities, fire truck, and more. Giveaways (while supplies last) will include booster seats, life jackets, bike helmets, reflectors, stickers, and more. FREE! Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin.
- 1,000 Cranes Origami Festival – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. According to Japanese legend, folding 1,000 origami cranes grants a wish. Join this family-friendly celebration featuring origami crafts for kids, interactive origami, music, storytelling, a Japanese fashion show, plus the unveiling of the Thousand Cranes of Peace art installation. FREE but donations will be accepted in support of Asian Family Support Services of Austin. Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin.
- Village Mini Fair: A Celebration of Learning Through Play – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Family fun with crafts, raffles, games, face painting, and a funky chicken coop. Plus, you can craft your own “peep” (a miniature avatar/doll), to take shopping at the Village Market for food and accessories, take a tour of a miniature, scale-size Ancient Greek historical village, and then–for the real fun–miniature carnival rides for your Peep, created and built by Austin Village Academy students. Admission and all Peep activities/items are FREE! Some activities will require purchase of $1 activity tickets. Austin Village Academy, 4105 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
- West Austin Studio Tour – Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. WEST is a FREE, annual, self-guided art event providing the public with an opportunity to meet the makers: the local artists and artisans who leave a lasting imprint on Austin’s vibrant, dynamic culture. Tour-goers are invited to discover new artistic talent, see working studios, learn about artists’ tools, techniques, and inspirations, and explore unique exhibition spaces and local businesses. View the online catalog and map here.
- Ney Day – Saturday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Celebrate Elisabet Ney, her art, and her legacy with the trapeze artistry of Madi Ward; live music from Sevana Marimba, Miss Lavelle White, BettySoo, Molly Burch, and Nina Diaz of Girl in a Coma; sculpting and art demos; hula hoopers; technology activities; clay crafting; health screenings; bookmaking; food trucks; and booths from Austin Pets Alive!, GenAustin, TreeFolks, Women Printmakers of Austin, Girls Rock, Stitch Lab, Thinkery. The Ney Museum will also host the public opening of a new interactive outdoor sculpture by featured artist Jenn Hassin. Come add to it yourself. Admission is FREE! Elisabet Ney Museum, 304 E 44th St, Austin.
- Deep Eddy Centennial – Saturday from 5-9:00 p.m. Live music on the west lawn will include Melancholy Ramblers, Hey, and Sister Jane. The H2Ho’s will make a splash in the pool with their synchronized swimming; face painters and balloon twisters will walk the grounds entertaining the guests; and the festivities will wrap up with family-friendly fire dancers. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Prizes for most original and most authentic swimwear will awarded to those who come dressed in costume or retro bathing attire. FREE but all donations and proceeds will go to Friends of Deep Eddy towards their continuing efforts to help maintain and support the grounds. Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin.
- Verbena at Fiesta Gardens – Sunday from Noon to 8:00 p.m. This exciting event will feature several community bands, dancing, food, and kids activities. Enjoy performances by Waterloo Wind Band, Pecan Street Brass, Austin Brass Band, Band of the Hills, Violet Crown Flute Choir, and Austin Civic Wind Ensemble. Family-friendly and FREE! Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St, Austin.
Bonus Nearly Free Fun:
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Woodland Faerie Trail – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. The award-winning, 4th annual Woodland Faerie Trail features faerie homes and gardens created by Austin area gardeners, architects, artisans, businesses, clubs, families, and school groups. FREE with Garden admission, which is $1-3 (for ages 3+). Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Bonus Shopportunities:
- Fairytale Threads Consignment Event – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Find excellent deals on new and gently loved clothes for children of all ages and stages, from newborns to kids’ size 16, as well as books, gear and toys for kids, babies and toddlers; maternity clothes for mama; and more. Admission is FREE! Austin Sports Center, 425 Woodward St, Austin.
- Bazaar Brunch WEST Edition – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Visit the monthly Handcrafted and Vintage Market on the lawn at Bouldin Creek Cafe. Support local art. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, and FREE! Bouldin Creek Cafe, 1900 S 1st St, Austin.
- Radio, Coffee & Flea – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Flea features all local handmade items and vintage wares from some of Austin’s most amazing and talented vendors. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for any occasion including jewelry, bath/body products, vintage, original artwork, paper goods, textiles, and so much more. Handmade. Vintage. Local. Admission is FREE and open to all ages. Radio, Coffee & Beer, 4208 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
More Fun Beyond Austin:
- Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concert (Cedar Park) – Friday at 7:30 p.m. Join WCSO for a family-friendly evening of exciting outdoor music. With a theme of “You Asked For It!” this concert features music that audiences have specifically asked for. There’s definitely something for the whole family! Concert-goers of all ages will enjoy this evening in the park. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket, a picnic if you’d like, and arrive a bit early if you can. FREE! Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park.
- Star Party (Cedar Park) – Friday at 8:00 p.m. Star gaze on a state-of-the art computer guided telescope. View through the telescope, take telescope assisted photos with your smartphone, and learn major stars and constellation positions along with the planets and moons. Learn how to read a star map, and much more. Weather permitting. FREE! Texas Museum of Science & Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Dr, Cedar Park.
- Deutschen Pfest Parade (Pflugerville) – Saturday at 10:00 a.m. The parade is held with marching bands, community organizations, and community dignitaries. The parade begins on north Railroad Avenue with the children’s parade starting at 10:45 a.m. on Main Street. Children dress up in costumes, decorate their bicycles and wagons, and walk down Main Street. FREE!
- Old Town Street Festival (Leander) – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. On the third weekend of May, the streets of Old Town Leander fill with local and national artisans offering handcrafted creations. Musical acts bring the stage to life and family-friendly activities delight both adults and children. Food vendors provide both healthy and indulgent choices. Local and regional wineries and distilleries bring a special flair with a visit to the wine and beer tent. Admission is FREE! Rain or shine. Old Town, 100 N Brushy St, Leander.
- Saturday Night Concert Series: Two Tons of Steel (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.
- Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concert (Round Rock) – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Join WCSO for a family-friendly evening of exciting outdoor music. With a theme of “You Asked For It!” this concert features music that audiences have specifically asked for. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket, a picnic if you’d like, and arrive a bit early if you can. FREE! Old Settlers Park – Lake Pavilion, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
