- Hot Science – Cool Talks – Friday, November 21 at 5:45 p.m. Drones have been all over the media as well as our imaginations. What’s real and what’s possible for these remarkable flying machines? Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Todd Humphreys will consider the ways drones can be used in the future versus what is portrayed in the movies. He will also show us how his team was the first to successfully demonstrate that drones could be commandeered by GPS hacking. Interactive Fair from 5:45-7:00 p.m.; Main presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. Read more about Hot Science – Cool Talks here. FREE! UT Campus, Welch Hall Auditorium (directions), 105 E 24th St, Austin.
- Mozart’s Light Show – Friday, November 21 – Sunday, January 4, from 6 p.m. – midnight. The 15-minute light show will start at 6 p.m. and then repeat every hour on the hour until midnight. The FREE light show will be bigger and better than all past years! Hot beverages will be available for purchase. Check the Facebook page for weather updates. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin.
- Kids Shows at Cherrywood Coffeehouse – Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23 at 10 a.m. On Saturday, enjoy a show by AndyRoo & the AndyRooniverse. On Sunday, sing along with Mr. Will Dupuy. FREE! Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 East 38 1/2 Street, Austin.
- Discovery Weekend at Barnes & Noble – Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23. Enjoy a weekend of FREE fun at local Barnes & Noble stores: Arboretum, Sunset Valley, The Homestead, Hill Country Galleria, and Round Rock. The schedule of events includes:
- Create With ArtFolds – Saturday at 10 a.m. Customers are invited to transform a book or card into a piece of art using the ArtFolds technique. Customers are encouraged to arrive early, as space and supplies are limited. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
- Learn to Draw Like Mo Willems – Saturday at 11 a.m. Children will enjoy a reading of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, then learning how to draw the beloved Pigeon with instructions created by the award-winning author and illustrator. Recommended for children ages 4 and up.
- Puppet Making and Holiday Sing-Along – Saturday at 1 p.m. Young ones are invited to create a puppet and sing with their newfound puppet friends. Customers are encouraged to arrive early, as space and supplies are limited. Recommended for children ages 4 and up.
- Holiday Fluxx Game Night – Saturday at 7 p.m. Get introduced to this unexpected holiday card game with ever-changing rules – even the object of the game changes as often as players draw a card or say “Go”! Recommended for ages 12 and up.
- Snowmen at Night – Sunday at 1 p.m. Storytime, crafts and activities. Kids will enjoy a reading of this winter tale that follows the secret life of snowmen at night, then create one to bring home. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
- East Austin Studio Tour (E.A.S.T.) – Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. EAST 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. Visit the website for information on participating artists and studios, exhibitions, and happenings. For the scoop on how to enjoy EAST with kids in tow, head over here. You can also watch a short video about EAST here. East of IH-35, west of 183, south of 290, and north of Lady Bird Lake, Austin.
- The Domain’s Lighting of the Great Tree – Sunday, November 23 at 6 p.m. (This event was originally scheduled for Saturday but moved due to heavy rain in the forecast.) Starting at noon in Domain II, guests can enjoy FREE holiday entertainment, performances by area schools, special in-store events, craft activities, face painting, caricature drawings, balloon twisting stations and more. The lighting of The Domain’s 40-foot holiday tree will start at 6 p.m. in Domain I. The 30-minute show will feature dynamic musical performances, culminating with the lighting of the tree by Santa himself! Following the show, enjoy performances by The Invincible Czars and Beto y Los Fairlanes. Check the Facebook event page for weather updates. FREE! The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin.
- ImprovEd Shakespeare presents Henry IV (Part 1) – Saturday, November 22, from 3-4 p.m. Frustrated with your parents? So was Prince Harry. Only his dad was the king. Join a troupe of youth players as they share the story of Henry before he became Henry V. Filled with breathless stage fights, clown-like antics and one irate kid. FREE! Austin Public Library – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St., Austin.
- Danger Derby – Sunday, November 23, from 5-10 p.m. (originally scheduled for Saturday, this event moved to Sunday due to rain in the forecast) and Junior Danger Derby – Sunday, November 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. East Austin Studio Tour’s most outlandish party, the Blue Genie Danger Derby, is back for a third year of destruction at the Blue Genie Headquarters! This annual pinewood derby race features “art cars” battling for victory by racing down a two-story hazard course. The track is 20’ tall, 100’ long, runs alongside the Blue Genie Headquarters and is peppered with a myriad of extreme dangers (fire included!). The first car to make it out ahead after surviving the numerous hazards wins bragging rights on the East Side and one sweet trophy. This year will feature new, top-secret hazards to add to the destruction! Admission is FREE. It is FREE for kids age 3-12 to participate in the Junior Danger Derby on Sunday, but registration is required. Blue Genie Headquarters, 916 Springdale Rd., Bldg. 4, Austin.
- Kol Halev Winter Bazaar – Sunday, November 23, from 12-5 p.m. With more than 30 vendors and family-focused entertainment, there is something for everyone at this holiday bazaar. There will be a huge variety of products from local artists and artisans: Hannukah gifts and Christmas decorations, Mexican crafts, jewelry, clothing and even bedding! Entertainment starts with a puppet show and sing-along at noon, continues with local musicians and singers, and closes with the Kol Halev Band. There will be healthy snacks and quiet places to eat and converse. FREE Admission. Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Ln., Austin.
- Austin Family Classical Concerts – Sunday, November 23 at 5 p.m. Austin Family Classical Concerts is a concert series featuring local professional classical musicians performing some of their favorite music together. Concerts are open to everyone, including children of all ages. In fact, it is the perfect first classical music concert experience for young children! This month’s concert will feature music for strings and flute. After the performance, the audience is welcome to come up to the stage and look at the instruments and talk with the performers. Admission is FREE, but donations will be accepted to offset the costs of production. Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 3913 Ave B, Austin.
You may also be interested in:
- Where to Find Snow & Ice Skating in Austin
- Holiday Happenings in Austin
- 10 Free Events to Enjoy Thanksgiving Week
- Where to Take Out of Town Guests to Experience Austin
- 5 Ways to Put Giving in Thanksgiving
- Free Thanksgiving Meals in Austin
- Free Date Nights in Austin
- Free Christmas Concerts with the Austin Symphony
- Santa Sightings in Austin
- …and even more events on our Free Fun Calendar!
