Another wonderful Austin weekend is here, and there are so many great things to do in and around town. Here are the top 10 FREE Austin events happening this weekend.
- Santa’s Wonderland
Friday through Sunday, November 29 through December 1 | from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Bass Pro Shop, 200 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock & Cabela’s, 15570 South Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Buda
Santa’s Wonderland is the ultimate free family Christmas event. The magic returns to Bass Pro Shops and Austin-area families are invited to enjoy this enchanting Christmas village offering FREE 4×6 studio-quality photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games. Features include rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees. The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers remote control trucks, laser/ foam toy arcade, Lincoln Logs building area and much more. Kids can also enjoy free crafts, coloring stations and write a letter to Santa. - Mozart’s 10th Annual Joyous Light Show Opening Night
Friday through Sunday, November 29 through December 1| from 6 to 10 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard
The Mozart’s Joyous Light Show is back for the 10th year in a row! Come celebrate the season with us. Magical lights, delicious hot chocolate, tasty treats, and a wonderful time for the whole family. Open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Open Christmas Eve until 10 p.m. - Hill Country Galleria Holiday Village
Friday through Sunday, November 29 through December 1 | from 12 to 8 p.m. | Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Boulevard
Hill Country Galleria will host a Holiday Village on the lawn, starting on Saturday, November 23 and extending through the month of December, where guests can walk the decorated walkways and shop for gifts and goods like custom gifts, ornaments, seasonal coffee and cocoa, mulled cider, toys, spices, and apothecary goods from holiday vendors, such as CiMi Shine, ATX Wood Crafts, Grace & Charm, and more. Guests can also enjoy holiday entertainment like carolers and local dance and choir performances. Santa’s Workshop will also be open within the Holiday Village starting November 24 for guests to meet Santa and get special keepsake photos taken. See Hill Country Galleria’s website for their full schedule. - Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade
Saturday, November 30 | from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Texas State Capitol down Congress Avenue to Cesar Chavez
Come one, come all and bring lots of toys to donate at the 31st Annual Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade benefiting Austin Police Operation Blue Santa! This FREE family-friendly Austin event will travel from the Texas State Capitol down Congress to Cesar Chavez and featuring giant inflatable balloons including Olivia the Pig and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, festive holiday floats, popular children’s characters, spectacular marching bands, classic cars, Santa live music from Saul Paul, Janie Balderas & Los Texas Wranglers and more! In celebration of the parade’s tradition of giving back, all spectators are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donate during the parade procession — helping Chuy’s collect thousands of toys for Austin-area kids in need. Operation Blue Santa will then deliver the toys along with holiday meals to local children and families who might otherwise be without them this holiday season. - Holiday Craft-a-Palooza St. John’s Edition
Saturday, November 30 | from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | St. John Branch Public Library, 7500 Blessing Avenue
Join at the Holiday Craft-a-palooza. Seven branches will feature different crafts during the months of November and December. In this session, you will be creating gift bags and tags at the St John’s Branch! All supplies provided. - CANCELLED! – Santa on the Terrace
Saturday, November 30 | from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. | The Long Center, 701 West Riverside Drive
Santa’s back! The Long Center presents Santa on the Terrace, Saturday, November 30. Santa is coming to town a little early this year—don’t miss your chance to see him! Join us on the H-E-B Terrace with friends and family to celebrate the season and get a FREE picture with Santa in front of the best downtown view in Austin. Enjoy holiday treats and activities with the whole family as we welcome our bearded friend from the North Pole. Pictures are on a first-come, first-served basis. Being in line is no guarantee of getting your picture taken. This event is weather permitting. - Cocoa Jingle (Buda)
Saturday, November 30 | from 12 to 6:30 p.m. | Downtown Buda
The best holiday experiences are shared with the ones you love. Historic Downtown Buda invites you and your loved ones to join our family and help us welcome the holiday season with us. From shopping, to dining, free cocoa and even a pajama contest, you will be pleasantly relaxed with all Buda has to offer. - Sundays With Santa
Sunday, December 1 | from 12 to 2 p.m. | The Arboretum, 10000 Research Boulevard
Santa will be visiting from The North Pole every Sunday afternoon in December until December 22! Don’t miss your chance to get your photo taken and tell him all of your holiday wishes. He’ll be sitting in front of the big tree next to Lamps Plus. Visiting Santa is FREE but be sure to bring your personal camera to take photos. - Easy Tiger Winter Movie Series
Sunday, December 1 | from 8 to 10:30 p.m. | Easy Tiger, 709 East 6th Street
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join for free holiday movies featuring your favorite seasonal films. Round up your elves for drinks & desserts in the Beer Garden – all movies start promptly at 8 p.m. Arrive early for good seats! December 1 movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas. Parental Advisory: all ages are welcome to attend but be advised that Easy Tiger is a bar and minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. - Second Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 1 | from 5 to 7 p.m. | Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River Street
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join Fairmont Austin as they team up with Mix 94.7 for the second annual Tree Lighting Fairmont Austin will welcome a Dell Children’s patient to help kick off this holiday and light the tree. Families will enjoy Santa’s complimentary bakeshop, a special holiday performance, cameos with Santa and a giant macaron Nutcracker. This event is free to the public, donations are encouraged with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.
