Another fantastic weekend is here, and there are so many great things to do in and around Austin. Here are the top 10 FREE Austin events happening this weekend.
Weekend Top 10 FREE Austin Events: November 30 – December 2, 2018
- Mozart’s Annual Light Show
Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2 | from 6 to 11 p.m. | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd.
The 9th Annual Joyous Mozart’s Christmas Light Show is here and better than ever! This year is an on-going experience with over one million LED lights, a giant coffee mug, and more. New this year is the Cobalt Blue Piano that will be played by pianist all season long. They also have a German Market in the parking lot serving warm treats as you walk in. Whether you’ve been before or not, this is the year to add the Mozart’s Light Show to your calendar! - Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2 | Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Bass Pro Shops Round Rock and Cabela’s Buda
Santa’s Wonderland is the ultimate free family Christmas event. The magic returns to Bass Pro Shops in Round Rock and arrives at Cabela’s in Buda for the first time-ever in 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. Guests can reserve their free visit and photo with Santa using the free Bass Pass system. Visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot located at the entrance of Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s to pick up a time-stamped pass. - Community First Village and Screening of Polar Express
Friday, November 30 | from 5:30 to 9 p.m. | Community First Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd.
This FREE holiday event boasts more than 250,000 Christmas lights choreographed to holiday music, and is one of the biggest Christmas light displays in Central Texas! Santa will make an early visit and be available for family photos. Plus, the Community First Village Advent Market offers unique, handcrafted gifts made by formerly homeless craftsmen and artisans. You can also enjoy a free holiday themed movie at the Community Cinema (Nov 30 – The Polar Express) and concessions for purchase from the Community Grille. - 2018 Old Town Christmas Festival (Leander)
Saturday, December 1 | from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 100 N. Brushy Street, Leander
Every first Saturday of December: Old Town Leander comes alive to spread Christmas joy throughout the community. This event includes the Old Town Rudolph Run 5K, Leander in Lights Parade, a snow zone, activities for the kids, pictures with Santa, a Christmas tree farm, local school performances and entertainment, food court, local vendors, and more. Free to attend. Some children’s activities require a fee. - Holiday Sing-Along And Downtown Stroll
Saturday, December 1 | at 5 p.m. | Congress Ave., Downtown Austin
Kickstart your holiday season at the Downtown Austin Alliance’s Holiday Stroll on Saturday, December 1 along Congress Avenue between 9th and 11th streets. Join us from 5:00 to 10:00 pm for a night of holiday cheer in downtown Austin, including the annual KUT & KUTX 98.9 Holiday Sing-Along and the lighting of the downtown tree. A free, family-friendly event, Holiday Stroll has something for everyone including photos with Santa, a petting zoo, live ice sculpture, holiday arts & crafts, a live mural painting, local food trucks, artisan vendors, and more. - Christmas Vacation Free Outdoor Screening Village Of Lights Event
Saturday, December 1 | from 5:30 to 9 p.m. | Community First Village 9301 Hog Eye Rd. Austin, TX
Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites you to a free movie during our annual Village of Lights. Get there early and see the lights, then stay for a holiday film! Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends and enjoy this special screening. Explore Community First! Village, pick your spot and enjoy your favorite movie snacks from the Community Grille. Burgers, french fries, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase (cards and cash accepted!). The event is free, however, a $5 donation would be highly appreciated. - Budafest (Buda)
Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2 | from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Downtown Buda, City Park
Holiday traditions start in Buda, TX, so bring the whole family to Downtown Buda. Explore the art market to find that perfect gift or add your own touch at Santa’s Artisan Workshop. Watch their eyes sparkle with thousands of lights during the night parade and fireworks! And don’t forget the dog! Come back on Sunday for the one of a kind Reindog Parade as you and your dressed-up-pup walk down Main Street for all to see. - Christmas Bash – Free Photos with Santa
Sunday December 2 | from 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Fulmore Middle School
Indulge in a hot-chocolate bar, decorate sugar cookies and create a one-of-a-kind ornament for your tree. Then, let the kiddos prance off some holiday wiggles in the indoor bouncy houses. PLUS, get a professional photo with the real Santa for your mantel! This photo-op will be FREE of charge and STRESS FREE because we’ll not only text you when it’s time to take your photo with Santa, but we’ll also email the digital photo to you! No two-hour lines, just fun! - Christmas In The Community With The Austin Symphony
Sunday December 2 | at 12 p.m. | Texas Capitol Rotunda, 1100 Congress Ave.
The Austin Symphony is once again bringing FREE music to all Austinites this holiday season. “Christmas in the Community” is a series of twelve concerts held throughout the city of Austin featuring different ensembles of the orchestra playing familiar holiday music. The program kicks off on December 1st with woodwinds at the Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall and concludes December 20th with big band music at the Austin Public Library downtown. All twelve dates, times, and locations are listed here. - H-E-B Free First Sunday
Sunday, December 2 | from 12 to 5 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave.
Celebrate the season by giving back to others! Create, sing, and enjoy activities that focus on the joy of giving and receiving.
Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state. At December’s H-E-B Free First Sunday: Bring a smile to someone else’s face by making a handmade card. Sing songs, listen to stories, and create crafts celebrating generosity and giving at Storytime. Reflect on a time when you gave to someone else and how it made you feel with a creative writing activity from The Library Foundation’s Badgerdog.
