Movies and plays and concerts, oh my! It’s going to be a fun weekend in Austin, Texas!
Weekend Top 10 Free Events in Austin:
- Movies at Lake Park: Disney’s Alice in Wonderland – Friday at 6:30 p.m. Movie will begin at dusk. Arrive between 6:30-8:00 p.m. for a meet and greet with Alice and the Mad Hatter before the show. There will also be complimentary Starbucks ice tea and tea cookies while supplies last. Tea party attire is encouraged. Grab your friends, family, blankets and enjoy a fun evening under the stars. FREE! Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin.
- Movie Night at Community Cinema: Ghostbusters – Friday at 7:00 p.m. Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends, and enjoy a special screening of the original Ghostbusters. Members of Ghostbusters ATX will be present for photos along with their uniforms and proton packs. On top of regular concessions (cash only) like popcorn, candy, soda, and water, s’mores packs will also be for sale so you can get your Stay Puft on. There will be an awesome campfire ready for roasting. Arrive early to explore Community First! Village, pick your spot, and enjoy an 80s favorite on the big screen. Concession sales and tips help Community First! friends who will be serving you to earn a modest living income. Movie begins at sundown. Read about Emily’s experience at Community Cinema here. Reserve your FREE tickets here. Rated PG. Community First! Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd, Austin.
- Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. The tradition of Shakespeare in Ramsey Park continues with this new fall show. Something for Nothing Theater company produces the plays with minimal props, costumes, and lighting, focusing on storytelling and the wonderful language of Shakespeare. FREE! Donations accepted. Ramsey Park, 4301 Rosedale Ave, Austin.
- Fall Holidays Fair – Saturday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Explore Fall and Winter festivals celebrated in Asia and beyond. Learn about these celebrations through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and cultural performances. Festivals include Yunlin International Puppets Arts Festival, Dussehra, International Day of Peace, Mid-Autumn Festival, Crop Over, National Batik Day, and more. Food and beverages available for purchase. Admission is FREE! Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin.
- Hundred Happy Homes Challenge – Saturday from Noon to 7:00 p.m. The Austin Humane Society is hosting its first ever adoption challenge: to find 100 cats or dogs their forever homes in a single day. All adoptables are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped – all they need is YOU. In addition to FREE adoptions, the first four hours (Noon to 4:00 p.m.) will feature a family-friendly community event featuring local vendors and businesses, children’s activities, music, and more. Austin Humane Society, 124 W Anderson Ln, Austin.
- The Arkansaw Bear (RSVP) – Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The Arkansaw Bear by Aurand Harris is a marvelous and daring play that tells the story of a little girl named Tish who meets the world’s greatest dancing bear. The Arkansaw Bear is targeted to grades 2-6, but is appropriate for the whole family. FREE with ticket reservation. Austin Playhouse at ACC’s Highland Campus, 6001 Airport Blvd, Austin.
- Southpark After Dark Fall Concert Series: The Eggmen – Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The final show in the series features The Eggmen, a Beatles tribute band. This is a family friendly event with live music, a play area, and restaurant patios with a view. FREE! The Grove at Southpark Meadows, 9600 S IH 35, Austin.
- SchoolFair ATX – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This event brings together over 75 preschools, private schools, homeschool groups, and enrichment programs from all over the Austin area. SchoolFair ATX also offers FREE seminars and panel discussions on subjects such as: preschool readiness, bilingual education, AISD admission, alternative schools, homeschooling, and school choices. The event offers parents an opportunity to connect with multiple enrichment providers and opportunities for children to participate in soccer, music, art, yoga, and movement activities. Admission to the event is FREE when you RSVP by October 15th or $5 at the door with proceeds going to Sammy’s House. Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr, Austin.
- Community Art Sunday – Sunday from 2-5:00 p.m. This Community Art Sunday will be dishing out activities that combine food, art, and cultural learning. Here’s what’s on the menu: make Mooncakes with Cooking Up Cultures and learn about other languages and cultures through cooking; compose a poem using food sound effects and record it in a Foley booth; get your groove on in baby-parent dance classes led by GroovaRoo Dance; touch the sky courtesy of Springfree Trampoline Austin; try a VR ‘Makey-Makey’ experience led by Google Fiber; create a communal Mandala with canned food; hear a Becker Elementary School band performance; and enjoy FREE food courtesy of H-E-B and drinks from Oskar Blues Brewery Austin. FREE but please bring canned goods to contribute to the communal Mandala. Center for Creative Action, 2921 E 17th St, Bldg B, Austin.
- Austin Archives Bazaar – Sunday from 2-6:00 p.m. Meet the Community Archivists who work to preserve diverse, underrepresented histories in Austin and Travis County, and participate in a geotagged story map of Austin’s historic communities. Other programming will include professional archivists to answer preservation questions you may have about your family scrapbooks or photographs; an oral history recording booth to capture the story of your family or an Austin experience; an archival film showcase by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image; and “lightning talks” by local historians and authors that make use of archives in their works and much, much more. Suitable for all ages. FREE! Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin.
Bonus Shopportunity
- Twice Loved Consignment Sale ($1-3) – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Find everything you need from maternity to high school at the Austin Parents of Multiples’ Twice Loved Consignment Sale. Top quality kids clothing infant to size 16, gear, toys, books, feeding and bathing essentials, bikes, furniture, decor, maternity, and more. All items are inspected for quality and safety. You save 75% or more off retail prices. Open to all local families; you don’t need multiples to shop. Early bird shopping from 7-8:00 a.m. is $3 (includes free coffee). General shopping after 8:00 a.m. is $1. Receive $1 off entry with this flyer. Austin Sports Center, 425 Woodward St, Austin.
More Events Beyond Austin
- Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival – Friday from 2-11:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. You’ll have the up-close and personal chance to see, hear, and get to know some very talented performers who have a deep love of the art of songwriting. Event stages are hosted by Dripping Springs’ most popular venues, all located within safe, easy walking distance of each other. View the performance schedule here. FREE! Downtown Dripping Springs.
- Star Party (Cedar Park) – Friday at 8:00 p.m. (Please note new start time.) 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.
- Pumpkin Hunt (Elgin) – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5:00 p.m. The Pumpkin Hunt includes a wagon ride into the Christmas tree fields where mini pumpkins are hidden in the trees. After the Hunt, enjoy pumpkin decorating on the pavilion (pumpkin purchase required) along with great concessions and other activities and games. Admission and parking are FREE! Some activities require ticket purchase. Evergreen Farms, 242 Monkey Rd, Elgin.
- Star Wars Reads Day (Round Rock) – Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Star Wars fans, assemble at the Library for activities including games, crafts, give-aways, quiz opportunities, and a photo booth; Star Wars Storytime at 11:00 a.m. featuring some guest Jedi from the Lone Star Sabre Academy; and Jedi Academies at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., one-on-one lightsabre training opportunities with Lone Star Sabre Academy (for ages 6+ only). Fans are encouraged to wear costumes or Star Wars clothes. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main St, Round Rock.
- Pfall Chili Pfest (Pflugerville) – Saturday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Annual chili cook-off contest with as many as 40 teams entered, plus vendors, car show, and children’s area, with live music on stage. Sample the chili at any of the booths by purchasing a package of 15 two-oz. cups and five spoons for $5. Admission is FREE! Downtown Pflugerville.
