This weekend, you can watch Annie on stage at Bass Concert Hall, head downtown for Art City Austin, see car-crushing monster trucks at the Frank Erwin Center, play games at Eeyore’s birthday party, explore trees at the Austin Nature & Science Center, enjoy Family Play Day in Mueller Park, take part in Earth Day celebrations, catch ZACH Theatre’s last show of The Three Little Pigs, head north to Georgetown’s Red Poppy Festival or south to Buda’s Wiener Dog Races — and much much more!
Other stuff:
- Best Places for Family Picnics in Austin
- Springtime Outings Around Austin
- Get a Sitter: What to do in Austin without the kids
Here are our Top Austin Family Events…
— We bet your bottom dollar that you and your kids will love the big Broadway in Austin production of Annie at the Bass Concert Hall. You can see it tonight at 8 p.m. (and it runs through Sunday, Apr. 26). It’s one of America’s best-loved musicals, and it’s sure to entertain the whole family. Tickets start at $30 and up and can be purchased online here.
— Take the family downtown to celebrate art, culture and creativity with live music, artists, local food trailers, interactive art projects for kids and more at Art City Austin — an outdoor art fair hosted by Art Alliance Austin. This takes place downtown on Cesar Chavez between Guadalupe and Lamar from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (and on Sunday, Apr. 26, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.). General admission tickets are just $10 and kids under age 12 are free! You can click here to purchase tickets online.
— Stop by the Harry Ransom Center on the University of Texas Austin campus to check Family Day at the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland exhibit. This kid-friendly exhibit is centered around Lewis Carroll’s beloved book and the real Alice who inspired the story. From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., kids can try math and writing activities, enjoy storytime and more. For the Family Day schedule, click here.
— Enjoy some outdoor time with the kids at the Austin Nature Day Free Family Event at the Austin Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park. From 12-4 p.m., you can explore the world of trees! Hike through the Zilker Preserve with an Urban Forester. Free!
— Celebrate a little bit of Austin’s lovably weird, free-spirit culture at the iconic spring event, Eeyore’s Birthday Party! People can come together at Pease Park for the free, day-long event from 11 a.m. until dark with the children’s area open from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eeyore’s Birthday party features games, face painting, henna and temporary tattoos, live music, and a drum circle. Free. Costumes are encouraged.
— It’s your last chance to see The Three Little Pigs at ZACH Theatre, check it out today at 11 a.m or 2 p.m. Fry’s Fun Farm will be hosting a Petting Zoo on the People’s Plaza so you can pet piggies before the show. Cost is $4 per child and cash only. Want to learn more about this show? Read our review…
— In honor of Earth Day, eco-friendly home improvement store, TreeHouse, is throwing a huge family friendly festival from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy raffle giveaways, food and drinks, and crafts for kids of all ages.
— The YMCA of Austin invites you to a free Family Play Day in Mueller Lake Park from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Enjoy active games, an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, family 1K race and more. Free and open to all!
— Who’s ready for some exciting car-crushing action? Monster Jam 2015 rides into the Frank Erwin Center at 2 p.m. today (also on Saturday, Apr. 25 at 7 p.m.) If your kids love monster trucks, they are in for an amazing experience when they witness 10,000-pound trucks catch air and pop wheelies. Tickets are are $25 for adults and $10 for kids ages 2-12, and gold level seats are $30 (Tickets are an additional $2 more if purchased the day of show.) You can buy tickets online by clicking here or call the box office at (512) 477-6060.
— You can take the family to the beautiful grounds of Radha Madhav Dham Temple to Celebrate Earth Day with the Shiksha School of Indian Arts and Culture. From 1:15 – 3 p.m., all are invited to plant wildflowers, enjoy a hands-on science class, release ladybugs, make seedballs and more. Free and open to all!
–> Bonus Weekend Activities Near Austin:
— South of Austin: The Buda County Fair and Wiener Dog Races is just a short drive from Austin, taking place at Buda City Park from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (and on Sunday, Apr. 26). This annual country fair begins with pet parade, followed by the nationally known Wiener Dog Races where the speediest dachshunds take to the track. This fundraiser for the Buda Lion’s Club includes a BBQ cook-off, a bake-off, arts & crafts, games for the kids, a washer tournament and lots of entertainment. Admission is $5 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free! Click here for free parking and shuttle information.
— North of Austin: Take a short drive north to Georgetown for the 16th Annual Red Poppy Festival. In the Historic Georgetown Square, you can enjoy tasty food, shopping at more than 100 arts and crafts vendor booths, the classic car show and three stages of music. Don’t miss the free Red Poppy Kid’s Fun Zone that’s open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) where kids can try an obstacle course, a bungee run, huge slide, bounce house, basketball game and a toddler playground.
— West of Austin: The Bluebonnet Air Show is held annually in Burnet, TX, and will take place on Saturday, Apr. 25. The Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force hosts this family-friendly event which attracts thousands of aviation enthusiasts from all over the country. This show will take place at the Kate Craddock Field at Burnet’s Municipal Airport, and proceeds from the Air Show will benefit the CAF museum that preserves America’s military aviation heritage. Click here for schedule info.
Have a fun weekend!
