Looking for something festive to do over the long weekend? If you’re eager to get out of the house for a little adventure, we’ve got some ideas to share on how to enjoy Memorial Day Weekend in Austin.
Family-Friendly Events Happening This Weekend:
— Austin Greek Festival @ Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May, 28 | 414 St. Stephens School Rd S
Enjoy Greek hospitality, delicious food, dancing, music, and lots of fun at this annual event. Admission is $5 and free for kids ages 10 and under. Check the full entertainment schedule here.
— Close Assault 1968 Vietnam War Living History Program @ Texas Military Forces Museum
Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28 | Showtimes are at 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday and 1:30 pm on Sunday | GPS Address: 2200 West 35th Street, Bldg 6
This FREE event will take place rain or shine on both Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28 (see times above). Texas Military Forces Close will honor our nation’s Vietnam Veterans, many of whom joined the Guard after their regular Army service. The program features members of the Texas Military Forces Living History Detachment exhibiting the uniform and equipment worn by American soldiers. The program runs for about 1.5 hours and bleacher seating is available. The museum will be open 10 am – 4 pm each day, and both the program and admission to the museum are complimentary. More info here.
— Family-Friendly Gospel Brunch @ Frontyard Brewing (Spicewood)
Sunday, May 28 | 11 am – 3 pm | 4514 Bob Wire Rd, Spicewood
Frontyard Brewing hosts a family-friendly gospel brunch on the first Sunday of the month, so get ready for this weekend’s festivities! Enjoy the joyous sounds of Gospel, with live music kicking off at 12:30 pm. Treat yourself to some seriously indulgent specialty brunch items from their food trucks and a delicious Michelada.
— Family Film Series: Never Ending Story @ The Paramount
Saturday, May 22 | 3 pm | Doors at 2:30 pm | 713 Congress Ave.
It’s the opening weekend of The Paramount’s Classic Movie Series and this Saturday they’ll be featuring Never Ending Story. General Admission is $5 for children and $9 for adults, and you can check out all of your options for purchasing tickets here.
— Hot Luck Festival
Various locations and times from Thursday, May 25 – Sunday, May 28
Hot Luck takes place year-round in cities all over the world in the form of chef-driven food and music experiences. The 2023 edition will take place Memorial Day weekend here in Austin, and you can get tickets for individual days or The Whole Enchilada Pass here.
Lift Off! @ Science Mill
Friday, May 26 – Monday, May 29 | Various Times Here | 101 S Lady Bird Ln, Johnson City
The Science Mill is the place for SPACE on Memorial Day Weekend! Get your tickets and check out their full list of exhibits here.
— Trot For Trans Lives @ Downtown Austin
In-Person, Saturday, May 27 | 10 am | 1100 Congress Ave. | Virtually May 27-30
Cal Dobbs, in partnership with the National Center for Transgender Equality and others, is hosting a fun, family-friendly 5k run to show love and support for all trans and intersex people impacted by the record-breaking number of anti-trans legislation introduced in 2023. Join Cal, NCTE, and other organizations and activists from the community on Saturday, May 27 at 1100 Congress Ave, or virtually from anywhere in the world. Sign up for this three-mile run in person or virtually here.
— Woodland Faerie Trail Opening Weekend @ Zilker Botanical Garden
May 27 from 10 am – 2 pm | May 28 @ 10 am | May 29 @ 2 pm | 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
Faeries are landing at the Zilker Botanical Garden! The annual Woodland Faerie Trail opens this Saturday featuring 75 homes that have been designed and built by volunteer faerie architects using natural materials. During opening weekend, you can also enjoy activity tables from 10 am – 2 pm as well as Fairy Flute performances. This exhibit will be on display throughout the summer. Reserve your tickets.
More Ideas for Family Fun This Memorial Day Weekend
- Dig Into Some Tasty BBQ. Don’t feel like cooking up a homemade feast? No worries. You can dig into some of the best dang BBQ in Austin just by placing an order to go. Don’t forget the sides and some cobbler, too!
- Go for a hike. Get out and enjoy the fresh air on a trail that you and the kids can navigate together. Check out our picks for the best hikes & trails for families.
- Have An Adventure. Check out some unique spots to get your adrenaline pumping at these adventurous activities for Austin thrill seekers. You could also check out amusement parks and water parks near Austin.
- Have Fun in Your Backyard. Get out the camping gear and set it up in your yard for a campout. Or dust off the kiddie pool and sprinklers for a fun water play day at home. Check out our ideas for maxing out your yard for playtime.
- Hit the water. Head to a splash pad or local pool. Rent kayaks & SUPs on Lady Bird Lake, or make reservations at one of these awesome swimming spots around Austin.
- Pack a Picnic. Check out our list of favorite picnic spots in Austin and places to play in wide open spaces for some ideas on where to go for DIY picnics, playing frisbee, running, or just rolling around in the grass.
- Reel in a Big Fish. Check out our round-up of great fishing spots in and around Austin to cast your line. Find a shady spot to post up with a fishing pole and reel ’em in!
- See Some Theatre. Catch an all-ages performance of A Midsummers Night’s Dream, Bluey’s Big Play, or ComedySportz. Or head to the drive-in movies!
- Take a Family Bike Ride. May is National Bike Month and a great time to enjoy some fresh air and exercise with the kids. Check out our roundup of where to bike with kids.
- Visit Some Animal Friends. Take a trip to one of the many drive-thru zoos & safari parks in central Texas where you can view wild creatures from your very own car. Or stop by a local farm, like Crowe’s Nest or Sweet Eats.
Memorial Day is a great time to talk with the kids about the importance of the amazing men and women who provide service to our country as we honor those who’ve passed. We hope you have a happy Memorial Day weekend!