Check out our top 10 picks for weekend fun! You can go to see James and the Giant Peach live on stage, celebrate the Chinese New Year, meet Star Wars characters, go rock climbing for free, make bird houses, watch a puppet show, head to the Sherwood Forest Faire, learn about the Civil Rights Movement at a free play, go to a children’s book fair at the Wildflower Center, see a new IMAX film — and more!
Other stuff:
Here are our Top Austin Family Events…
— James and the Giant Peach is a musical adaptation of the book by Roald Dahl that opens tonight at ZACH Theatre! Geared towards children ages 5 & up, this is the largest show ZACH has ever done for their family series and features more than 50 puppets and very impressive set pieces. Tonight’s show begins at 6:30 p.m., but you’ll be able to catch a weekend matinee through Sunday, April 10. Tickets start at $24 and up, which you can purchase online here or by calling ZACH’s box office at 512-476-0541 x1.
— It’s time to celebrate the Lunar New Year! Austin’s Chinatown Center hosts an impressive annual party with dragon and lion dancers, firecrackers, kids activities, delicious food and more. You can check out this Year of the Monkey Chinese New Year Celebration today from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. or tomorrow from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free!
— Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock is hosting a free family event today for all of you Star Wars fans! Bring the kids to from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. for Star Wars: The Fun Awakens where kids can meet the Jedi of the Lone Star Saber Academy, pose for photos with characters, learn how to wield a light saber and more.
— The Northwest Recreation Center has a new climbing wall! Parents and children (ages 5+) are welcome to climb for free between noon – 2 p.m. No experience needed and all equipment is provided.
— Learn about our feathered friends and celebrate urban birds today from 1-4 p.m. at the Elisabet Ney Museum. Free activities include bird walks at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m., face painting, and kids can create bird house from recyclable materials, make bird masks, beaks and clay bird feeders.
— Take the kids to see a free puppet show at Recycled Reads at 1 p.m. Literature Live! presents The Selfish Gardener, their latest show is inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant. This show is recommended for ages 4 & up.
— The 7th Annual Sherwood Forest Faire is in full swing! Enjoy faeries, swordplay, theatre, magic, comedy, and games. Located in McDade, Texas, the Faire is set in a 23-acre village in a wooded setting that features shoppes, pubs, restaurants and stages. Click here to get all of the details about this Faire. Hours today are from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Ticket prices at the gate are $23 per adult (age 13+), $13 per youth (ages 6-12) and free for kids ages 5 & under. You can SAVE when you buy your tickets online here.
— Kids can learn about the Civil Rights Movement at 2 p.m. at the LBJ Library Auditorium where the Pollyanna Theatre Company will present Liberty! Equality! And Fireworks!, a play that shares very important history lessons of the 1960s. The production, best suited towards ages 8 & up, is open to the public, free of charge.
— Marvel at the beauty of our country’s most picturesque parks without even leaving Austin! A new IMAX film, National Parks Adventure 3D, debuts in the IMAX Theater at the Bullock Texas History Museum today at 12:10 p.m. To order tickets online, please click here. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/military/students (with valid ID) and $7 for youths age 17 and under.
— Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center invites families to their first annual Children’s Book Fair from noon – 5 p.m. for visits with authors, kids’ music, cooking demos and hands-on activities. Get the full schedule of events here. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students with ID, $4 for youth ages 5-17, and free for ages 4 & younger.
These are just some of the fun events happening in Austin this weekend. For more, browse our daily calendar of events!
Have a great weekend!
