This weekend you can have early July 4th celebrations, see rescue animals, catch an amusing musical, get weird and shop for local produce.

Other stuff:

• Things to do for July 4th
• Austin Film Festival’s Summer Film Camps
• Best Freebies & Deals around Austin
• Awesome Day Trips to Get Away from the City

Here are our top 10 Austin family events for the weekend…

Friday:

— Catch “The Zoo Show” at the Friday Family Fun Night at Kaleidoscope Toys at 6:30 pm. Admission is at least one non-perishable food item per person to be donated to the Round Rock Area Serving Center. The show will feature animals from the Capital of Texas Zoo.

— Adam and the Bull Shark, the Musical will premiere at LBJ High School today with a show at 10:30 am and another at 7:30 pm. This production is the dream of Stella Maxwell, a director of the spilled milk social club summer camp and a member of the band, Cruiserweight. This musical is the story of Adam, the boy who goes to stay with his Grandpa in the small town of Marvel Pea where he hears rumors of a bull shark living in the lake. Find out what happens next, tonight! Cost is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for kids – but it’s most important that you come, so if you’re broke, come for FREE!

— Twelve trombonists will play meditative music around the lagoon at Laguna Gloria for Music on Wilderness Lake. Their music will be cued via flags from a raft in the lagoon. This piece of environmental music explores the natural soundscape present at a transformative time of day; dusk. They will play at 8:15 pm for about 30 minutes. Ice cream from Teo Gelato will be available. Admission is free.

Saturday:

— Celebrate the 4th early at the Red White & Blue Ball going down at The Ball Farm starting at 3 pm. This overnight, camping mini-fest will have a HUGE waterslide, fireworks, live art and awesome live music from the likes of Chpper Jones, Danny Malone, The Gents, Calliope Musicals, Shinyribs and more. Tickets are $25 if you buy online and $30 at the gate for adults, kids 12 and under are FREE. Parking will be $5 cash, camping is free.

— The 12th Annual Keep Austin Weird Festival + 5K will kick off at the Long Center at 2 pm with live music from T Bird and The Breaks, KP and the Boom Boom and others. Peruse Austin arts and crafts vendors and eat some yummy trailer food too. Then, partake in the slowest 5K on the planet at 7 pm. Get dressed in your weirdest costume and revel in everyone else’s weird! Tickets are $20 per adult for a fest pass only, kids 12 and under are free with a donation of three items to the Capital Area Food Bank. Registration for the 5K is $35 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. Buy tickets and registrations here.

— Catch a special performance from Hello Wheels at Central Market North Lamar at 6:30 pm. Relax on the patio with some vino and delicious food while the kids jam out or play on the playscape. Great night for adults and littles.

— The Hill Country Galleria Independence Day Festival will have over 75 art vendors, fair rides, games, live music, festival treats, barbecue and two fireworks shows. Free parking, free admission and dog friendly! Swing by from 4 pm – midnight and have fun celebrating the U S of A.

Sunday:

— See the biggest Tiramisu in Texas at the Grand Opening Festivo at Travisso. See what 60 pounds of sponge cake, 140 quarts of Tiramisu filling and five pounds of cocoa looks like as you feast your eyes on a dessert that took 40 man hours to create. There will also be cooking demonstrations and tastings and fun for the whole family. Free, 1 – 5 pm.

— See Wonderland, the improv show for kids, playing at the Hideout Theatre at 2 pm. Kids are welcome to chime in and help the performers tell the story of a magical, silly place full of excitement and strange characters. Tickets are $7 and you can buy them here.

— Get some fresh, local food at the Mueller Farmers Market, open at the Browning Hangar from 10 am – 2 pm. Peruse over 40+ vendors selling seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, milk, specialty foods, handmade jewelry and other goods. Take in the view of Lake Park with kid’s activities, community events and live, local music.

 

Have fun!