This weekend you can watch Frozen under the stars, join the fun at the Viva la Vida Festival, see illuminated hot air balloons take flight, enjoy Oktoberfest, watch a longhorn cattle drive, tie dye some t-shirts, celebrate Diwali, attend a Fall festival, listen to some of Austin’s musicians at a family FUNraiser, check out awesome children’s theatre & dance performances and much more!
Other stuff:
Here are our Top 10 Austin Family Events…
Friday:
— Take the whole family to Mueller Park for a free screening of Frozen. Spread out a blanket and cuddle up with the kids under the stars. You can grab food from one of the nearby food trucks. The movie starts at 8 p.m. Free!
— Visit the Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary after-hours for Boo at the Zoo where everything will be illuminated and decorated for Halloween. Go in costume, ride the Haunted Train and explore the Haunted House. Tickets $12.50 per person, ages 2 and up.Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased in person at the Austin Zoo Gift Shop or by calling 512-288-1490.
Saturday:
— The Mexic-Arte Museum and The City of Austin will host the annual Viva la Vida Festival from 12-9 p.m. in downtown Austin (Northwest corner of 4th and Congress). This street festival includes a Grand Parade/Procession, Latino artists and entertainment, educational programs, local food trucks, hands-on art activities, and artist demos. Free (but admission fees apply to enter the museum).
— Calling all cowboys, wrangle up your little buckaroos and take them to Georgetown, TX for the annual Chisholm Trail Days in San Gabriel Park from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. for this family-friendly event that includes historical reenactments, a real longhorn cattle drive, pony rides, wagon rides, blacksmith demos, crafts, food, live music, and a children’s corral with lots of games and activities. Free!
— Enjoy a Texas-style, kid-friendly Oktoberfest at the German Free School of Austin from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. You’ll find plenty of German beer, food and music. And kids 12 and under are free can enjoy a magic show, face painting, balloons, games and more. $10 for adults at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. You can also purchase discounted tickets in advance online here.
— Take the whole family out to the Great Goblin Glow in Lakeway City Park from 7-9 p.m. when hot air balloons will illuminate the night sky! Free!
— Ballet Austin presents Not Afraid of the Dark: The Show that Glows, a magical show that takes you into a glow-in-the-dark world, where turning off the lights isn’t scary — it’s fun and exciting. Showtimes are at 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m on Saturday and Sunday, and tickets are $15 which can be purchased online here.
Enter our giveaway to win tickets!
— Celebrate Diwali, Festival of Lights at Radha Madhav Dham Temple starting at 5 p.m. with music, performances, food, sparklers, dancing, fireworks and more throughout the night. Free admission and free parking!
— Take the whole family to the annual Cedar Park Fall Festival at the Twin Lakes Family YMCA from 12 – 9 p.m. There are activities for all ages including carnival games, inflatables, a costume contest, pony rides, and more. Wristbands are $10 each and tickets for activities and food are $1 each.
— Austin Tie Dye Co. is hosting an October Tie Dye Party from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wear your costume to this Halloween-themed event that will include inside trick-or-treating, face painting, games and more. Of course, you’ll also be tie dying t-shirts, too! $10 for the shirt and tie dye, $5 if you bring your own shirt.
— Go see A Year with Frog and Toad at ZACH Theatre at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. where the characters from Arnold Lobel’s books come to life on stage! Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online here.
Sunday:
— Ashley’s Playhouse is hosting a Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Everyone’s invited to take the kids for face painting, cookie decorating and jumping in the haunted bounce house. Free!
— Take the whole family to Nutty Brown Cafe for Groundwork Music Project’s Fall Family FUNraiser from 3-6 p.m that will feature some of Austin’s best musicians, face painting, a bouncy castle and more. Plus, all funds raised at this event will be used to help Groundwork Music Project continue to provide free and low cost music classes to preschool-aged children. Tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
— Enjoy some outdoor family time at the Fall Festival & Corn Maze at Barton Hill Farms where you’ll find games, a “Go Horns” corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals and more. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. – 10 pm. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Nov. 9, 2014. Admission is $8 for ages 3-10 and $11 for ages 11 and up and includes entry into the corn maze. An Adventure Pass can be purchased for an additional $5 and includes unlimited access to a jumping pillow and train. Children ages 2 and under are free. SAVE $1 by ordering tickets in advance here. Check out our review for more info!
— Bunnicula looks like a typical cuddly rabbit, but he’s the spookiest bunny around! Kids will love this play with live music and puppetry, based on the popular book series, playing at the Scottish Rite Theater at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for children ages 12 and under and $12 for ages 13 and up and can be purchased at the theater or in advance online here. Check out our review for more info!
Have a fun weekend!
