From interactive improv theatre to Austin Broadway shows, ATX has great options to immerse the kids into live theatre. Here’s your round-up of theaters in Austin – some of these are just for kids, while others offer a wide range of performances that span from opera and Broadway shows to your kids’ favorite characters on the stage, and tons of choices for all ages in between. Stay warm and check out these local theaters and their upcoming winter performances.
— Bass Concert Hall
2350 Robert Dedman Drive
The University of Texas Performing Arts Center at Bass Concert Hall is home to Broadway in Austin. This more formal theatre experience is best when you’re pretty sure your little ones are old enough to sit for a good chunk of time. Their shows geared toward families are a bit shorter — sometimes with no intermission — to keep younger audiences from getting antsy. They have two full bars and snack stations but the lines are typically pretty long, so you’ll want to get there nice and early before your show. Here are some upcoming family-friendly performances at Bass this Fall:
- Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert | September 22, 2024
- Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play! | September 29, 2024
- Encanto: The Sing-A-Long Film Concert | November 10, 2024
— The Hideout
617 Congress Avenue
The audience gets to interact and shape the storyline with Hideout’s Kids’ Shows. This is a great way to get younger kids’ feet wet into the world of live theatre. The Hideout is also a coffee shop with baked goods, snacks, teas, beer, and wine. Hideout’s kids’ programming and classes are here.
— H-E-B Center
2100 Ave of the Stars
Home of the Texas Stars hockey team, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is where you’ll find major productions like Cirque du Soleil and Disney on Ice. With a wide range of food and drinks and six concession areas and food carts throughout, you can plan to nosh while you enjoy a show. To make your experience easier, you can book parking in advance here. Upcoming shows include:
- Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure | Oct . 19 & 20
- Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland | Dec. 24, 2024
— Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 W Riverside Dr
The Long Center has multiple event spaces for shows, with the H-E-B Terrace and Hartman Concert Lawn for outdoor events, Dell Hall for acoustic perfection in larger shows, and Rollins Studio Theatre for more intimate events. You’ll find cocktails, beer, wine, sodas, water, and a variety of light snacks before the show and during intermission. Pre-order your intermission refreshments before the show and enjoy them while overlooking downtown Austin from H-E-B Terrace. Upcoming shows include:
- Halloween Children’s Concert | Oct. 20, 2024
- Spiderman Across the Spiderverse | Oct. 31, 2024
- The Nutcracker | Dec. 6 – 23
— Scottish Rite Theater
207 W 18th St.
SRT is Austin’s oldest theatre, within a historic building built in 1871. They offer lots of family programming with a focus on inclusion, and diversity. Children under two are free, and there’s limited theatre parking available at 18th & Colorado. Upcoming shows at Scottish Rite include:
- Bunnicula | October 5 – 27, 2024
- Judy Moody & Stink | Nov. 30 – Dec. 22, 2024
— Zach
202 South Lamar
Zach provides an intimate theatre experience as well as year-round classes and holiday break camps for kids here. You can count on ample parking for an easy outing for the family. Upcoming shows at Zach include:
- Luna (A bilingual play for families) | Sept. 27 – Nov. 16
- A Christmas Carol | Nov. 20 – Dec. 29
— Paramount Theatre for The Performing Arts
713 Congress Avenue
With live shows, a family film series, and youth musicals, Paramount offers lots of kid-friendly options. Upcoming programming at The Paramount includes:
- 123 Andres | Sept. 29
- Wind in the Willows | Oct. 20
- Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny | Nov. 17
- A Very Electric Christmas | Dec. 8
- More family-friendly programming for 2024-2025 here
If you’re looking to get your kids engaged in their own performing arts adventure, check out our ATX Kids Class Lineup.
