Winter
The Winter category showcases the best winter activities for family fun in Austin. From holiday events to cozy indoor activities and festive outdoor fun, explore the top winter things to do in Austin for families.
Got out of town guests coming to visit for the holidays? Stop by this hidden playground at the airport cell phone lot!
Just park near the public restrooms at the cell phone lot by the airport while you wait for your visitors to land, the kids can play while you wait! 🤗
Daily events:
☃️Frosty Snow Globes at @plantparty.co
⛸️Winter Wonderland at @thepitchaustin
✨ @37thstreetlights sunset-10pm
⚡️ @diagonalleyatx free Harry Potter neighborhood lights display
✨ @mozartscoffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights
⛸️Ice Rodeo at @fsaustin
⛸️ @visitmarblefalls Winter Ice Rink & Walkway of Lights
⛸️Bee Cave On Ice @hillcountrygalleria
⛸️Ice skating at @longcenter 12/5-1/5
🎭It’s A Wonderful Life at @penfoldtheatre
🛍️ @armadillobazaar 11am-9:30pm
✨Trail of Lights @cityoflakeway 6pm-midnight
🩰The Nutcracker @balletaustin at @longcenter 2pm
🎅🏻 Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s (free photo with Santa)
⛺️ Fortlandia and Luminations at @wildflowercenter
✨Austin Trail of Lights @atxlights
🎳Santa at @bowlhigh5 Lakeway
🚗 @peppermintparkway 6-9pm
🚗 @santasranch 6-11pm
🚗 @maywaldchristmaslightdisplay 6-10pm
🚗 @thelightpark at Dell Diamond
12/20
🎨 Arty Party at @contemporaryatx Laguna Gloria 10-11am Free admission!
🚂 Free holiday model train exhibit at City Arts Center of Round Rock 11am-5pm
🛍️Holiday Arts Market at @hillcountrygalleria 4-9pm
🎥The Grinch @skishores 7pm
12/21
🎅🏻Santa at @easytigeratx South Lamar 10am-1pm $12
🏠 Gingerbread house contest at @frontyardbrewing
💚Grinchmas at @toastybadgeratx 11am-1pm
🚂 Free holiday model train exhibit at City Arts Center of Round Rock 11am-2pm
🎭Judy Moody show at @srtaustin 11am & 1pm
🎅🏻Photos with Santa at @dearaustintx 10am-noon
❄️Christmas Dreams & Snowy Things @chascofamilyymca 10am-4pm
🥞 Breakfast in Whoville at Gus Garcia Rec Center @austincityparks 10am-noon
📚 Story Time at @BookPeople at 10:30am
📖 Free Story Time at @PaperBarkBirchbooks at 11am
🤣 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv show at 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
12/22
🛍️Holiday Market at @brentwoodsocialhouse 10am-4pm (with Santa photos from 11am-1pm)
🎭Judy Moody show at @srtaustin 11am & 1pm
🎶 Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🦖 Free 4th Sunday at @texas.science.museum 1-5pm
🤣Family-friendly improv show at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5
🎅🏻 Photos with Santa 3-5pm @stargazerbar
🎅🏻 Santa Brunch 🍳 at @julietitalian Georgetown this Sunday! 🙌
🎟️ Tickets are $30 (link in bio)
📅 Sunday Dec 22 9am-noon
🎅🏻 Step into an immersive Christmas experience like no other at our Santa Brunch! Show up in your favorite pajamas and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet featuring “decorate your own pancakes,” fresh fruit, crispy bacon, warm cocoa, and more. Take memorable photos with Santa (digital and print options available) and join Mrs. Claus for a heartwarming storytime and caroling session. Santa’s elves will lead crafts and decorating activities, while the Letters of Love station lets you spread joy by writing letters to children in need. Each 90-minute session gives your family full access to all these magical holiday activities. Make this Christmas unforgettable at this Breakfast with Santa event!
👉CAMPS
👩🍳 @surlatable Holiday Baking Camp
🤸 @jump_gymnasticsaustin Camp Jump
🎨 @saplingsatx Winter Camps
🔬@idealabkidsaustin Holiday Camp
💪 @kidstrong_ Winter Camp
🧗♀️ @cruxcc Winter Break Camp at 2 locations
⠀
👉HIKES
🌳Great Hills Trail
🌳St. Edwards Trail
🌳Bull Creek
🌳Barton Creek
🌳Brushy Creek Trail
⛰️Mt. Bonnell
🦚Mayfield
🌳Walnut Creek
🌳River Place Nature Trail
🌳McKinney Falls
🌳Reimers Ranch
⠀
👉PARKS
💚Alliance Children’s Garden
💙Play For All Abilities in Round Rock
💜Garey Park in Georgetown
🩵Creative Playscape in Georgetown
❤️Lakewood Park in Leander
🧡Zilker
💚Waterloo
🤎Pease
💚Springwoods
💚Katherine Fleischer
💛Walnut Creek
🩷Balcones District Park
🧡Mueller Lake Park
🤍Elizabeth Milburn Park (BMX track)
⠀
👉BREWERIES/BARS WITH PLAYGROUNDS
🍺 @jesterkingbrewery
🍺 @meanwhilebeer
🍺 @austinbeerworks (both locations)
🍺 @stelmobrewing Springdale
🍺 @fastfriendsbeer
🍺 @lazarusbrewing (Airport)
🍺 @slackersbrew (indoor play area)
🍺 @fitzhughbrewing
🍺 @12foxbeer
🍺 @bouldinacres (both locations)
⠀
👉INDOOR PLAY
💙 @indigoplayaustin
🧡 @pikopyestown
🔫 @dartemup
🔫 @blazertag
🛼 @pins.and.wheels.at.playland
❤️ @thinkeryatx
⛰️ @mtplaymore
🧡 @urbanairsouthaustin
💜 @altitudeatx
💦 @splashshacktx
🎮 @cidercade_austin
🏎️ @pinballz_lakecreek
🧸 @totboxplaycafe
🥷 @ninjanationatx
🐅 @junglemovement
🎨 @createstudioatx
🧗♀️ @cruxccpflugerville
💙 @catchaisraustinn
💚 Play Street Museum
⠀
👉DAY TRIPS
💚Waco: @cpzoo, @drpeppermuseum, @maybornmuseum
💚San Antonio: @thedoseum, @sanantoniozoo, @naturalbridge.wildliferanch
💚 @sciencemilltx (and the Johnson City Lights!)
🐣 @sweeteatsfruitfarm
⛸️ @visitMarbleFalls Walkway of Lights
🎅🏻 @santasranch
🦖 @dinosaurparktx
⛰️Enchanted Rock
⠀
👉STAYCATION IDEAS
🦖 @texas.science.musuem
🚂 @zilkereagle
🌀@museumofillusions_austin
⛳️ @thedirdiebirdie
⛳️ @theofficialaustins
🔑 @theescapegame
⛳️ @peterpanminigolf
🌸 @wildflowercenter Fortlandia (thru Feb 2) and Luminations (thru Jan 5)
🌻 @zilkerbotanicalgarden
🛶 @rowingdock
🦕Austin Nature & Science Center (FREE!)
💦 @kalahariresorts
⭐️ @bullockmuseum is FREE on Jan 5
🍦 @museumoficecream
🚲 @9thstreetbmx
🌳 @westcave Outdoor Discovery Center
❤️ NEW THINKERY NOW OPEN FOR PLAY! ❤️
📍 5301 Ross Rd, Del Valle
The new Del Valle branch of the @thinkeryatx is now booking FREE open play sessions for the community!
What you need to know:
💻You must book your reservation online before you go. Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required. You will need a ticket for every person in your party (babies, kids, and adults). Tickets are available one week before day of admission.
⏰ Tickets are good for 2 hours. You must leave when your time slot is over, no matter what time you arrive. If you come late, they will make you leave even if you haven’t had a full 2 hours there. So be on time!
📅 Play Sessions are available Dec 21, 26, 27, & 28. Available time slots are 9-11am, 11:30am-1:30pm, and 2-4pm
🚗 Parking is free!
👀 Go to thinkeryaustin.org/delvalle to book!
🤩 How to have a magical weekend getaway to Salado, TX 😍
👉Where to stay:
🤠STAGECOACH INN
📍 416 S Main St, Salado, TX
The historic @stagecoachsalado was established in 1860 and is the second oldest continuously running hotel in the state of Texas!
There’s a year-round heated pool, bikes you can can borrow, ping pong, a cute gift shop, charming patios, and comfortable beds. They even have pet-friendly room options.
The best part of staying here is that it’s literally in the middle of Main Street! Go either direction and find adorable shops, restaurants, a creek, and even one of our favorite breweries! You’re in the heart of it all. And you can walk! 🙌
👉Where to go:
🍺 @barrowbeer has a gorgeous patio, great beer, and even a creek where the kids can splash and play!
🍕 @happypizzaco we got pizza from this food truck at Barrow and it was delicious!
🛍️ You can’t go wrong with any of the cute boutiques along Main Street, but the one that truly has it all is @saladogeneralstore22
We loved our brief little getaway to @visitsaladotx and can’t wait to go back! 🤗
🎄SALADO CHRISTMAS STROLL ✨
@visitsaladotx
📍 Main Street, Salado, TX
Tonight & tomorrow (Dec 14 & 15)
🐴 Carriage rides
☕️ Hot cocoa
🍿 Kettle corn
🌟 Live Nativity
🎅🏻 Pictures with Santa
🛍️ Local boutiques, late night shopping
🎶 Live music
🎭 A Christmas Carol at Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater (7pm on 12/14)
🎭 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 🎭 NOW PLAYING AT @penfoldtheatre in Round Rock
📍 2120 N Mays St #290, Round Rock
Catch the most iconic Christmas movie live on stage at the new @penfoldtheatre in Round Rock!
Dec 13 at 7:30pm
Dec 14 at 7:30pm
Dec 15 at 2pm
Dec 19 at 7:30pm
Dec 20 at 7:30pm
Dec 21 at 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Dec 22 at 2pm
Dec 26 at 7:30pm
Dec 27 at 7:30pm
Dec 28 at 7:30pm
🎟️ $19-39
The show runs about 2 hours (including intermission).
This show is recommended for ages 12+ due to some violence and mature themes. I think younger kids could handle it if you discuss the story ahead of time (or show them the movie first). I was young when I saw the movie!
I just love this show and thinks its message is such a good reminder each year. I loved seeing it performed live. The actors do an amazing job of filling all the roles and transforming into new characters seamlessly. Same goes for the way they handle the set pieces! It was almost like watching a choreographed dance.
I hope you get a chance to see it and that they perform this every year. I’d love to make it a tradition in our family.
