FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
It’s already time to start planning for the holidays! Here are all the FREE things to do with kids in Austin during the holidays.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
Ongoing Events
Bass Pro in Round Rock has our favorite Santa. They have a reservation system which cuts down on wait times, and the kids love seeing the holiday decorations and toy displays while we wait. The pictures are free. November 4 – December 24, 2023. 200 Bass Pro Dr, Round Rock. Cabela’s down in Buda also has the same free photos with Santa system!
37th Street has been displaying the weirdest lights in town since the 1980s. The community on 37th is eager to continue the tradition with quirky displays at 37th and Guadalupe, near Dominos and Groovy Lube. Opens December 13, 2024.
Austin Motel’s Winter Wanderland will soon be open daily from Dec 5-23 in their courtyard. Wander among the colorful rainbow trees along South Congress!
Hill Country Galleria has free photos with Santa on select days from Nov 30-Dec 24, 2024. Bring your own camera for the photos!
More Ongoing Events
Johnson City Lights is a light display with over a million lights. And it’s so big, NASA reported seeing it from the International Space Station! Yes, that would be the Johnson City Texas Lights Spectacular. From November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025, you and your family can see this incredible lights display for free. Park against the courthouse or around downtown streets in areas that allow parking. 101 E Pecan Dr, Johnson City.
The Lakeway Trail of Lights is free and runs nightly from 6 p.m. – midnight from December 6, 2024 through January 1, 2025. Access the trail from the lower level of the parking lot at the Lakeway Activity Center (105 Cross Creek) or by parking behind City Hall (1102 Lohman’s Crossing at the corner of Lohman’s and Sailmaster). There is no charge to park or to attend. Trail is self-guided. There are no vendors or attendants on site.
Bastrop River of Lights has numerous lighted displays in a variety of seasonal themes lining Bastrop’s scenic June Hill Pape River Walk. To access this free one-half mile promenade, come down the stairs west of the intersection of Main and Pine Streets or select the fully accessible entrance at Fishermans Park on Farm Street. November 29, 2024 – January 6, 2025.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar is November 15 – December 24, 2024 at 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin
See the Model Trains at the Round Rock Public Library from Dec 4 – Jan 3. Closed Sundays & Mondays.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
November 16
Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes on Nov 16, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Make a free holiday countdown!
November 23
Grinchmas: Holiday Kick-Off Event at The Domain from 3-6 p.m. on November 23, 2024 at 11821 Rock Rose Ave, Austin
November 29
Light Up The Plaza at the Hill Country Galleria is a free event on Nov 29, 2024 from 5-9 p.m. Tree lighting, live music, giveaways, and more. Even Santa will be there! Ice skating is open for an additional fee.
On November 29, 2024 kick-off the holiday season at the annual Lighting of the Square in Georgetown, traditionally held at 5:30 p.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving. The downtown holiday lights will remain lit every evening through January 1. FREE! 103 W 7th St, Georgetown.
November 30
Santa on the Terrace at the Long Center event is on November 30, 2024 at 11 a.m. Santa himself (the real one!) will be there to take free photos with you and your party, plus there will be cookies & cocoa, Mrs. Claus, a photo frame for “elfies”, and more holiday fun!
Free Kids DIY Workshops at Home Depot on November 30, 2024 (cocoa ornament) and on December 7, 2024 (holiday snow globe) from 9 a.m. – noon.
Vista Brewing Movie Under the Stars: Elf. Watch a free movie at Vista Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Get free tickets here.
December 1
Free First Sunday at the Bullock is Dec 1, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Activities are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase and tell the history of artifacts from around the state. Explore winter celebrations from around the world with performances, activities, and crafts.
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Dec 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. (music starts at 5:15 p.m.) Local entertainment, food, novelties, and live music at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road (on the south side of the park).
December 6
Light Up The Lake in Round Rock is on December 6 & 7, 2024. FREE! 2-day holiday festival around the lake and festival area. Giant balloons hovering over the lake, light show, live music, holiday displays, holiday food and refreshments, crafts, family activities, yule log, and more! Old Settlers Park, 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
Heritage Park in Cedar Park Tree Lighting Ceremony: snow hill, snow playing area, games & prizes, crafts, photos with Santa, yule fire, live music, inflatables & food concessions. Friday, December 6, 2024 from 6:30-9 p.m. Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park.
The Driskill will kick-off the holiday season with a Tree Lighting ceremony, accompanied by live music and cocktails, and Santa on December 6, 2024 from 5-7 p.m.
Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll is 3-day event happening on 4-10 p.m. on December 6, 2024 and 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on December 7, 2024 and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on December 8, 2024 in historic downtown Georgetown. Parade (on Saturday at 10 a.m.) and more. 103 W 7th St, Georgetown.
Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet This Christmas, visit Bethlehem in Burnet Texas as the ancient city of Christ’s birth comes alive again. No tickets required. December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 2024 from 6-9 p.m. Main Street Bethlehem is located two blocks east of the town square. 300 E Washington St., Burnet.
Budafest has live music, a craft and art market, parade, fireworks show along Main Street, and more. December 6-8, 2024 at 880 Main St, Buda.
December 7
Brushy Creek Holiday in the Park & Craft Fair is Dec 7, 2024 from noon-3 p.m. at Cat Hollow Park. Children can meet Santa, Ride the Train, Jump on Inflatables, and participate in holiday activities while you shop for gifts from local artisans! 8600 O’Connor Dr, Round Rock
Downtown Holiday Stroll and Capitol Tree Lighting- Celebrate the holidays downtown Austin with live music, carol singing, and much more—including the downtown tree lighting. This year’s Holiday Stroll in Austin will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 3-8 p.m. with the traditional Sing-Along and downtown tree lighting. 1100 Congress Ave, Austin.
The Pfestival of Lights and Christmas Parade returns on December 7, 2024 from 5-7:30 p.m. parade, tree lighting and Santa!
Old Town Christmas Festival in Leander is on December 7, 2024. This event includes a 5K race (Old Town Rudolph Run), parade, tree lighting, and more.
Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs December 7, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in downtown Dripping Springs. Shopping our arts and crafts, to visits with Santa, to music and fun, to the tree lighting at dusk. 511 Mercer St, Dripping Springs. (Tree lighting is Dec 1 at dusk followed by a holiday movie)
Free Kids DIY Workshops at Home Depot on December 7, 2024 (holiday snow globe) from 9 a.m. – noon.
Vista Brewing Movie Under the Stars: Home Alone. Watch a free movie at Vista Brewing at 6:30 p.m. Get free tickets here.
December 10
The Zilker Trail of Lights opens Friday, December 10, 2024. Free admission on Dec 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
December 13
Luminary Festival at Wells Branch is a tranquil and unique community tradition for the entire family. The trails around Katherine Fleischer Park are lined with over 1500 traditional paper luminarias. Both Friday and Saturday evenings the park come alive and the trails twinkle. Luminary Festival will be at Katherine Fleischer Park on December 13 & 14, 2024 from 6-9 pm. 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin.
December 14
Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes on Dec 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Make a free spinning snowflake!
Photos With Santa Party at Fitzhugh Brewing on Dec 14, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. Photos with Santa: Capture memorable moments with Santa in a holiday-themed photo booth. Kids can enjoy creating festive crafts to take home.
Sights & Sounds of Christmas Hometown Holidays in San Marcos is December 14, 2024 at San Marcos Plaza Park.
Liberty Hill Christmas Festival December 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in downtown Liberty Hill. Parade (6 p.m. on Main Street), shopping, snow, ice skating, visit with Santa, and more.
December 23
Tuba Christmas is on December 23, 2024 at noon. 200 Tuba, Euphonium, and Baritone players performing traditional Christmas music on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Building in Austin, Texas. FREE!
Cheap Things To Do Around Austin
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights used to be free, but this year they are charging $2/person for their walkway of lights experience. You can also take free photos with Santa at the same place. Open nightly from 6-9 p.m. November 22-January 4, 2025. Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Dr, Marble Falls
MORE FREE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN AUSTIN THIS WINTER
- Visit the Central Austin Public Library to see their giant Christmas tree on display.
- Visit the Zilker Botanical Garden for free on Dec 26, 2024.
- Visit the peacocks at Mayfield Park, visit the outdoor art museum at Laguna Gloria (free on Thursdays), and climb Mt Bonnell.
- Austin Nature & Science Center is hours of free entertainment (dig for dino bones, see fossils, visit the animals).
- Walk along the Ann & Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail.
- Most hikes are free, here’s a list of the best kid-friendly hiking trails in Austin.
- Play at one of these unique playgrounds in Austin.
- Take a free tour of the Capitol.
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