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
KIDS EAT FREE
- Kebab Shop on weekend days
- Kerbey Lane Cafe on Tuesdays
- Pluckers on Tuesdays
- Central Market North Lamar on Tuesdays after 4:30 p.m. they typically have free live music on the patio playing Friday and Saturday nights as well!
- Blue Corn Harvest on Mondays
- Modern Market on Sun & Mon from 5-close (order must be placed in store)
- Freebirds on Sundays
- Trudy’s Tex Mex on Mondays
- Dos Mary’s on Tuesdays
- Mi Lindo Michoacan Restaurant on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m.
FREE HOLIDAY EVENTS FOR KIDS IN AUSTIN
Daily
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 5 – December 24, 2022. 200 Bass Pro Dr, Round Rock.
November 9
Music on Main in downtown Round Rock has a free live music show on Wednesday November 2 & 9. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy the outdoor concert.
November 10
Mozart’s has one of our favorite lights displays in Austin. You can see it for free, or pay to reserve a table. No one does hot chocolate and lights like Mozart’s! See them from November 10, 2022 – January 6, 2023 at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin.
November 11
Creek Show 2022 is coming back to Waterloo Park from November 11-20. This free display of illuminated art created by local artists and live music is fun for the whole family. Reserve your free tickets in advance. Tickets are going fast! 500 E 12th St, Austin
On Friday, November 11 from 5-9 p.m., there will be a free Holiday Extravaganza in Centennial Park in Round Rock. Shopping, food trucks, kids activities, live music, and more. 301 W Bagdad Ave, Round Rock
November 12
Rockin’ Around the Holidays Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 is free, but please bring a canned food item for donation. Enjoy live music while you shop and stroll! Clay Madsen Rec Center, 1600 Gattis School Road, Round Rock
November 13
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
November 18
Blue Genie Art Bazaar is November 18 – December 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve). 6100 Airport Blvd., Austin
November 20
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
November 24
Hogwarts is in South Austin! The display should be up and running by Thanksgiving 2022 and theme is the Yule Ball, with floating stars and crystal icicles. The light show begins at dusk and continue every half hour until 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Slaughter Lane and Bungalow in South Austin.
November 25
On November 25, 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.
Selfies With Santa at Hill Country Galleria allows families to visit Santa inside his Workshop and take their own photos for free, open on select days- November 25-December 24, 2022. 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
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 25, 2022 to January 8, 2023, 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.
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 25, 2022 – January 3, 2022.
November 26
Free Kids DIY Workshops at Home Depot- make a train ornament!
Santa on the Terrace at the Long Center from 12-4 p.m. Free family photos with Santa in his signature sleigh, with iconic skyline background (pets welcome!), a holiday vendor market, kids’ reading circle with Mrs. Claus, Kiddie Express Train rides, live music, giveaways, food trucks, and a life-sized photo frame for “elfies,”. 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin
November 27
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Nov 27, 2022 at 6 p.m. (music starts at 5:30). Local entertainment, food, novelties, and live music at Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road (on the south side of the park).
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
December 1
The Driskill will kick-off the holiday season with a Tree Lighting ceremony, accompanied by live music and cocktails, on December 1st, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the lobby.
Austin Motel will have a free Winter Wanderland experience where you can wander through their uniquely decorated trees. All ages, no fee. December 1-26, 2022.
December 2
Light Up The Lake in Round Rock is on December 2 & 3, 2022 at 6 p.m. 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.
Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll is 5-9 p.m. on December 2, 2022 and 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on December 3, 2022 in historic downtown Georgetown. Parade (on Saturday at 10 a.m.), shopping, Bethlehem Village (live manger), Santa photos, dessert with the Grinch, and more! 103 W 7th St, Georgetown.
Lakeway Trail of Lights is December 2, 2022 through January 2, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. One of Lakeway’s most cherished traditions is the Trail of Lights! 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). FREE!
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 2, 2022. Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park.
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 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 2022 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 2-4, 2022 at 880 Main St, Buda.
December 3
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 3, 2022 with the traditional Sing-Along and downtown tree lighting. 1100 Congress Ave, Austin.
The Pfestival of Lights and Christmas Parade returns on December 3, 2022 with a 4 p.m. parade, tree lighting and Santa!
Light Up The Lake in Round Rock is on December 2 & 3, 2022 at 6 p.m. 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.
Old Town Christmas Festival in Leander December 3, 2022 at This event includes a 5K race (Old Town Rudolph Run), parade, movie, s’mores, shopping, live music, tree lighting, Santa sighting (no up close pictures), and more.
Liberty Hill Christmas Festival December 3, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in downtown Liberty Hill. Parade, shopping, snow, ice skating, visit with Santa, and more.
Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs December 3, 2022 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.
Free Kids DIY Workshops are at Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month. Make a Santa’s letters mailbox!
Visit Wimberley for their free Wimberley Market Days (first Saturday of the month Mar-Dec).
December 4
Free First Sunday at the Bullock is Dec 4, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. A special winter holiday celebration with a multisensory screening in the Texas Spirit Theater and accompanying family-friendly activities from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of Mariachi, create luminarias to brighten your home, and decorate Muñecas De Papel (paper dolls) as we enjoy holiday traditions tied to our new special exhibition, Hilos de Tradición: Dresses of Mexico. Then, beginning at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the whole family can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in the Museum’s Texas Spirit Theater. The Muppet Christmas Carol, a retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, stars Jim Henson’s beloved Muppet characters and will feature special effects throughout the screening! Click here for more info and to buy tickets. Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month.
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
December 8
The Zilker Trail of Lights is FREE on select nights! December 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, & 18, 2022 are all free nights for General Admission tickets. Other nights are only $5 and kids 11 and younger get in free with a ticketed adult!
December 9
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 9 and 10, 2022 from 6-9 pm. 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin.
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.
December 11
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
December 18
Thinkery has free community nights every Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
December 23
Tuba Christmas is on December 23, 2022 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!
January 7, 2023
Free Kids DIY Workshops are at Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month. Make a snowball game!
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 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.
- Blanton Art Museum and Laguna Gloria are free every Thursday!
- Watch the sunset from the top of Mt. Bonnell
YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT:
Pin This Post:
