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. Dates TBD. 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. Dates for 2026 are TBD
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
Austin Motel’s Winter Wanderland will open (TBD) in the courtyard. Wander among the colorful rainbow trees along South Congress!
See the Model Trains in downtown Round Rock or Hill Country Galleria (dates TBD).
Hill Country Galleria has free photos with Santa on dates TBD. Bring your own camera for the photos!
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
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. This incredible lights display is free. Park against the courthouse or around downtown streets in areas that allow parking. 101 E Pecan Dr, Johnson City. Dates TBD
The Lakeway Trail of Lights is free and runs nightly from 6 p.m. – midnight (dates TBD). 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.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
Make a holiday engine at all Lowes stores for free. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Nov 14, 2026.
Make a holiday craft for free at the Kids DIY Workshop at all Home Depot stores from 9 a.m. – noon on Dec 5, 2026.
Who-Holiday Event at The Domain is at the great lawn by Apple dates TBD
On November 27, 2026 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.
Annual Georgetown Christmas Stroll is at the Georgetown Square on Dec 4-6, 2026. This year, the Downtown Georgetown Association invites you to experience Hometown Christmas Stroll: A Season to Gather a warm and welcoming FREE family-friendly three-day celebration filled with twinkling lights, festive décor, holiday music, and timeless traditions.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
Light Up The Plaza at the Hill Country Galleria is a free event (date TBD) from 5-8 p.m. Tree lighting, live music, giveaways, and more. Even Santa will be there! Ice skating is open for an additional fee.
Budafest is Dec 4-6, 2026. 3 days of holiday activities, a carnival at Buda City Park, a craft and art market in the Downtown Greenbelt and a dazzling Night Parade and Fireworks show along Main Street.
Santa on the Terrace at the Long Center (date TBD) 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! RSVP online.
Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Nov 29, 2026 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).
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. Wednesday, December 2, 2026 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park.
Sights & Sounds of Christmas Hometown Holidays in San Marcos is December 3-5 and 10-12, 2026 at San Marcos Plaza Park.
Light Up The Lake in Round Rock is on December 4 & 5, 2026. 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.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
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 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2026 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Main Street Bethlehem is located two blocks east of the town square. 300 E Washington St., Burnet.
Christmas on Mercer in Dripping Springs December 5, 2026 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 Nov 28, 2026 at dusk followed by a holiday movie)
Old Town Christmas Festival in Leander is on December 5, 2026. This event includes a 5K race (Old Town Rudolph Run), parade, tree lighting, and more.
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. Date TBD 1100 Congress Ave, Austin.
The Zilker Trail of Lights has free days each year. Dates TBD
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
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 11 & 12, 2026 from 6-9 pm. 2106 Klattenhoff Dr, Austin.
A Jolly, Bright Lakeline Night is Dec 11, 2026 from 6:30-9 p.m. at Lakeline Park in Cedar Park. Blues & jazz band, pics with Santa, holiday market, etc.
City of Sunset Valley’s Jingle Bell Trail at Savanna Trail is Dec 11 & 12, 2026 from 5-9 p.m. Step into a winter wonderland at Sunset Valley’s Jingle Bell Trail, a festive evening filled with lights, music, and community market. Stroll the trail to explore creative holiday displays, stop by our festival market vendors, enjoy cocoa and fun festive drinks from Doc’s Backyard, and celebrate the season with family and friends.
Brushy Creek Holiday in the Park & Craft Fair is Dec 12, 2026 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
Liberty Hill Christmas Festival December 12, 2026 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.
FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin During The Holidays
Tuba Christmas 200 Tuba, Euphonium, and Baritone players performing traditional Christmas music on the south steps of the Texas Capitol Building in Austin, Texas. FREE! Date TBD
Zilker Botanical Garden Free Day is on December 26, 2026 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Grinch on the Green is on Dec 12, 2026 at La Verde Park in Kyle, TX. This Whobilation GRINCHY celebration is a free family-friendly event with something fun for everyone. Enjoy sweet treats, market vendors, live music, free photos with the one and only Grinch, a chalk graffiti station, carnival games, Grinch movie screenings, and more!
Family Day at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden is from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec 13, 2026. Free admission! Join the UMLAUF for a merry and bright Family Day! This free community event features an angelic dance performance, holiday crafts, and creative activities for the whole family.
Toddler Yoga with ATX Yoga Girl at 10 a.m. on Dec 9th & 16th, 2026 at Pease Park. Free, but RSVP.
Puppet Show with Small Wonders from 10-11 a.m. at Pease Park. Free, but RSVP.
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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