Free Family Fun in Austin This November
Young children learn about the world by being out in it: watching a musician tune a guitar, smelling a garden, carrying a book they chose themselves. Here are free outings around Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown that give little ones real experiences to absorb, with nothing to buy at the door.
We check each event against the organizer's own page before listing it. Plans can change, so tap through to confirm before you go.
November at a Glance
Tap an event to jump to itDecember at a Glance
The yellow line marks evenings when free holiday lights are on · tap an event to jump to itThis Week
Wednesday, Nov 11 – Sunday, Nov 15
Wed11Free Day at Zilker Botanical Garden
No admission charge all day. Let your child set the pace along the garden paths: stopping to touch bark, listen for water, and notice the fall colors.
City of Austin event page
Sat14Second Saturdays for Families at Laguna Gloria
A free art-making morning on the lakeside grounds of The Contemporary Austin. Hands-on materials and open space to explore make it a good fit for curious toddlers and preschoolers.
The Contemporary Austin events
Sat14Festival of Good
A neighborhood festival in Southeast Austin with face painting, crafts, a petting zoo and a trackless train. Free treats while supplies last.
Festival of Good page
Sat–Sun14–15Texas Book Festival
Free admission to the state's biggest book event, around the Capitol. Look for the children's programs and activities. A lovely chance to let your child choose a book that speaks to them.
Texas Book Festival
Later in November
Nov 18 – Nov 29
Wed18Music on Main
A free outdoor evening concert in downtown Round Rock. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and let little ones move to live music.
City of Round Rock
Sat21Mainly Art
An outdoor art market along downtown Main Street. Free to walk and browse, with plenty to look at for small eyes.
City of Round Rock
Sun22Free Fourth Sunday at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Free museum admission on the UT campus. Fossils and animal skeletons are a natural follow-up to the nature and animal work children do in the classroom.
Museum event page
Fri27Lighting of the Square, Georgetown
Holiday music on the courthouse steps, then the whole square lights up around 6 p.m. Photos with Santa follow, with a donation of an unwrapped toy.
Visit Georgetown
Sun29Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting
Austin's tree of lights comes on for the season. Music starts at 5:15 p.m. and the lighting is at 6 p.m. Free parking. The tree stays lit for evening visits through January 1.
City of Austin
December Lights, Every Night
Free light displays to visit any evening this month- NightlyDec
Zilker Holiday Tree, every night
The tree of lights stays on each evening through January 1. Standing underneath and looking straight up is a moment young children remember. From Dec 10 to 23 the tree is inside the Trail of Lights, so come before Dec 10 or on one of the Trail's free nights.
City of Austin - Dec10–17
Trail of Lights free nights
Seven free nights on Austin's walk-through trail of lights: Dec 10, 11 and 13 to 17. No ticket is needed to walk in, but if you drive, buy a parking pass online ahead of time. Parking isn't sold on site, even on free nights. A stroller-friendly evening walk full of color, music and things to point at. Rides and food cost extra.
Trail of Lights calendar - Fri–Sat4–5
Light Up the Lake, Round Rock
Light displays around the lake at Old Settlers Park, with live entertainment. No tickets needed. A good first holiday-lights outing for toddlers, with room to walk and plenty of space.
City of Round Rock - NightlyDec
Georgetown Square holiday lights
After the Lighting of the Square, the courthouse and downtown stay lit every evening through New Year's. An easy after-dinner walk with little ones.
Downtown Georgetown Association
December Festivals & Parades
Tree lightings, parades and Santa, Dec 2 – Dec 12- Wed2
Heritage Oak Tree Lighting, Cedar Park
Cedar Park lights its holiday tree with music and a chance to see Santa.
City of Cedar Park - Fri–Sun4–6
Georgetown Christmas Stroll
Three days on the square. Saturday is the big day for families: the Christmas parade at 10 a.m., Santa's Village, a Kids Zone with crafts and games, and Snow in the Park for children to touch and play in.
Event page - Sat5
Old Town Christmas Festival, Leander
A full day of holiday fun in Old Town Leander, with a parade at 1 p.m. and entertainment through the evening.
City of Leander - Sat5
Pfestival of Lights & Christmas Parade, Pflugerville
Downtown Pflugerville's evening parade, tree lighting and photos with Santa.
Event page - Sat5
Taylor Christmas Celebration
Hot cocoa, live music and a vendor village on Main Street, then the parade at 6 p.m. and the tree lighting.
City of Taylor - Sat5
Holiday Cheer at Montopolis Recreation Center
Photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and activities for children. Free bikes and filled stockings are handed out while supplies last.
Austin Parks and Recreation - Sat5
Holiday Sing-Along & Downtown Stroll
Carols on Congress Avenue and the lighting of the Capitol tree at 7 p.m., with photos with Santa and the CapMetro holiday bus.
Downtown Austin Alliance - Fri11
Light Up Lakeline, Cedar Park
An evening holiday celebration at Lakeline Park with a Santa visit, music and a market to browse.
City of Cedar Park - Sat12
Holiday in the Park, Brushy Creek
A close-to-home favorite in Round Rock: Santa and Rudolph, train rides, carriage rides, face painting, a gingerbread house craft and hot cocoa. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Brown Santa toy drive if you can.
Brushy Creek MUD - Sat12
Whimsical Winter Fest, Dove Springs
Free food, games, prizes, arts and crafts, and pictures with Santa at the recreation center.
Austin Parks and Recreation
Quiet December Outings
Storytime, art and a museum day for calmer mornings- Sat12
Second Saturday for Families at Laguna Gloria
The monthly free family morning at the lakeside art grounds returns on the second Saturday. Check the museum's page for this month's activity.
The Contemporary Austin - Mon14
Science Storytime at the Austin Nature & Science Center
A free drop-in storytime for children 4 and under, built around nature and science. Real animals and natural objects are the kind of concrete, hands-on learning young children absorb best.
Austin Nature & Science Center - Sun27
Free Fourth Sunday at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Free admission to the fossils and animal halls on the UT campus. A calm outing for the slower week after Christmas. Check the museum's page for holiday hours before you go.
Museum page