Free Holiday Events in Austin, TX
Austin, TX's free holiday events include Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Viewing, Givens District Park, Mueller Lake Park, and Pease Park Splash Pad. Tree lighting ceremonies, holiday parades, and free outdoor concerts typically run late November through December.
Always free — hawks, owls, and a fossil dig pit in Zilker Park
2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Free everything — storytimes, rooftop garden, underground parking
710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701 · Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Free splash pad that'll burn two hours minimum — pack a towel
1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703 · Daily 8am-10pm (May 1 - Oct 31)
Free — peacocks just walk around, tail feathers out Feb-June
3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703 · Daily 5am-10pm
Nature-themed playground with sound buttons — free trails along the Colorado River
400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741 · Daily 5am-10pm · Ages 0+
Top-tier playground, splash pad, and lake loop — Thinkery right across the street
4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 · Daily 5am-10pm · Ages 0+
Free Sunday concerts on the lawn overlooking Lady Bird Lake
701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704 · Sundays, check Long Center schedule for times · Ages 0+
10-mile loop around the lake, totally free, open 24 hours. The boardwalk section is worth doing even if you skip the rest.
Along Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX 78701 · Open 24 hours
Tight, wooded, technical. This is the course Austin disc golfers play when they want to actually be challenged. Free.
6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739 · Daily 6am-10pm
Free indoor pickleball courts, no membership. Also has basketball. The senior pickleball crowd on Tuesday mornings is surprisingly competitive.
1100 Cumberland Rd, Austin, TX 78704 · Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Every class is donation-based. Hot yoga, 90 degrees, pay what you want. Four locations across Austin. No reason not to try it.
913 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702 · Class schedule varies, check website
Free outdoor courts with lights, plus a full indoor gym. Summer evenings are the real scene — East Austin pickup basketball at its best.
3811 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721 · Outdoor courts: daily dawn to dusk. Rec center hours vary.
Full gym, sand volleyball, totally free. No membership, no fees, just walk in. North Austin's best-kept secret.
2913 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm
Free Broadway-style musical under the stars — Austin tradition since 1959
2206 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746 · Thu-Sun 8:15pm, mid-Jul through mid-Aug
Free Afrobeat Sundays in the backyard — one of Austin's most eclectic music spaces
1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721 · Nightly, shows typically start 8-9pm
Bungalow houses turned into bars with backyard patios — the chill alternative to Sixth Street
Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701 · Most bars open 4pm-2am daily
1.5 million bats emerge at sunset — largest urban bat colony in North America, free to watch
100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701 · Nightly at sunset, Mar-Oct
Free in-store performances by major artists — Austin's legendary record store since 1982
600A N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 · Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm
LGBTQ+-owned venue with a huge patio — eclectic bookings and free/low-cover most nights
900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701 · Daily 4pm-2am