Spooktacular - Friday, October 25, from 6 – 9 p.m. When darkness falls at the Bullock Museum, history’s spookiest stories are brought to light. Discover terror-ific tales of Texas through games, storytelling, costumes and more! FREE. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin.
Outdoor Halloween Movie Night - Friday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. Two family friendly movies will be screened on the west lawn of the museum and attendees of all ages are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to participate in a raffle. Doors open at 6 p.m., please bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating, and picnic dinners are welcomed. At 6:30 p.m., Eloise’s Rawther Unusual Halloween, (45 minutes, NR) will be screened. At 7:15 p.m. the Museum will be drawing winners for the costume raffle, with prizes including gift cards and toys donated by Terra Toys and Toy Joy, among others. At 7:30 p.m.,The Nightmare Before Christmas will be screened (77 minutes, PG). Refreshments will available for purchase from Cow Tipping Creamery Ice Cream Trailer who provides a unique twist on the best soft serve in Austin. This is a FREE all-ages event, and is open to the public. All are encouraged to come celebrate the Fall Season at one of Austin’s most historic homes. Free parking is available behind the museum, located on 23rd Street as well as additional street parking options. Water and public restrooms will be available. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St.
Arbor Day Celebration – Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. This year, the Parks and Recreation Department celebrates its Urban Forestry Program’s 30th year and the City of Austin’s 22nd year as a Tree City USA. The Urban Forestry Program will hold its annual Arbor Day Celebration at the Ruiz Branch Library on Saturday morning, in coordination with the Austin Library Department. There will be tree planting, tree mulching, and a variety of informational and entertaining activities and booths for all ages, including live music by the Lost Pines; guest Speaker Scott Steen, CEO, American Forests; and guided tree identification walks. Ruiz Library, 1600 Grove Blvd.
Salsa Under the Stars- Saturday, October 26, from 7 – 9 p.m. Enjoy a free family dance lesson at 7 p.m. (no partner or dance experience required) and then Salsa Under the Stars until 9 p.m. La Moña Loca, an 11-piece ensemble, will be playing music that will keep you dancing under the stars all evening. The event is FREE, family friendly and open to the public. Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Drive, Austin.
Symphony Series in Wooldridge Square – Saturday, October 26, from 6 – 8 p.m. Bring your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the Austin Symphony this fall in historic Wooldridge Square. Playing popular big band tunes by the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Bert Bacharach, George Gershwin, and Oscar Hammerstein, the Symphony’s 16-member Big Band will bring back memories of a simpler time when performances in downtown gathering places were commonplace.The Symphony Series is a FREE community event brought to you through a partnership between the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Austin Symphony, Friends of Wooldridge Square, and Austin Parks and Recreation Department. No parking, glass, or styrofoam is allowed in the park. Wooldridge Park, 900 Guadalupe St, Austin.
Alamo Kids Camp Movies – Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. FREE Alamo Kids Camp movie screenings for children age 3 and up. Tickets for the FREE movies will be available at the box office on the day of the show and seating will be first come, first served. Times vary by location. Movies include Coraline (Alamo Drafthouse Village), Paranorman 2D (Alamo Slaughter Lane), and Hotel Transylvania (Alamo Lakeline).
Texas Book Festival - Saturday, October 26 starting at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday, October 27 starting at 11:00 a.m. Tons of FREE family fun! Visit the Read Me a Story Tent, the Children’s Activity Tent and the Children’s Entertainment Tent. Children’s events will take place within the same block between Colorado and 12th and 13th Streets, directly in front of the Capitol.
Austin Film Festival - Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. Austin Film Festival (AFF) is proud to announce a film program tailored for families. The AFF Family Film Series is FREE and open to the public on a first-come, first serve basis. No badges or film passes needed. This year’s Family Film Series features four films. Movies you can see this weekend include Enchanted (State Theatre), My Dog the Champion (Alamo Drafthouse Village), and Kix Brooks Presents: A Country Christmas (Galaxy Highland 10). Click here for the full schedule.
Pumpkin Sculpting Competition - Sunday, October 27, from noon – 4 p.m. BYOPumpkin or purchase one from the museum. There will be sculpting and carving tutorials by Texas Society of Sculptors’ Marla Riperda, plus a silly round of judging at 3:45 p.m. This year, your admission fee is waived when you bring 3 non-perishable food items to be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Robert E. Lee Road, Austin.
Fright at the Museum - Sunday, October 27, from 1 – 4:45 p.m. Dress up your little goblins and bring your mummy to celebrate Halloween at Austin’s very own dinosaur graveyard! Join spooky scientists in exploring the mysterious side of Texas’ natural history. Feel frightful fish from the ocean depths; and be rattled by slithery snakes of Central Texas. FREE. Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity Street.
North Austin YMCA Fall Festival - Sunday, October 27, from 3-5 p.m. FREE and open to all. No registration required. Gather up your little ghosts and goblins for some family fun at the Y; there will be tricks and treats! Games, candy and a costume parade all in a safe environment. Come in costumes and be ready to have a bewitched time! 1000 W. Rundberg Lane, Austin.
ArtGarage Family Day: Halloween- Sunday, October 27 from 2-4 p.m. Join us in the studio for free and fun art projects. We’ll also have specials and walk-in offerings! All ages are welcome. FREE!! ArtGarage, 11190 Circle Drive.
Bonus fun in the ‘burbs:
Boo Bash (Georgetown) - Friday, October 25, from 5:30- 8:00 p.m. On Friday evening, artists on the Square as well as downtown businesses will be offering candy and goodies to trick-or-treaters. The annual trick-or-treating on the Square from 5:30 to 8 p.m. is part of Boo Bash sponsored by the Downtown Georgetown Association. There also will be live music on the Courthouse lawn on Friday evening. FREE. Downtown Georgetown on the Square.
Halls of Horror Haunted House (Pflugerville) - Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Enter if you dare! Not only is it a chance to prove your bravery…. this haunted house benefits local food pantries! Entry is FREE with a donation of canned goods (or a $2 donation). Green Red Barn at Heritage Park, 901 Old Austin Hutto Road, Pflugerville. (You may also be interested in the “Thriller” mob dance happening nearby on Saturday.)
Touch a Truck (Round Rock) - Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Touch a Truck provides a unique opportunity for children to explore vehicles of all types: public service, emergency, utility, construction, transportation, delivery and just plain cool, all in one place. Guests of all ages will be able to touch, climb on and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment. Accompanying personnel will teach the children about the equipment displayed and how these machines help us and our community. The event is FREE and no registration is required, but guests are encouraged to bring a canned food item donation to benefit the Round Rock Serving Center. Download the event map. Old Settlers Park, 3300 Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock.
Halloween at The Dinosaur Park (Cedar Creek) – Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate Halloween at The Dinosaur Park! Anyone in a DINOSAUR costume gets FREE admission! Any other costume receives $1 discount on admission plus kids can earn treats by counting the hidden Halloween items throughout the dinosaur nature trails! General Admission Rates: $7.00 per person; children under 24 months are FREE. Parking is also FREE.
Lakeline Mall Fall Festival (Cedar Park) - Saturday, October 26, 12 – 4 p.m. Join Lakeline Mall for a costume contest, Halloween craft activities, and prize giveaways! Be sure to check out the strolling magician, balloon twister, and face painter while you’re there. And, stop by the pumpkin patch and pick out your very own pumpkin. Admission is FREE, but activities may have a fee. Lakeline Mall (JC Penney court), 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park.
Hill Country Galleria Trick or Treating (Bee Cave) - Saturday, October 26 from 2-9 p.m. Visit Hill Country Galleria for a special Halloween event with FREE face painting, FREE bounce houses, bungee jump, and of course trick or treating! The fun starts at 2 p.m. in the outdoor Amphitheater with a dance performance by PAIYH Dance Studios, then trick or treating follows from 4-6 p.m. Make the rounds at over 100 stores and restaurants at the Hill Country Galleria to trick or treat! Be sure to wear your costume and stop by the Hill Country Galleria Guest Services booth to get a free trick or treat bag! The day will end with a live music performance by The Loose Wheels! 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.
11th Annual Boo-da Halloween (Buda) - Saturday, October 26, from 5 – 7 p.m. Downtown Buda serves as a safe and fun opportunity for children to trick-or-treat for Halloween and includes Halloween stories, crafts, games and more Halloween fun at the Buda Public Library. FREE. Downtown Buda.
Farmer Fred’s Harvest Fall Carnival (San Marcos) - Saturday, October 26, from 6-9 p.m. FREE admission and FREE activities! All ages welcome. Don’t miss the costume contest. A Haunted Hayride will be available for a nominal fee. San Marcos Plaza Park, 401 E. Hopkins, San Marcos.
Texas Clay Festival (Gruene) – Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 27, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Featuring the work of over 60 Texas potters and clay artists, the festival offers the opportunity to view and purchase a wide variety of pottery, from traditional to sculptural by the top clay artist in the state. Take this unique opportunity to watch and learn as demonstrations are held in four tents throughout both days. From forming on the potters wheel to hand-building to raku firing, there is something for everyone. Admission is FREE. Rain or shine. There is major construction on Hwy. 306 leading into Historic Gruene. Please refer to GrueneTexas.com and click on the yellow icon (Construction Route to Gruene). The festival is held on the grounds of Buck Pottery.
Hogeye Festival (Elgin) - Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sooey! Enjoy a day dedicated to pig puns, festival fun, and live music. The Children’s Costume Pet Parade includes everything from iguanas to ponies dressed to match their tiny tyke masters. Don’t miss the rides and games at the Carnival and Piglet Plaza, the fabulous Pearls Before Swine Art Show, the Acme Brick Throw in piglet square, samples of BBQ pork at the Gordon Swenson BBQ Pork Cook-off, the car show, handmade arts & crafts, music on three stages throughout the day, and Cow Patty Bingo. Admission is FREE, parking is FREE and there is a FREE shuttle. Elgin is 19 miles east of Austin on Hwy. 290. Veterans Memorial Park, 109 Depot St., Elgin.
Bonus shopportunities:
Acton Children’s Business Fair - Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The lawn of the Pease Mansion in Central Austin will transform into a marketplace with 100 booths, each showcasing a business built by a young person, age 6-14. Admission is $2 for ages 6 and up; 5 and under are FREE. Proceeds go to Explore Austin. Pease Mansion, 1606 Niles Road, Austin.
The Austin Flea – Saturday, October 26, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Flea features all local handmade items and vintage wares from some of Austin’s most amazing and talented vendors. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself or any occasion including jewelry, artwork, ceramics, paper goods, textiles, bath & beauty products, vintage finds and so much more! The Austin Flea is FREE and open to all ages. Umami Mia Pizzeria, 1500 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Tiff’s Treats South Austin Grand Opening- Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cookies will be sold for $4 a dozen and all proceeds (up to $5,000) will go to Foster Angels. Tiff’s Treats will insert prizes into random boxes of cookies, so you have a chance to win an awesome gift card or prize! There will also be a drawing for free cookies for a year. The first 10 people in line at 9 a.m. will receive a $100 Tiff’s Treats Gift Card. The next 10 will get a $50 gift card, the next 10 will get a $25 gift card, and the next 10 will get a $10 gift card. Cookie sales on this day are cash only. Tiff’s Treats, 4301 W William Cannon #210, Austin.
TreeHouse Anniversary Celebration- Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. FREE fun for the family includes: Catering from Chilantro BBQ; Live screen printing with Ramona Press; Fun for the kids with the Austin EcoSchool (pumpkin painting and more) TreeHouse, Westgate Shopping Center, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Really Really Free Market – Sunday, October 27, from 1 – 3 p.m. It’s like a garage sale, where everything is FREE! Come to the Really Really Free Market this month and enjoy a special mixture of reuse, recycling and community building. There will be thousands of clothes… for absolutely free! Also: free smiles, plans, skills, books, and more. Bring a friend and bring your own bags! Chestnut Community Park, 2207 East 16th St (at Chestnut St), Austin.
Bonus Paid Events:
Boo at the Zoo- Friday, October 25 & Saturday, October 26 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Boo at the Zoo is the Austin Zoo’s annual fall fundraiser benefiting their rescued animals. Take a haunted train ride, walk through a haunted house, and enjoy spooky lights all throughout the zoo. Admission is $12.50 per person and includes train ticket. Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary, 10808 Rawhide Trail.
Pioneer Farms Haunted Trails- Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26, from 7-10 p.m. Experience Halloween like nowhere else in Texas! A must-see history show for all ages. This is an Austin tradition with new displays and thrills! Admission is $12 a person. Reservations are not necessary. Hayrides and fortune telling booths available for extra fee (Update: hayrides are not available the first weekend due to soggy ground from all the rain). Food and drinks will be on sale in the Spook Town entrance village. Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Drive.
Salt and Pepper at ZACH- Saturday, October 26 at 2 p.m. This bilingual play celebrates the bonds of family and friendship. Salt is a boy whose family has a secret—his grandfather cannot read or write. When Salt befriends Pepper, her love of books sparks his interest in the world of words. Then, a mysterious box of postcards sheds light on Salt’s family! Recommended for ages 7 and up. Cost: $12 adults, $10 children. ZACH Theater, Whisenhunt stage, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.
Ballet Austin’s Peter and the Wolf- Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Experience an interactive balletic version of this famous Russian children’s tale. Join Ballet Austin as the youngest members of the audience help Peter and his animal friends triumph over the danger in his own back yard. Recommended for ages 3-8. AustinVentures Studio Theater, 501 W. 3rd Street.
Barton Hills Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze- Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 27 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The activities include a Willie Nelson-themed corn maze, pumpkin patch (extra cost), pumpkin painting, barrel train (extra cost), farm animals, a jumping pillow, a huge sandbox, food and local vendors. Cost: $7 for ages three to 10 and $10 for ages 11 and up, and includes entry into the corn maze. Children two and under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase your tickets online and save $1 on admission. Barton Hill Farm, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop.
Halloween Children’s Concert- Sunday, October 27 at 2:00p.m. This year’s spook-tacular show is sure to have you shakin’ in your boots! Your little ghost or goblin will help haunt Long Center’s Dell Hall as the Austin Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Halloween Children’s Concert, featuring mindchilling songs that are entertaining for all ages! The entire family is encouraged to join in on the fun and dress to impress in their favorite costumes while attending a concert full of “boo-tiful” music. Wear costumes! Tickets: $8 for child, $12 adult. Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.
Scottish Rite Theater Too Many Stories- Sunday, October 27 at 12:30p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Kallie catches Sam and Bogus with things they’ve stolen from a department store. Now she needs the audience to help her get the bad guys. Cost: $8.50 adults, $6.50 children 12 and younger. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St.
Goblins in the Garden- Sunday, October 27, 4 – 7 p.m. Dress up and come to the Wildflower Center and trick-or-treat at candy stations throughout the garden. Kids can also get their faces painted, listen to stories at the Little House, take part in a scavenger hunt, do arts and crafts, and march in a costume parade. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $3 for children 5 through 12, and free for Center members and children under 5. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave.
Heidi Gollub loves exploring Austin and beyond with her 5 kids. For more local adventures for families, visit FreeFuninAustin.com.