Happening all week
Free Admission to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Tuesday, January 21 – Saturday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 26 from Noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy all the center has to offer for FREE including indoor art exhibits, store, café and Little House for kids. Read about Katey’s recent visit here. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin.
Barton Springs Pool Free Swim – Monday, January 20 – Sunday, January 26 from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. **Closed Thursday, January 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for cleaning** FREE! Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Monday
MLK March, Festival, and Food Drive – Monday, January 20 at 9:00 a.m. The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in Austin. The MLK Community March will kick off with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. Participants will then march to the south steps of the State Capitol for a short program before continuing on to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. Everyone is invited to march and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. The MLK Community Festival will begin as soon the march arrives on location and will last until 3 p.m. It will include all types of vendors and local musical artists to make this year’s celebration the best ever. FREE! Marchers are asked to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. March: Begins at MLK Statue on UT Campus, East Mall. Festival: Huston-Tillotson University 900 Chicon St, Austin.
Free Admission to The LBJ Presidential Library - Monday, January 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum now charges admission, but to ensure that President Johnson’s wish for the library to “be available to all,” entrance fees are waived on several days during the year, including MLK Day. FREE! LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St, Austin.
MLK Day Observance & Dedication of the LBJ-MLK Crossroads Memorial (San Marcos) – Monday, January 20 at 10 a.m. The Dunbar Heritage Association is sponsoring a special program and speakers followed by a march down LBJ to MLK Drive. The program will include a dedication of the sculpture by Louisiana artist Aaron Hussey that commemorates the historic collaboration of President Johnson and Dr. King to forge Civil Rights legislation 50 years ago. Special guests include Aaron Hussey and Luci Johnson, daughter of President Johnson. Following the dedication, participants will march to Dunbar Recreation Center for a Peace Pie Social sponsored by local churches and Centro Hispano Cultural de San Marcos. FREE! Hays County Courthouse, 111 E San Antonio St, San Marcos.
Baby Bloomers - Monday, January 20 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Baby Bloomers is an opportunity for children age 0-3 and their families to experience the Thinkery together in an environment focused on early learners. Guided activities like Storytime, Sing-alongs, and Little Explorers Lab time are designed to engage the youngest visitors in fun learning and investigation. Cost: Members $2.50 each / Non-Members $4.50 each. All people attending, regardless of age, must purchase a ticket. Purchase a ticket online as limited walk-up tickets will be available. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Joe McDermott Concert – Monday, January 20 at 11 a.m. Austin’s famous children’s musician Joe McDermott will be performing a FREE concert! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480, Austin.
Free MLK Day Show: Wizard of Oz (Round Rock) – Monday, January 20 at 11:30 a.m. Experience The Wizard of Oz on the big screen for FREE. Seating will be on a first come, first serve basis beginning 30 minutes prior to showtime. Flix Brewhouse, 2200 S IH-35, Round Rock.
Try It! LEGO Engineering Workshop - Monday, January 20 at 3:30 pm. Kids ages 5-12 will do some LEGO engineering with guidance from Bricks 4 Kidz. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. FREE! Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin.
Los Lonely Boys Performance and CD Signing - Monday, January 20 at 4 p.m. This very special performance by Los Lonely Boys is FREE and open to the public. The band’s new CD, Revelation, must be purchased in order to get a wristband for the signing line. A limited number of guitar picks will be given away the day of the event. Please call the store at 512-418-8985 for event guidelines. Barnes & Noble Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd #158, Austin.
Tuesday
Free Admission to Laguna Gloria – Tuesday, January 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th St, Austin.
Free Admission to The Jones Center - Tuesday, January 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Jones Center, 700 Congress Ave, Austin.
Signing Storytime at Kaleidoscope Toys (Round Rock) – January 21 at 10:00 a.m. Join the Baby Signing Time revolution. This class is geared for children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. RSVP appreciated but not required by calling 512.388.5048. FREE! Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 N IH 35, Ste 375, Round Rock.
Armstrong Community Music School Storytime – Tuesday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m. Come sing songs with Walter Tragert, one of the talented Early Childhood Development faculty members from the Armstrong Community School. Mr. Walter will engage your child with music and movement, plus he’ll read some stories for you too. This session is perfect for kids up to 6 years old. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Discovery! Fantastic Contraptions – Tuesday, January 21 at 4:30 p.m. Join special guest Chris Lopez for this hands on demonstration of Fantastic Contraptions, an online physics puzzle game. Participants will be able to use the Pod computers and tablets in the library or they may bring their own tablets. Recommended for 3rd grade through middle school. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Austin Creative Reuse Craft Night – Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to learn 5 ways to reuse or upcycle a humble cereal box. Boxes will be supplied but you may also bring your own. FREE! APL – Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W Rundberg Ln, Austin.
Pajama Storytime – Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. Come cuddle at the Westbank Library! Kids of all ages, get comfy in your favorite pajamas, grab your sleepy toy and come for the best bedtime stories ever. Milk and snacks provided. FREE! Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr, Austin.
Wednesday
Whole Foods Arbor Trails Kids Club – Wednesday, January 22 at 9:00 a.m. Story time and a craft with Gracie. FREE! Whole Foods, 4301 W. William Cannon, Bldg B, Ste 800, Austin.
Storytime at Whole Foods - Wednesday, January 22 at 9:30 a.m. Enjoy a story reading, an activity, and a snack! All ages are welcome, and parents can participate, too. FREE! Whole Foods, 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Storytime with Staci Gray - Wednesday, January 22 at 10:30 a.m. Ms. Staci is back to read some of her favorite stories and to sing some of your favorite songs. Don’t forget your dancing shoes! You’re going to want to dance to some great tunes. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Community Night at the Thinkery – Wednesday, January 22 from 5-8:00 p.m. At the Thinkery, science and families play side by side. Every Wednesday the Museum stays open late for families to discover new ideas and learn together. Admission is by donation only, with a suggested $1 donation. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Arts and Crafts – January 22 at 6:00 p.m. Create one-of-a-kind artistic creations with Miss Dianne. This week children ages 8 and up (or younger with an adult) will complete an MLK hands project. Seating is limited, tickets are available starting at 5:30pm. FREE! Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Dr, Austin.
Free Karate Class (Del Valle) - Wednesday, January 22. Ages 3-12 years from 6-7:00 p.m.; Ages 12 to adult from 7-8:00 p.m. FREE Karate class with Instructor Frank Selvera, a sixth-degree black belt. Elroy Library, 13512 FM 812, Del Valle.
Krispy Kreme Family Night – Wednesday, January 22 from 6-8:00 p.m. Kids can decorate their own doughnuts, enjoy crafts, balloons, paper hats, coloring sheets and more. FREE! Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.
Thursday
Free Admission to The Blanton – Thursday, January 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FREE! Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E Martin Luther King Junior Blvd, Austin.
Play 2 Learn with Sarah (Pflugerville) - Thursday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m. Play 2 Learn with Sarah is back in action! Come sing, play, craft & learn with Sarah K. FREE! Toy Time, 101-B Pecan Street W, Pflugerville.
Free Noon Concert – Thursday, January 23 at Noon. Take a 30-minute lunchtime break to enjoy the folk sounds of Jesse White & Friends. FREE! Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E 8th St, Austin.Explorer’s Club: Draw with Scott Sutton (Cedar Park) – Thursday, January 23 at 3:30 p.m. Kids in K-5th Grade will have a firsthand experience drawing with illustrator/author Scott Sutton. Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park.
Yappy Hour on the Patio – Thursday, January 23 from 5-7:00 p.m. Enjoy live music with your pup on the dog-friendly patio. FREE! Whole Foods Domain, 11920 Domain Dr, Austin.
Lost & Nameless Orchestra - Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m This fiddle-driven folk rock quintet is a unique mix of Appalachian Mountain music, Celtic fiddle tunes, and singer-songwriter folk. This band will make you want to do a jig. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
The Jimi Lee Band - Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Jimi Lee Band is a blues R & B super group of veteran players fronted by the award winning harmonic virtuoso Jimi Lee. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Friday
“Celebrating the Holidays” Youth & Teen Art Exhibit – Friday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is your last weekday opportunity to view “Celebrating the Holidays,” an Annual Juried Youth Art Show that represents the best holiday inspired works by artists ages 4 -18 from the Austin area. The exhibit closes Saturday. FREE! Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St, Austin.Mom and Me Yoga – Friday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. This yoga class is designed for a parent and children (ages 3+ only). Taught by Sat Nam Kaur from Yoga Yoga. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Teddy Bear Picnic - Friday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. Never fear–this event will be inside! Pack a picnic and have your child bring his or her favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal for a special teddy bear story time, a song, and treat. FREE! Toybrary Austin, 7817 Rockwood, Suite 101, Austin.
Williamson County Courthouse Tours (Georgetown) – Friday, January 24 at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. In celebration of the Williamson Museum’s 10th anniversary, free guided tours of the historic county courthouse will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays throughout January. Tours are FREE, last about 45 minutes and are handicapped accessible. Tours begin at The Williamson Museum, 716 S Austin Ave, Georgetown.
Reading Dog - Friday, January 24 at 3:30 p.m. Handler Neel and Dog Joey will read with kiddos or visit with them. Pre-readers and readers are welcome. FREE! Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr, Austin.
In her life before kids, Emily held jobs as a zookeeper, a middle school teacher, and a tour bus driver in the wilds of Montana–not one of which prepared her for the adventures of motherhood. Now she’s living the good life in Austin with her husband, two sons and a Great Dane. When she’s not off gallivanting with her boys, you might find Emily baking up a mean batch of cupcakes, recalling obscure 80s song lyrics, or dreaming of peace and quiet.