Family-Friendly Things to Do in Austin This Week: Nov. 2 to Nov. 8

Halloween's behind us, and the first full week of November brings a whole new mix of family-friendly events in Austin this week. A Charlie Brown Christmas opens its holiday run at ZACH, there's a free Diwali morning for little ones at Waterloo Park, a Celtic festival with kids' Highland games at Pioneer Farms, and Round Rock's big Día de los Muertos festival on Saturday. If you've been looking for things to do with kids in Austin that don't cost much, you'll also find a long list of free library parties, crafts and concerts celebrating the Austin Public Library's 100th birthday.

Below you'll find 31 activities, limited-time attractions and kids' meal deals happening from Monday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 8, sorted by area of town so you can find something close to home. Each one's marked free or paid, and every item links to its official page. Plans can change, so it's always a good idea to check the link before you load everyone into the car.

What family-friendly events are happening in Austin this week?

If you only have time for a few outings, these are the ones we'd pick:

• A Charlie Brown Christmas at ZACH Theatre (paid): a 40-minute holiday show made for kids 4 and up, opening Friday.
• Morning Glories: Diwali at Waterloo Park (free): a Saturday morning of music, storytelling and hands-on art for little ones.
• Austin Celtic Festival (paid, under 5 free): kids' Highland games, Celtic dogs and mini horses at Pioneer Farms on Saturday and Sunday.
• Día de los Muertos Festival and Parade in Round Rock (free): folklórico dancing, kids' crafts and a 5 p.m. procession on Saturday.
• UMLAUF Family Day: Seeds of Change (free): storytimes, crafts and sculpture searches in the garden on Sunday.

Kid-friendly events in Downtown and Central Austin

• A Charlie Brown Christmas (paid, lap babies free). Opens Fri., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., with shows Sat., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 8 at 1 p.m., and the run continues through Dec. 27. ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. The Peanuts gang is back for a 40-minute show recommended for ages 4 and up, and ZACH says kids are free to come and go and be kids during the performance. Tickets
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: sensory-friendly and sign-interpreted shows (paid). Sensory-friendly performance Sat., Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. and sign-interpreted performance Sun., Nov. 8 at 1 p.m., ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. This hour-long Narnia adventure is recommended for ages 5 and up, and the sensory-friendly show offers a more relaxed setting for kids who need it. ZACH notes the show includes stylized battles and representations of loss. Tickets
• Morning Glories: Diwali (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Meredith Heritage Tree Deck at Waterloo Park, 1401 Trinity St. Waterloo Greenway's early childhood series celebrates the festival of lights with music, storytelling, cultural performances and hands-on art. Event details
• Passport to the World Festival (Free). Sun., Nov. 8, Parade of Cultures at 11:15 a.m. from City Hall, festival noon to 4 p.m., Austin Central Library, 710 W. César Chávez St. Austin Sister Cities fills the library with performances, games, crafts and hands-on cultural booths, and traditional clothing is encouraged for the parade. Event details
• UMLAUF Family Day: Seeds of Change (Free). Sun., Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd. There are storytimes at noon, 1 and 2 p.m., plus a soil and seed workshop with the Central Texas Mycological Society, crafts and sculpture searches all day. RSVP is encouraged, and walk-ups are welcome. RSVP
• Seed Balls and Stories (Free). Mon., Nov. 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Central Library Children's Area (3rd floor), 710 W. César Chávez St. A library afternoon of stories and seed ball making for preschoolers, kids and tweens. Event details
• Kids Create: Perler Beads (Free). Wed., Nov. 4, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Central Library Children's Area (3rd floor), 710 W. César Chávez St. A drop-in after-school craft for kids ages 6 to 10. Event details
• Kids Create: 1920s Stained Glass (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr. Kids ages 6 to 12 make faux stained-glass art inspired by the 1920s, when the Austin Public Library first opened. Event details

Family things to do in East Austin this week

• Cyclovia ATX (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., around the Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. Half a mile of Westminster Drive closes to cars for an all-ages street festival with live music, food trucks and performances. The 1-mile Bike Parade starts at 11:30 a.m., and helmets are required to ride in it. Event details
• Thinkery open on a Monday ($19.95, ages 1 and up). Mon., Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1830 Simond Ave. Austin's children's museum is usually closed on Mondays, but it's opening special hours this Monday, which makes it a handy weekday outing. Thinkery also offers daily reduced admission, so check the site for details. Plan your visit
• Watch and Make: Winnie the Pooh Birthday Picnic (Free). Mon., Nov. 2, 2 to 4 p.m., University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln. Winnie the Pooh and the Austin Public Library both turn 100 this year, so preschoolers and kids can celebrate with a movie and a craft. Event details
• Tuesday Night Make and Play (Free). Tue., Nov. 3, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Terrazas Branch, 1105 E. César Chávez St. A relaxed evening of crafts and play for families with babies through tweens. Event details
• Girlstart STEM Extravaganza with the Curiosity Cube (Free). Wed., Nov. 4, 4 to 6 p.m., Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr. Hands-on science activities for ages 6 to 18. Event details
• High and Lonesome: A Journey Through Bluegrass Music (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 1 to 2 p.m., Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St. A live performance and kid-friendly introduction to bluegrass music. Event details
• COTALAND (paid). Open Sat., Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle. Austin's newest theme park has kiddie rides, Kiddie Karting for ages 5 to 11 and mini golf alongside the big coasters. It's closed on weekdays this week, so plan for the weekend. Park hours

Kid-friendly events in North Austin

• Austin Celtic Festival and Highland Games ($25 adults, $12 ages 5 to 16, under 5 free; weekend passes available). Sat., Nov. 7, noon to 7 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 8, noon to 6 p.m., Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. Kids can try their own Highland games, meet Celtic dog breeds and mini horses, and watch Irish dance and live Celtic music. Tickets are sold online only, with no sales at the gate. Tickets
• Milwood Block Party (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Dr. A birthday party for the library with face painting, party shakers and headbands, sun printing with nature items, a bubble station and snacks. Activities move indoors if it rains. Event details
• Art After School: Pop Art (Free). Mon., Nov. 2, 4 to 6 p.m., Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln. Kids and tweens explore pop art inspired by artist Stanley Bermudez. Event details
• Spanish-English Music and Movement (Free). Sun., Nov. 8, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln. A bilingual hour of songs, stretching and dancing for little ones ages 0 to 5. Event details

Kid-friendly events in South Austin

• Fortlandia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (included with general admission, free for members). Open through Jan. 31, 2027, 4801 La Crosse Ave. Kids can explore custom-designed forts tucked into the Family Garden, and fall is a lovely time to walk the grounds. Event details
• Kids Crafternoon: Shrinky Dink Keychains (Free). Wed., Nov. 4, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. An after-school craft for kids 6 and up. Event details
• Traditional Sounds of the 1920s: Son Jalisciense (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth St. A live music performance celebrating the library's 100th birthday. Event details
• Powwow Dance Performance (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 2 to 2:45 p.m., Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Rd. The Native American Cultural Center shares a variety of powwow dance styles in this all-ages performance. Event details

Family events in West Austin, Bee Cave and Lake Travis

• Dusk to Dark Star Party and Nature Night ($15 adults, $7 youth). Sat., Nov. 7, 5 to 9 p.m., Shield Ranch campsite, 10417 Crumley Ranch Rd. Stargazing, a nature walk, citizen science and constellation storytelling under Hill Country skies. It's recommended for ages 8 and up, and you'll want to bring your own picnic. Event details
• Harvest Imagination Station (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to noon, Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. A harvest-themed Imagination Station hour designed for young learners. Event details
• Lego Lab (Free). Fri., Nov. 6, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd. Drop in and build anything you can imagine. Event details

Things to do with kids in Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville and Leander

• Día de los Muertos Festival and Parade (Free). Sat., Nov. 7, 3 to 10 p.m., Lakeview Pavilion at Old Settlers Park, Round Rock. Round Rock Ballet Folklórico hosts its 13th annual celebration with live music, folklórico dancing, food vendors, artisan booths and crafts for kids. The community procession starts at 5 p.m., so arrive early. Event details
• Last week of the Sweet Eats Fall Festival (pumpkin patch free in November, general admission paid). Mon., Nov. 2 through Fri., Nov. 6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 14400 E. State Hwy. 29, Georgetown. The fall festival wraps up Friday, so this is your last chance for the 4.5-acre corn maze, pig races, wagon rides, pony rides and petting zoo. Starting Nov. 8, the farm adds animatronic dinosaurs to the corn maze. Event details

Where do kids eat free in Austin this week?

• Pluckers (kids eat free Tuesday). Tue., Nov. 3, all day at Austin-area locations. Kids 10 and under get up to two free kids' meals per adult entrée, dine-in only. Details
• Jim's Restaurants (kids eat free Sunday and Monday nights). Mon., Nov. 2 and Sun., Nov. 8, 5 to 9 p.m., with the purchase of an adult entrée. Details
• Casa Chapala (kids eat free Monday). Mon., Nov. 2, 9041 Research Blvd. #100. The restaurant advertises Kids Eat Free Mondays, but its site doesn't list the age limit or terms, so call ahead at (512) 459-4242 to confirm. Details

Where can I take my kids for free in Austin this week?

If you're keeping it budget-friendly, all of these are free: Seed Balls and Stories, the Winnie the Pooh birthday picnic and Art After School on Monday, Tuesday Night Make and Play, the Girlstart STEM Extravaganza and two after-school crafts on Wednesday, Lego Lab on Friday, and a packed Saturday with Morning Glories: Diwali, Cyclovia ATX, the Milwood Block Party, Harvest Imagination Station, the bluegrass and Son Jalisciense concerts, the powwow dance performance, 1920s stained glass and Round Rock's Día de los Muertos Festival. On Sunday, head to the Passport to the World Festival, UMLAUF Family Day or bilingual Music and Movement. The Sweet Eats pumpkin patch is also free all week if you skip the paid activities.

Planning a family outing with a new baby?

Festivals and busy weekends can feel like a lot when you're recovering from birth or juggling a newborn and older siblings. Sometimes the best plan is to bring an extra set of hands, and our Mother's Helpers can come along to the festival or stay home with the baby while you take the big kids out. If you're new to the area, you can learn more about MILK in Austin, and if you're wondering how to protect a new baby around crowds this season, you might find our article on understanding the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy and around a new baby helpful.

Want to know about new local events first?

We put together a new list of family-friendly Austin events every week. Send us a text at (512) 880-8845 with your email and either "I'm a parent" or "I'm a nanny," and we'll let you know every time we publish new local events.