Family-Friendly Things to Do in Austin This Week: Oct. 28 to Nov. 1

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Día de los Muertos is right behind it on Sunday, so Austin's packed with things to do with your kids this week. If you've been wondering where to take the little ones, what's free, and which spots are only around for a few more days, we've done the digging for you.

Below you'll find 37 family-friendly events, limited-time attractions and kids' meal deals happening from Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 1, organized by area of town so you can find something close to home. Each one's marked free or paid, and we've linked to the official page wherever we could. Plans can change quickly around Halloween, 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:

• Trick or Treat on the Trail (free): a car-free candy trail on the Boggy Creek Greenbelt on Friday night.
• Hill Country Galleria Halloween Treat Trail (free): trick-or-treating at more than 80 shops on Saturday morning.
• Día de los Muertos at the Emma S. Barrientos MACC (free): an alcohol-free family celebration with sugar skull decorating on Sunday.
• Pumpkin Nights (paid): the last two nights of this glowing pumpkin walk are Friday and Saturday.
• Red Lobster Kids Eat Free (deal): kids in costume eat free all weekend.

Kid-friendly events in Downtown and Central Austin

• Día de los Muertos at the Emma S. Barrientos MACC (Free). Sun., Nov. 1, 1 to 6 p.m., 600 River St. This is the 19th annual celebration, and it's alcohol-free and built for families. There's a community altar you can add a loved one's name to, artisan vendors, food trucks, and free face painting and sugar skull decorating while supplies last. Event details
• Mexamericon Comic Con (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Emma S. Barrientos MACC. A comic convention with an artist alley, lotería, a costume contest and giveaways for kids, so wear the Halloween costume twice. Event details
• Día de los Muertos at Waterloo Greenway (Free). Sun., Nov. 1, 4 to 8 p.m., Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St. Altars, live music, dance lessons, an artisan market and a Family and Kids Zone with face painting. Event details
• Día de los Huesos (Day of the Bones) ($10, discounted $6, free for ages 0 to 4). Sun., Nov. 1, 1 to 5 p.m., Texas Science and Natural History Museum on the UT campus. A kid-friendly twist on Día de los Muertos with real animal skulls and skeletons, butterfly origami, face painting and a mariachi performance, and admission covers the rest of the museum too. Event details
• Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt ($17 kids, $24 adults, free under 2). Sat., Oct. 31 and Sun., Nov. 1, 11 a.m., Austin Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. A one-hour stage show based on the beloved book series, perfect for early readers. Tickets
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at ZACH Theatre (paid, new this week). Opens Fri., Oct. 30 and runs through Feb. 14, 2027, 202 S. Lamar Blvd. The C.S. Lewis classic comes to the stage for the holiday season, and opening week is a fun time to go. Tickets
• Dive-In Movies: Spooky Edition at the Fairmont (from $25). Fri., Oct. 30, 6:30 to 10 p.m., 101 Red River St. Watch Halloween favorites like Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas from the pool. Event details
• Trick-or-Read at BookPeople (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. BookPeople's Halloween story time has book giveaways and Amy's Ice Cream. Listings disagree on the start time (2 p.m. or 5 p.m.), so check before you go. BookPeople events

Family things to do in East Austin this week

• Trick or Treat on the Trail (Free). Fri., Oct. 30, 6 to 8 p.m., Boggy Creek Greenbelt, 1114 Nile St. A car-free trail with more than 20 candy stations, a blacklight dance party and a photo booth. Organizers encourage walking, biking or taking the bus. Event details
• Spookydale at St. Elmo Brewing (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, 2 to 9 p.m., 8110 Springdale Rd. A kids' haunted house, candy, crafts, face painting and a children's costume contest. The adult party happens on its own side of the property. Event details
• The Austin Halloween Parade (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, starting 7:30 p.m., Pan American Neighborhood Park, 2100 E. 3rd St. A circus-themed nighttime costume parade that's best for older kids who can stay up late. Event details
• Austin Mosaic Fest (Free). Daily through Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Mosaic Workshop, 729 Airport Blvd. Drop in and make a mosaic together, and every mosaic comes with a free grout kit so you can finish it at home. All ages are welcome. Event details
• Trick or Treat at the Y (Free). Wed., Oct. 28, 9 to 11 a.m., East Communities YMCA, 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd. (also at the Buda and Dripping Springs Ys). A morning trick-or-treat for little ones, with allergy-friendly treats available. Event details
• Story Starts: Improv for Kids and Their Adults (paid). Saturdays at 11 a.m., ColdTowne Theater, 1700 E. 2nd St. A G-rated, fully improvised comedy show where kids can hop on stage as characters and sound effects, though nobody has to. Show times
• COTALAND (paid, new). Circuit of the Americas, Del Valle. Austin's newest theme park opened at the end of September with family and kiddie rides alongside the big thrill rides. Check the park's hours before heading out. Read more

Kid-friendly events in North Austin

• Pumpkin Nights (from $12). Fri., Oct. 30 and Sat., Oct. 31, 6 to 11 p.m., Pioneer Farms, 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. A half-mile walk through glowing installations made from more than 10,000 pumpkins, followed by a village with food, games and a fire show. These are the final two nights. Tickets
• Pins & Wheels Halloween Party ($25 kids, $12 adults). Sat., Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pins & Wheels at Playland, 8822 McCann Dr. Trick-or-treating through the building, a costume contest, skating, bowling and arcade games. Event details
• Kids Halloween Costume Contest at Pinballz Lake Creek (Free). Fri., Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., 13729 Research Blvd. Sign up in person that day, and winners take home a trophy and a game card. Event details
• Mariachi Amor at Little Walnut Creek Library (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., 835 W. Rundberg Ln. A sing-and-clap-along mariachi concert celebrating the Austin Public Library's 100th birthday. Event details

Kid-friendly events in South Austin

• Halloween Carnival at Meanwhile Brewing (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, noon to 4 p.m., 3901 Promontory Point Dr. A costume contest, face painting, temporary tattoos and a meet and greet with Aurora and Maleficent. Event details
• Día de los Muertos at St. Elmo Brewing South (Free). Sun., Nov. 1, 3 to 8 p.m., 440 E. St. Elmo Rd. Pop-up vendors, live music and food trucks. It's a brewery with drink specials, so it leans a little more grown-up. Event details

Family events in West Austin, Bee Cave and Lake Travis

• Hill Country Galleria Halloween Treat Trail (Free). Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave. Pick up a pumpkin bag in the Central Plaza, then trick-or-treat at more than 80 shops while bags and candy last. Event details
• Trunk or Treat in the Hills (Free). Fri., Oct. 30, 5 to 8 p.m., Hotel Viata, 320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., West Lake Hills. Decorated cars, treat stations, a costume parade and prizes. Food and drinks are sold separately. Event details
• Haunted Shores: Family Halloween Walk-Through (from $10). Sat., Oct. 31, 5 to 10 p.m., Volente Beach Waterpark, 16107 FM 2769. A haunted walk through a waterpark that's designed to be spooky but family-friendly. Tickets

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

• Fall Fun Festival (Free, bring a canned food donation). Wed., Oct. 28, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. A morning of carnival games, seasonal crafts and snacks made for toddlers and preschoolers. Costumes are encouraged. Event details
• Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail (Free). Thu., Oct. 29, 5 to 7 p.m., San Gabriel Park. Candy, games, crafts, Touch A Truck, food trucks and a costume contest with age groups for kids 10 and under. Event details
• Fall Festival at Sweet Eats Adventure Farm (from $16). Through Nov. 8, 14400 E. State Hwy. 29, Georgetown. A corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig races, petting zoo, pony and wagon rides and weekend shows. Tickets
• Texas Pumpkin Fest ($15). Sat., Oct. 31 and Sun., Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 8760 FM 2243, Leander. Pumpkins, attractions and live entertainment, and every child takes home a small pumpkin. Tickets
• USA BMX Texas Nationals (check site). Fri., Oct. 30 through Sun., Nov. 1, Northeast Metropolitan Park, 2703 Pecan St., Pflugerville. Kids who love bikes can watch national-level BMX racing up close. Event details
• Houdini Speaks to the Living ($25 students, $35 general). Wed., Oct. 28 through Sat., Oct. 31, Hidden Room Theatre, 2120 N. Mays St., Round Rock. A live illusion show staged on the 100th anniversary of Harry Houdini's death, best for older kids and teens. Tickets

Family fall festivals near Kyle, Buda and Driftwood

• Driftwood Fall Festival ($5 to $15, free for kids 3 and under). Through Sun., Nov. 1, Vista Brewing, 13551 RM 150, Driftwood. A 21-acre ranch festival with a pumpkin patch, hay maze, hay mountain, outdoor games and a farm animal petting zoo. Tickets
• Uhland Fall Fest (from $15). Sat., Oct. 31 and Sun., Nov. 1, from 10 a.m., 2400 Cotton Gin Rd., Kyle. A petting zoo, train rides, balloon art, pumpkin carving, magic shows and butterfly releases. Tickets

Where do kids eat free in Austin this week?

• Red Lobster (kids eat free in costume). Fri., Oct. 30 through Sun., Nov. 1. Each full-price adult dinner entrée gets up to two free kids' meals when kids dine in wearing a costume, and takeout orders can use code SPOOKY26 for one free kids' meal. Participation varies by location. Deal details
• Krispy Kreme (free doughnut in costume). Halloween weekend at participating shops, no purchase needed. Deal roundup
• Chipotle Boorito ($6 entrée in costume). Sat., Oct. 31 after 3 p.m. for Chipotle Rewards members who come in costume. Deal details
• Happy Chicks (kids eat free Sundays). Kids 12 and under eat free every Sunday at all three Austin locations, dine-in or walk-up. Kids eat free guide
• Jim's Restaurants (kids eat free Sunday and Monday nights). 5 to 9 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée. Kids eat free guide

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

If you're keeping it budget-friendly, all of these are free: Trick or Treat at the Y and the Round Rock Fall Fun Festival on Wednesday, the Georgetown Trick or Treat Trail on Thursday, Trick or Treat on the Trail, Trunk or Treat in the Hills and the Pinballz costume contest on Friday, the Hill Country Galleria Treat Trail, Mexamericon, Spookydale, the Meanwhile Brewing carnival, Mariachi Amor at the library, Trick-or-Read at BookPeople and the Austin Halloween Parade on Saturday, and the Día de los Muertos celebrations at the MACC, Waterloo Greenway and St. Elmo South on Sunday. Austin Mosaic Fest is free every day through Saturday.

Planning a family outing with a new baby?

Big crowds and late nights can feel like a lot when you're recovering or juggling a newborn and older siblings. Sometimes the best plan is to bring along an extra set of hands, and our Mother's Helpers can come along to the pumpkin patch or hold down the fort at home 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 craving a little more connection this season, you might enjoy reading about why community support improves health outcomes for new moms.

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.