Free events in Austin, TX

Cackle Shack brings a free night of stand-up to Lustre Pearl East, hosted by Angelina Martin, known from Comedy Central. The show combines a curated lineup with open mic spots, featuring fresh material from Austin comedians alongside first-time performers. Comics interested in stage time can request a spot by emailing cackleshackmic@gmail.com.

This free, live-hosted pub quiz is led by QuizMaster Aaron and awards $170 in prizes each week. Teams of up to 10 tackle a wide range of topics, and seating is available indoors or on the patios. The format follows a no apps, no phones policy. Individuals are welcome to join a team on site. Free validated garage parking is available.

Gather a crew of up to six or find teammates on arrival for a lively trivia night that covers a wide range of topics. The game is free to play and the bar serves cocktails, mocktails, and bar bites to keep everyone fueled. Expect about 60 questions across roughly two hours, and remember that looking up answers on your phone is not allowed. Newcomers are welcome, and winners can look forward to bragging rights and possibly a few physical prizes.

At Knomad Bar, a weekly trivia night offers seven rounds of questions designed to challenge and entertain. It is free to play, and prizes are awarded to the winners.

Buzzkill at The Buzz Mill is a free weekly stand up comedy showcase held on the patio of the venue’s lumberjack themed bar. Hosts Carlton Wilcoxson and Angelina Martin present a changing mix of emerging local comics and established headliners with credits from Comedy Central, HBO, Moontower Comedy Festival and more. Launched in 2013, the show often fills up, so arriving early can make it easier to find a seat. It has earned local praise, with The Austin Chronicle calling it a classic of the city’s comedy scene and Do512 highlighting it as one of the best free things to do in Austin.

At Something Cool Studios, Sketchy Thursdays brings people together for a free, welcoming weekly drawing session led by Austin street artist Warclass. Created for young creatives, it offers a relaxed place to sketch with others, trade ideas, and make connections without pressure or expectations. Organized by the Something Good Initiative, the gathering focuses on real community building and meaningful support for emerging artists. Everyone is encouraged to come as they are, meet fellow creatives, and find confidence in making art, with an emphasis on openness, vulnerability, and courage. Thanks to support from BEWM Coffee, the meetup stays completely free and easy to access so more young artists can find a place to belong, grow, and feel inspired.

The Austin St. Jude Walk is part of a yearlong effort to build awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the local community. Presented across 40 cities in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it supports the hospital’s mission to advance care and research for children facing cancer and other life threatening diseases. Families, friends, coworkers, and community groups take part together in this free, noncompetitive walk, with options to complete either a 1 mile or 3 mile route. Young participants can enjoy a Kids Dash. The day emphasizes purpose, connection, and hope, with stories from St. Jude families highlighting the impact of this cause. Many participants form teams, set fundraising goals, and share their progress to inspire others, moving together toward a future without childhood cancer.

FrankenBike Austin #241 brings a community-focused bicycle swap and marketplace to BikeTexas. Admission is free for both shoppers and sellers. Buyers can browse for deals on accessories, components, and fully rideable bikes. Vendors receive complimentary booth space but must register in advance. Setup can happen any time before the event concludes, and all vendors are required to check in with the FrankenBike event organizer, Chris Gross, before unloading or assembling a booth. Respect for others and collective safety are emphasized with no exceptions. Vendors may bring bicycles, parts, accessories, gear, and other bike-related items, along with a 12×12 tent, tables, and chairs. Keep merchandise within your tent or assigned space, and place parts on a table or tarp rather than directly on the ground. Everyone is expected to be fully packed and clear of the grounds by the end of the event.

This free, family-friendly festival at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center celebrates Chinese heritage and the wider multicultural community. It begins with a lively Lion Dance that signifies good fortune, prosperity, and unity. A continuous stage program features traditional and contemporary music and dance, instrumental performances, opera, martial arts demonstrations, and collaborations with artists from other cultures that reflect Austin's diversity. Interactive exhibits explore history, customs, crafts, literature, and heritage, and local organizations host booths with cultural connections, educational resources, and community services. Families and children can enjoy traditional games and hands-on activities that encourage learning through play. Food offerings highlight authentic Chinese and other Asian cuisines, from regional specialties to favorite festival treats. This edition coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, known as 中秋节, which honors family reunions, moon appreciation, and sharing mooncakes. The event also marks the 10-year anniversary of the Austin Chinese-American Network.

Take a friendly group hike at Walnut Creek Park on an easy three mile out and back route that moves at a conversational pace. Expect a mix of sunny stretches and shaded sections. Meet at the Walnut Creek Trail parking lot next to Walnut Creek Pool near the main trail entrance. RSVPs are appreciated, and if you expect to arrive a little late, sending a quick text lets the group know to wait. For coordination, contact Will at (512) 810-6020 or Patricia at (512) 293-4908. Dogs are welcome.

H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday offers complimentary museum admission for all ages at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum. Visitors can explore Texas natural history, from the planet's beginnings and the age of dinosaurs to the wildlife that lives here today. Highlights include fossils of dinosaurs and other ancient creatures, exhibits featuring Texas wildlife, the chance to touch real meteorites, and a walk beneath a pterosaur with a 33 foot wingspan beside a towering tyrannosaur. New for visitors, Epic Encounters presents a refreshed paleontology gallery that combines scientific discovery with immersive design and interactive experiences. No tickets are required. Information about directions, parking, accessibility, and strollers is available on the museum website.