Free events in Austin, TX

Cool Kids Party Co. is hosting a Back to School Drive to help families get ready for a successful school year. This free community event offers 200 backpacks filled with school supplies while they last, complimentary haircuts, free food, and bounce houses for kids. The focus is on bringing neighbors together so every child can start the year feeling prepared and confident. Presented in partnership with Change Through Faith Foundation and Bounce With Joy Rentals. Changing lives, restoring hope, and building futures.

A free workshop series led by Dr. Pat Erhard, BCBA-D, offers practical guidance for caregivers and parents of neurodivergent youth. Each session explores everyday topics such as building communication skills, supporting behavior, and smoothing daily routines, with strategies you can put into practice right away. Every workshop concludes with open Q&A, giving attendees the chance to ask questions and receive tailored guidance from Dr. Erhard. Children are welcome to participate alongside their caregivers, removing the need for separate childcare and creating a family friendly environment in a setting intended to be comfortable for everyone. The series is open to the community, all caregivers are welcome, and no diagnosis or membership is needed. Hosted at We Rock the Spectrum North Austin.

Children, families, and neighbors from Austin’s Rundberg community and nearby areas are invited to a free back to school skate gathering at Pins & Wheels, formerly Playland. Enjoy roller skating, music, and family activities along with complimentary food and drinks, plus raffles and giveaways. Every student can receive a free backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Admission is free, and organizers ask families to register so they can plan accordingly. The event is presented by Upbring’s Child Wellbeing Zone program in partnership with JPMorganChase, The PFaith House, and the Bertha Carson Heart Foundation. Upbring has supported children and families for more than 150 years through foster care, education, residential treatment, community services, and prevention, including Child Wellbeing Zones in Austin’s Rundberg neighborhood and Dallas’s Oak Cliff community.

Author S.A. MacLean appears for a conversation celebrating Sunsplitter, the finale of her spicy monster romance duology, with moderator Aparna Verma. The story follows Fi, a cross dimensional smuggler trying to turn over a new leaf, and her immortal partner Antal as they work to rebuild a city into a refuge without blood sacrifice. When Antal is called home by his father, a member of the governing council, the past collides with the present, including a final argument that left a lover dead. At the same time a creature feared even by the daeyari is burning through the Planes, pushing Fi and Antal to join forces with immortals who might turn on them and to face pressures that could strain their fragile love. MacLean is the bestselling fantasy author of The Phoenix Keeper and Voidwalker and holds a PhD in environmental science, after years of fieldwork and teaching. Verma was born in Rajasthan and grew up in the United States, graduated from Stanford with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English, self published The Boy with Fire in 2021 which went viral on TikTok, and saw it republished by Orbit as The Phoenix King in 2023. She enjoys lifting weights, dancing to Bollywood music, and finding cozy cafes to read myths from ancient worlds. This event is free and open to the public. Purchasing books through BookPeople supports a local independent bookstore and signals to publishers to keep sending authors there.

Try a free beginner acro yoga orientation at Austin Gymnastics Club, offered as part of a weekly Friday open practice. Acroyoga blends partner acrobatics with elements of yoga, gymnastics, dance, cheer, and healing traditions such as Thai massage. Through playful exercises and calibration drills, newcomers learn key body mechanics, foundational poses, and smooth transitions between them. The session is led by experienced volunteer community members with an emphasis on safety, connection, and fun. No partner or prior experience is required, and participants may attend solo or with friends. After the lesson, there is time to keep practicing during the jam and explore new skills with others. Because the practice involves close contact, good hygiene is appreciated, including deodorant, trimmed nails, and fresh breath. This orientation is free, with optional pay-what-you-can donations that help sustain local jams. The event is organized by Austin Acro Advocates, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting a safe, sustainable, and growing acro scene in the greater Austin area. The focus rotates throughout the month, with L-basing on the first, third, and fifth Fridays, acro therapeutics on the second Fridays, and standing acro on the fourth Fridays.

Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, in partnership with LeadHer to Purpose, hosts a free Community Resource Fair that connects Austin-area families with educational, health, and community support ahead of the new school year. Families can meet local organizations and service providers, take tours of UPA's new campus, enjoy free snacks, and participate in activities for all ages. Registered families may pick up backpacks and school supplies. Guests can also explore school information, community programs, and other helpful local services. The fair is free and open to the entire community.

A free stand-up showcase at Lustre Pearl East features host Angelina Martin of Comedy Central. Established Austin comedians and new faces debut fresh material in a format that mixes open mic spots with a booked show. Performers may email cackleshackmic@gmail.com to be considered and will receive a confirmation message ahead of the event.

QuizMaster Aaron leads TC’s Trivia, a free, live-hosted pub quiz featuring $170 in prizes. Expect a friendly competition with questions that span a wide range of subjects. Teams may include up to 10 players, and solo participants can connect with others on arrival. Arriving early helps with securing a table indoors or out on the patios. Phones and apps are not permitted during play. Promoted as Austin’s best and longest running live pub quiz, and complimentary garage parking is available with validation.

Entry is free for this songwriter-focused open mic hosted by Jake Farr, where local artists take the Cactus stage to share original songs only, with no covers. Musicians who would like to perform can reach out to Jake Farr at jakefarrmusic@gmail.com.

A free community contra dance takes place weekly at Hancock Recreation Center with live music by the Local On-Call Orchestra (LOCO). All dances are taught and called, making it easy for newcomers, and a beginner introduction happens before the main program. No partner is required, and dancers are welcome to try either role. Each month highlights a specific move for deeper practice, pairing basic instruction with extra tips on nuances and variations to build connection and enjoyment. Recent examples include Down the Hall and Square Through. Multiple callers use gender-neutral terminology. The setting is alcohol-free, family friendly, and welcoming to LGBTQ+ participants. The dance runs on weeks when the recreation center is open.

Buzzkill at The Buzz Mill is a free weekly stand-up comedy show that has been entertaining audiences since 2013. Hosted by Carlton Wilcoxson and Angelina Martin, it takes place on the patio of the lumberjack-themed bar and showcases a lively mix of rising local comics and seasoned headliners with credits from Comedy Central, HBO, and the Moontower Comedy Festival. The crowd often fills in quickly, so arriving early can help with seating. Local outlets such as The Austin Chronicle and Do512 have highlighted the show as a standout and one of the city’s top free options.

Settle in for an afternoon concert featuring Austin Classical Guitar’s longtime collaborators, the Moontower Duo, performers and composers Matthew Lyons and Stephen Krishnan. No separate ticket is required beyond admission, and Blanton Members, UT Austin ID holders, K-12 teachers with ID, and children 5 and under receive free entry. Seating is limited.

Sketchy Thursdays at Something Cool Studios is a free, inclusive art meetup guided by Austin street artist Warclass. It offers a relaxed place for young creatives to draw, trade ideas, and connect, without pressure or expectations. Organized by Something Good Initiative, the gathering is designed to build community and provide real support for emerging artists. Participants are welcomed as they are and encouraged to create, embracing creativity, vulnerability, and courage. With support from BEWM Coffee, it remains free and accessible so more young artists have a place to belong, grow, and find inspiration.

Long Center’s The Drop-In is part of the Levitt VIBE Austin Music Series and is powered by KUTX 98.9. This free outdoor concert series fills the H-E-B Stage with live music from 23 bands across the season, with a laid-back lawn setting where blankets and lawn chairs fit right in. Admission is free and reservations open each week, with early access available to LC Members. If you do not reserve in advance, you can still attend by arriving without a reservation. Artists are announced weekly on Long Center social channels, followed by the RSVP window and then the show on the lawn. You can also sign up to receive notifications when ticket reservations open for each performance.

Liana Cincotti visits as part of the Summer of Stars celebration. There is no admission fee and everyone is welcome. The spotlighted novel follows tennis phenom Luna Aldridge, whose public image unravels after a breakup, and film favorite Kieran Alexander, whose love life could jeopardize his next major role. Their teams arrange a staged romance to repair their reputations, even though they can hardly tolerate each other. One guideline sets the terms, keep real feelings out of it. As they pose for photos, walk red carpets, and travel with the tennis tour, the line between performance and reality begins to blur. With constant public attention, both careers and hearts are suddenly at stake. Cincotti is a bestselling author from New England who works in marketing and writes with the charm of early 2000s romantic comedies in mind. When she is not writing, she enjoys sitcoms and a cookies and cream milkshake. Purchasing books through BookPeople supports a local independent bookstore and encourages publishers to continue sending authors for future appearances.

Movies on the Lake transforms the lakeside at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters into a one-of-a-kind outdoor cinema on beautiful Lake Austin, with screenings under the stars and a choice of deck or on-the-water viewing. Deck seating is free, and advance RSVPs are encouraged since complimentary tickets often sell out. For an elevated experience on the water, limited rentals are available and booking ahead is recommended. Options include paddleboards for $20 per board for the duration of the movie, 2-person floater chairs for $30 per chair for the duration, and donut boats for $150 for 2.5 hours that can be used for a sunset cruise or to anchor near the screen. Water rentals are operated by Lake Austin Calm, and guests who reserve a paddleboard, float, or donut boat through Lake Austin Calm do not need to RSVP separately through this listing. Arrive early for live music, sunset views, themed concessions, and specialty drinks inspired by the evening’s film. The café and concession stands serve movie-style popcorn, giant pretzels, candy, and more, and a pop-up bar from Quince Lakehouse features a specialty frozen cocktail tied to the film, along with beer, wine, and hard seltzers.