Featured Events:
Rodeo Austin– Friday, March 8- March 23. Live music, cook-offs, rodeo competitions, a carnival, pig races and more- it’s all part of Rodeo Austin! For a complete schedule of events, click here. Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin.
NASA’s James Webb Telescope Exhibit – Friday – Sunday, March 8 – 10, from noon – 11 p.m. The James Webb Telescope Exhibit outside of the Long Center is FREE and open to the public. The exhibit includes a life-size model of the successor to the Hubble Telescope that is 100 times more powerful. The telescope will study how the universe was formed, if our solar system is unique and if we are alone in the cosmos. The model is the size of a tennis court, is four stories high and weighs 12,000 pounds. The NASA Experience Tent features displays, videos, multimedia products and hands-on activities. The model and the tent are designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to push the boundaries of science and technology. The Long Center lawn, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin.
SXSW Gaming Expo – Friday, March 8, from 3 – 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, from noon to 8 p.m. The expo, which is presented by Nintendo, is FREE and open to the public and celebrates games of all kinds, including current favorites and unreleased upcoming video games from Nintendo and its third-party publishing partners. Visitors to the Nintendo Booth (No.500) will get to enjoy games, demos, prizes and giveaways.Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin.
SXSW Create 2013 – Friday, March 8, from 2 – 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Create is in its second year and focuses on bringing together local and international members of the SXSW community to share their creations and showcase the latest tools and fabrication methods. For the most part it is a very hands on tactile event of both physical creations and/or artwork. Here is an event preview. Outdoors, adjacent to the Austin Convention Center, 101 Red River, Austin.
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concerts – Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. FREE concert at First United Methodist of Round Rock (directions). Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. FREE concert at Georgetown ISD KLETT Performing Arts Center (directions).
Rodeo Rumble – Saturday, March 9 at 9:30 a.m. Kiddos ages 12 and under are invited to the Rodeo Rumble, Rodeo Austin’s 1K Kid’s Fun Run. Participants will race around Luedecke Arena, on the dirt, where the cowboys and cowgirls compete for 15 nights. Runners will receive a custom back number for the race, cowbell for finishing the course, plus amazing Blue Bell ice cream when it’s all said and done. Register online. FREE, but bring $10 for parking. Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin.
Circus Chickendog: Circus Fairy “Tails”– Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:00am. Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls — step right up! The circus is in town…but they are missing their main animal attraction! Join the circus ringmaster as he searches for his new shining star at the local humane society. But who will he choose? Spoiled rotten lions? A clowning macaw? Or the smallest elephant with the biggest heart? Come see this mash up of all your favorite fairy “tails” – with a unique Circus Chickendog twist! Bring the whole family to enjoy this fabulous show together! Tickets: $10. The Institution Theater, 3708 Woodbury Drive.
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic: Monster Jam-Saturday, March 9, 10:00am. Monster Jam is back at Lowe’s this weekend! Be sure to register your child to build the Monster Jam kit featuring Monster Mutt®! FREE!! All participating Lowe’s locations.
Hands On History: Native American Traditions- Saturday, March 9, 10:00am- 2:00pm. Come out to the Williamson Museum for hands-on, interactive history lessons & activities. This program is free for children of all ages. Visit our Quanah Parker exhibit, and then celebrate the life and achievements of one of the greatest Comanche Chiefs through Native American crafts. FREE!! Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown.
The Rainbow Fish– Saturday, Noon. With her lovely coloring and shimmering scales, the Rainbow Fish is used to being the most beautiful creature in the ocean. So when the other fish ask her for some silver scales, she refuses. How can she sacrifice the one thing that makes her so unique? Will some good advice from the wise old Octopus persuade the Rainbow Fish to share her gifts with those around her? ArtsPower has turned Marcus Pfister’s bestselling book into a delightful and touching musical about the value of sharing true friendship with others. Tickets: $12 adults, $9 children. One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Caves Road.
Goodnight Moon– Saturday at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Step into the Great Green Room as one of the most iconic children’s books of all time is brought to life. In this lively musical, Bunny’s room magically comes alive with stunning puppetry, tap dancing bears, and even a trip through the night sky with a constellation light show. For ages 3 and up. Tickets starting at $16. ZACH Theater, 202 S. Lamar.
Second Saturdays are for Families: Mechanical Animals – Saturday, March 9, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Part machine, part cuddly animal, all fun! Combine unusual materials like gears and wires with traditional art supplies to make a hybrid creature inspired by the new exhibition at Laguna Gloria. Then loosen up with Bea Love Yoga’s family yoga at 2 p.m. $5 for member families; $10 for non-member families. Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street, Austin.
Free Movie: Green Lantern – Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. Enjoy a FREE Spring Break Screening of Green Lantern (PG-13). Popcorn and refreshments will be provided. About the movie: A test pilot is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe. Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Drive, Austin.
Moms Rock Showcase – Sunday, March 10, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The lovely ladies of Texas M.I.L.K. (Moms I’d Like to Know) are bringing back their popular SXSW showcase of rockin’ moms. The music is FREE and family friendly! Performers include Sara Hickman, The Jitterbug Vipers, Raina Rose, Karen Chisholm, Robyn Ludwick, and Shelley King. Bring the kids to play on the playscape at Freddie’s and enjoy an Instrument Craft Station provided by BabyEarth. Freddie’s Place, 1703 South First Street, Austin.
Staci Gray at NATY – Sunday, March 10 at 11 a.m. FREE kids show with music and bubbles! North Austin Trailer Yard (NATY), 1012 West Anderson Lane, Austin.
Groundwork Music Orchestra Spring Break Concert – Sunday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. Groundwork Music Orchestra will perform, along with special guests from Maplewood Elementary School. Wilson Marks’ students will be playing ukelele and singing songs. FREE. A portion of proceeds will help to pay for song writing programs at Maplewood. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 38 1/2 Street, Austin.
HOPE Farmers Market Grand Opening – Sunday, March 10, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Celebrate the Grand Opening of HOPE FM at Plaza Saltillo with fun for the whole family including free yoga (11 a.m.), Tiny Tails to You! Petting Zoo, Big Ass Canvas, face painting, piñata smashing and live music by Whiskey Shivers (1:30 p.m.) and Dead Music Capital Band (2:45 p.m.). Plaza Saltillo, 412 Comal Street, Austin.
LEGO Fun Day– Sunday, 9:00am- 4:00pm. A fun-filled day of LEGO building and Discovery! Learning Fun 101’s LEGO Robotics Fun day allows kids ages 4 and up to build and create different projects at any of the many LEGO Fun activity centers. Register to attend: http://www.learningfun101.com/free-fun-event. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.
Recurring Events:
Friday Night Storytime- Enjoy a FREE storytime with the kids on Fridays at 7:30pm. Barnes and Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road Bldg A Suite 700, Round Rock.
Central Market North Lamar– Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30- 9:00p.m. Live music and dancing, oh my! This is a great spot for parents to enjoy music while letting their kids burn some energy on the playground. There are also ducks to feed in the nearby pond. Central Market, North Lamar Blvd.
Craft Time for Kids– Saturday, 11:00am- 3:00p.m. Bring the kids to get crafty. The crafts change weekly and usually are themed for particular holidays or seasons. FREE!! Lakeshore Learning Center, 9828 Great Hills Trail.
Food-Free Family Storytime- Saturday, 10:30a.m. The Round Rock Public Library presents Food-Free Family Storytime, a reading activity that welcomes families with children of all ages to a fun environment that’s safe for individuals affected by food allergies.This interactive program includes a variety of activities such as books, fingerplays, music, movies, and puppets. FREE!! The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.
BookKids Storytime– Saturday mornings at 11:30a.m. Join the wonderful staff at BookPeople as they entertain your kiddos with stories, crafts, guest storytellers, and sometimes even puppets! FREE!! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
What’s the Story Steve?– Saturday at 10 a.m. Move Your Tale and ColdTowne Theater collaborate to present this fully improvised theatrical journey through a story of the audience’s making. Featuring Steve the improvising poodle, a portion of the show follows Steve through an original tale. Pay what you wish. Appropriate for audiences of all ages. A return to MYT’s classic event structure, kids will join us on the stage for the entire event, providing sound effects, characters and settings for for every story. This is a chance to create original tales, and to perform them right away! ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd.
Storytime- Saturday, 11:00a.m. A weekend storytime for families with kids of all ages. FREE!! Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.
Hill Country Galleria Saturday Night Concert Series– The FREE concerts begin at 7:00pm on Saturday night. Hill Country Galleria’s amphitheater, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.
Flying Theater Machine: Snowball Fight- Sunday, 2:00pm. Enjoy kid-oriented improv right here in Austin. The audience will help us with suggestions and sound effects, and a few lucky kids will even get to join us on stage. Tickets: $8. The Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Ave.
Whole Foods Kids’ Club – Sunday, 1:00p.m.Hey kids, stop by and check out what’s going on at Kid’s Club. Each week we have an exciting activity that will let you play with your food plus learn a couple things along the way. FREE!! Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar.
*Please be sure to click on the event links to check to make sure events are still happening. Once this list is published, it is not updated when changes occur to the scheduled events.
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