- Blue Genie Art Bazaar – Friday, November 29 – Sunday, December 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. All items at the bazaar have been handmade by local and regional artists that are selected through a rigorous jury process. The bazaar features the work of more than 130 artists that offer a wide variety of imaginative and beautiful gifts. You can expect to find paintings, photography, prints, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, accessories, glassworks, ceramics, and more. FREE admission and FREE parking! There will also be a FREE kick-off party from 7 – 9 p.m. on Friday. The Marchesa Hall & Theatre at Lincoln Village, 6226 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin.
- Chuy’s Children Giving to Children Parade – Saturday, November 30 at 11 a.m. The parade will last approximately an hour long. It will begin on the south side of the State Capitol and travel south down Congress Avenue, ending just north of Congress Avenue bridge. Bring along a new toy to donate to the Operation Blue Santa Program. FREE! State Capitol, 11th & Congress, Austin.
- Alamo Kid’s Club: Labyrinth – Saturday, November 30 at 12:15 p.m. Kids age 3 and up are invited to a FREE Alamo Kid’s Club screening. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. There will also be FREE toys from Toy Joy! Alamo Ritz, 320 E. 6th Street, Austin.
- The Home Depot Kids’ Workshop – Saturday, November 30, from 9 a.m. – noon. Visit your local Home Depot to make a Small Toolbox at this FREE holiday workshop for kids.
- What’s the Story Steve? – Saturday, November 30 at 10 a.m. Pay what you wish for this fully improvised show with Steve the improvising poodle and friends. ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd., Austin.
- Renegade Craft Fair – Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. It will be a handmade holiday weekend at the 3rd Annual Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market in Austin. Hundreds of today’s best and brightest indie makers will be on hand with their handmade goods. Expect a vibrant and festive atmosphere at the fair; attendees can skip the Black Friday crowds and bring the whole family to buy handmade and support local artists from their community. Local DJs from Waterloo Records will be spinning jams all weekend to keep the atmosphere lively as shoppers peruse each booth. Palmer Events Center will be festively decorated with installations from Rachael Currie. Kick back and check things off your gift list while relaxing in the vintage lounge area, created for Renegade shoppers by Loot Vintage Rentals. Renegade visitors are invited to take a photo to commemorate their indie shopping experience in the FREE photo booth provided by Magnolia Photo Booth Co. FREE to attend. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin.
- Dreidel Tournament – Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1, from 1-5 p.m. Come learn how to play the game and make your own custom dreidels from recycled materials. Stay and participate in the tournament; there will be categories for all ages and special prizes. This is a FREE family friendly event for all ages. Recycled Reads Bookstore, 5335 Burnet Rd., Austin.
- Grinch Storytime at BookPeople – Sunday, December 1 at 11:30 a.m. The Grinch will be at BookPeople to assist in the re-telling of his story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and to take pictures with all you little Whos. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, Austin.
- Free First Sunday at Bullock Texas State History Museum – Sunday, December 1, from noon – 3 p.m. Take a break from feasting and shopping, and spend the last day of Thanksgiving weekend at the Bullock Museum. Create wearable star art and participate in other family-friendly holiday activities. Admission is FREE. 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin.
- Zilker Tree Lighting – Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m. Join the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the annual lighting of the holiday tree. FREE. Pre-event music begins at 5:30 p.m. Prelude Music by the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, Robert Laguna, Conductor. Additional event music by the Barton Hills Choir, Gavin Tabone, Director, Kati Achtermann, Principal. Bring money for food and novelty vendors onsite. The tree will then be on display December 2-31, from 6 p.m. – midnight. Zilker Park, Austin.
Bonus Budget-Friendly Events:
- A Christmas Story at ZACH– Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 1 at 2:30 p.m. Based on the classic holiday film, young Ralphie and his quest for the Red Rider B.B. Gun comes to delightful life on stage! ZACH Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road.
- Invincible Czars Dance-It-yourself Nutcrakcer– Saturday, November 30 at 2 p.m. Kick off the holidays with Austin’s emperors of eclecticism, The Invincible Czars! 2013 marks the 10th annual Dance-It-Yourself Nutcracker – a rockin’, fun and family-friendly holiday show. Once you’re sick of eating turkey and shopping on Thanksgiving weekend, join the band for a some holiday dancing that Saturday afternoon at the Spiderhouse Ballroom. There will be free face-painting, a make-your-own-snowflake area, photography and lots of props and fun. Tasty treats available from the Spiderhouse kitchen (and the bar for adults). There’s also a costume contest (with prizes!) for the best holiday costume – girl, boy and adult! Cost: Adults, $10, kids, $5. The Spiderhouse Ballroom, 29th and Guadalupe.
- Ice Skating at Whole Foods– Sunday, December 1, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., daily. Skate on top of the world…. well, at least on top of Whole Foods downtown! Cost: $10 per person, includes skate rental. Whole Foods, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.
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[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://www.livemom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture-2.png[/author_image] [author_info]Heidi Gollub loves exploring Austin and beyond with her 5 kids. For more local adventures for families, visit FreeFuninAustin.com. [/author_info] [/author]
