Austin, TX — Looking for something to do with the family this weekend?
While thousands of people will be heading to Zilker Park for ACL Weekend One, there are plenty of other events happening across Central Texas, including interactive forts, free museums, hockey, Halloween fun, art and activities for kids.
With wet weather in the forecast, check with organizers before heading to outdoor events for any last-minute schedule changes.
Fortlandia returns to the Wildflower Center
Want to let the kids climb all over some art? At Fortlandia, they’re actually supposed to.
The annual interactive exhibition returns to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, featuring a brand-new collection of imaginative forts designed for kids and adults to climb, crawl through and explore.
This year’s creations include structures inspired by a giant cicada and a climbable armadillo.
Fortlandia is included with regular Wildflower Center admission and free for members. The exhibition runs through Jan. 31, 2027.
Texas Stars are back on the ice
The Texas Stars open their 2026–27 season Friday night against the Iowa Wild, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m.
They’ll do it all over again Saturday night.
And fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch a weekend game this season: 28 of the Stars’ 36 regular-season home games fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Friday’s home opener also includes a magnet schedule giveaway, while Saturday’s giveaway is a local artist-designed T-shirt, while supplies last.
Ready to start the Halloween fun a little early?
Boo at the Zoo returns to the Austin Zoo Friday and Saturday night.
Families are encouraged to come in costume and explore the zoo after dark, with a spooky train ride and Halloween-themed attractions among the evening activities.
Boo at the Zoo runs from 5:45 to 9 p.m. Advance tickets are required.
Free First Sunday at the Bullock
How about an entire museum for free?
Sunday is H-E-B Free First Sunday at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special family programming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. celebrating fall traditions across Texas.
Kids can learn to ride at Pease Park
Got a little one ready to ditch the training wheels?
Pease Park Conservancy and Austin Youth Fitness are hosting a free beginner biking and Learn to Ride class Saturday morning.
The program is designed for children ages 4 and older who are learning to ride without training wheels. Kids will also work on bike safety and trail etiquette.
Participants need a bike and helmet, and registration is required.
This one is for the kids and your four-legged family members.
St. Francis Fest is Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Nomadic Outpost in South Austin.
The free, family-friendly celebration of animals and nature includes pet blessings, live music, and free wildflower seeds.
Austin Resource Recovery will also give away free kitchen compost collectors, limited to one per household while supplies last.
* Double-check for any weather cancellations before heading to these events.