Things to do this weekend in and around Austin
Friendly fun in Austin and surrounding areas for Friday, July 17, 2026 through Sunday, July 19, 2026. Check out these highlights!
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, July 17, 2026
Toddler Time - Pirate Ship Pool - Fridays in the Summer - July 17, 2026 (recurring Fridays) - Leander, TX. Little ones can splash and explore a kid-friendly pirate ship pool during special daytime hours at Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark.
Music/ Movement Storytime - July 17, 2026 (and select Fridays) - Liberty Hill, TX. Toddlers enjoy stories, songs, and movement activities designed to build early literacy and coordination at Liberty Hill Public Library.
Round Rock Express Home Games - July 17–19, 2026 - Round Rock, TX. Cheer on the Round Rock Express with family-friendly baseball, ballpark treats, and in-game entertainment at Dell Diamond.
Moonlight Movie Night - July 17, 2026 - Round Rock, TX. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to Old Settlers Park for an outdoor family movie under the stars starting at dusk.
Friday Pizza Party & Game Night - July 17, 2026 (select Fridays) - Austin, TX. Kids enjoy pizza and an evening of video and tabletop games in a supervised, social setting at Game Worlds.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Paramount Summer Classic Film Series - July 18, 2026 (and select dates through August 30, 2026) - Austin, TX. Experience classic movies on historic screens, with some special 35mm and IMAX presentations for film-loving families.
Ice Age in the Wild - July 16–18, 2026 (and additional dates) - Austin, TX. Walk among life-sized Ice Age creatures and learn about prehistoric Texas landscapes at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Spark Your Imagination Exhibit - July 16–18, 2026 (and select dates through July 31, 2026) - Bastrop, TX. Interactive displays at Bastrop County Museum invite kids to tinker, create, and experiment with science and art concepts.
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures 2026 Season - July 16–18, 2026 (and ongoing dates) - Volente, TX. Families can hike, play at the lakefront beach, and soar on multiple ziplines with sweeping views over Lake Travis.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Kids Bowl Free - Register your kids for a Summer Fun Bowling Pass today! - July 16–19, 2026 (and daily summer dates) - Various locations near Austin, TX. Registered kids receive two free games of bowling each day at participating centers, keeping them active all summer.
Austin Symphony Orchestra's Tuneful Tales - July 17 & 20, 2026 - Austin, TX. ASO chamber musicians and storytellers bring children’s stories to life with music, narration, and hands-on arts activities at Symphony Square and other locations.
Texas America250 Reading Challenge - July 16–19, 2026 (and daily through December 31, 2026) - Austin, TX. Families participate in a statewide reading challenge focused on American history, choosing engaging books and activities from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Texas Festivals: Creating Community Through Celebration Exhibition - July 16–19, 2026 (and ongoing) - Austin, TX. Explore colorful photos, artifacts, and stories highlighting how festivals across Texas bring communities together at the Bullock Texas State History Museum.