Blog > Family Friendly Outdoor and Virtual Activities for Spring Break in Austin
Family Friendly Outdoor and Virtual Activities for Spring Break in Austin
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Austin, TX knows how to do it right when it comes to family fun. Whether you want to getaway to spend some time outdoors with your family or attend virtual events from home, Austin has a lot to offer for this season. Here are some outdoor and virtual activities for families this Spring Break.
1. SXSW ONLINE: SXSW FILM FESTIVAL
March 16 – 18, 2021 | 9 am
Virtual Event
Tickets: $249 through February; $399 as of March 1
The 2021 South by Southwest Film Festival, part of SXSW Online, will include 75 feature films, including 57 world premieres, three international premieres, four North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, eight Texas premieres, and 53 films from first-time filmmakers.
These include Opening Night headliner Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil; Centerpiece film Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free; and Closing Night film Alone Together.
The festival will also feature 84 short films including music videos, five episodic premieres, six episodic pilots, 20 virtual cinema projects, 14 title design entries, and 30 special events.
2. SXSW ONLINE: SXSQ MUSIC FESTIVAL
March 16 – 18, 2021 | 9 am
Virtual Event
Tickets: $249
The 35th annual SXSW Music will be the festival’s first-ever digital experience. Dozens of musical acts from around the world will perform in their respective hometowns and then be streamed via web, mobile, or the SXSW Online Connected TV app, which is available on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and Android TV.
This year’s lineup includes acts from nearly every corner of the globe, giving fans a chance to catch performances from the likes of Beans (Geelong, Australia); Dan Bettridge (Cardiff, Wales); Tessellated (Kingston, Jamaica); AIRY (Nowon Gu, South Korea); Otoboke Beaver (Kyoto, Japan); Paul Jacobs (Montreal); Francisca Valenzuela (Santiago, Chile); Vocal Vidas (Santiago, Cuba); and Wavy The Creator (Lagos, Nigeria).
Representing Austin will be Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Blushing, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Nané, and Sir Woman.
Speakers will include Keynote Speaker Willie Nelson, and featured speakers like Queen Latifah, Chiquis, Mark Mothersbaugh, Wyclef Jean, Nicholas Britell, Taraji P. Henson, Barry Jenkins, Matthew McConaughey, Baratunde Thurston, Samantha Bee, and Sir Richard Branson.
3. HOT LUCK FESTIVAL
May 28 – 30, 2021
Various Locations
Created by James Beard Award-winner Aaron Franklin, Guerilla Suit principal and Mohawk owner James Moody, and Mike Thelin, co-founder of Feast Portland, it is a DIY casserole of the culinary and music world. It’s the perfect imperfection of grandma’s gumbo and pawpaw’s BBQ — but delivered by new interpretations from the next generation.
Hot Luck is inspired by friendly tailgates, family reunions, get-togethers and potlucks of our past and present — with a few differences. It is a fun, chef-driven, celebration of fire, food, music, and camaraderie. And surprises, lots of fun surprises.
4. NASCAR AT COTA
May 21 to May 23, 2021
Circuit of The Americas™
Circuit of The Americas will welcome race fans to an experience like no other when the NASCAR Cup Series visits Austin, Texas for the first-time, courtesy of Speedway Motorsports.
Announcements regarding race length, course selection and the full weekend schedule will be made at a later date. Race fans can place a deposit to reserve a weekend ticket package to the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of The Americas by visiting www.nascaratcota.com
5. SPRING BREAK AT THE BULLOCK
March 17 – 19, 2021
Virtual Event
From the comfort of your home, take a peek at select museum artifacts and exhibitions that inspire us to be creative as we connect history with the current day. Gather the family to enjoy storytimes and demonstrations of hands-on activities for kids of all ages. This is a free virtual event to the public via Zoom.
6. PORT ARANSAS
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a hot spot for college students but this year could bring more families that are searching for an escape to the outdoors. This small beach town on Mustang Island along the Texas Gold Coast that offers beaches, nature preserves, and various water activities for friends and families. This small town with big city amenities has tons of kid-friendly attractions that can also be enjoyed by adults.
7. JURASSIC QUEST
March 12 – 28, 2021 | Fri 11am – 8pm; Sat 9am – 9pm; Sun 9am – 8pm
Drive Thru Event
H-E-B Center – Cedar Park
More than 70 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to return from extinction and invade Austin, as the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru, the nation’s largest touring dinosaur exhibit, will migrate to the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park from March 12-28.
After welcoming legions of guests to sold-out weekends across the country, the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru will transform the outdoor parking area of the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park into an interactive drive-thru experience. Jurassic Quest’s herd of animatronic dinos are displayed in realistic scenes that allow guests to experience them roaring and moving as they drive through the tour.
8. ABC KITE FESTIVAL
TBA
One of Austin’s most iconic traditions and is now one of the longest-running festival of its kind. Every year, the nation’s oldest kite festival features hundreds of kites across the Austin sky. This year, the festival is hosting a weekend showcase and contest. More details to be announced soon.